Travel Spotlight: Experiencing Morocco for Our Honeymoon

Entry #2278, April 9, 2013

My husband and I love to travel offbeat and almost shocked our friends and families when we told them that we’d decided to go to Egypt and Morocco for our honeymoon! Everybody was expecting a romantic getaway to Europe or South East Asia. “You will get hurt in the political riots!”, my then to-be mother-in-law warned. But we went…and it was awesome!

After seeing a lot of ancient ruins in Egypt, we reached Morocco to realize how different the African continent can get in only a couple thousand miles! Morocco, in December, looks like a sunny Europe with green fields, long stretches of roads and cafes with French speaking patrons! Morocco was a French colony until 1956, when they attained independence and you’ll find the French and Spanish influences on language and cuisine.

The road to Marrakech is a treat for the eyes

Image via: Palindrome6996 on flickr

Our first stop was Marrakech – this was my favorite city in Morocco! You can spend an entire day in the town square (called the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square) sipping on hot mint tea and looking at the different types of people that make up the market’s crowd. Also, don’t miss the Bahia Palace and the Menara.

The vibrant square with snake charmers, monkey handlers, food and so much more

Image via: Bjørn Giesenbauer on flickr

After spending 2 days in Marrakech, we headed for Fez, which has the largest medina in Morocco. A medina is a walled town, usually an old city from Arabic descent. The maze of lanes will give you a feel of what Arab cities used to look like about 500 years back! Check out the tanneries, buy some spices and Morocco’s special Argon oil and have a chilled out meal at Café Clock, owned and run by a British fellow.

Oh and how can I forget the stop we made at Ifrane, on our way from Marrakech to Fez?! Ifrane is a small city that hosts a top of the line university, attended by the richest kids in the Arab world! The city is dotted with cafes and gardens and transports you to the feeling of sitting in any quaint town in France. This is the only place in Morocco where we were sold goods based on a printed price – everywhere else in Morocco, you just have to trust what the store owner quotes!

The beautiful city of Ifrane that looks like a European town

Image via: Khowaga1 on flickr

From Fez, a quick trip to Volubilis showed us ancient Roman ruins that are over 2000 years old. And from here, we headed to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. A part of the king’s palace grounds is open to public and it is grand! Talk to anyone in Morocco and you will feel the love and gratefulness that people have for their king. King Mohammed VI is popular for his progressive views and fairness in justice. He is responsible for giving better opportunities to women and increasing the level of education in the country. Chat up with a local to feel the warmth!

Finally, how can you visit Morocco and not visit Casablanca! The city that was made popular by the romantic 1942 American classic lies by the seashore and is Morocco’s largest city. Go partying here! We also visited the Hassan II mosque – the largest mosque in the country, 7th largest in the world and one of the very few ones that allow women inside. It’s not so much for religion that you should go in, but for its brilliant architecture. Outside, the mosque looks out at the Atlantic Ocean. Stone and marble floors and columns, carved wood ceilings, titanium, bronze and granite finishes make this mosque a marvel to look at from inside. It even has a retractable roof that can be opened up on good days!

Local Moroccan cuisine – hot, steaming meat filled Tagine curries. Yum!

Image via: TravellingAlps

Morocco was a surprise for both my husband and me. The lovely sights, the excellent infrastructure, the good governance and the delectable food won us over. Did I tell you to try a ‘tagine’? It’s a Moroccan delicacy and if you have planned a trip to this wonderful country, do not leave without trying it!

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