Pro
by: Compulsiv… |
views: 52 |
14:00
Morocco is only 10 miles from Spain and its 3 main gateways Casablanca, Tangier…moreMorocco is only 10 miles from Spain and its 3 main gateways Casablanca, Tangiers and Marrakech. Low cost airlines connect them with 2 to 3 hours flights to major European capitals.
Casablanca is a bustling metropolis. Its must-see site is the spectacular King Hasan Mosque built right on the Atlantic coast and the second largest in the world after Mecca. The next stop is Rabat, the present capital of Morocco. Plenty to see. Not to be missed is the great Mohammed V Mausoleum with the Hassan Tower. The Medina with its Andalusian blue walls. The Atlantic beaches are wide and pristine.
In 1500 bc The Phoenicians used Asilah it as trading port. the Portuguese came in the 15th century and staid for 300 years leaving military fortification. Its position on the Atlantic makes it a great fishing port.
Tangier is an international city on the northern tip of Morocco in direct view of Spain. It has access to both Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, and is a major cruiseship port. After A circle of writers, artists and Hollywood stars converged to Tangiers after WWII and a made it a fashionable spot. The world came to watch the action from its sidewalk cafes in the medina. Among the luxury hotels in Tangiers is the 5 star Movenpick on the Mediterranean side with luxurious amenities and superb Moroccan cuisine. Moroccan cuisine is very diverse with influences from Berber, Mediterranean and Arab cuisines.
Cape Spartel faces the strait of Gilbratar and is considered the northernmost point of the African continent. The Hercules grotto nearby fill up at high tide. The entrance of this mythical place has the shape of an upside map of Africa. Further east on the mediterranean a and Cabo Negro and Martil, cities of endless beaches facing the pristine waters of the Mediterranean.
Chefchaouen.is surrounded for miles by olive groves is This is also one of the busiest mountain markets town. The Andalousian architecture of white and blue houses can be found in the kasbah and its gardens, at the center of the medina. This is also a dying and weaving center. The famous djellaba, the long garment worn by the men and women of North Africa, was created here.
We stop at the Holy City Of Moulay Idriss where the founder of Islam is buried. His tomb is a pilgrimage site for Muslims.
Close by is the beautifully preserved archaeological site of the Roman city of Volubilis. From here on to the Imperial City of Meknes. Sultan Moulay spared no expense in creating this jewel of a city, building 40 kilometers of walls, an artificial lake and Bab Mansour, the grandest of all gates in Morocco on the big square which rivals Marrakech with its theatrical events. Fez, was the first Imperial City built in 790 A.D. by Moulay Idriss II. This is the world last surviving Medieval city with great monuments and a sprawling a Medina with the oldest tanneries in the world. Fez is also known for great shopping in its bustling souks.
Great accommodations can be found in the Riads, old historic Moroccan homes converted to Hotels.
Fez is the home of Scenic Voyages one of the premier travel agencies in Morocco serving all travel from Europe and the US .
The drive to the Sahara is 300 miles over the dramatic Atlas Mountains. Here great Moroccan specialties like tagine and cous cous can be tasted in restaurants along the mountains.
Erfoud is the beginning of the Sahara. Great empty spaces populated by camels with occasional encampments of nomadic people.
A four wheel drive is necessary to get to the the sand dunes of Merzouga. Overnight in a Berber Bivouac sleeping under the stars in the desert. sunrise comes while gliding on camelback on the golden sands of the Sahara . This is truly Spectacular. And a big surprise is the luxurious Breakfast at the bivouac.
We drive to Zagora in the Dra Valley at the edge of the desert surrounded by oasis and Casbahs like Tifoultoute, ancient fortified towns still inhabited today
Ouarzazate has the sprawling and impressive Atlas Film Studios where Gladiator and Kundun were filmed.
In Marrakech a visit to the monumental Saadian Tombs is a must.
The great Mosque needs to be seen. And then the Medina has some of the best shopping anywhere.. But the big story is in Djemaa Elfna, a grand open theater with storytellers, fire eaters, snake-charmers and endless open-air restaurants. Food stalls display the great variety of dishes of Moroccan cuisine.
Taroudant is an ancient city in the south with the feel of an old market town. Local women grind a nut with healing properties called argan used to make cosmetic creams. Taroudant with its rug weaving and crafts tradition is a great shopping stop.
Agadir is a resort town on the southern Atlantic with beaches that go on forever and endless luxury hotels. It is also one of the busiest fishing ports in North Africa,
Next stop Essaouira, an 800 year old Atlantic port with a massive fort and charming café’s and restaurants.
El Jadida with beautiful Atlantic beaches was a Portuguese settlement from the 15th to the 18th century and it is heavily surrounded by fortified walls.
Last stop back in Casablanca. This hectic city slows down on the week-end and this is the last chance to experience the relaxed Moroccan way of life before returning home.
Air travel courtesy of Royal Air Morocco
Travel co-ordination courtesy of the Moroccan Tourist Board
Morocco is a great and safe destination for students, families and meeting planners.
www.scenicvoyage.com/
less
Pro
by: olomoucgu… |
views: 4030 |
01:51
Theatre workshop for students of Summer School of Slavonic Languages in Olomouc…moreTheatre workshop for students of Summer School of Slavonic Languages in Olomouc / Czech Republic. The workshop is supervised by professional actors of Moravian Theatre in Olomouc. A lot of fun, a lot of learning! Enjoy with olomouc-guide.com less
Pro
by: Compulsiv… |
views: 1198 |
06:00
Zagreb is a bustling modern city with a thousand year history. The 20th century…moreZagreb is a bustling modern city with a thousand year history. The 20th century blends without effort with its great buildings and monuments from the 17th 18th and 19th century.
Samobor is where people from Zagreb come to relax. The town with its beautifully preserved medieval plan looks almost unreal. When here must try the famous aperitif called Bermet and its very special custard cake which the people of Samobor claim has no calories.
30 minutes from Zagreb is a small winery called Korak. The family has been in the wine business for centuries. The current winery has been producing superior wines for 20 years Rieslings and Sauvignons are exceptional.
Opatje is a popular Summer and Winter resort on the Adriatic. The emperor of Austria loved this place. It was the Austrian nobility favorite spot in the 19th centuries and it shows. This place is all about indulging and pampering.
Motuvun is an old medieval town on top of a hill is in the heart of Istria. Population 500 tradition lives on in Motuvun.
In Li’vade there is an outstanding restaurant called Zigante, the cathedral of the Istrian truffle . The Chef prepares a pasta with black truffles, the Summer variety. A white truffle found by Zigante is in the Guinness Book of Records. And of course the store is all about …what else?
Great food needs great olive oil. In Buje one can taste what has been a specialty of Istria for centuries: the many varieties of olive oil.
In Brtonigla is Astarea one can taste traditional recipes of Istrian grandmothers prepared to perfection by loving traditional hands
In the rich wine country of Umag, is another outstanding winery: Kabola with its awarded wines like Malvasia and Grey Pinot.
Fusion spa in the hotel Melia has experts from Thailand and India practicing a range of sophisticated massages from Thai to Ayruvedic, to Tibetan Chi Nei Tsang massage
In Umag another major winery: Coronica . The wines of Istria are shaped by the red soil rich in iron and the salty sea air. Coronica uses no fertilizers and focuses on its native grapes producing mostly Malvasia for whites and Teran red.
Rovinj is a beautiful Adriatic town with a beautiful harbor and a charming an old town which owes its goods looks to the long presence of the Venetians. With a big influx of tourists from nearby Italy and northern Europe it has great hotels and restaurants.
less
![compulsivetraveler.tv [BETA]](/images/logo.gif?1303326327 "compulsivetraveler.tv [BETA]"){kind=logo}
