Archive for the ‘Berber Life’ Category

Travel the Roman Ruins of Volubilis on a Tailor Made Morocco Tour

Saturday, March 7th, 2009
Roman Ruins, Volubilis

Roman Ruins, Volubilis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Streams of light illuminate the elaborate the Romain ruins of Volubilis accentuating each crevice line and jagged edge with a stream of shadows. As the sun sets the ivory Corinthian columns slowly fade from sepia tones to midnight black silhouettes. On a crisp day in Volubilis tourists snap a series of photos to capture the site’s magnificence. The ruins and mosaics of Volubilis harbor a rich and compleix. Archaeological traces in Voubilis have determined that the Romans occupied the area during the 3rd century BC and established a city of nearly 200,000 people. During this time the city served as the heart of Roman administration. It was an active part of Roman, North Africa producing grains and olive oil exports in the surrounding fertile regions which contributed to its immense prosperity.

Volubilis, Roman arches

Volubilis, Roman arches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volubilis is easily accessible as a day trip from both Meknes and from Fes and a must see historic destination on a Tailor Made Morocco Tour. This area among other nationally recognized attractions in Morocco is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Voubilis is an archaeological thrill for those passionate about exploring some of the best preserved Roman remains in the world.

Mosaic Art, Volubilis

Mosaic Art, Volubilis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dusty roads leading to Voubilis, also referred to as Walili, weave through the winding countryside. The ruins are deep within the gentle rolling hills and flush mountain terrain. The site covers around 800 by 600 metres. Surrounding the ancient remains is a garden of wild plants, and the sound of roaring waters from nearby streams invoke a feeling of serenity. Standing from a distance travelers can look onto the horizon towards the vibrant blue skies and see the elegant temple remains, pillars and the dominant Triumphal arch.

Having survived a few massive earthquakes throughout ancient times, there remain over 30 well-preserved mosaics revealing scenes of ancient Roman culture and mythological creatures.

For more information about the Roman ruins of Voubilis.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Bizarre Foods of Morocco- For The Exotic Traveler

Friday, March 6th, 2009

Check out this Bizarre Foods episode with Andrew Zimmern from the Travel Channel. To become immersed deep within the culture Zimmern is willing to eat pretty much anything that comes his way, this time it happens to be K’lia a Moroccan breakfast food served with eggs.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Go Green – Tour The Seaside Town of Essaouria Morocco

Thursday, March 5th, 2009

1On the fringes of Essaouira outside the cannon-studded walls the callous winds roar and the sun glints against the ocean waves. Windsurfers test the roaring waters off the coast, but inside the city is a relaxing and mystic atmosphere.

The narrow streets of the Medina are enclosed by whitewashed walls  of ancient French and Portuguese architecture with cobalt blue windows and doors. All along the port the fishing boats rock the shores, and fishermen unload their days catch and trek along the sandy dunes.

Essaouira would make a perfect green getaway. The streets are kept clean and there are no cars in sight all throughout the Medina. It is one of the most relaxing cities in all of Morocco. Tiles adorn the archways, patterns so intricate they could leave you staring for hours. Endless hotels line the coast overlooking the Atlantic waters.viewphp

This sea-side medieval town is host to a variety of attractions. Essaouira is the perfect tourist stop. It has an array of art galleries, mouthwatering seafood, wood workshops, and souks filled with jewelry and spices. Essaouira is a great city to enjoy the relaxing and serene Hammans of gentle waters and exfoliating treatments and full body massages.

view-1php1Each June world rock, jazz, and reggae musicians and international artist flock to Essaouira to hosts The Gnaoua Music Festival. This annual festival is Essaouira’s main event and attracts an audience of 500,000 Gnaoua enthusiasts. This festival runs for four days, and offers 10 different concert sights.

This festival is a showcase of different talents of music mysticism and attracts some of Gnaoua’s most ardent followers. The festival emphasizes Gnaoua’s heritage and recently honored the musicians with a new stage. One this main stage there are Gnaous Zaouia, aka “trance performances,” and traditional lilas. During these concerts followers have been know to fall into trance.view-2php

Essaouira was once the stomping ground for Hendrix, Stevens and Marley, and was even what inspired Hendrix’s lyrics to “Castles Made of Sand.” The traditional Berber music is played with a three string instrument resembling a guitar, a type of lute, with a oval soundbox. The music also contains large “ganga” drums and metal castanets.

For travelers interested in wandering the serene streets of Essaouira, or getting lost in the maze like Medina, make sure to check out this annual festival that has been know to stimulate the senses!

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Moroccan Wedding Tour- A Travler’s Must See

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

 

Berber Wedding Imichil

The entire village seems to be buzzing with excitement as you follow your friend Fatima through the narrow winding roads and towards the beating drums that are getting louder with every step. Finally, as you turn the last corner you find yourself in front of a huge tent, brightly lit from the inside with lanterns and candles and filled with the sounds of people singing, dancing, and drums playing. Fatima grabs your hand and pulls you through the crowd and into the tent and you can’t help but to gasp in amazement. The inside of the tent has been swathed in silks of every imaginable shade of red, pink, and orange, from the ceilings hang ornate lanterns with flickering candles that seem to bring the very tent to life, silk and velvet cushions line the floor around tables piled with enough food to satisfy a king. Platters piled high with lamb, chicken, and vegetable kabobs, huge bowls overflowing with pungent saffron couscous, large steaming tagines full of chicken and lamb stews, and large plates piled high with honey covered dates and sticky pastries. Fatima looks at you and gives you a knowing smile, she told you Moroccan weddings were impressive, and this, she had explained, was only the last of a whole week of festivities and celebrations…

 

Traditional Moroccan weddings are elaborate and often quite expensive celebrations that typically begin seven days before the actual wedding ceremony. According to tradition, the parents of the groom would choose a bride for their son and would send a dowry to the bride in the form of household items and furniture. If the groom’s parents were very wealthy they might also send gold jewelry, cloth, and perfume to the bride.

 

Five days before the wedding ceremony the Furniture Party ceremony takes place. This “party” focuses on preparing the bride and groom’s new home. Members of the bride’s party, primarily women, deliver handmade blankets, a mattress, carpets, Moroccan couches and other necessary furniture.

 

Before the final Henna or Beberiska ceremony, the bride is given a milk bath by her nagaffa, or female attendants, in order to purify her. These female attendants are usually older married women, female friends, and relatives. After the bath the bride’s nagaffa help to beautify the bride by dressing her in an elaborately decorated kaftan, adorning her with jewels, and darkening her eyes with kohl, which is like a thick dark eyeliner.

 

Once the bride has been beautified her and her nagaffa take part in the Beberiska ceremony the night before the wedding. The hands and feet of the bride and her party are painted with henna to ward off illness and the evil eye. The bride’s henna is usually more elaborate and certain shapes and symbols meant to ward off the evil eye, bring good luck, and increase fertility are drawn. After the henna has been completed the older married women take the bride off to the side and explain to her the “secrets” of marriage.

 

After all of the pre-wedding ceremonies have been completed the female relatives and friends of the bride gather to prepare an extensive feast for the wedding day, enough food is always made to compensate for any unexpected guests who may arrive. Traditionally, the bride and groom would celebrate the marriage in separate places before the groom, accompanied by singing and dancing male friends and relatives would make his way to his bride. The groom would then be lifted up onto the shoulders of his friends, the bride would be lifted on a circular cushion or table, and they would both be carried to the bridal chamber for some private time. The two would then journey to their new home together and the bride would circle her home three times before finally stepping inside with her new husband.

 

While many of the old traditions are held sacred and still respected in Morocco some traditions, such as the milk bath and furniture party, are rarely followed in more modern areas. Despite the changes over time Moroccan weddings are still a festivity full of food, drumming, dancing, and merriment.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Travel Morocco’s World of Henna on Video

Monday, March 2nd, 2009
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Take a look at this video of a woman receiving a Henna Tattoo.  The intricacy of the design is amazing and the woman is drawing it free-hand!

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

The Art of Henna, A Moroccan Tradition

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

 

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Under the shade of an olive tree, sipping on freshly squeezed orange juice you just bought from a vendor at the street corner, you sit in comfortable silence with your new Moroccan friend Amine, who has been kind enough to show you around his beloved Marrakesh.

 

Yesterday, Amine took you to Djemma el Fna Square, a large open space in the middle of the city filled with orange juice vendors, street performers, and merchants. As you weaved your way through the crowds, admiring the colorful carpets for sale and sampling the sweet dates being offered by merchants, you came across a small stall covered in a red tarp. There was a group of tourists inside and one Moroccan woman, the owner of the stall, who was hunched over the hand of one of the female tourists and seemed to be drawing on her. Curious, you stepped forward for a better look and discovered that the woman was drawing intricate and beautiful designs on this young woman’s hand with what looked to be a dark brown paste. Amine, always eager to teach you about his culture, stepped up beside you and began telling you the history and significance of this beautiful tradition.

The tradition of Henna tattooing, also referred to as Mendhi, has been part of North African and Indian cultures since the 7th millennium BC. Thought to protect those who wear it from illness and the evil eye, Henna has, and still does, play a major role in three very important ceremonies in Moroccan culture, Id-al-Adha, circumcision, and marriage festivities.

Id-al-Adha is a three day Islamic holiday marking Abraham’s devotion to God when he agreed to sacrifice his only son Ishmael. God took pity on Abraham and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead. Id-al-Adha is celebrated by the head of household presenting a sheep to be sacrificed; during the ceremony the sheep, the sacrificer, and guests of the ceremony are decorated with Henna and three days of feasting and celebrating ensue.

Islam requires male circumcision and in the 19th and 20th centuries the surgery was performed on boys from ages 4 to 14 in a public celebration. The boys, the family, and guests of the ceremony were adorned with Henna as part of the ritual celebration.

Wedding ceremonies are some of the most elaborate and anticipated of all Moroccan festivities and typically begin seven days before the day of the wedding. “The Night of Henna”, the night before the wedding, the bride is given a ceremonial milk bath by her negaffa, or female attendants, to symbolize her purity and is then painted with Henna. The bride is painted with symbols of protection and fruitfulness, often with the name of her groom hidden within the symbols. The intricate designs, which are usually floral and geometric shapes, are meant to ward off evil spirits, bring good luck, and increase fertility.

 

While Henna is used during these ceremonies and festivals it also has a place in every day life acting as a hair conditioner, hair dye, and to heal abrasions on the skin. Tourists can also experience the tradition of Henna tattooing by visiting stalls in city souks and within Berber villages.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

A Guide to Moroccan Currency and the Dirham in Morocco

Sunday, March 1st, 2009
Moroccan Dirham, Currency of Maghreb

Moroccan Dirham, Currency of Maghreb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alright so that flashy Berber rug of vibrant blue, cherry red and canary yellow vigilantly hand woven by the skilled hands of a Moroccan, and the cup of fresh juice from the vendor two doors down don’t come without a price. Most vendors in the maze like souks prefer cash although some may take Visa. There are a few things travelers should know about exchange and Moroccan currency before touring Morocco.

Banking hours are from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:30 a.m.  to 12:00 p.m.  The Morocco Currency is called the dirham, and is issued by the central bank of Morocco, Bank Al-Maghrib. It  is also important to know that the export of the dirham is prohibited by law, and exchanging money in the streets is illegal. The dirahm is a currency that is restricted therefore when planning a Morocco Tour it’s ideal to plan how much you need for your private tour or journey.

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The  dirham has been the main currency of the Middle East and the Islamic world throughout the years. The dirham originated from an ancient Greek coin.

Example Exchange Rates as of 2016/ 2017 Are:

1 USA Dollar = 9.0 Moroccan Dirhams

1 Euro = 11 Moroccan Dirhams

1 GPB = 13 Moroccan Dirhams

Travelers who tour Morocco are advised to take travelers checks to avoid surcharge rates. The dirham can be found in ATMs with daily withdrawal limits in larger towns. Credit cards are customary in large restaurants and hotels. Make sure to check your pockets for loose change before heading home. When leaving Morocco travelers are expected to exchange all currency back to its original form with the receipt issued upon arrival.

For those who have a deeper interest in currency, the Currency Museum in Rabat, is worth a visit. It is housed in a Mauresque building of the Bank Al-Maghrib and contains more then 30,000 monetary pieces. It offers over 2000 square meters of a permanent exhibition and audio-visual experience.

For more information about Moroccan Currency.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Ski in Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains – Travel the Slopes of Oukaimeden and Mischliffen

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

 

toubkal-1Imagine soaring down white powdered slopes, edging your way through the soft snow on a clear brisk day. Now imagine that you are doing this in Morocco! Most people associate Morocco with camels trekking through deserts of sand, not snow capped mountain peaks. But what the average traveler does not know is that Morocco is home to some of the best skiing in all of Africa.

Most of Morocco’s ski resorts are deep within the Atlas Mountains. Oukaimeden, a premier resort lies just south of Marrakech. Mischliffen a mountain town in the Middle Atlas is referred to as the “Moroccan Aspen”  and is not far from Fez.

Oukaimeden and Mischliffen would be considered intermediate runs, both containing ski lifts and equipment rentals.  These slopes cater to the average skier looking to enjoy beautiful Moroccan terrain.

For those more experienced Morocco also contains expert ski slopes in areas like Tazaghart. Tazaghart is extremely adventurous terrain suited only for those with years of training and experience.

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Travelers can also snowshoe, cross-country ski, mountain trek and ski tour within these areas. The frosted peaks provide beautiful natural scenery you can explore on foot or on ski. Outdoor adventure is best recommended from November to mid June. 

Skiing and trekking Morocco is a great way to see enticing areas surrounding Marrakech and the high Atlas Mountains.

To learn more about outdoor activities in Morocco, please visit Travel-Exploration.Com

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Travel Within Fes Morocco’s Leather Tanneries

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

fez-leather-tannieriesHidden deep within Fes, Morocco’s major economic metropolis, are an array of colored dyes spread over the city floor in large cement vats, the 600 year old tanneries. The pallet of pomegranate red, burnt orange, saffron yellow and wild mint green can be seen from the surrounding rooftops and terraces.

While the tanneries have retained hundreds of years of artistry and tradition, they may as well be the foulest smelling attraction in all of Morocco. When visiting the ancient sites guides will offer tourists fresh mint leaves to put under their nose.

Generations of laborers have toiled in the same honeycomb vessels. Shoeless, the workers climb into the tubs to knead the leather skins for hours, the dye staining their arms and legs. The smells hint towards some kind of potent secret ingredient: pigeon droppings. These excretions soften the skins and work to produce the famous Moroccan leather. Skins come fresh from the slaughter and hundred of hides are worked on at once.

When the leather has been treated it is hung or laid to dry on the flat rooftops. When tourists are exploring in the tanneries they can make their way to the nearby market to visit a number of leather shops where the incredible leather goods are sold.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Bizarre Foods Morocco, Andrew Zimmern in Marrakech

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

If it looks good eat it! Check out chef, food critic and die hard foodie the best way to experience a culture is to dig a little deeper for your dinner no matter where you will find it. A full plate of North African specialties in the North African Country of Morocco is a must see.

Morocco’s culture reflects a mix of European and Medeterraniean influences. The country embraces it’s Berber history along with being a jetset destination.

Check out this Bizarre Foods episode with Andrew Zimmern from the Travel Channel in the heart of Marrakech’s Djemaa El Fna Square! Take it all in at Marrakech’s medival carnival with a good grill in sight.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at 1800-787-8806 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.