Archive for the ‘Morocco Holiday’ Category

Cooking Up Morocco, Best Cooking Classes, Your Morocco Tour Guide

Saturday, July 6th, 2013

La Maison Arabe Cooking Class

Learning some of the basics of Moroccan cooking can be an enjoyable experience and adds to your own culinary skills back home. Many riads offer cookery classes for their clients during their stay. These usually begin with a trip to the souk accompanied by one of the staff to buy produce and spices. In contrast to shopping at home everything is bought fresh, for home-cooking. The market stalls include  piles of spices, and fresh fruits, nuts and fine local vegetables all beautifully laid out with the fragrance of mint and cilantro . Shopping in the souks of Morocco is a keen sensory experience, as well as a chance to experience local daily life as buyers and sellers haggle over prices.

Learning how to use spices is a key element in Moroccan cuisine. Salt, pepper, ginger and turmeric are essential to many tagines and stews. Make sure you pick up plenty of ras el hanout(the best spices in the store) so that you can cook up authentic Moroccan dishes back home, and consider stocking up on saffron too. Charmoula is a popular Moroccan sauce that can be used on everything from fish to vegetables. Coriander and cumin are the leaders of the spice mix. The spices are ground with garlic, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Spices and pepper can be added for taste to suit individual preference.

Riad Monceau Cooking Class

When you return from the souk you can begin the cooking class under the instruction of an expert chef. Each person in the group is allotted specific tasks in the cooking process and a after a lesson or two you should know how to dress a salad, create a main course and a desert. Longer intensive courses are available and your travel agent should be able to advise you on this. Learning to cook in a Moroccan kitchen gives you a unique insight in to family daily life. Finally you get to sample and enjoy your joint efforts over lunch or dinner.

Some examples of Moroccan dishes include tangines,  slowly cooked  meat and vegetable dishes in a  pot with a cone shaped lid that gently cooks fish, beef, dried fruits and olives. Vegetarians can enjoy vegetable tagines. Other recipes include lamb with prunes and almonds, chicken with lemon and fruits are blended with meat dishes such as lamb with pears.

You can learn how to make couscous, which is small grains of semolina which is steamed and eaten with a spicy broth and vegetables and meat. Moroccan families gather after Friday prayers to get together over a couscous.

Harira is a renowned traditional soup made with tomato paste lentils, chick peas and spices and sometimes pieces of lamb. It is served with dates when Moroccans break their fast during Ramadan.

Madada Mogador Cooking Class

Moroccan salads can be served as a starter or as a side dish and orange blossom water is sometimes used in salads. Moroccan cuisine has strong aromatic qualities.  The Al Fassia restaurant  in Marrakech serves several dishes of salads as a starter and to appreciate the art of salad making and superb tangines it’s a wonderful place to experience the very best in Moroccan cuisine before you start  your own efforts.

Other dishes include Bastilla which is pastry dusted with cinnamon and stuffed with sweet and savoury ingredients including pigeon. It can be served as a starter of a main course. Birouettes  are small triangles of pastry with savoury and spicey fillings such as minced lamb or fettah cheese with spinach. It can also be a dessert with groundnuts and honey. Moroccan  pastries are served with honey . Learn to bake Moroccan bread which often has added spices and how to make Moroccan mint tea to accompany the meal.

Cafe Clock Cooking Class

Travel Exploration Morocco’s Recommendations for 4 of Morocco’s Top Cooking Classes are: 

La Maison Arabe – A long standing name in Marrakech for it’s restaurant and boutique, luxury Riad, La Maison Arabe boasts one of the most professional and detailed cooking classes in Morocco. Headed by a Dada Chef guests experience a stroll through the souks, learn how to purchase spices, then cook up a three-course meal. Options of wine pairings to match and everyone departs with a complimentary tajine. This is the cooking workshop for professionals and also for those who love the art of cooking.

Riad Monceau – Haute Cuisine at this French owned Riad and cooking class is what can be prized most. An elegant and charming setting within old Marrakech’s Red Hamra city Riad Monceau’s owner Ludovic Antoine offers guests a top notch class. With their widely esteemed cook book, local chef and hands on approach this is a great way to discover the art of Moroccan cooking in Marrakech.

Cafe Clock – Set within the old Fes Medina just down the street from Maimonides is the ever so hip and charming Cafe Clock. Cafe Clock allows participants to select their own menu, then takes them on an authentic shopping expedition in the Fes souk where you choose your own ingredients, learn about bread baking and other details of Moroccan cuisine. Cafe Clock offers a Moroccan bread baking workshop or a one-day patisserie class. Complimented by their cafe which is an active place for locals and foreigners Cafe Clock serves one of the most exciting cooking workshops in Morocco.

L’Atlier Madada Mogador  – In Seaside Essaouira this fabulous cookery workshops is perfect for small groups who collaborate together in a charming Riad near Morocco’s seacoast. They prepare a full meal before sitting down together to dine in a traditional setting. A walking tour option in the souks after is a nice add on to this day.

For More Information on Moroccan Cooking and Moroccan Cooking Classes 

Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara Desert,Berber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration
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! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Morocco Tours For Women, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

Fes Henna Party, Morocco Just For Women Tour

Morocco is a woman’s paradise for culture, food and magnificent markets. Want to discover Morocco’s Sacred Spaces, Imperial Cities, Ancient Kasbahs and Berber villages with other likeminded women? Visit Morocco! Join our Just for Women Tours or let us create a tailor-made group journey of your own. Cook, bellydance, trek the Sahara and attend a henna party. Travel Exploration’s Morocco tours for women offer a combination of luxury and adventure. Trip prices to Morocco include a FREE cooking class or balloon ride over the Atlas Mountains.

Your trip leader our Just for Women Tour will be a MoroccoTravel Specialist who has lived and traveled in Morocco for 12+ years. Morocco Tours for Women offer a greater way to discover Morocco through their unique and up close experiences with the people and the culture. Morocco Tours for Women also enable group and single travelers to visit Morocco anytime of year and with any budget. Luxury and adventure are affordable with Travel Exploration’s Just for Women Morocco Tour.

Women Painting, Fes, Morocco

Roam Like Royalty Through Morocco’s Imperial Cities was created for women by women to experience the wonders that Morocco offers. We’ll visit breathtaking architectural sites, majestic palaces, glorious houses of worship, opulent gardens, see traditional Moroccan crafts being made by local artisans, and shop a dazzling array of unique and enticing marketplaces. And we’ll enjoy exquisite cuisine and elegant accommodations all along the way of this magical voyage. Included in the Just For Women itinerary is a henna party and a ceramics workshop in Fes, an exotic cooking workshop in two Imperial Cities, a Hot Air Balloon ride over Marrakech’s Atlas Mountains, Camel Trekking in the Palmeraie of Marrakech, Spa time, Visits at women’s cooperatives, a wine tasting and more. Our group will rise and overnight at charming Riads & boutique hotels.

Cooking Class, Fes

MOROCCO TOURS FOR WOMEN: 10 DAYS/ 9 NIGHTS  (MOROCCO JUST FOR WOMEN BY WOMEN)

Day 1: Casablanca: Visit the Hassan II Mosque, Kasbah Ouadia, Tea & Pastries at Cafe Maure, the Royal Palace & Hassan Tower. Lunch in Rabat by the sea. Visit the Kasbah of Chellah. Welcome Dinner. Overnight at a charming Riad in Fes with opulent gardens, tile work fit for a queen.

Day 2: Fes:Visit the Sacred Tomb of Solica, the Weavers Cooperative. Workshops at the Women’s Embroidery Cooperative and Pottery Cooperative in Fes. Site seeing with a private expert guide of Fes. Lunch at the tiled Nejjarine Riad Palace. Overnight in Fes.

Day 3: Fes: Traditional Fes Cooking Class, Learn how to make a three-course meal, dine on it for lunch. Henna party. Dinner at Le Maison Bleue in Fes. Overnight in Fes.

Day 4: Fes t0 Marrakech: Visit Fes, Immozer, Azro and Beni Mellal. Stop to see the Cedar Forrest, the Barbary Monkeys. Tea & Pastries in Ifrane. Welcome Dinner upon arrival in Marrakech. Overnight in a luxurious Riad with an interior palmerie in the heart of the Marrakech medina.

Al Fassia, Marrakech

Day 5: Marrakech: Visit Marrakech’s most spectacular gardens, shop the souks. Site seeing with a private, expert guide at the Bahia Palace, Museum of Marrakech the Spice Market and gallery visits. Dinner at Al Fassia, a restaurant owned and run by women. Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 6: Marrakech: Marrakech cooking class option – local cuisine of Marrakech. Visit the Mosque of Koutoubia’s Gardens. Shopping and exploration in the new town of Gueliz, Marrakech. Dinner with a Marrakechi family or at the colonial revival charming restaurant, Cafe La Poste. Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 7: Marrakech: Marrakech Ballooning over the Atlas Mountains.1 Hour flight in front of the High Atlas Mountains. Souvenir flight certificate. Traditional breakfast served in a tent. Visit to a local Berber House.Landrover excursion. Camel ride in the Palmerie of Marrakech. Afternoon Spa time for a gromage and massage.

Day 8: Marrakech – Essaouira:  Visit Essaouira. En route take time out to explore a local Argan cooperative to see how Argan oil, Argan butter and cosmetics are made from the Argan nut. Wine & Cheese tasting in the countryside of Essaouira. Dinner by the sea. Overnight at a charming Riad in Essaouira with spectacular seaside views.

Day 9: Essaouira:  Visit Essaouira with a private guided tour. Explore the old mellah, ancient doors and their brass and hand carved knockers. Visit a Moroccan Patisserie Cooperative run by women that referred to Association Feminine de Bienfaisance el Khier. AFBK is an organization providing help for women and children with social difficulties. Return to Marrakech at sunset. Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 10: Marrakech- Casablanca: Marrakech & Casablanca Departures.

Baking Bread with the Berbers, Sahara Region

Sahara & Berber Village Extension Option Morocco Tours For Women:Extend the tour for a visit of Morocco’s Sahara Desert & Berber Villages. Continue the Morocco Tour for Women with exploration of ancient Kasbahs, hiking in and around the Todra Gorge, bake bread with the Berbers, Sunset Camel Trek & Overnight in a bivaouc in the Sahara Desert. Visit a Nomad family. Discover Morocco’s deep south.

INCLUDED: Private Luxury Transport, Accommodations at 4 Star Riads & Boutique Hotels, Gourmet Breakfast Daily, National Historical & Local Licensed Expert Guides, Henna Party in Fes, Pottery Workshop in Fes, Cooking Workshop in Fes and Cooking Workshop in Marrakech, Hot Air Balloon Over the Atlas , Bellydancing Lessons, Wine & Cheese Tasting in Essaouira Winery, Museum & Monument Fees.
CHARMING 4/5 STAR ACCOMMODATIONS: Fes: Riad Fes, Riad Myra or Riad Laaroussa, Marrakech: Le Jardin De La Medina, Riad Palais Sebban. Essouira: Riad Palais Des Ramparts, Villa Du Maroc.
NOT INCLUDED:  Lunch & Dinner Daily (Except where noted in Tour Program), Beverages, Services on days or time at leisure, Gratuity.
For more information about a Morocco Just For Women Tour & Morocco Tours
Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

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! Call Travel Exploration in the USA at 1 (800) 787-8806 or in Morocco 1 (212)618-88-26-81 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Visiting Saltworks in the Moroccan Sahara Desert, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Saturday, May 15th, 2010
Standing in a Pile of Salt

Saltworks in Morocco are interesting places to visit.  They can be found along the Atlantic Coast of Morocco, in the Moroccan Sahara Desert.  This one was south of Merlift, between Sidi Ifni and Tarfaya.  Others can be found south of Tan-Tan Plage and Laayoune, all the way to Dakhla.  To reach these locations, one must drive considerably south of Agadir.

Road off the escarpment to the salt flats
Road off the escarpment to the salt flats

It’s highly advisable to have a four-wheel drive vehicle, although the descent/ascent back up can be managed in some cars with an experienced driver.

Standing in a thin layer of dried salt

A number of shallow pan areas such as the one above are bulldozed out, surrounded by by earthen walls up to a meter high.  The ocean water is let in, such as up to 20 cm (10 inches), then closed off so that the ocean water is trapped.  The water is left to evaporate.  Once fully evaporated, it looks just like this.  This salt was about one centimeter thick (one-half inch), waiting to be bulldozed up into a pile the size of the top photo in this post.

Most Moroccan salt comes in square or rectangular plastic bags, tends to be a bit wet, and contains a bit of fine sand.  Moroccan cooks don’t notice this small amount of sand, but if you take a heaping tablespoon of salt and dissolve it in a glass of water, you can see the small grains of sand drop to the bottom.  Seeing how and where the Moroccan salt is collected explains why it is usually a bit damp in the plastic bag, and why it contains small bits of sand.

Moroccan saltworks can be very interesting places to visit during your Moroccan Sahara Desert Tour.

For more information about traveling to Morocco and visiting saltworks as part of a tour to the Agadir region

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

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! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Agadir, Dakhla, Laayoune, Merlift, Morocco Holidays, Sahara Desert Tours, Sidi Ifni, Tan Tan Tan-Tan- Plage, Tarfaya, Morocco Tours, Morocco Travel, Tours to Morocco, Morocco Vacations, Morocco Holiday