Posts Tagged ‘Dirham’

Backpacking in Morocco: The Best Way to Travel Local Culture

Monday, April 13th, 2009

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After crashing her car in Italy, Lizzi Thomson of Bristol, grabbed a pack and some friends and continued traveling. Determined to feel the rhythm of a different world she headed to Morocco. After backpacking around Europe and one sleepless night in the Czech Republic, kept up by a man with night terrors and endless snoring she found her self settled under the stars in Marrakech.

“Morocco was a different story. Everyone stayed in Hostels. We slept on the rooftop terraces, under the stars. My favorite thing about sleeping outside was the call to prayer during the night, it was eerily peaceful,” said Lizzi.

“We spent every night on the roof, luckily it never rained but there was a tent that you could go under if it did. It was so warm, and the hostels were really nice. We only stayed in a hotel one night, after a midnight train ride,” said Albert Testani of Connecticut.

Albert, while studying at University of York, also took advantage of the opportunity to travel. Albert backpacked around Spain, France, India and Morocco. Spending time diving into each culture. While hitch-hiking in France was the most adventurous, hopping trains through Morocco was a guaranteed way to make friends.

The trains were great once you figured out how to read the signs in Arabic. According to Albert, getting around in Morocco was fairly easy and inexpensive. “With a bargaining culture there is no such thing as a fixed price,” he continued. As an insider to the bartering system he often got away with a cheap ride, thanks to the Lonely Plane Guide.

man-with-backpack1“In Marrakech there is so much to do, going to the Medina was a massive party every night,” said Albert.” We experienced (a more intimate) Moroccan culture in smaller cities like Fes, and Chefchaouen and Tangier. In the smaller cities you could blend with life more.”

The only trouble was getting lost in the maze-like cities. “It’s quite tricky to get around, the streets are rather winding. Anyone you ask for directions will know your a tourist by your Caucasian skin… we often would end up on a long elaborate tour, waving to all their friends houses,” said Lizzi.

It was a sea of clay and terracotta buildings. “We would wonder around, one day we found a woman sitting cooking, there were a lot of locals eating there… We got a massive meal for 2 dirhams. The Medina was filled with kabob stands, and fresh orange juice, which according to Albert “was amazing!”

For readers interested in backpacking in Morocco, make sure to check out some of Morocco’s adventure sports.

 

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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.

Shop the Souks Of Morocco, Discover The Finest Leather work, Carpets, Pottery, Embroideries & Basketwork

Friday, March 27th, 2009
Moroccan cushions in a street shop in medina souk

Moroccan cushions in a street shop in medina souk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shopping in Morocco is a unique and exciting experience. No visit to Morocco would be complete without exploring the medinas (walled cities with maze-like streets) of Marrakesh, Fès and Essaouira. Unlike shopping in the West, where people tend to visit local retailers, in Morocco shopping involves visiting the old medina, and touring the various souks  and marketplaces. In the souks of Morocco, travelers will find  ranging from traditional Moroccan clothing, fabrics, baboosh (shoes), Moroccan cuisine, and Berber carpets. Since most foreign currencies are strong in comparison to the Moroccan dirham, you can go on an extensive shopping spree and purchase various local Moroccan handicrafts such as Moroccan leather work, Berber carpets, silver jewelry, gold and copper along with ancient Fes embroideries and basketwork.

 

Shop the Souks of Morocco, Spice Market

Shop the Souks of Morocco, Spice Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Souks and markets are a major feature in Moroccan life and one of Morocco’s greatest attractions. Each major city and town in Morocco has a special souk quarter. Villages in the country side also have local souks which are usually held one day each week in an open field or outside the towns kasbah walls. Large cities like Marrakech and Fès have labyrinths of individual souks (each filling a street or square that is devoted tone particular craft). The cities of Marrakesh, Fès and Essaouira are famous for their beautiful souks which serve as Morocco’s posh and huge shopping centers. Some of the best buys in Morocco are dates, leather ware, handicrafts, Berber carpets, pottery, wood carvings, traditional dress (djellabas) and various food products.

Moroccan Shopping in the Medina, Baboosh, Shoes

Moroccan Shopping in the Medina, Baboosh, Shoes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Souks and markets are also a daily destination where locals shop for fresh meat, vegetables, household goods and other items that Americans for example, purchase at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Wal-Mart or Target. In the country side of Morocco, you can find large numbers of weekly souks (markets). A new alternative to souks in Morocco is Marjane, a Moroccan hypermarket chain, found in large cities like Marrakesh, Casablanca, Agadir, Fès, Tétouan and Tangier . Marjane is the “Moroccan Targetand sells a wide variety of items such as food, clothing, liquor, electronics and other household goods. Whether or not you are a big shopper, visiting a souk is a cultural experience that should not be missed on a trip to Morocco.

For more information about Shopping in the Souks and Markets of Morocco.

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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.

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.