The Door Ways of Morocco

Our trip to Morocco in 2017 was wonderful and we were enthralled by the beautiful art all around us. One of the things that struck me was the beautiful door ways and arches… and this blog post is some small way of sharing the stories that these doors tell.

We joined an Intrepid Journey and the places we saw and the activities we did were wonderful. We loved the fascinating ancient cities, medieval bazaars and mountain villages.

We were stunned by the Roman ruins of Volubilis. The city of Ait Benhaddou was fascinating. The dramatic red dunes of the Sahara Desert particularly in the early morning sunrise was awe inspiring. We gazed in amazement at the blue city of Chefchaouen.

We visited with a Berber elder and had mint tea together in his house. We took a cooking class held in beautiful outdoor surroundings and learnt how to make the most delicious couscous.

High in the Atlas mountains I discovered argan oil, best thing ever!

We danced on the bar to the rhythmic sound of drums in a French restaurant in Marrakesh and also danced in a long conga all around the tables.

I also had a quick visit to the hospital… that is another story… but what impressed me here (and everywhere) was the friendliness and openness of the lovely Moroccan people.

These are just some of the things that made a huge impression on me.

The list of activities below is from our itinerary…

• Visit the grand Mosque of Hassan II in Casablanca, one of the most impressive temples in Morocco, before exploring the sights of the country’s first imperial city of Meknes.
• Feel like you’ve travelled back to the Middle Ages in the labyrinthine medina of Fes, under the eye of a local tour guide.
• Go behind the scenes of Game of Thrones and Gladiator in Ait Benhaddou. This fortified red city was once an important stop on the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech – now it’s a film-maker’s heaven.
• Take a guided tour through Marrakech’s lively medina and join the nightly carnival of fortune-tellers, dancers, and medicine men in Djemaa el-Fna square.
• Stay in a traditional Berber homestay to understand the culture and tradition of an indigenous population who have stood the test of time.
• Discover the dramatic red dunes of the Sahara Desert and spend the night camping under North African stars.
• Admire Morocco’s changing landscapes from the comfortable seat of a private, air-conditioned minivan