Morocco

Morocco Are you looking for somewhere to escape, to have some family fun, somewhere romantic, or perhaps cultural and with a lot of charm, well Morocco is your destination. Morocco is a North African country that borders the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco is breath-taking. With its beautiful landscapes ranging from deserts to plains and to mountains Morocco, it offers a lot of activities for everyone. Casablanca and Fez are the few of the most famous shopping area. Imagine yourself hot air ballooning above Morocco's Western High Atlas Plains. Prepare to be charmed in Casablanca with the snake charmers. Be amazed in Fez with the sacred music festival. There are many different tours you can take throughout the country.



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= Currency = Mo rocco’s currency is called a Moroccan Dirham (MAD). 1 U.S. dollars = 7.92118 Moroccan dirham For more information on how to convert your currency go to __ [] __.

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= Food = = =

Moroccan people consume a lot of meat such as beef, mutton, and chicken. Popular Moroccan foods include a couscous, mashwee, and mint tea. Usually eaten on Fridays, couscous is a staple-food. Cooked by steaming or briefly soaking grains of ground wheat in boiling water, couscous is served the same way as rice. Traditionally, it is served with a meat or vegetable stew. A mashwee is a Moroccan dish that is served on special occasions especially on religious holidays. . Made with mouton, shoulder, and ribs, it is preseasoned with paprika and cumin. Then, after mixing various ingredients together, it is baked for about two hours. After it is again seasoned with cumin and salt, it is served piping hot. The national drink of Morocco, a mint tea, is a green tea with mint leaves. Unlike other beverages, it is served not only at mealtime, but all throughout the day. As a drink of hospitality, it is commonly served whenever there are guests. Unlike the food, which is cooked traditionally by women, the tea is prepared by men. Caused by the amount of time the tea has been seeping, it has a very unique flavor. Refusing this drink is impolite.

= **Morocco Weather and Climate**  =

The Moroccan climate varies according to season and region. The coast has a warm, Mediterranean climate tempered on the eastern coast by southwest trade winds. Inland areas continental climates are hotter and drier. The weather is hot and dry throughout the south of the country. Temperatures may drop dramatically at night, especially in the months of December and January. Rain falls from November to March in coastal areas, but the country is mostly dry with high temperatures in summer and a cooler climate in the mountains. Marrakech and Agadir enjoy an average temperature of 21°C (70ºF) in the winter. If you're planning a visit to Morocco, we suggest that you go during the summer months. Going during the summer months will guarantee you warm days and cool nights and your holiday is unlikely to be disrupted by rain. Lightweight cottons and linens are suggested. They are worn during summer, with warm medium weight wear for the evenings, during the winter, and in the mountains. Waterproofing is advisable in the wet season, especially on the coast and in the mountains.The average temperature in Morocco is 63 degrees Faerenheight. Moroco receives 16.7 inches of precipitation annually.

= Attractions = = =

Cascades D'Ouzoud
If you are visiting Morocco, put these waterfalls at the top of your list. They are one of Morocco’s natural wonders. This natural beauty is located in the High Atlas Mountains, about 150 kilometers from Marrakech. Falling from over 100 meters, this natural beauty attracts visitors from many countries – especially photographers. It is one of the rare waterfalls that fall wide to narrow. At the bottom of the drop, there is a small pool of river water perfect for swimming in. Bring a jacket though, because the Cascades can get a bit chilly. It can be visited year-round but it is of utmost popularity during the summer. To get to the Cascades, the best option would be to bring your own vehicle. You can rent these from the town you are staying at–such as Marrakech. If you are taking a private tour, a vehicle should be provided. Other options would be shared taxis or a bus from the town you are lodging in. Please note that if you take a bus you may want to plan on spending the night.

Archaeological Museum
This historical museum, formally known as Tomouda, is located in Tetouan. Constructed in 1943, it contains pre-history items from the Romans, Phoenicians, Mauritanians, Punics and also items from pre-Islamic Morocco. When you walk into the museum, you are greeted by Three Graces,which is a mosaic from Roman Times that depicts the celebration of mythological creatures. There is also a Sumerian Statue that was discovered near Allah. It contains many artifacts such as: different currency coins, tools crafted from bone or stone, pottery, bronze items, amphoras, mosaics architectural discoveries, and ancient inscriptions. These items date all the way back to the first century A.D. Sixty thousand volumes of literature also occupy this museum.

Gnaoua Music Festival
The Gnaoua Music Festival is in Essaouira, an Atlantic seaside resort town. The reason for this festival is toaccentuate Gnaoua heritage. There are many different groups from towns such as Tangier, Marrakech, and Essaouri. It attracts over 500,000 festival-goers annually. The prices are as followed: one day is 100 dhs ($12.24 US) or four days is 500 dhs ($61.22 US). For a tour to this rocking festival, you can call **(800) 787-8806. ** Tours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. With the tour, you will travel in a Luxury 4x4 vehicle and receive an English or French speaking driver/guide.June 23-26 is when this annual event takes place.

The Koutoubia mosque was built shortly after the Almohad conquest of Marrakech, about 1150. Originally, an 11th-century Almoravid mosque was in the place where the Koutoubia mosque is. The highlight of this mosque is the gorgeous minaret. The tower, rising almost 70m, looms over the Djemaa el Fna square. It can be seen from most of the city. The design of this lovely tower was highly influential on later towers and on architecture in general. Various buildings across Morocco can be seen with the same wide band of ceramic tiles at the top, the pointed battlements, the alternate patterning on each side, and many other decorative motifs. Copper balls decreasing in size, a common pattern throughout Morocco, can be seen at the top of the minaret. Usually, there are only three orbs. The fourth was said to be a gift from the wife of Saadian ruler Yacoub el Mansour as a penance for breaking her fast for three hours during Ramadan. Please note that the Mosque towers are not open to non-Muslims. The mosque is only open during prayer times. The Gardens are free to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is a quaint little town of about 40,000 people. This little town lies on the outskirts of the mountains Tisouka and Megou, which are part of the mountain range of the Rif. Rising over the town like two horns, these mountains give the town Chefchaouen its name which literally translates to “watch the horns.” This town lies at the altitude of 660m and, with very little traffic, the clean air is refreshing and encourages visitors to stay for a while. As you enter through one of the five gates, you are enveloped with the pleasant aroma of baking bread in ovens or firewood greets. You are immediately drawn into the town by the contrast of colors from the products at the bazaar and the bluish colors of the houses. Just an alley away from the Makhzen, is the Bab el-Ansar, which is one of the prettiest places of Chaouen. The relaxing sounds of water urge you to take a walk along the small brook. While walking you may see the relaxing images of a woman washing clothes or the hydraulic mills still at work. = Common Phrases: = Hello: //ahlan.// Goodbye: //bslama.// Good Morning: //sba__h__ l-__kh__ir// Good Evening: //msa l-__kh__ir// For more common phrases go to: []

= Customs and Traditions = On their first initial meeting in Morocco, they shake hands and then touch their hearts with their right hands. This is a show of affection. Besides asking their friends how they are doing, Moroccans also ask how their families are. To show respect when greeting them, children kiss their parents or elders’ right hand. Some people choose to greet relatives or close friends by kissing their cheeks or brushing. It is considered offensive if women do not fully cover their shoulders and legs. If not undertaken with great care, it may cause genuine offense. Someone, especially in rural regions, may be highly offended if you do not ask for permission before taking a photograph of them. To see video tours of Morocco go to

[] = Flying to Morocco? = 35 minutes || 6,021 miles || Royal Air Morocco || $2,725 || 19 hours 10 minutes || 3,812 miles || 59 minutes || 4,298 miles || = Hotel options =
 * ** TO ** || ** FROM ** || ** AIR LINES ** || ** PRICE (coach) ** || ** LENGTH of flight (hours) ** || ** DISTANCE (miles) ** ||
 * ** Agadir Morocco (AGA) ** || Los Angeles (LAX) || Iberia || $864 || 46 hours
 * ** Agadir Morocco (AGA) ** || Washington DC (IAD) || British Airways
 * ** Agadir Morocco (AGA) ** || Chicago (CHI) || Delta || $1,598 || 17 hours

1-866-599-6674 || 5 stars || 1-888-850-3958 || 4 starts ||
 * ** Hotel ** || ** Location ** || ** Price rage ** || ** Contact Information ** || ** Rating Out of 5 starts ** ||
 * ** Atlantic Palace Agadir Golf Thalassso and Casino Resort ** || Secteur Balneaire Et Touristique BP 164 Agadir, || $148.39-$171.03 || Phone number:
 * ** Best Western Odyssee Park Hotel ** || Boulevard Mohamed V Agadir, 80000 || $44.49-$153.92 || Phone Number: