MEKNES

The city of Meknes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the four imperial cities. The old imperial city houses the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail with magnificent ceilings of painted cedar. The medina has a museum that is also worth visiting, the Dar Jamaï Museum, housed in a splendid house dating from 1882. Meknes, smaller than its neighbor Fez, invites the stroller to stroll along the narrow streets and discover its wonders.

History of Meknes:

The history of Meknes seems to go back to the creation of an unfortified rural village in the eighth century. The establishment in the ninth century of a Berber tribe, the Meknassa, who set up their camp north of Wadi Boufekrane, gave its name to the city.

The Almoravids make it a military site in the 11th century. The Almohads destroyed the city, guilty of resistance, to build a larger and more charming one with mosques and powerful fortifications. When they seized it, the Merinids constructed medersas, kasbahs and mosques at the beginning of the 14th century. Under the Wattassids, it was a prosperous city.

In the eighteenth century, Meknes became the administrative capital of Morocco, under the reign of the Alawite Sultan Moulay Ismail, who made the glory of the city thanks to the money derived from the resale of Christian sailors captured on sea and kept in the Huge underground prison "Qara Prison".

Geography and climate of the city of MEKNES :

Map - Meknes

Meknes is situated on the plateau which dominates the wadi Boufekrane and the wadi Rdom. It occupies an area of ​​contact between two mountain complexes, the Pre Rif and the western Middle Atlas. The city of Meknes is built on a plateau of an altitude of about 600m. To the east, this plateau is in contact with the Zégotta pass, with the lower valley of Sebou, and from the west it is extended by the Atlantic plateaux and plains. This privileged situation at the confluence of the main thoroughfares of communication has also earned Meknes the name of "hub of Morocco".

Meknes enjoys an essentially Mediterranean climate influenced by the Middle Atlas and the Atlantic Ocean with precipitation ranging from 400 to 500 mm / year. But thunderstorms can be a rare violence.

Meknes benefits from fertile soils ensuring a great richness reinforced by the importance of its hydrography. Indeed, three wadis cross the city: the wadis Bou Ishaq, Ouislane and Boufekrane.

To visit : 

The walls

The old part of the city is belted about 40 km by ramparts consisting of three enclosures. The first, low, was intended to stop the riders. The second, higher, prevented the infantry from penetrating into the city. The third, even higher, stopped all those who had succeeded in passing the first two obstacles. This imposing wall built during the reign of Moulay Ismail to defend the entrance to the city was pierced with monumental gates, towers and bastions.

Bab Berdaine

This door, built in the 17th century by order of the Sultan Moulay Ismail, opens on the northern district of the medina, manufacturers of packs, from which it takes its name. It has two square bastions, decorated with green earthenware. Its triumphal arch frames the minaret of the Berdain mosque built at the same time. The gate of the packs is an example of Alawite construction of the end of the 17th century, inspired by the military architectural tradition of the Saadians. It compensates for its massive appearance by an ornamentation of ceramics with green dominance and a rich decoration of kelp characters in "zelliges".

Bab Mansour Laalej

The Mansour Gate or Bab el-Mansour in Arabic was erected in 1732 under the reign of Moulay Ahmad son of Moulay Ismail. It is considered one of the most beautiful works of Moulay Ismail and ranked one of the most beautiful doors in the world.

For art lovers it is a beautiful mix of geometric shapes intertwined with colors, but also it regularly houses exhibitions of Moroccan and international artists.
According to the story of Meknes, Bab Mansour was built by a Christian architect named "the Victorious Renegade" after having converted to Islam he bore the name of Mansour Laalej which earned him his nickname "Bab Mansour".

The souk

The covered souk of Meknes is very nice, and much quieter than that of Marrakech or Fez. You can walk around without being disturbed all the time to have to buy souvenirs, carpets and slippers. In Meknes, the souk covers half a dozen main streets, it is less likely to get lost and a guide is not indispensable, because the city is small and there is always an easily recognizable place nearby. In the souk, one can find everything: shoes, dresses, custom clothes, dry fruits and varieties of souvenirs to take away.

Volubilis 

It is a Roman city which is located near the holy city of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun where is buried the founder of the Idrissid Idriss 1st dynasty.
Walili is the Berber name of the city and originates from the flower of the bindweed. The presence of an oil press testifies to an intense commercial activity based on olive oil. Excavations have shown the occupation of this site since the Neolithic era but its development will not be born the IInd century BC.

The kingdom of Mauretania was occupied by the Romans as early as 42 AD and it was not until after the assassination of Caligula that Volubilis became the capital of the Roman administration in Mauritania.
The occupation of the Romans ceased in 429 with the invasion of the vandals from Spain.

The Islamization of the Maghreb began with the Abassids who settled in 681 in Volubilis. Idriss I settled there in 789 after his flight from Baghdad to escape the Abassids and the defeat of the battle of Fakh. Volubilis became Walila. Idriss II son of Idriss I founded the city of Fes in 818, which caused the decline of Volubilis.

For Hotels and restaurants in Meknes, I recommend those one : Hotels - Restaurants

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ZAGORA

In the south-east of the kingdom of Morocco, on the middle course of Draâ, is located in the province of Zagora. It covers an area of ​​23,000 km². Zagroa is located at 170Km more south of the city Ouarzazate. With its strategic position, Zagora is the main city before the great Moroccan desert.

The name Zagora comes from the Berber Tazagourt, whose plural, Tizougar, designates the two neighboring summits called in Arabic Jebelain. From this rocky peak, you have a beautiful view of the Draa Valley.

Geography and climate of the city of Zagora :

Map - Zagora



The Zagora zone is crossed by the Jbel Bani, an Ordovician chain which forms the western boundary of the Tazarine basin and bypasses the Tamegroute area towards Foum-Zguid. The valley of the Middle Draa stretches over 26,000 hectares, a strange oasis of strange greenery in this pre-Saharan environment. Its cultivation depends largely on the input of water from the outside. The other topographic compartments; Mountains, plains and desert plateaus, are exploited for pastoral purposes by sedentary and nomadic herds. The climate framework is globally part of the Saharan bio-climatic stage.

To visit : 

Zagora stretches along a vast palm grove, offering many excursions to the surrounding area, including the discovery of ksur and kasbahs scattered around the palm grove.

Ksar of Amezrou :

At the foot of Zagora mountain, about 3 kilometers south-east of the city of the same name, the ksar of Amezrou is worth a little detour. This traditional fortified village dates from the 18th century and is very well preserved. It is still inhabited and can be visited very easily. It is enough to enter by one of the gates of two main bastions: to the north and to the south of the village. During your visit, enter the small synagogue of Amezrou and get interested in the silver craft - the specialty of the ksar.

Ksar of Tissergate : 

A few kilometers north of Zagora, this village of ancient Kasbahs with rammed walls is covered with narrow and covered alleys to preserve the passers-by from the onslaught of the sun. It is home to the Museum of Arts and Traditions in the Drâa valley and opens out into the palm grove.

Ksar of Tinezouline :

31 km north of Zagora, in the direction of Ouarzazate, the ksar of Tinezouline dominates the road and the palm grove on the right. At the entrance of the village, a vast enclosure hosts an animated and colorful souk every Monday. A small track leads to rock carvings 7 km from the ksar.

Tamegroute Village :

At 18Km from Zagora, a former highlight of the zaouia Nassiria, well known for its Koranic library, which contains very valuable manuscripts and its artisanal pottery factory, with green as a color specific to its basic works of clays and To his pottery.

Tinfou Dunes : 

26 km south of Zagora, these little dunes give visitors a little insight into what awaits them a little further south, in the great Moroccan desert that it is in Merzouga with its famous dunes of Erg Chebbi, or Mhamid el Ghizlane with the huge dunes of Chegaga.

For Hotels and restaurants in Zgora, I recommend those one : Hotels - Restaurants

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IFRANE : the "Little Switzerland"

Ifrane sits on one of the most privileged sites in one of the most attractive regions of Morocco: the heart of the Middle Atlas. Sources of water are abundant and the natural landscapes are at the rendezvous. Exceptional natural assets to the point of describing it as the "Little Switzerland".

If you are talking about Ifrane we speak of snow, and if by chance your visit is in winter, you shouldnot miss a ski session at one of the stations available on site, namely Michlifen Station and Jbel HabriStation which are at 2000 meters of altitude offering several tracks of unevenness.

    

Geographic location                      

                                             

Original name Ourti (garden in Amazigh), Ifrane is the county seat of the province of Ifrane located at the heart of the Atlas mountain with a surface area of 3573 km² , and which, according to the latest administrative division, is part of the Meknes-Tafilalt region. It’s considered as one of the biggest water reserves in the Kingdom thanks to its numerous natural sites. The province of Ifrane is the ideal place for winter tourism.  
       

    Among world’s cleanest cities

Ranked in 2015 as the second cleanest city in the world, according to a survey conducted by “MBC Times”, Ifrane has become a world reference in terms of cleanliness, but also for other factors such as water abundance, ecosystem-based approach, but also for the fluidity of road traffic. All these criteria have been determining in the ranking of Ifrane as second cleanest city in the world, surpassing many western capitals”

To visit : 

Refuge waterfall :

There are waterfalls of extraordinary beauty, located 7 kilometers from the town of Irane on 

the road to Zaouia Abdesslame. It is recommended to visit this site just after the rainy 

periods, which gives it an additional charm.

It is a verdant space, full of snow in winter or you can make your  picnics, and have moments 

of rest in the heart of the natural beauty of the Middle Atlas.

National Park of Ifrane :

The national park of Ifrane was created in 2004 on an area of ​​51,800 ha. It extends over the western 

portion of the Central Middle Atlas, in the territories of the provinces of Ifrane and Boulmane. It is 

distinguished by its biological and ecological values, its forest richness and the exceptional beauty of

 its landscapes. At the level of this park, the cultural heritage merges with the natural heritage, which

 gives the site great potential for ecotourism. Similarly, snow and winter sports facilities in Michlifen 

are additional assets attracting many tourists in winter. Thus, this protected area is attractive 

during the four seasons.

Lake Aoua :

Lake Daït Aoua (Dayet Aoua) is the most famous lake of Morocco, it is located 15 kilometers from Ifrane on an altitude of 1460 meters. You can easily reach it via the national road 24 linking Ifrane to Fez. With an area of ​​140 Ha, and a depth of a few meters (5 meters max) The lake offers an extraordinary natural landscape .

It is an excellent place to visit, make your picnic and relax in front of the charm of the lake, and do not miss the sunset which will offer you an exceptional panorama during the four seasons.

Michlifen Ski Station :
At 2000 meters altitude and 17 kilometers from Ifrani is located the Michlifen station which is considered the 

second largest ski resort after Oukaimeden, a blue sky of a rare purity, a mountain covered with a White ornament,

magnificent cedars bending under the weight of snowflakes.

A decoration worthy of the winter resorts in Europe. Covered with snow from mid-November to the end of March each year, with a temperature that can reach -30 ° C in the middle of winter. It is surrounded by a cedar treewhich can be heard as far as Khenifra. It is the most frequented ski resort by means of Atlas. And the site, breathtaking beauty, continues to attract lovers of the great outdoors and winter sports enthusiasts since the opening of the ski resort in 1950. In Michlifen everyone will find the ski equipment for all sizes and categories and with very reasonable prices: from 20 MAD (0.2 €) for the sledges, and 50 MAD (0.5 €) for Skis with shoes and sticks, and 100 MAD (10€) of last generation parabolic skis as you can have Snow Board at 150 MAD (15€). The rental period is unlimited for the whole day and the people are simple and very welcoming.

Like a large natural circus, the resort has very gentle slopes favorable to beginners' trials and more or less steep slopes for experienced skiers.

For Hotels and restaurants in Ifrane, I recommend this site : Here

Sources ; www.tourisme.gov.ma - www.maroc-maroc.com .

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Ouarzazate

This is a city from the bowels of the earth in the desert in the south of the Kingdom, with a variety of decorations as elusive qu'époustouflants. Burning sand, snow-capped peaks, lush oases and palm groves, haughty ksours, fortified villages and lavish kasbah, this is the charm of an idyllic town in another millennium. Ouarzazate, a city of the convergence of cultures and crafts, marks the starting point of the road oasis. It is at the crossroads between the valley of Drâa- who digs up his bed Agadir- Dadès- from the High Atlas and the Ziz feeds the huge palm Tafilalet before getting lost in the sands of Taouz .

Two beautiful kasbah catch the traveler, dazzled by so much beauty, that of Taourirt and Ait Ben Haddou, located 30 km from the city. The reputation of these two "monuments" is such that movies like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Sheltering Sky" have set up shop. And, the ultimate culmination of the framework: UNESCO added the two World Heritage kasbah.

In Ouarzazate, endowed with beautiful and luxurious hotels, you can score a stopover before venturing into the wilderness where all kinds of sensations decorate the trip. We will discover with amazement Kelâa Gouna, the most beautiful rose gardens in the valley, the ancient Kasbah Glaoui balanced on a rock, the Dades gorges, huge limestone block cut of a saber .la Ziz Valley, she punctuates the way to the desert. The Oued Ziz, lined with tall palm trees from which emerge ksours and sublime kasbah of Ifri, emerald form a web that offers a dazzling spectacle. Once through the door Erfoud, the desert in all its nakedness and splendor.

To visit:

Casbah of Taourirt

The residence was once a Pasha of Marrakech (XIX) and is considered one of the most beautiful in
Morocco. Its buildings are made of mud flats rich, simple houses and crenellated towers profusely decorated. You can visit the old Glaoui apartments where you can admire the dining room and bedroom of the favorite who kept their decoration painted stucco ceilings and cedar wood.

The craft center

Located opposite the Kasbah Taourirt, the center is the opportunity to buy some local crafts including the famous carpet "Ouzguita."

Aït Benhaddou22 miles northwest of Ouarzazate recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, ksours of Ait Ben Haddou is one of the most beautiful in Morocco. Largely uninhabited, this fortified town is a model of earthen architecture (crenellated towers and decorated with diamond-shaped patterns). The walk to the dungeon of the old casbah can enjoy a breathtaking view with the foreground, the surrounding arid, and in the background, the silhouette of the Atlas.

Casbah Tifoultoute

(8 km west of Ouarzazate), Jadis, the old fortress belonged to the family of Glaoui (Pasha of Marrakech). Built on a rocky promontory,

it reigns supreme over the valley of Oued Ouarzazate. Converted into a hotel and restaurant there giving nightly performances of traditional dances.

Dades Gorges Todra

The rugged landscape of the Dades Gorge (east of town) with its deep and winding canyon is dazzling. Legend has it that he who ventured into these grooves, it escaped the robbers who controlled the pass, thank you stayed at formidable Atlas lions,

the last was killed in 1905 after the village of Msemrir, the territory of the Ait Atta, a track leads Agoudal then Imilchil which is held in September the famous "Moussem Betrothed" in which the young women in the region are looking for a husband. Another avenue starting from Agoudal leads to Todra Gorge. The road of Todra commits along a lush palm grove bordering the river. The most impressive sight is still a narrow corridor of about ten meters dominated by two tall cliffs 300 meters.

Dades Valley

Nicknamed "Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs", the Dades Valley is a popular area for tourists. One can only deplore the state of degradation of many kasbahs. Fortunately, some sites such as the palm of Ouarzazate have stood the test of time. Founded in the twelfth century by Yacoub el-Mansour, known for growing roses and production of rose water, the park is home to beautiful mansions; the "Amerhidil casbah" with its delicately carved outer walls is a major component. As for the capital of the rose, the fortified village of El Gouna Kelaa, its ruined kasbah still have beautiful ornaments.

Draa Valley

This valley runs along the Wadi Draa about 200 km from Ouarzazate to Zagora (the "gateway to the desert").

Its course through a multitude of palm groves and lush villages. Grand classic Moroccan tourism, this trip allows especially to discover beautiful ksours sleek. The brave traveler can go to Zagora and hamid to admire the first big dunes of the Sahara Desert.

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