Morocco has been on our minds quite a bit lately. Last summer we spent a week on the south coast of Spain, near Marbella, and were intrigued by the idea of taking a ferry boat across the narrow bit of the Mediterranean to take a quick peek at Morocco. But alas, we were thwarted by the fact that the ferry only when to the Spanish town of Cueta on the north coast of Africa.
Then, just a few weeks ago we found ourselves in that same city of Cueta, which is completely surrounded by Morocco. But we were on a cruise so we only had one day and once again were denied seeing the country that now seemed to be teasing us.
So now we have decided that it is time to start making some plans for our very own trip to Morocco. And one of the top things on our to do list of must-see activities is to take one of the fantastic Morocco Desert Tours.
A desert tour can be an incredible adventure that includes a chance to explore the varied landscapes, dive into the local culture, and even spend nights under the most amazing stars anywhere. Yes, we definitely want to stay the night in a traditional nomadic camp so we have the chance to enjoy the local food and music.
The evening is capped off with a breathtaking sunset, followed by perhaps the most amazing sight. We also hear that the dry desert air, along the intense darkness far from any city lights, makes it feel as though the stars are hanging right in front of you, just out of reach.
After that, morning will greet us with a spectacular sunrise over the dunes of the one and only Sahara Desert. Then, of course, our desert tour experience wouldn’t be complete without a ride on a camel across the vast Sahara.
But we also know that we couldn’t possibly travel to Morocco without a visit to the historic capital of city of Marrakech. The city is probably most famous these days for it’s many bustling markets known as souks. But nearly one thousand years ago it held a place of high importance as the original Royal seat of the The Almoravids.
Their dynasty stretched down the west coast of Africa and well up into what is now Spain, as well as all along Mediterranean and North Africa. After that, from medieval times until about one hundred years ago, the entire country of Morocco was known as the “Kingdom of Marrakesh”.
Exploring the city would give us another great option worth looking into, an opportunity to join one of the Marrakech Desert Trips. From our research we have found that these unique undertakings can be a truly transformative experience. The type of once in a lifetime expedition that can be actually life changing.
Exploring the Kasbahs and Oases along the route is another great highlight. Departing from Marrakech, the route usually leads up into the High Atlas Mountains. We’ll pass by stunning landscapes, picturesque valleys, and traditional Berber villages clinging to the mountainsides, such as Ait Benhaddou.
This classic desert fortification was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and has been the location for many of Hollywood’s biggest pictures, including Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Would Be King, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Mummy, and Gladiator.
And even as dry as the desert is, there are also oases along the way. The Draa Valley is renowned for many lush oases that stand out starkly against the arid desert landscape. So we really feel that visiting an oasis is another must do.
And who knows? Maybe we can have our very own Midnight at the Oasis.
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
