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Armchair Travel: Exploring Morocco's Mystique [Photos]
Enter the exotic
Morocco is a vibrantly exotic country on the Mediterranean's north African coast. Mystique is in the air as a balmy night breeze rustles palm leaves; lanterns cast a soft glow. Twisting alleyways of medieval medinas in Fès and Marrakech lure travelers. Drive over the High Atlas Mountains to sub-Sahara's kasbahs, which look like movie sets and often are. The vast sweep of the Sahara is a wonder. Throughout Morocco, travelers delight in small hotels called riads, former villas and palaces. Now they welcome guests and retain a Moroccan decor, like Dar Rhizlane in Marrakech.
Poetry in tile
Decorative ceramic tile is classic Morocco. Intricate patterns of geometric shapes are seen in Moorish-Islamic architecture of mosques, kasbahs and palaces.
Architectural greeting
Keyhole-style entryways are a traditional architectural element, as seen throughout the lavish mosque and tomb of revered 17th century sultan, Moulay Ismail. Moulay Ismail built an imperial city, or kasbah, in the city of Meknès.
Photo courtesy of Anne Chalfant
Moroccan comfort zone
Keyhole doorways also grace modern Moroccan buildings and resorts. Luxury Amanjena Resort in Marrakech uses keyhole doors throughout.
A spot of mint tea
Mint tea–either hot or iced–is the favored drink in Morocco. Morocco's mixed population of Muslims and Berbers agree on that, usually in their common language of French.
Photo courtesy of Anne Chalfant
Lost and squashed
Take along a local guide when exploring dense medinas of Fès or Marrakech. Bartering is hardcore. Plus, count on getting lost among wildly twisting alleys.
Pick a pack of purses
Need a purse, briefcase or leather satchel? Fès is famed for tanneries. Vegetable and mineral dyes produce yellow, purple, orange, blue–a purse for every day of the week.
Photo courtesy of Anne Chalfant
Snake charmers and tooth pullers
Place Jemaa el-Fna is part circus, part shopping center–and completely astonishing to visitors. A man with a monkey places him on your head to draw a crowd. Spicy meat fills the air with aroma. The Marrakech Square is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Home sweet riad
Travelers seeking exotic atmosphere find it in riads and dars. These small hotels were once palaces and villas. Palais Jebben in Marrakech was once a villa, but is now a riad inviting guests.
Photo courtesy of Anne Chalfant
Marrakech by moonlight
A rooftop terrace overlooking Marrakech looks like a setting for celebrities. But the moment is all yours at Dar Hanane, a six-room Marrakech hotel with gardens.
Alleys of blue
Chefchaouen in northern Morocco is famed for its blue-painted alleyways. Buy a blue glass evil eye key chain– you just never know.
Photo courtesy of Sally Cardici
Robes of Winter
Morocco's perch on the Mediterranean Sea delivers temperate winters. But Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains gets chilly, so long robes called jellabas are worn. Jellabas make great souvenirs –wear them like a robe.
Photo courtesy of Anne Chalfant
Mountains and desert
Morocco plays a full hand in the geography game. Beaches on Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, mountains and the ace card, the mighty Sahara Desert. Atlas Mountains also reign majestic, rising to 13,671 feet at Jebel Toubkal.
Photo courtesy of Joan Weber/Journeys International
Europe's fruit basket
Morocco's sublime Mediterranean climate produces jumping-with-flavor fruits and vegetables. Morocco sells produce to European countries; Europe is only 7.7 nautical miles away.
Photo courtesy of Anne Chalfant
Not a bad hang out
Resorts blossom in Morocco; they're popular with winter-struck Europeans. Europeans arrive by ferry from Gibraltar and from Spain. Luxury resorts such as Amanjena in Marrakech suit the yen for the exotic.
Photo courtesy of Aman Resorts
Take me to the kasbah
The road through the High Atlas Mountains leads to the Sahara Desert. Kasbahs near Ouarzazate are old city fortifications that have become movie sets these days. This kasbah, Ait Benhaddou, was the set for the movie Lawrence of Arabia.
Photo courtesy of Anne Chalfant
Surrender to the Mighty Sahara
The Sahara Desert takes you back to second grade studies, but it's more vast than you ever imagined. Climb a dune to look out on the never-ending march of dunes. Ride a camel toward the endless horizon.
Photo courtesy of Anne Chalfant
Sahara moonrise
In the Sahara, light plays with shadows; the moon wears a face. Walking on sand has a welcoming feel.
Photo courtesy of Anne Chalfant
About Anne Chalfant
Years as travel editor for a San Francisco Bay Area newspaper shaped Anne's understanding of what travelers want to know. Anne conveys the wonder and "whoa's!" of travel, and is always eager to share travel tips. The San Francisco Bay Area is home for Anne; she lives with husband and cat Sherpa. Despite Sherpa's traveler name, he thinks travel is for the birds. When the suitcases come out, he heads under the bed.
Read more about Anne Chalfant here.