Morocco Holidays 2012

Morocco with an estimated population of 34,859,364 people is now a very popular holiday destination, especially with visitors from the UK. However, it still maintains an exotic feeling and has many unspoilt areas to explore. Even though Morocco is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the country is also home to one of the hottest deserts in the world. The Sahara desert is located in the southern part of Morocco and is always worth an excursion or two.

Places of interest

One of the most interesting cities that you should visit in Morocco is the inland city of Marrakech. Marrakech provides visitors with plenty of historical landmarks, museums, and other attractions, so there is no chance of getting bored in this bigger city.

While in Marrakech you will want to stop and see the Menara Garden, which is a summer house surrounded by Olive trees, but the Majorelle Garden is also an amazing place to visit. Once you are done seeing everything that Marrakech has to offer head on out to the Rif or Atlas mountains for some real adventures.

However, make sure you are prepared for the weather; it rains quite a bit more in the mountains than it does in the valleys.

Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is also a very interesting city to visit because of the amazing architecture that you will find throughout the city. Some of the most talked about monuments include the doors of the Kasbah Oudaia, the Hassen that is 55 meters tall, and Chellah.

Rabat also has numerous museums and cultural centers that can help you teach you about the history and culture of Morocco. Rabat is one of the bigger tourist cities in the area so there are plenty of opportunities for shopping and dining out.

Local dishes

Moroccan dishes are an exquisite blend of a variety of different cultural influences, including Arab, Middle Eastern, African, Jewish, Moorish, and a few others. The main part of any dish is the spices used to create that dish because it is the spices that give each dish its own distinct flavor.

Some of the most common spices you will find in Moroccan dishes are cumin, ginger, cinnamon, saffron, mint, and turmeric. The main meal is served at midday unless it is the holy month of Ramadan.

Every meal is served with bread and the bread is used as a utensil for eating. Mint tea is served either during the meal or after the meal is over. Some of the more popular dishes that you should try include Bisteeya, a triple-layered pastry, and the Morocco tagine, a dish of meats and vegetables cooked in a pottery container.

Climate

Even though Morocco has a subtropical climate, it is considered a moderate climate rather than a true subtropical climate. One of the best things about the subtropical climate is the cool breeze that comes in from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean that helps cool things off.

The further inland you go the more extreme the temperatures are going to be. Inland areas find it to be stifling hot during the summer months, but the winter months it can get quite cold.

The major cities, which are where most tourists end up, the average annual temperatures are about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but these temperatures tend to fluctuate based on the season.

When to go

The busiest season for tourism is during the months of July and August. During these times the crowds are going to be thick, but the heat is also going to be at its worst.

If you don’t want to deal with crowds or the heat it is advisable that you go before or after this busy time. Even a month before or after can make a huge difference. The main factor that determines the best time to go to Morocco is going to be the weather.

Most people avoid Morocco from November to March because that is the rainy season. From April to October is the dry season, which means warmer temperatures but also high humidity.