Traveling to Morocco

• Introduction (Why do you need to go to Morocco? - beaches, ancient architecture, food, exciting attractions)
• Safety from the religious and political situation points
• Morocco for woman
• Covid-19 situation and safety
• Local Medicine
• Local food
• Morrocan Spa
• Must-visit cities (Marrakesh, Fez, Casablanca, Ouarzazate, Agadir)
• Conclusion
  
  
  

Introduction.

Let’s be honest; we are all so exhausted from our ordinary trips. We are used to choosing between standard travel destinations such as Mexico, Canada, sometimes Italy, or the Dominican Republic. What if we tell you that there is a fantastic country with marvelous beaches, great history, and the spirit of adventures like in Aladdin’s story? Morocco has everything for a great vacation,  from ideal beaches for both surf lovers and parents with children, colorful markets with exotic products you can decorate your home with, glorious history, and unusual architecture, to delicious and unique food.

We understand that visiting exotic countries like Morocco can be challenging, especially at the planning stage. That's why we created this guide for you to get acquainted with the country and, when you're ready,  come back to Tripening to plan and book your vacation.

Safety: Religious and Politicals

Unlike Egypt and Tunisia, which are so popular among tourists, Morocco is a politically stable state. In the absence of a prominent cult of monarchy in the country, the king of Morocco is a highly revered person, but mainly as a statesman and head of state, and the Moroccans themselves are incredibly law-abiding. This is also assisted by rather strict legislation and high fines. Walking in the evening around cities in Morocco is often safer than in many major cities in Europe.

The Moroccan police are considered the most efficient in Africa. You can ask them to help cross the road, show the right direction, and any other policing work. However, if you decided to take a walk across the market, keep an eye on your stuff. Even considering the fact that there are very few beggars and fraudulent guides in the country, there are still pickpockets and robbers on motorcycles.  

The state religion of Morocco is Islam. Ninety-nine percent of the country's population is Muslim; only 0.8 percent are Christians, and 0; 2 percent are Jews. Modern Moroccans, however,  lead a secular lifestyle and do not observe Islam’s traditions in the classical form. In big cities, people buy and drink alcohol in bars, and women walk bareheaded. Remember that, among the rural population, one must behave more restrainedly since religion is the center of life for many inhabitants from the hinterland.

Morocco for Women

Before traveling to a Muslim country, every woman thinks about how safe such a trip is for her, especially if she is traveling unaccompanied. And although Morocco is a relatively secular country and does not pose a particular danger to women, we have collected some universal tips to help you feel more secure and enjoy the country’s culture.

• Get used to the fact that local people will pay attention to you. Try to behave friendly, but more restrained, because our usual communication manner can easily be regarded as strange or even flirtatious.  
  
• Try to wear more conservative clothing outside your hotel and in old towns during excursions, especially while visiting the medina. Again, you are unlikely to be reprimanded or made to feel uncomfortable in any way, but you will feel more comfortable in clothes that blend more in with the locals.
  
• For lunch, choose only tourist cafes and bars. There you can meet other women, in contrast to local restaurants, frequented mostly by men. If you like the locals’ attention, feel free to go to the local establishments 😉.
  
  

Covid-19 Situation and Safety

According to the Worldometers portal, 483.6K cases of the COVID infection have been detected in Morocco for the entire duration of the pandemic to date. At the same time, almost 469K people have recovered. Up to date, more than 1 million people have been vaccinated, and the campaign is gearing up. The current COVID situation in Morocco is stable. However, it is important to check the situation before planning a trip to avoid possible difficulties and issues.

Tripening can assist you in your vacation organization, starting from checking the situation with an entry permit, visa, buying tickets, choosing and booking a hotel, excursions, and car rental.

Local Medicine

As is the case in many African countries, Morocco has its own peculiarities in medicine. In large cities, you can get relatively high-quality medical care. Still, it is highly undesirable to get sick in small towns - medical assistance leaves much to be desired.

One should remember that it is always a good idea to get travel insurance before your vacation. The very fact of its presence will provide you with support for physical health in case of illness in an unfamiliar country and moral satisfaction from knowing that you will be taken care of. Read more regarding choosing insurance options (which includes Covid-19 insurance) in our blog.

Ideally, you should also have a first aid kit with you, especially if you are traveling with children. We recommend that you include the following in your standard traveler's first aid kit:

• Sunburn remedy
• Remedy for diarrhea and motion sickness
• Ointment for mosquito and other insect bites
• A plaster and a bandage. You do not want to interrupt walks because of the callus on your leg, right?
• Antipyretic and pain relievers
  

Be sure to check with your doctor before buying medications. Your doctor will help you choose the most optimal and suitable medicines for you personally.

Local food

Moroccan cuisine is rightfully considered one of the most unusual and delicious in the world. It combines Arabian, Berber, Moorish, Jewish and Mediterranean cuisines. Such an explosive mixture was made possible thanks to the country's location and the combination of meat, fruits, and vegetables in one dish. The main feature of Moroccan cuisine is the spices, which give the dishes a unique taste.

While vacationing in Morocco, be sure to try stuffed eggplant, charba, tagine, couscous, and meat pie. Fireworks of taste buds are guaranteed.

Morrocan Spa

If you are a fan of spa, you should definitely choose Morocco for your next destination. The country has everything required for a perfect wellness and SPA vacation: an excellent climate, seawater, seaweed, and rejuvenating argan oil from the fruits of the unique argan tree, which grows only in Morocco. Therefore, no SPA procedure is complete without an argan oil massage.

Other popular Spa procedures include using national Beldi Hammam soap and Moroccan red clay. Natural hand-made scrub soap from olive oil and eucalyptus leaves is used for deep cleansing of the skin in oriental baths. In turn, clay absorbs large amounts of water, as well as fats and toxins. It perfectly cleanses pores, improves skin elasticity and firmness.

Must-visit Cities

As you have already understood, Morocco can become an exciting new experience for you in 2021. We are even surprised that you haven’t visited it before. Let’s go through the must-visit cities list and choose which one will be the first to see.

Marrakesh. It is the cultural capital of Morocco, where you can find snake charmers, street performers, acrobats dancers, and storytellers in the middle of an actual eastern city. The main attraction of the city is the Medina of Marrakesh, listed as a World Heritage Site. Surprisingly, there is a ski resort just 75 kilometers from Marrakech. Bet you haven't skied in Africa yet? It is your chance;)

Fez. The oldest of the four imperial cities of Morocco, the largest center for Islamic culture and education in northern Africa, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - city of Fez. In this city, you have a chance to plunge into the real life of the Moroccans of the Middle Ages. Experience for yourself both the charm of Moroccan life and the shocking customs in the form of the locals’ permanent craft at the tanneries.

Casablanca. Casablanca will appeal to fans of Greek Santorini and similar cities. The White City is considered the financial center of Morocco, and most of its sights reflect the country's economic prosperity. When in Casablanca, do not forget to visit the Twin Towers of the business center, the Catholic Church of Notre Dame de Lourdes, and the Great Mosque of Hassan II. And, of course, add the Grand Bazar of Casablanca to your list. You will not see such markets anywhere else globally, with their narrow streets, aromas, oriental trade style, which looks more like a show than an ordinary shopping ritual. And do not forget to bargain, this is a special pleasure.

Ouarzazate. The city, whose appearance has attracted filmmakers worldwide, has become a real Moroccan Hollywood. More than half a hundred films were filmed here. Asterix and Obelix walked along with it, the gladiator Russell Crowe overcame obstacles, and even a couple of scenes of the beloved Game of Thrones were also filmed in Ouarzazate.

Agadir. To enjoy your beach holiday - go to Agadir. The resort is suitable both for families with children and for surfers. This is the most popular resort in Morocco, and for a good reason, the city has many cafes, bars, clubs, and a legal casino for gamblers.

Conclusion

When planning your next trip, do not dwell on the usual options - the world is too vast and beautiful to deprive yourself of such an opportunity. Many countries that seemed dangerous or not worth traveling to can often bring more pleasure than the most popular tourist destinations.

If you run out of ideas about where to spend your next vacation or you do not want and do not have the opportunity to waste time on choosing a trip - contact Tripening!