So, you don’t have time to take a full week off work but you’d still like to travel to somewhere other than the standard European short break destinations. Look no further than the north African country of Morocco – you can fit a surprising amount into five days if you’re organized.
If sorting out a whistle-stop tour of the country sounds like a bit too much effort for you, book a place on an organised holiday to Morocco to take all the stress out of your trip. Let’s get back to the details and what exactly you should see and do if you’ve only got a few days and want to get a real flavor of the country!
Discover a City
The best way to get an overall picture of what Morocco is about is to split your time between one of its vibrant cities and its beautiful natural areas. We’re going to begin by taking a look at a couple of cities that are well worth your time – pick one that appeals to you and then plan your trip around flying into and out of there.
• Marrakech – With its eclectic mix of old and new, Marrakech is a wonderful place to explore. The medina (or old city) is made up of a maze of winding streets that link the various souks where you can pick up everything from traditional handicrafts to spices, while in Djemma-el-Fna (the main square) you’ll find vendors selling authentic Moroccan cuisine and street performers who entertain the crowds. Gueliz is the new, modern district with a much more European atmosphere. Don’t miss landmarks such as the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs and the El-Badi Palace.
• Fes – Another option is Fes, a fascinating city that boasts many culturally and historically important landmarks and institutions. Among them is the Karaouiyine Mosque, which is believed to house one of the oldest universities in the world, while Bou Inania is the largest medersa in the city and a fantastic example of Merenid architecture. Souvenir hunters must visit the El Bali souks, which specialise in local arts and crafts and are a real treasure trove.
• Rabat – This is Morocco’s capital and is often overlooked in favour of the country’s more famous cities. However, Rabat’s recent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site might make it a more appealing prospect. Amazing old buildings (like the 12th century Hassan Mosque) are found here along with modern additions such as the Jardins d’Essais botanical and pleasure gardens.
Experience Morocco’s natural beauty
While visiting a city is all well and good on a short break, in five days you can easily manage to fit in a bit of time in Morocco’s wild and untamed landscape around the High Atlas Mountains. There are some stunning walking routes in the foothills of this range, while striding out also presents you with the chance to visit some remote Berber villages.
The scenery around the High Atlas Mountains is ruggedly beautiful, with wide open plains fringed by towering peaks (including Toubkal, which is the highest summit in north Africa). Spending time with the Berber people gives you an unrivalled opportunity to learn more about their traditional lives, with these communities having settled in the mountainous region centuries ago.
You can expect to be offered delicious, traditional food, and may even be lucky enough to witness an impromptu performance of local music and dancing. Discovering the high Atlas Mountains is a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life and to enjoy some downtime during your short trip to Morocco.
You can also connect with us via social media on Facebook,twitter, +Kenin, Bloglovin, tumblr ,Pinterest, StumbleUpon, and YouTube!