12 Reasons to Visit Morocco
This little corner of Northern Africa is one of our favourite places to plan in. Why? Because there’s nowhere else in the world quite like Morocco. Here are a few of our top reasons to visit:
1) Get the blues—Pink may be the navy blue of India (as Diana Vreeland, fabled former editor of Vogue, once said), but the joltingly bright Majorelle blue is most certainly the navy blue of Morocco. Diana’s son, Frecky, used to live in Marrakech, so there.
2) Man, can they tan—Moroccans still make stuff. Exquisite handicrafts by the hundreds. But most of all they know how to work a piece of leather to perfection.
3) Great for a date—The blazing sun works small miracles on palm trees, delivering heaps of delicious dates.
4) Kings of courtyards—How refreshing it is to experience domestic architecture that keeps its treasures hidden. Modesty can be so magnificent.
5) They never forget a face—Moroccans have an uncanny knack for recognizing a person years after first meeting them. And they’re always keen to catch-up over a glass of mint tea.
6) Roses by the dozen—For the price of a single long-stemmed red rose at a restaurant in New York, you can buy an armful at the market in Marrakech.
7) They make mud houses—And they make them incredibly and intricately well. Play your cards right and you can stay in one of these kasbahs.
8) Crazy carpets—Blocks of wild colour and irregular patterns have a way of working themselves into your heart. And often, your home.
9) A knack for theatre—Whether they’re pitching tents in the Sahara, lighting a billion candles for a dinner for two, or simply pouring tea, Moroccans know how to make the mundane marvellous.
10) Scriptly delicious—The swooshing, curving calligraphic lines of Arabic script communicate a beauty beyond words.
11) An Atlas high—Like a dragon’s spine, the majestic High Atlas mountains curl through the country from near head to toe, keeping that big blue sky propped up.
12) Markets & mazes—Virtually all of the large cities and towns have a labyrinth of streets and alleys hiding remarkable local markets. Seek out those souks and ye shall (eventually) find.
Charlie lived and worked in Morocco once upon a time of fax machines and carrier pigeons. The country still holds a special place in his heart to this day. Not to mention all the Moroccan antiques and handicrafts that still hold a special place in his home and office.
