Morocco Prep

Morocco

Planning a trip to Morocco, AFRICA!

In one of the days you get onto a camel, ride out into the desert and sleep in a tent! The next day you get back on the camel and ride back to town! What fun!!

Casablanca to Fes.  Gain of 2000 feet!

Fes to Merzouga, over a 6000 foot mointain!

Merzouga on a camel out to the desert, 2000 ft. elevation may be chilly at night!

Mezouga to Toga Gorge rising 2000 feet.

Todra to Ben Haddou, over another 6300 foot mountain.

Wow, Ben to Marrakesh over an 8300 foot mountain!!!


Below is Casablanca! Lots of things to see.

1. Start your day at Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur 
Built in 1930, Cathedrale du Sacre was designed by French architect 
Paul Tournon who also designed other renowned churches in France. The cathedral is now open to the public with art exhibitions and art fairs. The establishment is magnificent in itself with skeletal pillars in ivory via Neo-Gothic style. 
The cathedral is situated a bit further from other main attractions, so it’s wise to cab out first then work your way in.

2. Shop ’til you drop at Marche Central 

As Casablanca’s main market, you can and everything at Marche Central: rare spices, vintage goods, colorful decor, gorgeous fabrics. This is the perfect place for you to show off mad bargaining skills and bring home loads of souvenir for loved ones. If you get tired of hopping from one vendor to another, walk a few steps over and grab a drink at the iconic Hotel Transatlantique which was built in 1922 and popular among famous musicians such as: Edith Piaf and Josephine Baker. 
Antique Shop, Marche Central, Casablanca

3. See through the glass door inside Hassan II Mosque 
From Marche Central, grab a cab and head over to the number one attraction in Casablanca: Hassan II Mosque. 
Completed in 1993, the 210 meters (689 feet) mosque rises above the Atlantic Ocean which you can also see through the glass door inside the magnificent building. It welcomes 105,000 worshippers for prayers at once. The walls are made from hand-crafted marble with the minaret at 60 stories in height. 
  
4. Grab lunch at Rick’s Cafe 248 Rue Sour Jdid, Casablanca, Morocco 
An ex-American diplomat in Morocco, Kathy Kriger, established Rick’s Cafe back in 2004 for travelers who yearn to relive the beloved Hollywood film: Casablanca. The restaurant/bar/cafe is inside a traditional Moroccan mansion with an interior mainly displaying photographs, and memorabilia from the film. Every decor placement inside the establishment is a tribute to the film. Although we know that Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman weren’t actually in Casablanca during filming (the movie was completely shot in Burbank, California,) there’s no harm in bringing out the tourist in all of us once in awhile and soak in the greatest love story ever told.

5. Wanderlust in the Old Medina of Casablanca North-west corner of Place des Nations Unies, Casablanca, Morocco 
Every city has a rustic, vintage area that juxtaposes itself from the metropolitan’s modernity. In thriving Casablanca, this area would be the Old Medina. Here, you’ll find architecture stemming from pre-20th century. Mazes of abandoned alleys and buildings ooze of old-school charm that today’s travelers crave for. This is the perfect area to get lost after your lunch break at Rick’s Cafe, but try not to visit Old Medina at night in case of unwanted danger.

6. Grub on traditional pastries at Bennis Habous 
2 rue Fkih El Gabbas, Quartier Habous, Casablanca 20000 Morocco 
Nom! If you’ve always wanted to try amazingly delicious Moroccan pastries, then you’ve gotta make a stop at Bennis Habous near the Old Medina. It’s often considered as the best pastry shop in the country. Definitely grub on the hornes des gazelles, or Gazelle Horns, which are almond paste scented with orange flower water and cinnamon molded into a crescent. When they’re baked until barely golden, they taste like sweet heaven. Instagood! 
7. Be artsy and visit Musee bderrahman Slaoui 
Rue Du Parc, Casablanca 20070, Morocco 
The museum was opened in May 2012 by businessman Abderrahman Slaoui, who was also an art enthusiast and collector. If you’re a fan of vintage jewelry and art pieces by Marjolle and Dinet, then you’ll want to make a stop at Musee Abderrahman Slaoui The museum is inside an art deco building from 1940’s, and it holds Slaoui’s personal art collections from all over the world in the span of over fifty years. This is a 20-minute walk from the Old Medina area.

 
8. Indulge in a true Moroccan dinner at Zayna 
Place Habous, Rue Ibn Khaldoune, 44, Quartier Habous, Casablanca 20000, Morocco 
 
Just a short ten-minute cab ride away (30 minutes by foot) from Musee Abderrahman Slaoui, you’ll find an inexpensive but truly delish Moroccan restaurant called: Zayna The restaurant is local and serves up the best coucous in town. For USD$10-25, you can get a taste of authentic Moroccan cuisine. Make sure to order a round of traditional mint tea after dinner. PS. There’s wifi at the restaurant!

 9. Sip your cocktails at Sky 28 
Boulevard Al Massira Al Khadra, Casablanca 22000 Morocco 
Another location to enjoy a night cap. Thankfully, there’s Sky 28. For a great view of the city with a cocktail made to perfection, take another 10-minute cab ride over to the Kenzi Tower Hotel. Sky 28 is located on the 27th floor, with a panoramic view of the entire city of Casablanca. The bar also serves as a restaurant, and DJs will start to spin the night away later in the evening. Since consuming alcohol isn’t as prevalent in Morocco (especially for women,) Sky 28 is an ideal place to sip and groove to the beats without any worry. 

10. Have your beach moment at la Corniche 
 Here’s an option you can choose to do anytime during the day! Hitting the beach in Casablanca is also getting a taste of the city’s version of 90210 or Miami. Once you’re at the Hassan II Mosque, you can take a ten-minute taxi ride to la Corniche – Casablanca’s ultra popular beachfront. Since the weather is warm all year round in Morocco, locals love flocking to this area. Don’t be surprised if you see masses of tourists or chain stores and restaurants. If you prefer a bit more privacy on the beach, then continue walking south on Boulevard de l’Océan Atlantique.

Ziani Baths are on the Alsace quarter just near Benjdia
Address : 
Abdou Rakrak Street benjdia Casablanca 20 000
E-mail : hammamziani@hotmail.com
Phone: 0522 31-96-95 
         Responsible: Soraya Ziani
GSM: 0661-25-02-55 
          0661 32-58-40  

The Marvels of Casablanca in Morocco 

Also known as Casa or Dar el Baida, Casablanca is essentially the capital of Morocco. 
Any European citizen or traveler will feel immediately at home here and will have an almost instinctive understanding of the life here.
There are plenty of hotels in and around Casablanca. Regardless of the size of your budget, you can find a superb place to enjoy 
a meal in this vibrant city. Entertain your wildest holiday fantasies in Casablanca! 

Casablanca was established as a town in 1906 with a population of 20 000. 
Later in 1907 when the French landed here, Fez was its commercial center whilst Tangier was set up as the city's main harbor. 
The French were soon ousted, however, and had to seek a new port altogether and Tangier remained Moroccan. 
Things have changed much since then. With a population of over 3 million, Casablanca resembles a Southern European city. 
Today all duties are handled here except for administration. 

Transport 
Petits Taxis are everywhere and you shouldn't have difficulty in catching one. 
The bus services are quite efficient too. 
If you're hiring a car in Casa, remember that the traffic can often be a nightmare and it doesn't take much to reach gridlock. 
Avoid driving if at all possible.
 
Accommodation 
There are plenty of hotels in and around Casa. Problem is they're almost always full, so last minute bookings are out of the question. 
Go to hotels, luxury hotels, self-catering, villas and apartments & studios for further accommodation information. 

Beaches 
Visitors can take a bus to Ain Diab, a small beach side suburb. True, it might not be the cleanest of beaches, but it still draws a
 huge crowd on a daily basis. It also must be said that the crowds are mostly drawn here because of the various beach clubs. 
These clubs each have saltwater pools, restaurants and cafes. Look around a bit and if your wallet can handle it, 
you'll find a more expensive beach club with tennis & volleyball courts and even a disco. 

Restaurants 
Regardless of the size of your budget, you can find a superb place to enjoy a meal in Casa. 
Generally accepted as the best place to eat when in Morocco, Casablanca has a large variety of traditional, 
seafood and take-away eateries. Try making a turn by 'Stella'. This ice-cream parlor will have 30 different flavors 
at any one time available for your testing. 

Bars & Nightclubs 
Unfortunately Casa's nightclub offerings are somewhat meager. 
For a quiet drink at a bar, your best bet is probably your hotel's bar. 
There are a few semi-decent discos in Casa and they get going around 11pm and stay open until 3am.
 
Things to See & Do 
Rialto Cinema
This beautiful Art Deco cinema palace was constructed in 1930. Catch a movie and enjoy the architecture too. 

Cathedral of Sacre C'ur
This cathedral has a refreshing design that features many traditional Moroccan styles. 
In the past it was used as a school and then a culture center. Now however, whilst the exterior holds its visual appeal, 
the interior has succumbed to entropy. 

Villa des Arts
This Art Deco exhibition center houses many lovely contemporary art pieces.
 
Getting Around 
CTM has buses running constantly in and around the city. 
Grands Taxis are quick and usually quite easy to catch. 
Your best bet for a train is at the Casa Port station or the Casa Voyageurs station.
 

Meknes

FEZ at night

Merzouga

Todra Gorge

Ben Haddou

Marrakesh