World Tourist Place

Imilchil-Morocco

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 03:48:11 +0000

Imilchil (Arabic: إملشيل‎) is a small town in central Morocco, in the Atlas Mountains with a population of about 1858.It is located at an elevation of 2119 m in the valley of Assif Melloul (“white river”). The area of Imilchil is home to the Ait Hdiddou tribe, belonging to the Ait Yafelman confederation, and the inhabitants speak Central Atlas Tamazight. Some locations to visit are the caves of Akhiam, the Agouni waterfalls, the Ziz Gorges and Valley and the ksars of the area.The climate in Morocco varies, from Mediterranean near the coast, to more extremes as one moves towards the interiors. Due to its wide range of climatic variation, one gets to see a variety of flora and fauna that have adapted to this climatic change. With this variation in climate one also gets to see a hugely diversified cuisine, which can be credited to the influence of a variety of cultures and the availability of raw materials for food. Couscous is the most famous Moroccan dish along with pastilla, tajine, and harira. The most popular drink is green tea with mint.Located in North Africa, Morocco or Marrakesh (its ancient name meaning ‘Land of God’) as it’s still addressed in certain languages, can well be considered a jewel in the crown of the African continent. Morocco is a monarchy with a population of about 32 million. Its capital is Rabat, with Casablanca its largest city.In reality, the region is a large scattering of tiny villages, and when young person needs to find a partner, they can’t simply go and look for one, due to the conservative social norms. Thus, the festival allows for fathers to show their daughters and find husbands for them. When a woman accepts a man’s proposal to marry, she says “You have captured my liver”. (Tq massa n uchemt) Up to 40 couples take their vows on the same day. The festival is rich with music, dancing, feasts, and colorful clothing. When you think of Morocco, you immediately think of Casablanca, a place immortalized in the annals of Hollywood history, with Humphrey Bogart mouthing off lines which have now become as memorable as the film itself. But it would be completely unfair on ones part to assume, that there isn’t more to Morocco than Casablanca.Morocco is a tourist paradise, with plenty of things to do and places to see. Be it places of natural beauty like the Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, Figuig oasis in eastern Morocco and Tislit Lake, Imilchil in the Atlas Mountains, or architectural marvels, like in Volubilis, featuring the best preserved Roman ruins in this part of northern Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or the numerous mosques around the country, which feature beautiful and intricate architecture.

Volubilis-Morocco

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:52:45 +0000

In antiquity, Volubilis was an important Roman town situated near the westernmost border of Roman conquests. It was built on the site of a previous Carthaginian settlement from (at the latest) the third century BC, but that settlement overlies an earlier neolithic habitation.The Romans evacuated most of Morocco at the end of the 3rd century AD, but unlike some other Roman cities, Volubilis was not abandoned. However, it appears to have been destroyed by an earthquake in the late fourth century AD. It was reoccupied in the sixth century, when a small group of tombstones written in Latin shows the existence of a community that still dated its foundation by the year of the Roman province. Volubilis was a Roman settlement constructed on what was probably a Carthaginian city, dating from 3rd century BC. Volubilis was a central administrative city for this part of Roman Africa, responsible for the grain producing in this fertile region, and exports to Rome. Volubilis was also administering contacts with the Berber tribes which the Romans never managed to suppress, but who only came as far as to cooperate with the Romans for mutual benefits. Unlike so many other Roman cities, Volubilis was not abandoned after the Romans lost their foothold in this part of Africa in the 3rd century. Even the Latin language survived for centuries, and as not replaced before the Arabs conquered North Africa in the late 7th century. The main area of Volubilis, and the only area that really attracts visitors, Moroccans and foreigners, is no more than 800 x 600 metres (measured by the walls). And if you carry a good guide book, none of the guides at the gate is needed. Much of the best excavations have been moved to the Archaeological Museum close to the royal palace in Rabat, but Volubilis offers ruins of quite good quality, and about 30 high quality mosaics that still stand in their original place.

Jbel Toubkal Mountain-Morocco

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:45:58 +0000

Jbel Toubkal is the highest mountain in the Haut Atlas (High Atlas) and N Africa til Ras Dashen in Ethiopia. Throughout the story of exploration by Europeans it must be remembered that some of the main summits of the Atlas, including Toubkal, were almost certainly reached by Berber tribesmen in the course of hunting trips long before recorded ascents began. Two Frenchmen, the Marquis de Segonzac and Louis Gentil, the second a noted geologist, commenced thorough explorations in wich de Segonzac climbed Ari n’Ayachi in 1901 and Gentil came within an ace of reaching the top of Siroua in 1908. Both men continued their work into the 1920s wich resulted in the mineral wealth of Morocco being exposed and developed on a large scale. The Moroccan section of the Alpine Club was founded in 1922 and in that year de Segonzac climbed the Iferouane believing it to be the highest point in the range, only to observe the mountain now called Toubkal was distinctly loftier. An attempt on Toubkal in April the following year was rebuffed by fresh snow but de Segonzac and his party returned in June and got to the top. The height of Toubkal was determined in 1924 and a trigonometrical signal was raised on the summit in 1931. After the conquest of Toubkal in 1923 new ascents in the region followed rapidly as French expatriate enthusiasm mounted. Trekkers usually approach the mountain from the road-end village of Imlil. Qualified local guides can be hired, as well as mules and porters, to carry equipment and food supplies higher into the mountains. For experienced mountaineers, guides are not required for the normal route, as it is an easy hike and orientation is not a problem.The normal route starts with an easy walk to the village of Aroumd. Past Aroumd a floodplain is crossed and the route follows the left slope of the valley southwards. The valley bends to the east to the tiny settlement of Sidi Chamharouch, which has grown around a Muslim shrine. At Sidi Chamharouch, the path leads over the stream and runs steeply uphill to the right side of the Isougouane valley, which leads to two stone-built refuges (old Neltner Refuge and new Refuge du Toubkal) that are often used as base camp at 3,207 m (10,522 ft). It is possible to buy good meals in the Refuge du Toubkal. Tents can be pitched near the refuges for a small charge. The Kasbah du Toubkal is an extraordinary venture, the product of an imaginative Berber and European partnership. There is a shared belief that the beauty of the Toubkal National Park should be accessible to all who respect it. To this end the Kasbah has been transformed using traditional methods, from the home of a Feudal Caid into an unprecedented haven; one that provides a variety of accommodation and event possibilities to meet differing requirements.

Ouzoud Waterfalls-Morocco

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:37:07 +0000

Ouzoud Waterfalls (French: Cascades d’Ouzoud) (110 m high) are located in the Grand Atlas village of Tanaghmeilt, in the province of Azilal, 150 km north-east of Marrakech, in Morocco. The falls are the most visited site in this region. The surrounding landscape is made up of idyllic green valleys, mills, orchards and the dramatic gorges of the ‘El Abid’ river or ‘Slaves river’ in Arabic. You can even go swimming here, at the bottom of the falls. Access is through a shaded path of olive trees. As the sun begins to fade, you can see whole troops of monkeys playing in the twilight – very surreal. Situated around two and a half hours drive to the east of Marrakech, this wonder of nature, the Ouzoud Falls, is one of Morocco’s most beautiful, and indeed surprising, sights. Here, a seemingly waterless broad valley gives way to a deep gorge where thousands of litres of water crash down four tiers into the pools below. At Ouzoud the water flows year round and this secnic spot is a popular day trip (largely for Moroccans) from Marrakech. The falls are best viewed from a walkway that snakes its way through the trees down to the foot of the falls. There are car parking facilities at the top of the falls – in the village of Ouzoud – and plenty of places to eat and drink close to the path down. Being largely a domestic tourism scene, cafes serve Moroccan staples of tajines, brochettes and the obligatory mint tea. For anyone wishing to spend the night at the falls there’s one excellent hotel – Riad Cascades d’Ouzoud – and a clutch of smaller more basic places. The falls make a good place to hike from, continuing down to the foot of the cascades and onward from there, and a good place to stop for a break en route to the central part of the High Atlas Mountains. Epic Morocco treks and bike tours that originate in the Ait Bougmez region stop en route in Ouzoud, a strategic stopover half way through the drive. Ait Bougmez is the main trailhead for hikes into the Mgoun massif (Mgoun is the third highest peak in Morocco) and is unquestionably one of the most beautiful and appealing valleys in the HIgh Atlas Mountains. As well as the ascent of Mgoun itself (Mgoun Circuit), it is also the starting point for one leg of our “Walking with Nomads” tour, and the first stage of our “Central Atlas Explorer” bike tour – a 7 day ride through the central High Atlas and into the south. You will be able to watch Barbary apes in their natural habitat swinging from the olive branches. From carob trees to the old small mills at the summit of the falls, there are plenty of opportunities to relax peacefully! The valley is also home to the only mountain guide training college in Africa – where all of Epic Morocco’s English-speaking mountain guides are trained. Most of the guides originate in this region, making them particularly well placed to guide trips in the area. It’s a long distance from Marrakech but is a journey that’s well worth the effort in order to access arguably the best mountain region in Morocco. Enjoy a wonderful day in the Atlas Mountains and take a deep breath while admiring the beautiful Ouzoud waterfalls. The bottom of the falls is accessible through a shaded path of olive trees. At the summit of the falls, there exist a dozen of old small mills that are still in use. One can also follow a narrow and difficult track leading to the road of Beni Mellal while descending the gorges from the “wadi el-Abid” by a canyon sometimes which one does not distinguish the bottom with nearly 600 metres.

The Argan Tree-Morocco

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:27:37 +0000

In Morocco arganeraie forests now cover some 8,280 km² and are designated as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Their area has shrunk by about half during the last 100 years, owing to charcoal-making, grazing, and increasingly intensive cultivation. The best hope for the conservation of the trees may lie in the recent development of a thriving export market for argan oil as a high-value product, although this has been questioned recently.It is little known outside Morocco, and many Moroccans themselves have never heard of it because it grows only in the south-west of the country – roughly between Essaouira and Agadir, in an area covering 700,000-800,000 hectares. But within the area where the argan grows there are about 21 million trees which play a vital role in the food chain and the environment, though their numbers are declining. The traditional technique for oil extraction is to grind the roasted seeds to paste, with a little water, in a stone rotary quern. The paste is then squeezed by hand in order to extract the oil. The extracted paste is still oil-rich and is used as animal feed. Oil produced this way can be stored and used for 3–6 months, and will be produced as needed in a family, from a store of the kernels, which will keep for 20 years unopened. Dry-pressing is becoming increasingly important for oil produced for sale, as this method allows for faster extraction, and the oil produced can be used for 12–18 months after extraction.Argan oil is a traditional culinary, cosmetic, and healing oil that is produced by the Berber women of Morocco. For hundreds of years, the people of Morocco have benefited from the wonderful qualities of Argan oil. Argan oil gives the user soft skin, reduces wrinkles, heals scars and acne blemishes, softens cuticles, heals split ends, rejuvenates the skin, and acts as anti-inflammatory agent to soothe such conditions as arthritis and muscle aches. Moroccan Argan oil is also rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids and is an effective component of a healthy diet. Finally, Argan oil is a natural product and is produced in strict conformity to organic guidelines. It has no chemical additives, and it is safe for anyone to use.Because Argan forests are relatively scarce throughout the world, Argan oil is a prized commodity that sells for a much higher price than other essential oils. In light of this fact, one might question its distinctive worth. Perhaps an understanding of where Argan oil comes from, and the people who produce it, will help put things in a better a perspective. The tree is a relic of the Earth’s Tertiary Period, which ended about 1.6 million years ago, and it only grows a few other places in the world. Considered to be one of the oldest trees on earth it is believed to have grown over 80 million years ago. Argan Trees have been known to live as long as 200 year and can grow to reach a height of between 8 to 10 metres tall. The roots of the tree grow deep underground and extend to a great depth, this helps to protect against soil erosion as the Sahara desert encroaches from the South. English and French tourists have been bringing it back from Moroccan seaside vacations for years, and it’s all over the markets of Provence, lined up next to the lavender and olive oils. But now, thanks to the substantial efforts of the Moroccan King Mohammed VI (who has been praised for his efforts to promote women’s rights) and the local government, the oil is being exported worldwide, moving from the mud-and-stone co-ops into spas and Sephoras around the world. Argan oil is produced by several women’s co-operatives in the southwestern parts of Morocco. The most labour-intensive part of oil-extraction is removal of the soft pulp (used to feed animals) and the cracking by hand, between two stones, of the hard nut. The seeds are then removed and gently roasted. This roasting accounts for part of the oil’s distinctive, nutty flavour.The oil contains 80% unsaturated fatty acids, is rich in essential fatty acids and is more resistant to oxidation than olive oil. Argan oil is used for dipping bread, on couscous, salads and similar uses. A dip for bread known as amlou is made from argan oil, almonds and peanuts, sometimes sweetened by honey or sugar. The unroasted oil is traditionally used as a treatment for skin diseases, and has become favoured by European cosmetics manufacturers.

Meknes-Morocco

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:19:37 +0000

Some of the popular museums include American Legation (located in Tangier and celebrates the historic cultural and tactful relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and United States of America), Ameziane (a private museum and launched in May 2006 at Nador), Dar-el-Makhzen (also known as Sultanate Palace which is located in Tangier and created in 17th century by Moulay Ismail), Forbes (located in Malcolm Forbes’ Palais Mendoub and has almost 115,000 models collection of lead soldiers) and Museum of Marrakech ( built by Mehdi Menebhi in the late 19th century).Petit taxis (small blue cars of Fiat Uno or Peugeot 205 brands) abound, as well as an efficient and comprehensive, if cramped local bus service. The minimum cost for a petit taxi is 5 dirhams(the price is calculated based on 1.40dhs + 0.20dhs/100m but you should expect a surcharge of 50% after 20:00), while the bus is slightly cheaper. Buses are, however, quite difficult to navigate because they are, in the majority of cases, very crowded and operates to transport people between agglomerations and the ville nouvelle and Medina.Meknes isn’t a shopper’s paradise, but it’s certainly cheaper than nearby Fez! The medina is chock full of traditional Moroccan clothing and rugs, as well as the popular Moroccan shoe, bilgha. The best way to enter the medina is at the back of Place Hedim, next to Dar Jamai. Herein you can find many shops catering to tourists. If you sojourn a bit deeper into the medina, you’ll find plenty of unique shops selling jewelry, household goods, and other treasures.The Almoravids founded here a fortress in the 9th century. It resisted to the Almohads rise, and was thus destroyed by them, only to be rebuilt in larger size with mosques and large fortifications. Under the Merinids it received further madrasas, kasbahs and mosques in the early 14th century, and continued to thrive under the Wattasid dynasty. Meknes saw its golden age as the imperial capital of Moulay Ismail following his accession to the Sultanate of Morocco (1672–1727). He installed under the old city a large prison to house Christian sailors captured on the sea, and also constructed numerous edifices, gardens, monumental gates, mosques (whence the city’s nickname of “City of the Hundred Minarets”) and the large line of wall, having a length of 40 km. Places included on the UNESCO World Heritage list are Fes el Bali (the old, walled city, which established by the Idrisid Idris II and included in the list in 1981), Aït Benhaddou (is a ‘fortified city’, which located in Souss-Massa-Draâ and included in the list since 1987), Volubilis (the site was registered in 1997 and located near Meknes), El Jadida (formerly recognized as Mazagan which registered on the list since 2004), Essaouira (is a city and traveler resort in the western Moroccan, popular for its windsurfing and kitesurfing, with the strong trade wind blowing and previously known as Mogador), Fes or Fez (4th largest city in the country and one of the self-styled “imperial cities”), Marrakesh (has the largest established market, 3rd largest city in the country and recognized as “Red City”), Meknes (is a city in northern part of the country and identified after a Berber ethnic group which was recognized as Miknasa) and Tétouan (is a city in northern part of the country and the only open harbor on the Mediterranean Sea).

Aït Benhaddou-Morocco

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:10:42 +0000

Located in the foothills on the southern slopes of the High Atlas in the Province of Ouarzazate, the site of Ait-Ben-Haddou is the most famous ksar in the Ounila Valley. The Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou is a striking example of southern Moroccan architecture. The ksar is a mainly collective grouping of dwellings. Inside the defensive walls which are reinforced by angle towers and pierced with a baffle gate, houses crowd together – some modest, others resembling small urban castles with their high angle towers and upper sections decorated with motifs in clay brick – but there are also buildings and community areas. It is an extraordinary ensemble of buildings offering a complete panorama of pre-Saharan earthen construction techniques. The oldest constructions do not appear to be earlier than the 17th century, although their structure and technique were propagated from a very early period in the valleys of southern Morocco. Aït-Ben-Haddou is an outstanding example of a southern Moroccan ksar illustrating the main types of construction to be observed in the valleys of Dra, Todgha, Dades and Sous.The earthen constructions of southern Morocco are rightly celebrated, for they represent a particular family of pre-Saharan architecture, which is common to all countries of the Great Maghreb, Mauritania and Libya. It is not certain that the introduction of these striking constructions dates back to Islamization and to the foundation of Sijilmassa in 757, but it is probable (although the oldest testimonies do not appear to be from before the 17th century) that their structure and technique were propagated from a very early time in Djebel and in the valleys of the south.Ait-Ben-Haddou is an extraordinary ensemble of buildings offering a complete panorama of pre-Saharan construction techniques (ramming mass worked into panel brick and bull header, ordinary moulded earth, clay brick, etc.) as well as a striking miniature of the architectural typology of southern Morocco. An astonishing loft-fortress overlooks the mountain against which the ksar is located. The lofts (agadir or ighram) are not uncommon in Morocco, but their defensive character is not always as evident as in the present case by the choice of a site on high and a fortification system linking the loft with the village, conceived as the last bastion of resistance in the event of a siege.

The Koutoubia Mosque-Morocco

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:00:45 +0000

The name is derived from the Arabic al-Koutoubiyyin, meaning “librarian”, since it used to be surrounded by sellers of manuscripts. It is considered the ultimate structure of its kind. The tower is 69 m (221 ft) in height and has a lateral length of 12.8 m (41 ft). Six rooms (one above the other) constitute the interior; leading around them is a ramp by way of which the muezzin could ride up to the balcony. It is built in a traditional Almohad style and the tower is adorned with four copper globes. The Koutoubia Mosque is a landmark structure in Marrakech. Construction of the minaret was completed under the reign of Yacoub el Mansour (Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansour), who ruled between 1184 and 1199. At the time that it was built, the Koutaoubia Mosque was an engineering feat. Today it is a historical masterpiece. Visitors will undoubtedly be astounded at the sheer size of the minaret that became the model example for other minarets, such as the Hassan Tower in the city of Rabat and the Giralda of Selville. A problem with the orientation of the prayer niche to Mecca resulted in a second mosque being built to correct this error. Thus, Koutoubia is a double mosque. As a hall-type structure, it covers 58,000 square feet or 5400 square meters. Twenty-five thousand Muslims can pray within its walls. Koutoubia Mosque has 112 columns and 17 aisles. Leftover from the Almoravid mosque that had been destroyed earlier is an ornately carved pulpit from Almoravid sultan Ali ben Youssef. This Moorish mosque is reputed to be a pinnacle of Almohad art. Spanish and Moorish influence can be seen in the shapes of the arches, cupolas and painted ceilings. Another fact unique to this mosque is it was built during the reign of one ruler. Other comparable mosques, such as The Great Mosque in Cordoba took over 200 years to be completed.The highlight of the Koutoubia mosque, which non-Muslims may not enter, is the beautiful minaret. Rising almost 70m, it dominates the Djemaa el Fna square and can be seen from much of the city.The design of the Koutoubia minaret was highly influential on later towers (notably the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the beautiful La Giralda in Seville) and on Moroccan architecture in general. The wide band of ceramic tiles at the top, the pointed battlements (merlons), the alternate patterning on each side, and various other decorative motifs can all be seen on various buildings across the country.The tower of the Koutoubia is sixty-nine meters in height and has a lateral length of 12.8 meters. The interior of the tower is made up of six rooms that are located one above the other. There is also a ramp that enabled the muezzin to ride all the way to the balcony. A local legend exists about the golden globes that adorn the top of the tower. The original design only had three globes, with the fourth being donated by Yacoub el Mansour’s wife. She had apparently eaten three grapes during the Ramadan fasting period, and, feeling guilty for her actions, she melted all her gold jewelry to create the forth dome which she donated to the Koutoubia.The Wife of sultan Yacoub el-Mansour broke her fast during Ramadan. To pay her penance, she had her gold jewelry melted and made into a fourth sphere. Completed during the reign of her husband, this unique minaret was quite a feat of engineering for its time. Standing 221 feet (69 meters) high, a ramp is built around the tower so that the muezzin could rise to the top. Six rooms are placed, one on top another make up the interior. Minaret towers, Giralda in Seville and Hassan in Rabat, are modeled after Koutoubia.

Figuig – Ifiyey-Morocco

admin — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:22:06 +0000

Figuig consists of seven different communities (Ighermawen in Amazigh): At-Wadday, At-Amar, At-Lamiz, At-Sliman, At-aNaj, At-Addi, Iznayen. A community territory is called an Agram (the word the Berber use to describe themselves in their tongue; plural Igramawan), usually made up of a fortified group of houses. Many Agrams are designed with defensive measures like watch-towers and heavy doors on the main entrances, which are closed at night, as well as a mazelike layout, called an Abrid, which makes navigation for the unwanted extremely difficult.In the description that follows, focus is given not only to the description of the operation of the system itself, but also to the entire social organisation that developed around the foggaras, in Morocco. In fact, the construction and maintenance of a foggara formed special societal bonds and a hierarchy on the basis of which the inhabitants of the oasis would share the privileges and responsibilities for the management of this vital resource in an undisputed, just manner. Such social configurations survive to our days in Morocco and in other countries where foggaras are in place.The town was established next to an oasis of date palms, and dates, or tiyni, are by far its most important resource. Some hundreds of thousands of date palms are cultivated in the area, and their fruit has become Figuig’s primary crop. In the 1960s and 1970s however, Figuig had lost countless date palms because of the Bayud disease.Wheat, or tasharza, is also an important product of the town. Its cultivation near the town assured a steady supply of the crucial grain which allowed for a higher quality of life. In order to increase arrable land, many private farmers have constructed soil-filled stone terraces along the Jorf, a salt mountain nearby.New technologies such as cement and steel construction, as well as electricity, gas, telegraphs, cellular networks, digital satellite programming, and even Broadband Internet access, have made their way to Figuig. These developments have begun to bring the residents remaining in the town into close-contact with local culture, and the town has even seen the opening of several cafes. Aghrams are often centered around a plaza once used for communal gatherings and shopping. Arab nomads would exhibit merchandise like cooked butter (Udi), dried milk (Ibrassa), and sheep wool (Douft). However, due to lack of demand and western-influenced tastes, the plaza-markets have waned in both their variety and importance.Houses are built mainly with soil, though palm trunks (tizidin) and leaf-heads (tikachba, taratta) are used in roof construction. The arrival of electricity, plumbing, and concrete construction has not essentially altered the nature of Aghram building. However, modern age buildings are being built more and more in the newly appointed area’s at the edge of each “Agram”.

Oued Laou Town-Morocco

admin — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:12:35 +0000

Oued Laou (Arabic: واد لاو‎, Trans.: Wād Lāw) is a small town located in northern Morocco at the Mediterranean coast. The two main cities nearby are Tetouan at northwest and Chefchaouen at southwest. In 2004 the town had 8,383 inhabitants (census figure). As Morocco is, the distinction between the haves and the have-nots are unbearable. The have-nots dwell around and are hassling the tourists “Are you speaking French, Mister?!” If you react, you become the prisoner of false tales with the ultimate purpose..your money. The haves rent their houses for increasing prices during summer time, especially since King Mohamed VI summonned that the North of Morocco had to develop to a tourist area. The activities on that level are in work in Oued Lau. All along the coast you see nowadays big hotels a la Spain and it will not take a long time before the whole Moroccan atmosphere has transformed in the nowadays modern unitity culture. anyway, if you visit the café’s where the locals resident, you must accustom yourself quickly to the smell of kif; grown ups are forgetting their problems in smoking their kifpipes. The northern beaches are renowned for their beauty. The village of Oued Lau is no exception. This village located 45 km from Tetouan has a view over the sea of the same name. To get there, you just have to take the road to Chefchaouen and enjoy passing scenery of cascading Akchour. For swimming or sunbathing, the inhabitants of Tetouan are obliged to leave the city and go to either Mdiq to Martil or later at Oued Lau.This is the drawback, there is little in form of public transportation going out this way. There are some grand taxis, but this involves some waiting. Going out to Oued Laou it is easier to hire a cab, but this can be a little bit expensive, as many cab drivers will argue that you have to pay for the return of the cab, as there will be no customers to pick up in town. Getting out of Oued Laou is not so hard, then you will be one of the crowd and most people will tell you if someone else is leaving with a grand taxi and when.The popular restaurants are located at the seaside or the interior of the village market. These restaurants offer tagines to pandora and anchovies prepared the way North. Namely with a mixture of garlic, parsley, thyme, paprika and lemon juice. This tagine is cooked and presented in an oval ceramic dish called Tagra. Another variant of delicious dishes: a plate of grilled sardines and accompanied by a salad of tomatoes and onions. For only 15 dirham, so you can order grilled sardines and salad is the most frequently offered.Walking on the sand of this beach, vacationers, and especially the early birds often encounter wooden boats built by hand by the local population. Every morning, fishermen cast their nets to catch their links all the fish ragione. The best known and most popular are the red porgy, anchovies and sardines. No need to order lunch from other kinds of meat.