A Grand Tour of Morocco

Morocco as a country is ‘grand’ in many ways. Measuring some 2000 kilometres from tip to toe it dominates North West Africa’s coastline, envelops its greatest mountain range, the Atlas, and takes in its tallest peak, Toubkal. Travelling north to south, vast swathes of highly fertile mineral rich soils give way to the equally expansive desiccated sands of the Sahara. Travelling west to east, welcoming cultivated coastal plains give way to the intimidating might of the Atlas. Morocco has also understood and invented itself historically as a grand entity, having at various stages during its development held dominion over territories extending from Senegal to France, at one time holding sway over equally impressive empires on both sides of the Mediterranean. It also played a crucial role in the evolution of Europe’s Renaissance. Via its Andalusian satellite, Cordoba, infusions of Arabian learning were passed into European culture as were long forgotten classical texts from Ancient Greece that had been lost in Europe but had remained preserved in translation in Arabia.

The aim of this highly inclusive arrangement is to explore all the major historical sites and natural wonders of Morocco whilst revealing as much as possible of its cultural diversity. Both Berber and Arabised areas are visited as are formerly French, Spanish and Portuguese administered cities.
Fez, the hat, originated from this city in the 10th century, when Fez was a city of pilgrimage; in the 19th century the Turkish sultan adopted it for official dress, to the advantage of Fez which had a monopoly on manufacture. In the Fez medina, the magical and mysterious world of the orient unfolds its charms for the visitor. In Seffarine Square the manufacturers of copper ware beat pieces of metal which, through the force of patience, will eventually become enormous pots whilst the tanning work affords a marvellous spectacle. Round or square cubes are filled with different colours and men devote their energy to cutting animal hides in their bare feet.

In fact each medina is a self-sufficient city with mosques and bazaar stalls where almost anything may be bought – daily necessities as well as traditional crafts such as carpets, ceramics, embroidery and hats. Meknes was the capital of Moulay Ismail, a 17th-century Sultan who aimed to create a capital on a grand scale to match his contemporary, Louis XIV, the Sun King, whose daughter he asked to marry. The scenically located Roman city of Volubilis contains the well-preserved Triumphal Arch, House of Columns, Basilica and Capitol.