Ciudades Imperiales Marruecos : Con Riad Hotels

About the destination: Fez is the definition of magic, a cauldron of beautiful charms that’s been simmering since medieval times. The city has almost everything Morocco has to offer; the ringing hammers on sheets of brass, the squawks of chicken strolling all around, perpetual voices of endless talks, the deep voices of prayers passed on from a minaret to another, young women balancing trays of rolled dough on their heads, crowds of people in the narrowest of streets, the enticing aromas of brochettes on open grills, the sweet scent of cedar shavings and freshly cut mint leaves. The life size maze that is the medina, old city, is the largest and most difficult to navigate in Morocco; sometimes it's even easier to simply lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of the various markets. Entering the medina through Bab Boujeloud, bear left immediately onto shop-lines, bamboo-shaded rue Talaa Kebira. Nearby to the left is the grain market, while further along is the entrance to Bou Inania madersap the finest Qur’anic university in Morocco. Built under the Merinid Dinasty in the 14th century its beautifully carved white plaster walls and mihrab remain in remarkably good conditions. The Zaouia de Moulay Idriss contains the tomb of Molay Idriss II, who made Fez the capital of Morcco in 808. The cedarwood portal is decorated with faded geometric patterns. Close by is the 14th century Al-Attarine Madrasa. Behind the superb bronze door lie intricately carved plaster walls topped by a cedarwood mantle and a splendid fountain. Other worthwhile places in Fez are the viewpoints to the north of the city or most parts of Fes el Jedid, with the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter and the Museum Dar al Batha. Once the capital of the country, today Fez is Morocco’s third largest city but is considered the country’s religious, cultural and intellectual centre. Located between the Riff and the Middle Atlas Mountains, the city is made up of Fes El Bali, the old city, and Fes El Jedid, the New city. The King of Morocco’s wife, Princess Lalla Salma, was born in Fez which has made this medieval city even more popular.

About the destination: Even though Rabat is Morocco’s political and administrative capital, it is not a common touristic destination, but to discover Morocco’s essence it is a must to visit this imperial city. Located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat is a city where tradition and modernity go hand in hand. Often regarded as dull by its big brother down the coast, Rabat has embraced modernity and it is developing a cosmopolitan atmosphere of its own. The truth is that the capital is more laid-back, pleasant and more provincial than Casablanca, but far less messy and frantic. Rabat has a long and rich history, and has had many influences from Phoenicians, Romans and Carthaginians to French and Arabic, and the city has plenty of monuments to show for it. Its Old Town, the quiet medina, was declared World Heritage Site in 2012. Behind its red ochre walls, the Old City preserves all the country’s traditions alive, with plenty of Moroccan craft shops and traditional tea houses. The fortified gates, its colourful magical white and blue walls and spectacular views of the ocean are a good enough reason to explore every inch in its streets. The beautiful enclosed Chellah, a peaceful complex of tombs and Roman ruins, is located in Rabat’s urban twin, Salé, 2km away from the capital’s city centre. Along Mohamed V avenue, embroider with palm trees, visitors will find the Parliament, the Al Sunna mosque, the Essais Garden and the majestic Royal Palace. An independent art scene is blossoming in the capital and there is an ongoing proliferation of galleries and spaces for visual arts. After a long day enjoying the town’s wide cultural offer, visitors should head to Agdal, the trendiest district of Rabat. Artists, hipsters and students alike crowd its cafes and restaurants. This modern coastal city, blessed by a Mediterranean climate, is lively, cheerful and safe. Rabat means refuge in Arabic, and it may not be a coincidence since this city offers visitors culture, stunning architecture, tradition and modernity all of it away from the all-inclusive crowd that swell other parts of the country.

About the destination: Gateway to the desert and the south, Marrakech is overwhelming like no other imperial city of Morocco. Its reddish-pink streets and alleys are full of sounds, sights, smells and life. The mid-summer heat is enough to prostrate most tourists. The best times to explore Marrakech are early morning, early evening, and winter, during winter temperatures are mild, but fall significantly at night, due to the cold air from the High Atlas. The Djemaa El-Fna, Assembly of the Dead, is anything but what its name suggests. A hot and crowded market by day, the Djemaa really gets rolling at sunset when the entertainers invade. This chaotic outdoor circus offers a microcosms of Morocco at its most exotic. The huge audience clusters in tight circles around the diverse cast of performers. Almost every tour of Marrakech begins at the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, with its magnificent minaret presiding over the Djemaa. The minaret, crowned by a lantern of three golden spheres, is the oldest and purest surviving example of the architecture of the Almohads. The city’s two most breathtaking monuments date from the 16th century. Feast your eyes and cool off at the ornate Ben Youssef Madrassa, the largest Qur’anic school in North Africa. Even more lavish are the dazzling Saadian Tombs, modelled upon the interior of the Alhambra in Granada. The view from the terrace at the Badi Palace, now in ruins, is majestic. Close by we find the 19th century Bahia Palace. It is an ornate and beautiful palace with restful fountained gardens. To escape from the relentless midday sun, wander in the lush Menara Gardens and lounge in the charming lakeside pavilion. Marrakech is noisy, busy, dusty and chaotic. It is a visual and sensory banquet of colour, diverse cultures, architecture and design. Marrakech delivers an exotic and exciting taste of Africa and the best part is that it is only a few hours away from Europe by plane.

About the destination: Tangier is the street corner where Europe meets Africa; where the Atlantic washes into the Mediterranean and where an intersection of Islam and Christendom comes together. Tangier, known as the gateway to the African continent, looks across at Europe from the shores of Atlantic and Mediterranean alike. At this important crossroads of civilization, Tangier has a magnificent, scenic bay that flaunts below its lush green hills and ancient avenues. As a meeting-point of trading and commerce routes to so many different destinations, Tangier has been indelibly marked by history with its sovereignty often in dispute. As any hustler will tell you, the Medina, old town, is Tangier’s most interesting sight. Tangier’s medina is a maze of narrow streets on the hillside above the harbour. Rue es-Siaghin leads downhill from the Grand Socco to the Petit Socco; side streets to the right are filled with shops. The main street of medina leads to Kasbah, the former Sultan's palace and the highest point in the medina. It provides excellent views of the ocean and the city. The gate opens onto a large courtyard, which leads to the Dar el-Makhzem Palace and the modern-day Kasbah Museum. The palace was built in the 17th century and enlarged by each reigning sultan. The carved wooden ceilings and marble courtyard showcase the intricacies of Moroccan craft-work. Tangier's Ville Nouvelle is a must for fans of late 19th and early 20th century architecture as it features many fine buildings from this time period. Here you'll find the Terrasse des Paresseux where you can look out at the spectacular ocean view that has captivated so many European artists. With the harbour before you, look across the water for the hazy silhouettes of Gibraltar and southern Spain in the distance Tangier does not leave you indifferent, you hate it or you love it, there is no middle feelings on it, you promise not to go back again or you get addicted to it. But if you stay there and try to acclimatise to its rhythm you will fall in love with its beauty. However, one thing is for sure, Tangier is one of the most vibrant cities in Morocco.

About the destination: Located on the Atlantic coast, Casablanca is the largest city and the economical hub of Morocco. Casablanca is a modern city with lively boulevards and many street cafes that give it a very European feel. Casablanca is a blend of both tradition and modernity. Visitors will find traditional buildings of Moorish, Roman, Jewish, Spanish and French influence alongside the new modern skyscrapers. Although the city is fairly modern in Moroccan standard, there are many historical sites and striking white colonial architecture. The oldest part of the city, the medina is relatively small in comparison with other medinas in Morocco, but still worth a stroll around its narrow alleys. Near the Medina you’ll find the City Hall, which has beautifully carved roofs. Casablanca’s main attraction is King Hassan II Mosque. Located on a beautiful setting on the Atlantic Coast, it is the largest mosque in Morocco and the third largest in the world, with the tallest minaret in the world. Visiting Casablanca is a must for many travelers who come to Morocco. Oriental yet modern, Casablanca is a city of many faces.