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Casablanca
Immortalised through the famous Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman movie and forever associated with honorary citizen Sir Winston Churchill, Casablanca is a vibrant metropolis, a blend of western modernity and Arabic tradition. The most important tourist attraction is the awe-inspiring Hassan II Mosque - one of the largest in the world and the largest in Morocco, and with the tallest minaret on the planet. It is one of the two main mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims. It has a beautiful interior completed with water features, a roof that opens to the sky and beautiful tile work. Other interesting sights are: the Old Medina - a small traditional walled town in the north of Casablanca, and the Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman - built on a rock off shore, accessible only at low tide. The shrine itself is off-limits to non-Muslims, but visitors are permitted to explore the tiny, medina-like neighborhood that has sprung up around it.
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Fez
Fez is one of the best sights in the world. It is famous for its ancient walled city, often compared to the walled city of Jerusalem. The whole old city of Fez has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The immense medina of Fes-l-Bali (the old city) is a huge labyrinth. Lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of the various markets, and find your way out once you have had enough of all the sights, sounds, and smells that will overwhelm your senses. You should at least try to find the Medersa Attarine, the Medersa Cherratine and Medersa Seffarine, three stunning old buildings near the center of the maze. The other thing you shouldn't miss is the people at work in the median: coppersmith, tanners, and dyers. The view from the hills surrounding the old city is breathtaking - there are two fortresses overlooking the old city, the Borj Nord which contains an armaments museum, and the Borj Sud, which is being developed for tourism.
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Marrakech
The core of the Berber culture, Marrakech is a fascinating city, offering several historical, architectural sites and some interesting museums. One of the most important tourist attraction is the Jemaa el Fna, Morocco's UNESCO-recognised platform for halqa (street theatre). Musicians, dancers, and story tellers pack this square at the heart of the medina (old city). Towering over the scene is the stately Koutoubia minaret, a simbol of the Hispano-Mauresque architecture. Afterwards, relax in the Majorelle Gardens admiring the collection of plants from across the globe. Inside the gardens you will find the Museum of Islamic Art, that is also well worth a visit. Don't miss the Dar Si Said Museum, housing a wide range of artifacts from Morocco including a collection of popular art: carpets, clothing, pottery, wood carvings and ceramics, and El Bahia palace with its nice garden.
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Agadir
Agadir is Morocco's premier coastal resort arranged along a magnificent bay of golden sand. It is a modern city, showcasing a progressive Moroccan urban style. Its biggest attractions are its holiday facilities and its year-round sunshine. Agadir has relatively few tourist sights, but the markets, fishing port and brand new marina are worth a look and golfers have three courses to choose from. There's part of the original fortress which is at the top of the hill beside the city, over the huge painting. The small zoo, called "Vallée des Oiseaux" hosts birds from all over the world, some goat-like animals from the Atlas, and even exotic mammals. Take a day trip to Paradise Valley - a beautiful palm-lined gorge leading to mountain trails to Berber villages and the seasonal waterfalls of Immouzer des Ida Outanane (at their best in spring).
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Rabat
With an impressive history of more than 700 years, Rabat went from pirate stronghold, breakaway republic, to imperial city and became nowadays Morocco's capital. Get a feel of the morrocan lifestyle wandering around this picturesque city. There are several interesting sights not to be missed. The most important are Bouknadel and its Jardins Exotiques (fascinating gardens) and Chellah which has interesting museums a 17th-century fortress and Roman ruins. The Bab Rouah is one of the most beautiful wall gates in Morocco. It is located at the south east end of the walled city, near the Royal Palace. You can enter the gate free of charge. There are frequent expositions, mostly focusing on modern Moroccan art. If you have the time take a trip to Rabat's sister city - Sale with its Grand Mosque, city gates, markets, small back streets and harbor filled with fishing boats.
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Tangier
Tangier is a fascinating Moroccan city, with a mysterious air, an interesting history, breathtaking views, unspoiled beaches, and friendly people. It is the perfect blending between African, Spanish and French influences. Frequent ferries make the short crossing from Europe each day, and many Cruise ships sailing between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic often include Tangier as a port of call. Climb on the top of the hill on which Tangier is built; you will have the chance to see two continents at once. Also, take some time to visit the Tangier American Legation - the oldest American overseas legation. The museum houses documents which retrace the history of the relations between Morocco and the United States since 1776; but also a wide collection of furniture, ancient doors, maps, paintings. Another interesting sight is the Kasbah Museum, the former Sultan's palace. It deserves to be seen not only for it's collection of artifacts from the Phoenician to modern times, but also for the building and garden.
The climate, the warmth of its people, the food and the intense history and amazing architecture of the area contribute to its allure.
If you haven't done it already, you have to travel by train in Europe. It should even be on your 'things-to-do-before-I-die' list.
These packages are perennial favorites. They save us valuable research time and give us a sense of what travelers like us enjoyed in the past.
If you're dreaming of secluded beaches, go to the Caribbean, but you'll be deprived of the lively, unique charm of Europe's seaside resorts, some of them thousands of years old.
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