vendredi 19 décembre 2014

Marrakesh


                                  Marrakesh

Marrakesh or Marrakech (Arabicمراكش‎) is a major city in the northwest African nation of Morocco. It is the fourth largest city in the country after CasablancaRabat and Fes, and is the capital of the mid-southwestern region of Marrakesh Tensift El Haouz. Located to the north of the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, by road Marrakesh is located 580 km (360 mi) southwest of Tangier, 327 km (203 mi) southwest of the Moroccan capital of Rabat, 239 km (149 mi) south of Casablanca, and 246 km (153 mi) northeast of Agadir.


Marrakesh is possibly the most important of Morocco's four former imperial cities (cities that were built by Moroccan Berber empires). The region was inhabited by Berber farmers from Neolithic times, but the actual city was founded in 1062 AD by Abu Bakr ibn Umar, chieftain and cousin
of Almoravid king Yusuf ibn Tashfin. In the 12th century, the Almoravids built many madrasas (Koranic schools) and mosques in Marrakesh that bear Andalusian influences. The red walls of the city, built by Ali ibn Yusuf in 1122-1123, and various buildings constructed in red sandstone during this period, have given the city the nickname of the "Red City" or "Ochre City". Marrakesh grew rapidly and established itself as a cultural, religious, and trading centre for the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa; Jemaa el-Fnaa is the busiest square in Africa.

After a period of decline, the city was surpassed by Fes, but in the early 16th century, Marrakesh again became the capital of the kingdom. The city regained its preeminence under wealthy Saadian sultans Abu Abdallah al-Qaim and Ahmad al-Mansur, who embellished the city with sumptuous palaces such as the El Badi Palace (1578) and restored many ruined monuments. Beginning in the 17th century, the city became popular among Sufi pilgrims for Morocco's seven patron saints, who are entombed here. In 1912 the French Protectorate in Morocco was established and T'hami El Glaoui became Pasha of Marrakesh and held this position nearly throughout the duration of the protectorate until the role was dissolved upon independence of Morocco and the reestablishment of the monarchy in 1956. In 2009, Marrakesh mayor Fatima Zahra Mansouri became the second woman to be elected mayor in Morocco.
Like many Moroccan cities, Marrakesh comprises an old fortified city packed with vendors and their stalls (the medina), bordered by modern neighborhoods, the most prominent of which is Gueliz. Today it is one of the busiest cities in Africa and serves as a major economic centre and tourist destination. Tourism is strongly advocated by the reigning Moroccan monarch, Mohammed VI, with the goal of doubling the number of tourists visiting Morocco to 20 million by 2020. Despite the economic recession, real estate and hotel development in Marrakesh has grown dramatically in the 21st century. Marrakesh is particularly popular with the French, and numerous French celebrities own property in the city. Marrakesh has the largest traditional Berber market (souk) in Morocco, with some 18 souksselling wares ranging from traditional Berber carpets to modern consumer electronics. Crafts employ a significant percentage of the population, who primarily sell their products to tourists.
Marrakesh is served by Ménara International Airport and the Marrakesh railway station, which connects the city to Casablanca and northern Morocco. Marrakesh has several universities and schools, including Cadi Ayyad University. A number of Moroccan football clubs are located here, including Najm de MarrakechKAC MarrakechMouloudia de Marrakechand Chez Ali Club de Marrakech. The Marrakesh Street Circuit hosts theWorld Touring Car ChampionshipAuto GP World Series and FIA Formula Two Championship races.

dimanche 17 août 2014

Fez







Morocco> Northern Morocco> Fes
Fez is the heiress city of Andalusian culture and the cradle of the Sherifian former Empire. The city is divided into three: the young Fez (uninteresting), Fes half old, built in the thirteenth century by the Marinids and Fez old with roots dating back to the late eighth century. Fascinating and haunting, traditional and both turned towards modernity, visiting this city and its medina deserves several days.
See: Fountain Najjarine Madrasa Bou-Inania Qaraouiyine Mosque, Royal Palace in Fez, Gate Bab Bujlud, Ramparts of Fez

Visit the Medina of Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is a charming small town of about 40,000 inhabitants which is about 100kmde Ceuta on the slopes of mountains Tisouka (2050m) and Megou (1616m) in the Cordillera of the Rif, which rise above the city as two horns, giving its name to the city (Chefchaouen in Berber means "look at the horns"). At about 660m. altitude and with very little car traffic, you can breathe clear air and cool that invites a few days to explore the beauty of this place and its environment ..
The Medina of Chefchaouen - Chefchaouen o o Xauen - is fairly quiet and small. if we enter through one of its five doors and we get carried away by our senses, we find ourselves inundated with many new sensations like smells of freshly baked in wood or tagine ready to eat bread. 
The wide variety of colors of different products shops and bazaars contrast with the dazzling blue-white houses. The blend of voices and unfamiliar sounds will guide you through the narrow streets that wind inevitably to the meeting point and rest, Plaza Uta el-Hammam. 
Here in the shade of the mulberry tree, one can relax on the terrace of a restaurant or a cafeteria, while observing the comings and goings of passers-by and the beauty of the Grand Mosque and the Kasbah in front.

A few steps away is the Place de makhzan with the Parador and the public car park, where you can take a lane that leads northeast to Bab el-Ansar and the source of Ras el-Maa , one of the most beautiful places in Chefchaouen. 
We can then run down the soothed by the pleasant sound of water stream and see how women do laundry and how water mills still operating. This lovely walk takes us to Rif Sebbanin, neighborhood laundries with Square Sebbanin and mosque of the fifteenth century. 
From there you can continue the journey to the center of the Medina, or heading to the modern city in the lower part of the city, or in the direction of the country ... or where your path leads you - that you make from discoveries

Some other ideas for visiting Chefchaouen 

- Visit the gardens of the Kasbah and small museum which houses a small collection of antique weapons and instruments, textiles and some historical photos of the city; there is also an art gallery inside the walls. 

- Get off at the modern city on a Monday or Thursday in order to understand the market in which the inhabitants of the mountain in traditional dress came to offer their products. 

- Mount the small mosque Bouzafar Jemaa el-Ras from Maa to see the sunset. 

- Directly or ride in the mountains - we recommend that you take a guide - enjoy beautiful nature


vendredi 15 août 2014

Ifrane et région

Want to relax in the heart of the city of nature par excellence Ifrane. 
Between plant diversity, landscape, Ifrane is a concentrate of natural wonders with its lakes, caves, forest of cedars, oaks and many others. 
In periods of snow, the city transforms itself into a European city. 
So need to relax and forget the daily stress of city life, this weekend is for you:






t région

Tetouan/Akchour/Chefchaouen

BRIDGE OF GOD AND CASCADES Akchour 

Discover bridge god Akchour. Bridge God is an arc of impressive rock at a height of 25m above the river, Oued Farda, which eroded the rock to form this natural work of art. It serves as a bridge between the two edges of the groove for locals and day trippers. 

ROUTES: 

DAY 1: Tangier-CHEFCHAOUEN 

Reception at the airport / port of Tangier and transfer to Chefchaouen, guided tour of the medina and half-board accommodation at Casa Hassan 

Day2: CHEFCHAOUEN- Zaouiya 

Breakfast and then departure to hike to the town Zaouiya Habteene. The hike took about 4 hours of walking. Lunch at the cottage and then exploration of Douar, dinner and overnight stay at the cottage. 

DAY 3: ZAOUIYA- Azilane 

After breakfast we start walking in the park and the villages of Rif. After 6 hours of walking we reach Azilane. Full board accommodation at the cottage to Azilane 

Day 4: Azilane -Bridge GOD - Akchour 

Early breakfast and then we continue the road to the village D'Akchour or we will visit the bridge of God Akchour, 5 hours walk. Lunch in a restaurant in Akchour. Free time on the banks of river, dinner and overnight in a cottage in the village of Akchour. 

Day 5: Akchour-CASCADES Akchour-CHEFCHAOUEN 

Breakfast and then hike to 7 hours arrived at the waterfall Akchour. Type lunch picnic at the waterfall. Back to Chefchaouen and half board accommodation at Casa Hassan. 

Day 6: CHEFCHAOUEN - Tangier 

Cub lunch and transfer to Tangier 

Exit 

During the year under conditions of climate





valley paradise agadir ) maroc