Morocco Holidays Coach Tours & Travel

Think Morocco, and you think of colourful souks, blissfully hot weather, wonderful ancient Arab architecture and the exciting prospect of travelling on camel – back. If a distinctly friendly, Arabic feeling holiday with a warm, Mediterranean climate is what you are looking for, then look no further than a Morocco holiday.

View all our holidays to Morocco

Morocco Holidays - Where Is Morocco?

Morocco is situated in Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and the Western Sahara. Morocco's population is estimated at around 32,700,000 residents. Most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims of Arab, Berber, or mixed Arab-Berber stock. The Arabs invaded Morocco in the 7th and 11th centuries and established their culture there. Morocco's Jewish minority numbers about 7,000. Most of the 100,000 foreign residents are of French or Spanish descent.

Morocco Holidays - Local History

Morocco's past is as colourful as it's signature markets and souks. Rolling back to the end of the 8 th century, in 788, after about a century of Arab rule, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco.

Hundred of years passed in this fashion, and, most noticeably, in the late 16 th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, lead by Ahmad Al - Mansur, repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, there was a major upheaval in the governance off Morocco, as Spain came to occupy Northern Morocco, which ultimately saw the beginning of over half a century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode. Due to these tensions, France declared a protectorate over the country in 1912.

Throughout an era that spanned from well before the start of the First World War to well past the end of the Second (1956), Morocco endured in a protracted independence struggle with France, which it successfully won. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved even to this day. A bicameral legislature came about thanks to gradual political reform, taking place in 1997. Most recently, Parliamentary elections were held for the second time in September 2002 and municipal elections were held in September 2003.

Morocco Holidays - Marrakesh

By far the largest and most impressive mosque in the whole of Morocco, the Koutoubia is far and away the largest and most prestigious mosque in Marrakech. Considered by many to be the most important in the whole of the Mahgreb (Northern Africa) region, standing at 70 metres tall the minaret dominates the skyline and acts as a wonderful meeting place, should you get lost around the streets of the Medina. At night, it illuminates the sky like a giant beacon, firing light through the smoke filled air of Djemaa el Fna.

Although, like all mosques, the Koutoubia is closed to non – Muslims, it is still worth a look – see, as the intricate architecture includes different designs on each face of the Minaret, which, although slightly damaged, are still exceptional. The Koutoubia Gardens are home to some truly wonderful plant species, many of which are indigenous to the area, so be sure to take a camera in order to capture the colourful plethora of flora on show!

Morocco Holidays - Saadian Tombs

Housing the bodies of nearly 200 members of the Saadian dynasty, the Saadian tombs are a permanent monument to the ruling family of Marrakech over the 16 th and 16 th centuries

The Saadians were an Arabian dynasty that ruled much of southern Morocco in the 16th and 17th centuries, fighting off would – be Portuguese invaders almost constantly. Of the family member that are buried here, the majority are buried in the yard, whilst the most important dignitaries bodies were reserved for burial in the lavishly decorated halls. Originally sealed after the passing of the Saadian dynasty, the tombs were rediscovered in 1917 when they were reopened, their intricate detail and breathtaking design still intact.

Morocco Holidays - Fez

One of the most beautiful gates in all of Morocco, the Bab Boujeloud separates Fez el Bali, or old quarter, from the Fez el Jajid, a slightly more modern quarter. Although intricate and stunning in detail, neither the gates, nor the area immediately surrounding it, can actually be considered to be ancient, as much of the building of these structures was done during the first two decades of the 20 th century. Look out for the stunning sky blue and green designs that adorn said buildings, they make for some wonderful sights while you sit outside sipping coffee from a nearby restaurant or café.

Morocco Holidays - Rabat & Royal Palace

Although the palace is indeed a draw to Rabat, the real beauty of this area lies behind its grand walls, which hide some wonderful Islamic architecture, stonework engravings. Dead opposite the Royal Palace stands the King's mosque, which although, again, not terribly old, does pose as a fine example of Islamic architecture.

Morocco Holidays - Kasbah of Ouidais

The Kasbah des Ouidais is a beautiful and quiet spot in the every increasingly busy Rabat. The standard of the streets and the houses is far above what you would expect to find in most other old cities in Morocco. Fantastically coupled with an array of indulging restaurants and cafes, the Kasbah of Ouidais presents some wonderful scenery to sip coffee or nibble a pastry to.

Indeed, there is an almost alien sense to the streets of this region; fantastically painted and clean in presentation, they are like noting you will ever of seen before, and, due to the lack of pedestrians clogging the streets, you will find that there are times when you feel almost isolated in the maze like infrastructure of these fabulous streets.

Morocco Holidays - Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif

See the Grand Gateway of the town and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif, the first ruler of the Alawite dynasty. A thrilling experience is the visit to the colourful souks, the desert tribes' market, where Tuareg, Berber, and Blue People meet and animatedly swap silver jewellery and rugs for vegetables, salt, and other goods, by slapping one another's hands! Although this is a quaint and unusual practice to witness, we do not suggest that you try to invoke it should you wish to barter for goods – the hand – slapping is very much a locally understood technique; outsiders should barter down prices before settling with cold cash!

Morocco Holidays – Shopping

Shopping in Morocco is a unique experience.  No holiday to Morocco would be complete without visiting a medina in one of the cities like Fez or Marrakech. Largely based around your ability to haggle, do not be afraid to try and push prices down. Our tip; a good way to get a good price it to pretend to be disinterested and begin to walk away upon hearing the stall holders ‘final' offer – upon seeing this, they will almost always hurry you back in to sell to you at your more ‘reasonable' price!

Indeed, shopping in Morocco is very different to that of the Western world. In place of Indoor Shopping Centres or Malls, we have open – air Medinas, which host a number of Souks, or stalls to you and me. Each souk specialises in a certain product or products; typical Moroccan wares include jewellery, carpets, food and clothing.

In larger Medinas, such as those in Fez and Marrakech, it can be a massive advantage to go with a translator/guide, who will help you haggle and give you the inside knowledge on he best places to shop in the vast maze that is the Medina.

Further to our earlier tip on buying goods, here are a few more things to consider: always try to make TWO trips to a medina – the first one to get a look at things and an idea of what you want, the second with the intent to buy. BE WARNED: if you ask a price, then stall holders will see this as being solid interest in their goods; they are extremely shrewd, and can often start prices off at 10 times the actual price, so do not allow yourself to be pressured into buying a too high a price. Instead, visit a few fixed price stores and make a note of the going rate for the items you wish to purchase, before returning to the souk and trying to haggle to or below the fixed price. In the medinas, this is expected practice, so don't feel guilty about doing it; if anything, you will show yourself up as being a newcomer to this experience, and would – be sellers will smell your inexperience a mile off! Before you know it, you will be laded with loads of items you didn't even want, so remember this; do your research, get in, get out, and don't pay any more than you want to!

With respect to recommended items to buy, we say you should look out for the following goods, all of which are of good quality and well priced: rugs, copper goods, jewellery, wooden crafts, spices, olive oil and scarves, as well as many elegant cloth materials.

Morocco Holidays – Moroccan Carpets

Buying a Moroccan carpet can be one of the more pleasurable shopping experiences. You should first visit one of the larger shops where you can see a range of quality and styles.  Carpet designs are extremely varied so look for something that pleases you and will look good at home. The variety is endless. Quality is a very important issue especially where price is concerned.

The Berber carpets are the most famous.  These are usually handmade, with naturally dyed wool.  Colours range from bright and cheerful to subdued and faded. There is quite a range of modern rugs, as well as many older, antique rugs, which can fetch quite a price.

Morocco Holidays – Restaurants

An often vaunted, and justifiably so restaurant in Marrakech, La Baraka a Riad has been designed with the traditions and knowledge of Moroccan art in mind, reflecting the beautifully classically Islamic designs of the Djema El Fna square that surrounds it. Ideally situate for panoramic dining, diners can catch a wonderful view of the toxer and La Koutoubia mosque down below, whilst all around are the magnificent Atlas Mountains.

Typically world class dishes on the menu of this magnificent eatery include: pastilla with pigeons, caid tagine, tangia Marrakchia, traditional couscous, tagine of chicken with lemon and many other regional specialties. Whatever you try, you are sure to be lost for words, as each dish is as moorish as the next; so skip the talking, and simply go and try it for yourself. We have no doubt that you will agree that word alone cannot do it justice!

Morocco Holidays - Cuisine

The foods of Morocco take great advantage of the natural bounty of a country where eating is both a practical and social ritual. The cooks in the kitchens of the four royal cities (Fez, Meknes, Marrakech and Rabat) helped to refine Moroccan cuisine and create the basis for what we know as Moroccan cuisine today. The midday meal is the main meal, except during the holy month of Ramadan, and abundant servings are the norm. The meal usually begins with a series of hot and cold salads which are followed by a tagine , or stew. The heartiest plate, often a lamb or chicken dish, is next, followed by a heaping plate of couscous topped with meats and vegetables. A soothing cup of sweet mint tea is the grace note to this repast. It is not uncommon for Moroccans to eat using the first three fingers of a hand, and to use bread as a "utensil."

The strong Arab influence found in two of the royal cities, Fez and Marrakech, contributed greatly to Moroccan cuisine, as did the Andalusian sensibilities of Tetuan and the Jewish traditions from the coastal city of Essaouira. Aspects of all of these cultures can be found in four of the best-loved Moroccan dishes: couscous, plumped semolina grains which are served with a variety of toppings; bisteeya , a delectable three-layer pie which is both savoury and sweet and wrapped in the thinnest of pastry; mechoui , tender roasted lamb; and djej emshmel , succulent roasted chicken cooked with olives and lemon.

While spices have been imported to Morocco for thousands of years, many commonly-used raw ingredients are home-grown: mint and olives from Meknes, oranges and lemons from sunny Fez, prickly pear from Casablanca and shad from the Sebou river. Also cultivated in Morocco are pomegranates, almonds, dates, walnuts, chestnuts, honey, barley, cherries and melon. Seafood is abundant along the Atlantic coast while lamb and poultry are raised on higher ground.

Although, indeed, the standard of meals to be found serve in a Moroccan restaurant are of the highest standard, the Moroccans people themselves are quick to reiterate that the best meals are to be found in humble homes, where a greater emphasis is placed on preparing the fresh ingredients that grow from this abundant land.

Morocco Holidays - Weather

The climate across Morocco can vary quite severely from area to area. Whilst the coastal areas enjoy mildly warm, pleasant Mediterranean weather conditions, the Moroccan inland is home to areas of a more hotter, drier, arid climate. In the south of the country, the weather is very hot and dry throughout most of the year, while the nights of December and January are the coolest of the year. The costal areas of Morocco are partial to rainfalls from November through to March, whilst the summers are mainly in the high temperatures. Marrakech and Agadir enjoy an average temperature of 21°C (70ºF) in the winter.

With respect to suitable seasonable clothing, we recommend lightweight cottons and linens through the summer months, with warm pullovers recommended for the colder evenings and travelling through the higher mountain regions of Morocco. Waterproofing is advisable in the wet season, particularly on the coast and in the mountains.

Annual average temperatures of the major cities are as follows: Rabat, 71° F; Casablanca, 69° F; Marrakesh, 71° F; Ouarzazate, 64° F; Fez, 66 °F; Meknes, 68° F; and, Tangier, 66° F.

Archers Direct Holidays

Archers Direct offer a huge range of great holidays including touring holidays (coach holidays), cruises, beach & resort holidays, river cruises, short breaks, multi centre holidays & twin centre holidays, special interest holidays, rail holidays, & safaris.

We offer year round holiday travel so we have hundreds of holiday ideas for summer holidays, winter holidays, Christmas holidays & Xmas holidays, New Year holidays, half term holidays, Easter holidays, school holidays and bank holidays (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November & December).

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Booking direct holidays with Archers Direct means you don't pay travel agent's commission, which is great news if you're searching for cheap holidays, bargain holidays, last minute holidays, holiday deals, discount holidays, package holidays & budget holidays. We offer great deals on trips for single travellers and groups and we are we are members of ABTA & ATOL.

View all our holidays to Morocco