Kasbah Lake Morocco

On a holiday to Morocco, tourists may visit the Boulaouane Kasbah in Casablanca, a castle built in 1710 overlooking the river of Wadi Oum er-Rbia. The castle was built in an effort to spread peace in the area. The castle is a perfect getaway as it is situated on elevated ground and its ten meter high tower offers a beautiful and picturesque view of the surrounding areas. The skillful architecture of the castle and its mosaic tiled walls and floors make it a must see. While in Casablanca, tourists can also visit the Mosque of Hassan 11. This enjoys the mantle of being the second largest holy place in the world, with the first being the mosque in Mecca.

The Basilica of Volubilis situated in the previously Roman province of Mauritania is a great historic site for tourists on a holiday to Morocco. Built in 217 AD, it stood strong for more than two centuries before being destroyed by a massive earthquake. Also situated in Volubilis is the Arch of Caracella set against the backdrop of rolling fields and plains.

The beautiful and elaborate carvings and decorations of the Saadian tombs have drawn tourists to it year after year since its discovery in 1917. There are two major mausoleums which were built to house the tomb of El Mansour and those of his successors. The gardens surrounding the mausoleums contain the tombs of many other royals and princes. For any tourist on holidays to Morocco, the spectacular tiles and carvings of these tombs remain a great attraction.

Another magnificent architectural beauty one finds on holidays to Morocco is the El Bahia Palace in Marrakech. Built in the 19^th century, the palace is quintessentially Eastern in its architecture and lives up to its name “Bahia” which stands for “palace of the beautiful”. This huge palace surrounded by lush gardens makes a great tourist destination where tourists can immerse themselves in its ancient beauty and interesting history.

Apart from these destinations on holidays to Morocco, one may visit the city of Moulay Idriss situated on top of a hill. Tourists can explore this quaint little town and its little winding streets. Morocco is also home to many other holy places like the Capitoline temple, Minaret of Koutoubia Mosque and the Mohamed V Mausoleum to name a few.

Moroccan Cities

One of the most famous cities of Morocco is Casablanca especially after the Hollywood movie. Casablanca is to Morocco what Vegas is to America. With its many resorts, nightclubs and bars dotting the coastline, this city is the place to be for someone who loves partying. This city is a fine balance of the new and old and you will love to experience this blend on your holidays to Morocco. While it is a great party resort, the city also has old, traditional attractions along its old streets. The markets are well worth a visit for their traditional handicrafts and food.

The city of Fez is a delight for those tourists who love basking in everything old and medieval. The city is unlike any other as it transports tourists to another time and age with its timeless beauty and appeal. Known for its rich cultural and religious heritage, Fez is an unconventional tourist destination. To really soak in the vibrancy of Fez, the ideal time to go would be between September and November or between April and June. Not only are there fewer tourists, but the weather is perfect for travelling.

The coastal city of Agadir is yet another charming city to visit on holidays to Morocco. Like Casablanca, this city also has its share of nightclubs, bars and discos making it a party destination. Apart from the clubs, this city is very diverse in terms of tourist spots and has something for everybody.  From beaches to markets to historical sites, a tourist can get a glimpse of its many sides.

Kasbah Tamadot Morocco

For one who loves bazaars and markets, the city of Marrakech would be a perfect place to visit on holidays to Morocco. This busy city is not a very quiet place to be but its appeal lies in its dusty, busy streets and souqs (bazaars). There’s always something going on in the city; almost too much. The city has many architectural and historical attractions such as the Saadain tombs, Bandia Palace and many others. Other cities worth visiting while on holiday to Morocco are Tangier, the coastal city, Essaouira, another beach city, Chefchaouen. Tangier, a really busy city, has a lot of markets which one can explore within its long winding roads and take back some souvenirs.

Visiting Morocco during the summer may not be too good an idea as it can get very hot. The best time to visit any of these cities or simply go for holidays to Morocco is when the climate is cool. This means anytime between September and May would be ideal.

Oman Botanical Gardens

If you are on your holidays to Oman, you should know the geological history of the country. The geological history is a well kept secret which is stretched back around 825 million years. It is one of the few countries in the world where you are sure to see certain type of rocks at surface level. Different types of rocks such as gabbros, sheeted dykes, staggering, Ophiolite, Abduction and pillow laver can be easily sighted. Oman has shown an interest in the field of botany; there are new botanical gardens named the Oman botanical gardens which will make Oman the nerve center for botany in the Middle East.

For those who have a special interest in the wild life, this place is a special treat for them. One can gain exciting experiences on holidays to Oman like dolphin watching, bird watching, caving, camel safaris, geology tours, mountain climbing, the turtle reserve, snorkeling and so on. Dolphin watching is a must for the one who loves wild life. Trips are made at regular intervals to the deep waters near the Muscat coast. You will be surprised to see pods of 100 + dolphins at a time and it is not a rare sight. Bottle nose, spinner dolphin and the common dolphins are usually seen in deep waters. If it is you’re lucky day you will be surprised to spot whale shark, Humpback whale, Sperm whale or even a Bryde whale.

If you’re on your holidays to Oman during November to February, it is the best time for the bird watching enthusiasts. A large number of birds use Oman as a land bridge for flying between Asia and Africa on their migratory route as they avoid flying over the Indian Ocean. Oman is the resting point for these migrating birds between the vast stretched oceans and long flight ahead. You will be able to spot about 468 different species of birds on the land of Oman.

Turtle reserve is the place you should not miss if you are on your holidays to Oman and are a nature lover. A few hours’ drive away from Muscat is a place known as Ras al Jinz, the turtle reserve. It is an amazing site where you can see the beauty of nature. You will be able to see female turtles come ashore to dig their own holes for laying eggs in front of you. Not only this but if you are lucky, you will be able to see baby turtles hatching out of the eggs from their burrows and heading towards the sea in the moon light. It is possible to see greater numbers of turtles during the summer season. Due to the high temperature many turtles nest near the sea during this period. If you hold a special interest in wild life and nature, then there are enthusiastic leaders who are passionate to show you the beauty of nature in Oman.

Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay Oman

If you are on a tour or holiday to Oman, you can enrich yourself with the various traditions of the country and indulge in the local specialties of carpeting, weaving and pottery, ancient forts and souks, and remote terraced farming villages. The locals of Oman are known as Bedouins. You can get yourself a local tourist guide to enjoy your holidays to Oman. A local guide is sure to enhance your travel experience with his knowledge about the place. He can take you to the visit the exotic locations, showing Oman’s beauty along with providing you with insights on the history of the country while explaining the finer traditions and heritage. Oman is a beautiful mix of modern lifestyle and ancient culture.

Oman is located at the cross roads which connects many shipping routes from other countries. The sea surrounding Oman has been a major advantage to the country for its exports and imports. Trade, pearl diving and fishing have provided the country with profitable business. The central location of the country has in turn made it a powerful political country. The dhow is very popular in Oman and you can make your trip more exciting by chartering your own traditional dhow or yacht. If you are on holidays to Oman then dhow cruising is worth trying.

A yacht and dhow can be rented; you can spend some personal time alone along the serene coastline. A traditional dhow is made up of simple tools, ropes and nails – these tools transform a simple boat into a strong dhow with ropes and nails which can last up to 60-100 years. A traditional dhow is known as Al Boum. There are 12 different types of traditional dhow which are used for different purposes. The dhow is decorated with traditional Omani carpets, majlis seating, lanterns and cushions.

Though traditional, a dhow is provided with all modern facilities like electricity, toilet, life jackets, life raft, fishing and snorkeling equipment, safety boat, fire extinguisher, stereo, food and water. The local dhow sailor can take you around Muscat’s beautiful coastline and you can stop by a secluded bay for snorkeling, dolphin watching, scuba diving, sea kayaking, sport fishing, water sports and sailing on request. If you want your own private time you can have a private boat charter. With various options available you can make your holidays to Oman enjoyable and memorable.

If you are not an adventurous person and want to treat yourself to some plain luxury then you can book yourself a room in luxury hotels like Hilton Salalah Resort, Al Falaj Hotel Muscat, Duqm Hotels, Zigh Bay Hotels, Diba Al Bay Ah Hotels and many more, which will give you some luxurious time on your holidays to Oman.

Agnsana Riad Lydines Morocco

One such festival is the Marrakech Folk Arts Festival held annually in the month of July. As the name suggests, this festival celebrates various forms of art. One can witness a myriad events ranging from the age old snake charming to the mind blowing act of fire-swallowing and many others like fortune telling and of course singing and dancing. This festival attracts people and performers alike from all over Europe and Asia. The festival also includes a traditional horse riding event. You can experience all of this on holidays to Morocco.

A rather unusual and unconventional festival is the Imilchil Marriage Feast, a sort of mass wedding festival where 40 couples tie the knot at the same time. This festival is also held in Marrakech, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. The festival gives people a chance to experience the Berber culture – something that you will remember for years to come. For music enthusiasts, holidays to Morocco will be worthwhile in June as that’s when the Festival of World Sacred Music takes place. This festival showcases music from various cultures and regions from all over the Mediterranean. Another music festival is the Gnaoua World Music Festival, also held in June. The festival celebrates the music of the Gnaoua, which includes musicians, metal castanet players and others. It also invites international musicians who have taken to this musical form to perform at the festival.

Another festival unique to the deserts of Morocco is the Camel festival held in July every year in Guelmim. The festival includes a marathon with camels and horses followed by award ceremonies. The festival also showcases the enigmatic ancient dance of Guedra which is performed by a woman and often reaches a hypnotic level. The Horse festival in Tissa, Fez, is somewhat similar. Horsemen showcase their talents and compete for various prizes. This festival offers some magnificent visual treats what with the elaborate traditional costumes and extraordinary skills of the horsemen.

The Date Festival held in October is the perfect time and place for tourists to soak in the rich cultures of Morocco. The 3 day festival sees a number of lively dances and musical performances. Other festivals to catch when enjoying holidays to Morocco are the Almond Tree Festivities held in February in Tafraout, the Rose Festival held in May in El Kelaa M’Gouna, the Festival of Wax and The Cherry Festival held in June in Sefrou.

Mazagan Beach Resort Morocco

The coastline of Morocco stretches for 1,835 kilometers, and along this coast are many interesting beaches and cities that a tourist can visit on holidays to Morocco. The coast of Morocco lies on the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Atlantic ocean. As a result, a tourist can find stark differences in the coastline itself and the beaches and the cities bordering them. For those tourists who like to take the offbeat track and stay away from the hustle bustle of the general, popular tourist spots, the Mediterranean coastline offers the perfect opportunity to explore the raw, untouched Moroccan life with its quiet, unpopulated beaches and quaint cities and towns. The Atlantic stretch of the coastline is more popular with well known cities like Casablanca lying on it.

A popular destination on holidays to Morocco is the port city of Tangier. The main attraction is of course the beach of Tangier which offers a lot of variety to its tourists, right from camel rides to windsurfing to a number of clubs and bars. Another perfect tourist destination while on holidays to Morocco is Essaouira. True to its name which means “image”, this coastal city is picture perfect in every way. A city that thrives on many different cultures, Essaouira has miles of sandy beaches making it a popular among tourists.

South of Casablanca, one can visit El Jadida while on a holiday to Morocco. This 16 kilometer long beach is as lively as it can get with lots of cafes. The beach gets more and more isolated as one walks down, making it ideal for those who would like to spend some quiet time near the sea. As you go further south, the beaches give way to many lagoons with a rich sprinkling of migrating birds. For bird watching lovers, Morocco offers a visual delight.

Another great idea while on holidays to Morocco is to explore the desert regions. Tourists can visit the Sahara desert on camel back for a whole day before going back to the hotel. The Erg Chebbi desert with its beautiful sand dunes forms a beautiful image. Tourists have the option of setting camp in the desert and riding camels while experiencing all that the enigmatic desert has to offer. Desert adventures like sand dune snowboarding are also slowly gaining popularity with tourists.

Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay Oman

Oman offers various adventurous sports. You can choose either via ferrata or high wires or try zip lines 100 m up or even go trekking up to 2400 m on the ever beautiful Jebal Akhdar. These options are going to leave you awestruck. You can also try mountain biking, caving, rock climbing or water sports like sea kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, or wet wadi walks etc on your holidays to Oman.  

Plan to do some mountain biking if you are on your holidays to Oman. For some off-roading action, you can go towards the hills of Muscat. If you hire a local tourist guide, you will surely enjoy your trip even better. The guide provides you with a wide range of routes, mostly on the graded roads. Your journey may start from a gentle cycle to a full-on adrenalin-rush thrill ride. Pick up on the speed and feel the wind in your hair. The trip includes safety helmet, mountain bike, transport, water/soft drinks and picnic lunch. The guide will usually pick you up from the hotel early morning and the trip will end by early afternoon. 

If you are ready to deal with the dirt and heat to be a real sport then plan for trekking on holidays to Oman. Trekking can be a small or large part of your trip to Oman. The route for trekking is hard and void of vegetation. Time flies by while walking around the Jebal Mountains and you can notice the formations and faults; you will be able to see the mix of the modern and old history. The highest mountain measures up to 3000 meters and the longest walk can be up to 2500 meters.

The temperature during the day ranges from 15 in winter and 30 in summer. You can plan to trek in the mountains and wadi on camels like a true nomad. To make it easier pick up a local Omani guide who knows the routes well. The guide will not only help you out with the route but also provide you with the details of the Oman’s history, traditions and cultures. He may let you know about the fascinating aspects of Oman. 

The land of Oman is filled with mountains and caves. Majlis Al Jinn, which is the second largest cave, is located in Oman. This cave chamber is about 180 meters in depth and has a volume of 4 million cubic meters. Holidays to Oman can be breathtaking and mind blowing if you incorporate all the adventurous elements.

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Six Senses Laamu Maldives Water Villa

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