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Rabat Kasbah of the Udayas
Overview A Kasbah is a fortified position, like a fort or castle. The Rabat Kasbah of the Udayas is the Kasbah at the mouth of the River Bou Regreg in Rabat. The name Udayas is a recent addition from the nineteenth century, named for a tribe that settled an uninhabited Kasbah. Named a UNESCOÂ World Heritage…
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Historic Roman Site of Volubilis
Overview of the Historic City Near the Moroccan city of Meknes, on a ridge overlooking lush farmland, stands the historic archaeological site of Volubilis. The city can trace its roots back into the depths of history. The Phoenicians, a seafaring culture originally from Lebanon, settled here in the third century BCE. They were not the…
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Erfoud, Morocco Date Market
I love Overseas Adventure Travel(OAT) tours for a few reasons. One is that they take you to random, non-tourist places. Here is a perfect example: on our way from Erfoud to our desert camp, we stopped at a seasonal wholesale market for dates. We were there during the height of the harvest season, so the…
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Off the tourist trail: A Village Market near Volubilis
Overview OAT trips have unscripted moments that arise when we travel off the tourist trail. Along the way to our tour of Volubilis, we stopped to experience a weekly market in a small village. The market was part livestock market, part farmers’ market, and part flea market. It was the only place where locals in…
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A people-to-people experience: a visit to a home for dinner
Overview OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel) believes strongly in people-to-people interactions. For the most significant experiences, we visited a local home for dinner. Each group attends a dinner at a different family’s home. Each experience is different, as each family is unique. I asked the group if they had any images I could share, and they…
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Olive Oil in Morocco
Overview Before olive oil became trendy, people around the Mediterranean Sea used it. In addition, Morocco is the world’s fifth-largest producer of olive oil. As with other crops worldwide, mega-producers dominate the market. Small local olive oil producers still have room in Morocco. However, converting olives into oil requires expensive equipment—far more than many small producers…
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The Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower.
Overview For an American, it is hard to understand the reverence for the Moroccan Royal Family. Even compared to the British royals, Morocco pays deep respect for the late kings and princes. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Mausoleum of Muhammad V. Completed in 1971, the complex of three buildings stands opposite the…
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Exotic, historical Morocco. With a culture you probably have not experienced.
Overview Located on the northwest coast of Africa, Morocco is on many people’s bucket lists for good reason. With almost fifty years of traveling, it is hard to pick a favorite place or trip, but for me, Morocco has to be high on that list. Morocco is exotic and historical. I was both amazed and…
Examining historic locations, experiencing new cultures, and exploring scenic beauty
