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livefuntravelposts · 4 years ago

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Six exotic must-see attractions in Morocco

Destination Morocco. The Northern Africa country borders the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the north and in the west respectively. It’s just miles away from Spain (in Europe). The country has mixed cultures of Arabic and French, influenced by colonization and migration back in the day. Kati has traveled to Morocco with her grandmother when she was younger. For me, the movie Casablanca always enticed me to go. Though the movie was actually filmed in California with the outdoor filming at the Van Nuys Airport (yes, I went there too), the story itself is based in Morocco. We love Morocco for its strong traditional ties to the Arabic way of life, alive with bustling medieval cities and grandiose landscapes. The pristine beaches and vibrant waters offer luxury in the simplest form, coupled with diving and snorkeling sea activities. The streets of Marrakech are lively with Moroccan historical monuments, souks, luring you with bright saffron and gold colors; spicy aromatic herbs and spices, and snake charmers. Imagine snake charmers in the streets! Yikes! We love Africa. When we talk about Africa, most people picture lions and elephants. This a different version of Africa. An Arabic peaceful atmosphere, a beautiful blend of cultures, and an amazing experience at the serene Canary Islands. You’re going to love every bit of your stay in Morocco. So what’s so special in this desert-ish country? Flanked by the Canary Islands on the northern-west corner, Morocco is a land full of endless contrasts with a stunning outstretched coastline on one side and a touch of the Sahara desert on the other side. The country is exemplified for its breathtaking sceneries, an abundance of different cultures, tasty food, and hospitable people. Not to forget, Morocco plays homage to the Majestic Atlas Mountains, with Toubkal being the highest peak in North Africa.

How to get to Morocco

Interestingly, the country is positioned on the north-west edge of the African continent, which is just a short flight away from Spain and the surrounding countries in Europe. For less than $ 100, budget airlines such as Ryanair fly to Morocco, making it super easy to include Morocco into any European travel itinerary. Other cities such as Casablanca and Marrakech also have international airports with reputable airlines flying in and out every day.

Unique Tourist Attractions in Morocco

- The Canary Islands Canary Islands boarders a significant part of the Spanish territory, but they are considered as part of Morocco in Africa. Fuerteventura Island is just a few hundred kilometers from the northern coast of Morocco; it is so close that its beaches are made of Sahara desert sand. The Islands have long been popular with sun-seekers from Britain and Northern Europe. So it is not a surprise that English is a common language in most of the Islands.

Fuerteventura Island

The best spots to tour in the Canary Island

Tenerife Mount Teide is a popular attraction in the Canaries. This world heritage site is borders the Moroccan national park right in the heart of the island. Mount Teide is enclosed by a beautiful, celestial landscape that keeps changing in texture and tone very often, that hikers sometimes have a feeling they are walking in a sea of clouds. Icod de Los Vinos, a little town in Tenerife, has its fair share of artistic and symbolic value, such as the famous Dragon Tree that is rumored to be over a thousand years old. Not far from the Dragon tree lies San Marcos Church, Where you will get symbolic statues and images of St Mark the Evangelist and other paintings. Things to Do in Tenerife - Beautiful Beaches, de Gran Canaria The southern coast of Gran Canaria is an almost endless succession of stunning golden sandy beaches. Touring visitors can choose where to go from the six major beaches between Puerto de Mogan and Playa de San Agustin located in the extreme east and west sides of the Island. Maspalomas, the largest beach, is considered the Island's most preferred popular beach. It is a serene and secluded beach you’ll have such a swell time on this beach. Las Palmas Las Palmas is another popular holiday spot in the Canary Islands. Not only is it the biggest city in the Canaries, but it also has a wide range of world-class attractions. Las Palmas beaches include; the Playa Las Canteras, which has a broad sandy shoreline and calm waters, influenced by surrounding volcanic reefs that form a natural barrier. Another important site to note is the La Catedral(Cathedral), in which locals here think that it is the most stunning and important religious building on the island, if not the Canary Islands. Cueva de los Verdes, Lanzarote This is one of the nicest Canary Islands when it comes to weather. The majority of its beaches have black sand because of their volcanic origin. However, you will find one or two golden sandy beaches in some areas. Conquering the seven-kilometer volcanic tube that stretches from La Coruna all the way to the sea is one of the most excruciating activities that one can do. In addition to that, Lanzarote has some scenic volcanic landscape, such as the Timanfaya National Park. Things to Do in Lanzarote: Volcanoes Route Dolphin watching tour Cesar Manrique artistic tour Visiting the Maspalomas dunes Palma Life on La Palma is vibrant and colorful Island. Nature lovers can explore the never-ending mountain trails or take long lazy walks on the vast scenic fields. At night the sky above is clear, making it one of the best places to see the Milky Way. Things to Do in La Palma: Hiking along some of the best mountain trails in the Canary Islands

Other Unique Places To Visit in Morocco

- Marrakech – Buzzing City With a Great Medina Positioned at the bottom of the "Atlas Mountains," Marrakech, sometimes known as the Red City, is a vibrant and colorful city with a large medina. Marrakesh's bustling and colorful vibe pretty much sums up Morocco as a major tourism attraction for many tourists. To get to the city, you will have to pass through the Djemma El-Fna Square, where snake charmers, local musicians, and shop vendors tend to compete for your attention amid a lively, noisy and vibrant bustle that captures the passionate soul of Morocco. For shoppers, this town is famous for being a frenzied center for good bargain deals. For history lovers, the numerous monuments and museums are some of the must-do sightseeing activities in the region. Staying in the typical traditional Moroccan Riad is also a must when in Marrakech, with plenty of choices available for all budgets. How to get there: - The place is well linked to the rest of the world and receives a large number of airlines to Marrakesh Menara Airport. Things to Do in Marrakech: Enjoy a relaxing dinner in Djemma el Fna. Uncover unbinding History at the Saadian Tombs. Attend the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival. Go shopping at the souks. Visit the Dar Si Said Museum.

A market in Marrakech Meknes – The 9th Century Medina Despite of its old age and architecture, Meknes is one of the best places to visit in morocco. This 9th- century Medina town is located in the northern part of Morocco. The city’s setting is fairly relaxed compared to Marrakech and Rabat, so it's an excellent choice if you are looking for a laid back experience. The Meknes Royal Palace and other ancient sites are a perfect stop if you want to learn about the Moroccan lifestyle. While you are still in Meknes, don't forget to check out one of its charming attractions, "The Roman ruins." This attraction is very popular with tourists, especially those looking for an exotic Arabic experience. How to get there:- You can choose to hire a taxi or board a local train to take you to Meknes city. Things to Do in Meknes: Do a field trip to the hilltop town of Moulay Idriss. Take photos of the beautiful Bab Mansour Gate. Visit Dar Jamai Museum and learn about Morocco's history. - Chefchaouen – Painted feel Positioned in the center of the Rif Mountains, the city is commonly referred to as the Blue City It is a tiny beautiful town located in the expansive countryside. Among all the cities in Morocco to visit, this one is widely popular for solo travelers who like to explore exotic places. You’ll love the city's famous white and blue painted buildings stretched on narrow hilly towns, projecting a beautiful artistic architecture. The people here are super friendly, so you are sure to enjoy delightful hospitality in Chefchaouen. Don't forget to try out the quiet and secluded Ras el Maa, one of the most secret and fascinating places in the town. How to get there: - To get here, you will take a flight from Marrakech to either Fez, Tangier Tetouan, or Casablanca. From there, you can use a taxi to get you to the main CTM bus station for a prebooked bus to Chefchaouen. Things to Do in Chefchaouen: Go swimming and hiking in the countryside. Take a shower in the enthralling Ras El Maa waterfalls. Enjoy your evening amidst the historical structural Outa el Hammam square. See the grand mosque - Sahara Desert – Glance Sunset Over Dunes The Sahara desert is a must stop when you are in Morocco, from enjoying the stunning sunset over the canyons to staring at the sky, which is full of bright stars. Every experience in the Sahara desert is enthralling and unforgettable. How to get there: - the most common route is from Marrakech to Merzouga by public means. You can either choose to take a bus or hire a cab. Things to Do in the Desert: Try desert safaris or camel caravans. Socialize with the locals Go for a camel ride. -

The Sahara Fez – The old Historical City Fez, one of Morocco's most exciting cultural destinations. This old city holds some of the most authentic historical attractions. One exciting site to visit is Fes El-Bali – an old walled town with beautifully designed back alleys where you can easily get lost. You can also decide to have a look at the famous leather tanneries, that is if you can handle the smell. Another historical attraction is the elegant walkways of Ville Nouvelle, where the French built beautiful palm-lined avenues and stunning fountains along the streets. How to get there: - Fez-Saiss Airport is the closest airport to Fez. If you're going by rail, take the train to Fès-Ville Train Station. Things to Do in Fez: Experience tasty cuisines in the various local hotels Admire beautiful architecture - Tangier –Moroccan City with a European style Of all the European-looking Moroccan towns, Tangier is the most scenic tourist destination in the country. This intriguing city played a significant role in developing Morocco's literary history in the 20th-century and is also responsible for shaping the economic front as we know it today. It is the enchanting history that draws tourists from all over. In fact, Tangier has inspired some notable works such as Naked Lunch by William Burroughs. Apart from the historical buzz, you will also come across some western bars and bohemian cafés to hang out and relax. How to get there: - The most popular and preferred way to get to Tangier is by ferry. It takes about 30 minutes. Things to do: See the Tangier historical caves. Dine at the romantic cafés Learn about the rich history

Other things to do in Morocco

Learn how to prepare Moroccan Cuisine - Moroccan Cuisine is popular all over the world for its aromatic Spices and creative cooking methods. Steam in a Traditional Hammam – the Hamman is considered a rite of passage in Morocco. Back then, when private bathrooms did not exist, the hammams were social places where people would come to bathe and snorkel. In conclusion We hope you’re enticed you enough to visit this enchanting country with a fantastic array of places to visit coupled with a cosmopolitan environment in an African setting. Going to the canaries during the holiday season is a great idea because of the great weather and plenty of activities to do. You can choose to stay in the bustling cities (mostly filled with visiting tourists) or the laid back, secluded Islands.

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#AfricaTravel #CanaryIslandsTravel #Fez #MoroccoTravel #SaharaDesert

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worldfootprints · 5 years ago

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We live in a boundless and infinite universe, and probably most of us have imagined exploring the heavens for ourselves. Of course, it is possible to see the stars and other cosmic events from the Earth, but with our heavy usage of electric lights, it is estimated that two-thirds of the world’s population can’t see the Milky Way. However, if you are interested in stargazing, there are still lots of places in the world where you can see the universe at its finest. Here’s a list of six amazing places around the world for stargazing.

Teide National Park, Tenerife

Teide National Park may be better known for being home to the third highest volcano in the world, Mount Teide, but it is also the location of the Teide Observatory, an institution responsible for the discovery of a number of minor planets. Countries from all around the world have telescopes here because of the great viewing conditions; this is due to the island having a high altitude, being close to the equator and being free from tropical storms, as well as Tenerife passing a law controlling flight paths to protect the stargazing conditions.

While you can visit the observatory, and this is certainly recommended, it isn’t the only place where you can enjoy stargazing on Mount Teide. It’s also possible to take the cable car up to the peak of Mount Teide where you can take in the amazing night-time views over Tenerife as well as in the sky.

Fans of the rock group Queen will also be interested to know that lead guitarist Brian May wrote the song Tie Your Mother Down while studying for his graduate thesis at Teide Observatory, and also contributed to the construction of a building to study interplanetary dust.

Waiting for the stars to come out in Teide National Park

Sark, Channel Islands

Not many people have heard of the island of Sark, but if you are a stargazing enthusiast then you should definitely add it to your list of places to visit. Designated as the world’s first Dark Sky Island in 2011, this tiny isle in the Channel Islands is completely car- and street light-free, providing the perfect conditions for checking out the Milky Way. Once the sun sets and the sky turns an inky black, it is possible for visitors to see multitudes of stars, planets and even shooting stars with the naked eye. However, if you do want to see further into the cosmos, the island even has its own observatory for those closer encounters.

NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

Known for having some of the darkest skies ever recorded, NamibRand is Africa’s first Dark Sky Reserve for very good reason. Located 60 miles away from the nearest village, visitors can spot all kinds of cosmic matter, including planets, constellations and the moon. If you want to do your stargazing in luxury, Wolwedans, a camp complex within the reserve has a Mountain View Suite that includes a summertime stargazing bed on its main veranda.

The NamibRand Nature Reserve isn’t just a great place to go at night-time. Lots of tour companies offer stargazing as part of their safari packages, so it’s a great destination to combine a number of activities. During the light hours there is the chance to spot a wide variety of wildlife, such as leopards, oryx and zebra as well as enjoying activities such as hot air ballooning and 4×4 drives.

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Atacama Desert, Chile

Located along Chile’s Pacific coast, the Atacama Desert is a hot spot for stargazers as it has the perfect conditions for the activity; it is one of the driest places on Earth, is at high altitude and gets very little cloud cover. As well as ideal weather conditions, the desert is a long way from any towns and cities, so there is also little to no light pollution. Because of this, astro-tourism is booming in the area and there are a number of tours available for those who wish to view amazing spectacles such as the Jewel Box nebula, an open star cluster in the constellation of Crux.

The Atacama Desert is also home to the ALMA Observatory, which features the most expensive ground-based telescope in operation. It was designed specifically to spot some of the universe’s most distant and ancient galaxies, and also observes the areas around young stars for planets that are in the process of forming.

Easter Island

Easter Island – Rapa Nui in its native language – is famous for its iconic stone heads, a series of statues dating back to between the 12th and 17th centuries, but in recent years the island has become more and more popular among the stargazing community. Looking to the stars has always been an important part of life on Easter Island; the early Polynesian settlers were reliant on the sky to help them plan their voyages across the ocean.

While it’s possible to get amazing views of the cosmos on any trip to Easter Island, to get more from the experience it’s highly recommended to join one of the stargazing tours. The guides give information on the basic techniques the Polynesians used when planning voyages, explain some of the tales and legends relating to various stars and constellations, and get the chance to see nebulae, galaxies, stars and planets. Best of all, you can get some great photos of the stone heads with the cosmos as the perfect backdrop.

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Mauna Kea, Hawaii

When measured from its underwater base, the dormant volcano of Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world, a staggering 13,803 feet in height. Obviously, reaching the peak of this immense mountain carries some level of risk of altitude sickness. Thankfully, for those interested in stargazing from Mauna Kea, you only need to ascend 9,200 feet to the visitor’s center where there are telescopes to peer at the stunning night sky; while the peak closes to tourists at nightfall, the center stays open until 10pm.

Mauna Kea is well known among stargazers as the only place in the United States where the Southern Cross is visible in its entirety, making it a dream stargazing destination.

Stargazing is a great activity to add to any travel itinerary. As well as being able to witness some of the most beautiful skies in the entire world, the activity often takes travelers to the most remote and exciting places the world has to offer, making the activity a wonderful choice for adventure travelers.

6 Amazing Destinations for Stargazing We live in a boundless and infinite universe, and probably most of us have imagined exploring the heavens for ourselves.

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