Travel Around The Clock

Volubilis, Morocco In a fertile plain at the foot of the Atlas Mountains , not far from the imperial cities of Fez and Meknes is the best known and best preserved archaeological site in Morocco : the ancient Roman city of Volubilis . Volubilis, Morocco Volubilis, Morocco Founded by Carthaginian merchants, the site, not yet fully brought to light (it is estimated that 2/3 of the Roman outpost are still buried under mounds of earth) is so fascinating and precious especially for a reconstruction of the extension of the Roman empire in the land of Africa that Unesco has included it among the heritages of humanity. The most impressive ruins at first glance are undoubtedly the Basilica and the Capitol (dedicated to the Capitoline triad Jupiter, Juno and Minerva) with the columns that hover towards the sky, sometimes surmounted by large and overflowing stork nests, the Arch of Triumph erected in honor of Caracalla and his mother in 217 AD. C. and the Decumano maximo, ov...

Halfway between the Mediterranean and the equator, Morocco includes among its treasures a huge variety of flora and fauna as evidenced by the wonderful gardens that can be visited in every city and by the delightful interior courtyards that are an ubiquitous feature of the riads, the traditional Moroccan houses. Besides, venturing through the alleys of a Moroccan Medina , among the souk shops and market stalls on a hot summer day can prove to be an extenuating experience; the torrid heat that envelops the Moroccan cities during the summer months is in fact able to overshadow all the artistic, cultural and economic fervor that makes these cities unique and the gardens, with their shaded corners, their big palms and the enveloping scents of the aromatic herbs and the lemon trees, are an oasis and the best places to calm, refresh and relax. Here are a few of our favourites: MENARA GARDENS Menara Gardens, photo @ www.all-free-photos.com About three kilometers from the Medina...

Our tour by train of Morocco started in Fez , the oldest of the imperial cities , located in the northern part of the country. Nejjarine Fountain Fez was founded in 789 by Idris I ; he reunited the Berber tribes of the area and established here his kingdom that prospered until his death. In the ninth century, waves of immigrants from Spain (mainly Muslim families fleeing following the Catholic Reconquest) and from Tunisia brought new wealth to the city that became increasingly rich and flourishing. The Al-Karouine University , one of the largest and oldest in the world, was founded in this period. And the city continued to develop: in the eleventh century it had a cosmopolitan population of over 500,000 inhabitants, including Moors, Berbers, Jews, Turks and Christians. Fez, minaret Nowadays Fez is divided into three distinct parts even though most tourists are limited to visit Fes-el-Bali (or the old Fez). This heavily populated medieval city center is a UNESCO Wor...

If there is one thing that really impressed me during our trip along Morocco, other than the natural beauty of this country, is the richness and variety of their traditional craftsmanship. From ceramics to carpets, from embroidery to leather, from copper to jewelry, Morocco is home to extremely skilled artisans with centuries of history and traditions passed through generations. Moroccan door Mosaic Carpet at Dar Si Said, Marrakech The beauty of their work of art is visible in the many buildings you will visit across the country, in the medersas and in the kasbahs, in the traditional riads and dars as well as in the mosques. The elaborated stuccos, the finely decorated wooden ceilings and doors and the complicated mosaics that colour the floors are all astonishing examples of the mastery of these artisans. Medersa Bou Inania, Fes Bahia Palace, Marrakech And even today, most of the souvenirs stalls and shops in the souks will offer you ple...