5 things you should know about the vacation destination, Morocco!
Morocco is without a doubt one of the most popular vacation spots for families, singles, and travelers in general. There's no doubt about that because the country has a rich history and culture, making it a one-of-a-kind destination worth visiting. The city is not only gorgeous in its colors and culture, but it also has some unique things about it, that typical tourists are unaware of, and here are some of Morocco's hidden truths:
Morocco Is Home To A Rose Valley
No one knows how roses got to this corner of Morocco's M'Goun Valley, also known as the Vallée des Roses. The valley produces 3000 to 4000 tons of wild roses each year. These roses are crucial to the local economy. They even have a rose festival due to the abundance of roses in the valley.
The local women of the region pick the roses and sell them to regional cooperatives and companies. The majority of these roses are used by French perfume producers, while the remainder is used by local companies to make rose water, soaps, and other beauty goods.
Morocco has Africa's busiest city square
Jemaa el-Fnaa, located in the medina district of Marrakesh, Morocco, is Africa's busiest square. This square is popular with both locals and tourists. The square provides a close look at Moroccan cultural life. At the square, there are Chleuh dancing boys, storytellers, magicians, traditional medicine salesmen, and snake charmers.
In the evening, food vendors offering local cuisine are set up in the square. The Marrakech souk, a typical market offering items to both locals and tourists, is located on the outskirts of the Jemaa el-Fnaa. Gardens, cafes, and hotels surround the square.
The Red City is located in Morocco.
Marrakesh is the fourth largest city in Morocco. Marrakesh is steeped in history, architecture, and culture. It was one of the most important imperial cities in the country. To protect the city, Almoravid dynasty monarch Ali ibn Yusuf built red walls. Many red buildings were also constructed throughout the city. The city is known as "Red City" or "Ochre City" because of its hue.
The Oudayas Kasbah is a fantastic city within a city.
Rabat may be Morocco's capital, but the city's history is hidden behind the massive Almohad gate of Bab Oudaia, which was completed in 1195. Kasbah des Oudayas, a fortification located at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river, is one of Morocco's most distinctive and historically significant landmarks. Built in the 12th century, this "city inside a city" has been home to Arab tribes, Andalusian immigration, powerful sultans, and, not to mention, Rabat's oldest mosque, the Mosque al-Atiqa. Although Kasbah des Oudayas is now predominantly residential, visitors still flock to its tiny lanes to admire its whitewashed buildings, sample traditional Berber whiskey and explore the Andalusian Gardens.
Green tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the country.
Some individuals drink tea at all hours since it is considered a gesture of hospitality. The history behind the Moroccan tea drinking habit is that asides from the fact that they're a Muslim country and alcoholic drinks are prohibited, various theories believe that the teas were brought by Queen Elizabeth as a gift to a Moroccan official, some believe it was brought by the Phoenicians.
No matter the theory, no matter who brought it, it was accepted by the Moroccans and now they have a tea culture in their unique way. Tea is important to the Moroccans that if offered tea by a Moroccan, you must not refuse. It's a sign of hospitality. Their teas are known to be intense as it's a mixture of herbs and leaves in their right amounts, brewed to the latter.