Happy New Year 2024 and Blog Revival: One Agent’s Adventure in Morocco

Happy New Year and Welcome Back!

Well, it’s the start to a New Year and the revival of Willamette International Travel’s blog! This is the time to start looking forward to all the new experiences yet to come, but it is also the time where we can all take a moment to reflect on all the amazing things that have already happened. One of our favorite moments from last year was when one of our agents, Kathryn Stewart, went to Morocco on an educational trip.

What’s An Educational Trip?

Educational trips, or familiarization trips, are integral to our role as travel agents. These experiences transcend brochures, providing firsthand knowledge of destinations, airlines, tours, hotels, and cruises. This immersive approach allows us to craft personalized itineraries tailored to our clients’ preferences and interests, incorporating unique insights into local culture and hidden gems.

Personally experiencing services, accommodations, and tours enables us to uphold high standards, offering practical tips and addressing potential concerns for our clients. Collaborating with a team during these trips ensures a comprehensive understanding of industry trends, emerging destinations, and the latest offerings. This collaborative approach fosters continuous learning, enhancing our ability to create well-rounded itineraries.

Our boots-on-the-ground approach signifies a commitment to delivering unparalleled expertise. By authentically conveying the essence of each travel experience, we instill confidence in our clients that their journeys will be curated with precision and care. Through firsthand exploration, we put ourselves in our clients’ shoes, ensuring we bring them the best travel resources while maintaining a dynamic and adaptive approach to the ever-evolving travel landscape.

Casablanca: Morocco’s Port City of Possibilities

Inside the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco
Inside the Hassan II Mosque

Casablanca is Morocco’s largest commercial port city due to its strategic location on the Atlantic coast and proximity to Spain. It was highly sought out by other countries as a main trading hub between Africa and Europe.

The Old Medina was originally built as a defensive fortress with high walls to prevent attacks and allow locals to live relatively in peace and safety.  The ancient walls are still standing because the French largely left the old city alone and built their own planned city around it.  Today you will find the medina (old city) and the New City (built by the French around the medina), and each area has a distinct, separate personality and purpose within the city of Casablanca. 

Without doubt, the main tourist attraction in the city is the Hassan II Mosque, which his open to non-Muslim tourists (one of the few mosques that allow this) with the purchase of a ticket and only during visitation hours. Any city tour of Casablanca will most certainly include a stop and visit at the mosque.

PRO-TIP: Women don’t have to cover their hair; however, both men and women need to wear clothes that cover their shoulders and chest and that are long enough to cover until their knees. Shorts and short shirts are forbidden. Also, smoking, eating, or drinking is not allowed while visiting the mosque.

Hassan II Mosque Exterior shot in Casablanca, Morocco
Hassan II Mosque Exterior

Fes: The Ancient Royal City

Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts courtyard shot in Fes, Morocco
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts courtyard

Fes is the oldest royal city in Morocco. Founded in the 9th century, it is said to be the most complete medieval city of the Arab world as it has preserved all its medieval aspects and way of life. A guided tour inside Fes el-Bali (old Fes) is highly recommended as the medina area is huge and can be complicated to navigate. The medina of Fes is listed as a World Heritage Site and therefore is a car-free area and a pedestrian only zone. Fes is the spiritual and cultural mecca for Morocco comprising of palaces, museums, mosques, fountains, and alleyways to captivate your every sense.

Notable stops include: Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts showcasing the art of woodwork and cabinet making. The 14th century Medersa (theological school) and the University of al-Qarawiyyin, which is the oldest university in history, founded in 857 AD.

A vibrant, colorful alleyway lined with carpets and other goods in Fes, Morocco
A vibrant alleyway in Fes

Marrakech: The Ancestral Moroccan City

Exterior shot of El Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, Morocco
El Koutoubia Mosque

Marrakech, which gave its name to the Moroccan empire, is an absolute example of a major Islamic capital that has maintained its ancestral way of life and traditions, making it one of the most interesting historical cities to visit. Similarly to Fes, Marrakech is a spirited city abundant with scenes of vivacious colors and souks (Arab markets) rich in oriental smells. Beautiful, sunny terraces line the streets of this lively city as horse drawn carriages roam freely during the day and the posh clubs bumping music into the nighttime. If you want the perfect balance between experiencing the traditional aspects of Moroccan culture and immersing in its modernity, Marrakech is surely the place to be!

Popular attractions include: Jamâa El-Fna Square, Majorelle Garden, El Badîi Palace, El Koutoubia Mosque, and the Menara Gardens.

High angle shot of Jamâa El-Fna Square during sunset
Jamâa El-Fna Square during sunse

Q & A With Kathryn Stewart

  1. What’s the most unforgettable moment of your trip?
    The cooking class in Fes, and the day trip to the Berber village in the Atlas Mountains were both exceptional experiences that I won’t soon forget.
  2. What about this trip are you most thankful for?
    Just the opportunity to go! I am thankful I had a chance to experience this wonderful country with a great group of people.
  3. Was there anything that surprised you?
    How much I learned about the history of the country, most of which was new information to me.  How proud and welcoming the Moroccan people are in general.
  4. What is your #1 tip for someone traveling to Morocco?
    Allow yourself to experience the true culture of Morocco!  It is a fascinating country, and the people are amazing. Don’t be afraid to try new things or experiences that might be a little outside your “comfort zone”.

Final Thoughts

Our agent, Kathryn Stewart, expresses, “Morocco is a fascinating country and an exciting destination for anyone looking to book a trip somewhere a little less traveled but still with a solid tourism infrastructure.”

It’s apparent that Morocco’s vast history genuinely lends to its cultural vibrance which is obvious to anyone who finds themselves fortunate enough to visit!

Wide angle shot of the Menara Gardens in Marrakech
Menara Gardens in Marrakech

Resources

Travel Link Morocco has set up a foundation for donations to help the Berber villagers affected by the earthquake. Travel Link has long been associated with giving back to local communities, they had previously established Association Assafou for the development of women and children in the Atlas Mountains.

All U.S. citizens are advised to enroll in the https://step.state.gov/step/

(Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) — a free service that allows travelers to log their trip with consular services. You will then receive up-to-date information from the local embassy about the safety conditions at your destination. It also helps the U.S. embassy, as well as loved ones, to contact you in the case of an emergency, wherever in the world you are.


Want to go explore the vibrant country of Morocco? Call our excellent travel experts at 503-224-0180 or email inquiry@wittravel.com.

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