Fabio, I4UFH will be active from Morocco 21 - 24 October 2014 as CN2Z.
He will operate from CN2R station.
QSL via home call.
Morocco- the pride of North Africa
Morocco is regarded as the gateway between Africa and Europe , therefore it is a strategic and key region. It is normally referred to as the “Kingdom of Morocco” , and it is located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Morocco is notorious for its rugged mountains in the interior region while most part of the kingdom is characterized by dry portions of the dessert. Morocco is the only region that is bounded by both the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, and its capital is “Rabat”. Morocco has a population of about 33 million people while the largest city in the country is Casablanca. Morocco has existed since the Paleolithic times that date back to 90,000BC, however the country has had its own share of colonialism, especially by the Roman empire. Morocco is predominantly an Islamic state with more than 90% of its population Islam , and it is run by both modern government and a monarchy.
Key places to visit in Morocco
You may need to visit Morocco more than twice if you want explore all the attractions it offers. The best places you can visit in the country include;
▪ The Imperial cities of Marrakech and Meknes,
▪The beaches in the seaside towns of Tangier, Essaouira, and Asilah,
▪ The Rif Mountains of Chefchaouen, which is the Cannabis capital of Morocco and full of white houses with colourful doors,
▪ The desert town of Merzouga, where you can rent a camel and check out the largest Sand dunes in the world ,
▪ The High Atlas mountains that houses the highest peaks in Africa { you may spend at least 2 days to get the most out of this key place}, and
▪ The Dades valleys that offer a spectacular view of Morocco’s traditional built forts.
Where to stay in Morocco
Morocco is one of the most peaceful countries in the Northern Africa and middle east regions , and despite the recent uprising and revolutions in the middle east, Morocco has remained relatively peaceful. The country offers a wide range of lodging and accommodations with amenities just as it offers lots of tourist attractions. The rich culture, and breathtaking views of the numerous cities of Morocco make it pleasant for everyone to live.
There are quite a number of options you can consider when it comes to lodging as a tourist, these are;
▪ Hotels,
▪Guest houses,
▪ Hostels, and
▪ Apartments.
There are countless number of Hotels to choose from , they provide between 1 and 5 star ratings, and come in wide varieties of prices. One thing about Hotels in Morocco is that they all have some touches of traditional designs of the country , therefore you will easily feel the Arabian culture everywhere you go. Some of the popular Hotels in Morocco are; El Minzah Hotel , Hotel Riu Tikida Beach that is located opposite the Atlantic palace, The Menzeh Zalag, and Hotel Transatlantique , which is set in between one of the finest Casablanca architectural gems.
Guesthouse accommodations in Morocco offer some mid-range prices that are affordable for most tourists , and they usually provide meals at extra cost. Low cost accommodation such as Hostels and backpackers provide the cheapest accommodation for tourists in Morocco and these can be found in Rabat, Casablanca and other key towns all over the country. Backpackers and Hostels may not offer the much needed privacies you desire however they are ideal if you will be moving from one region to another within a couple of days.
Eating out in Morocco
Marrakesh and Casablanca offer some of the best restaurants you can find in Morocco . If you want some quick pastries to satisfy your cravings, you should consider visiting restaurants and eateries like; Patisserie Bennis Habous and Blend Gourmet Burger, where you can find tasty burgers, great juices, and many native pastries. If you want some healthy, fresh and tasty international cuisine , you should consider visiting restaurants like; Khos, and Lloli. If you want the best Italian cuisine in Morocco , you should consider visiting Le Resto , which is situated in Casablanca. If you are a night crawler, you should consider visiting popular bars and disco places like Don Camillo.
Popular dishes in Morocco include; Couscous with freshly harvested vegetables , The Moroccan Lamb Tagines, Chicken Tangines mixes with onions , mind and Honey, and Mixed olives prepared with Harissa and preserved Lemons.
Travelling to and moving around Morocco
You need a travel passport and a visa to travel to Morocco, however, citizens of countries like the United States and Canada do not need a visa to travel to Morocco, they will be granted permits on arrival. Morocco can be accessed through several International airlines, including the likes of Air France, Lufthansa, and British Airways. Locally, you can move around major Moroccan cities through local airlines such as; Aigle Azur, Air Arabia Maroc, Royal Air Maroc, and Egypt Air.
Morocco can also be accessed by Car. The only routes allowed by car into morocco are the ones located at the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta, while the sea connection of Tarifa also provides some access via the coastlines. You can also access Morocco by the Gibraltar, Tangier and Algeciras sea routes. You should avoid these routes during the summer because millions of Moroccans travel through them from Europe.
▪Trains remain the best possible ways of moving around Moroccan cities, the reason being that they provide great speed, comfort and frequencies. Network of Trains can be limited, therefore you need to plan your movement before boarding a train.
▪Luxury buses also provide great ways of moving around different cities in Morocco. These buses provide National coverages and they reach some places where trains do not get to. Local buses operate similarly to the luxury buses and they even get you to the inner city areas.
▪ Shared taxis are slightly more expensive than buses but they can take you anywhere you are going. Most taxis are not allowed to leave the city borders.
Video Morocco