The spectacular Todra Gorge is located in the eastern High Atlas Mountains. Walls rise 500 feet on either side of this narrow canyon, only 33 feet wide in spots. The nearest town is Tinghir. Residents in the area are mostly the indigenous Amazigh, sometimes known as Berbers. Kelaa M’Gouna, famous for roses, is close enough to combine with Todra Gorge in a day of touring, as is another series of gorges, the Dades Gorges.
boys playing football in the Atlas Mountains
Kasbah in the Dades Valley
the famous Koutoubia minaret in Marrakech
in the Marrakech medina
Ouarzazate palm grove
In the remote M’Goun Valley, high in the Atlas Mountains, early May is rose festival time. Three-four thousand tons of super-fragrant Damask and Cabbage roses are hand-picked in the valley each spring. Most of the harvest is processed into rose oil bound for the perfumeries of Europe. The rose festival in the town of El Kelaa M’Gouna celebrates the harvest with three days of music, dancing, and food, a parade, the coronation of a Rose Queen and, of course, every rose product imaginable.
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The tannery pictured above operates in the same way it has done for 1,000 years. It’s located in the heart of the old town in one of our mystery country’s most visited cities. Visitors can look out over the tannery from the upper floors of surrounding leather shops. Hides are cured in cow urine, lime and pigeon poop and then dunked in vats of natural dye. A sprig of mint held at your nose will take the edge off the powerful smell.
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Erg Chebi, Morocco
Mt. Carmel, Israel – photo by Itamar Grinberg, courtesy of the Israel Ministry of Tourism
Founded in the 8th century, Fez is the intellectual, cultural and spiritual center of Morocco. The Medina, or Old City, is one of the best preserved medieval cities anywhere. Today, the pungent, labyrinthine Medina pulses with daily life much as it has for over 1,000 years. The Medina consists of the larger and older Fes el Bali, parts of which date to the 9th century, and Fes Jdid, which originated in the 13th century. Fes el Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the most interesting sites in the Medina are the many gates that pierce the ancient city walls. Here are just a few: Continue reading
Royal Palace, Fez, Morocco
http://www.yallatours.com/blog/foto-friday-morocco222018/1.jpg
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco
Marrakech Medina, Morocco
Marrakech Medina, Morocco
Marrakech Medina, Morocco
palm grove in Fez
Atlas mountain village
Atlas Mountains
Atlas Mountains shepherd and his flock
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
This local gentleman, helping a Ya’lla traveler scale a sand dune, wears the traditional blue robe and scarf of indigenous Saharan groups. They are commonly called “blue men” because the natural indigo dye rubs off, leaving them with permanently blue tinted skin.
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