Located in the North of Africa, Morocco is an exotic gateway to Orient that still has elements of the modern lifestyle. It is one of the closest countries to Europe where one can explore a totally different culture, customs and way of life.

Morocco (creative commons)

There are so many beautiful places to visit while travelling to Morocco. This is a good holiday for a family adventure or for a couple’s escapade. Beautiful landscapes, great culture, amazing food and cool active outdoor activities are enough reasons to get you packing for Morocco.

Things to do in Morocco

Because Morocco is a combination of traditional elements with latest cultural trends you will definitely find an accommodation suitable for all tastes. Do not worry, you will find hotel resorts that have all the requirements that you desire. The lovely city of Tangier is famous for its luxury hotels and boutique places.

Marrakech (creative commons)

Moroccans are well-known for their hospitality and for being amazingly successful businessmen. If you plan on doing some serious shopping, keep in mind that their local markets are full of things that your mind has only dreamed of. Try the markets from Marrakesh or Casablanca for a great treat. And do not forget to bargain. The locals love that and they really master the art of negotiating. This way, you will get a fair price and come back home with many beautiful pieces.

If adrenaline is what you are looking for then this is the place for you. Try hiking up the North Africa’s highest peak, go discover the Sahara and practice some camel trekking, get lost in the medina in Fez, and get a taste of those one thousand and one Arabian Nights while being entertained by Moroccan musicians, fire eaters, snake charmers and sensual belly dancers.

If you plan to boost your energy after all this amount of activities then the best choice is to simply relax on a panoramic terrace or grand square and enjoy some tajines flavored with saffron and argan. The Moroccan cuisine is simply outstanding and delicious. They have all the spices in the world and because of this their food has a myriad of tasty flavours.

All you absolutely have to know to guarantee that you get a whacking great portion of exotic in exchange for your investment in a trip to Marrakesh is Jemaa el-Fnaa.

This is the historic centre of this thousand year old city and it condenses so much North African Arabian culture into one spot and one afternoon that it almost seems delightfully cliché. In fact, during the day it’s relatively tame, with mostly fresh juice vendors and trained Barbary apes dancing for coins and snake charmers actually charming snakes with actual pungi (the wheezy and apparently wholly unnecessary flute employed, apparently, for theatrical effect) and of course the souk — the famous markets at which the locals get literally all their basics and tourists get taken for a friendly ride.

It’s in the evening that Jemaa el-Fnaa lights up and heats up dinner and a show. The food stalls have somehow acquired the reputation of being there for tourists and I’m assured that this is simply not true. Indeed, if it were, there’d probably be a lot fewer whole goat heads and pots of hot snail on display. In any case it’s all good and cheap and healthy but go with your instincts and eat only cooked food and don’t give in to pressure tactics (although it’s tremendous fun looking as though you would). Try a little goat’s head or some beef stew. Have the ubiquitous Harira soup (tomato and lentil soup, not unlike the sauce you get with couscous but much heartier) which, while spicy, is not spicy hot and really, either way, you have to have Harira.

The show never stops and indeed it overlaps in time and place. There are buskers of all sorts — acrobatic dancers, magicians, fire-eaters, soothsayers and story-tellers (in Arabic or Berber but it’s still a spectacle). It’s noisy and chaotic and it’s exactly what you signed on for when you decided to visit Marrakesh  It can seem a little intimidating and like anywhere else in the world you need to be careful but don’t let the atmosphere exaggerate the risk of pickpockets — you’re in a well-policed, well-behaved crowd of friendly people who want you to come back next year.

The next morning just go back to the square, this time to use it as a starting point from which to explore the city. Along the north-eastern edge are narrow time portals into the old, fortified city in which people live and do business and never-the-less contribute to the distinct sensation that this is what M Marrakesh looked like a thousand years ago.

From Jemaa el-Fnaa you should also easily find your way to Koutoubia Mosque, yet another iconic Moroccan contribution to the visual shorthand that to most of the world means North Africa. You can’t visit the mosque but in fact what you really want to do is take it in from the surrounding gardens, admire the building itself and absorb the comprehensive atmosphere during the call to prayers. Return again at night to get a completely different and equally stunning perspective under floodlights.

Everything above is true but it’s not the whole story. Jemaa el-Fnaa is very convenient and entertaining all on its own but it’s merely a very good starting point from which to visit Marrakesh’s exhausting, exotic and extraordinary legacy.

Sharm el-Sheikh is one of the most charming destinations for travellers in the Middle East. Also known as the “City of Peace,” Sharm el-Sheikh, this is one place that will give holiday goers the chance to unwind. Follow this little cheat sheet to get a quick look at what makes this destination so magical.

Diving

This is the most popular draw for visitors to the area. The waters of the Red Sea that surround Sharm el-Sheikh offer some of the best diving in the world. There are two coral reefs just a short boat ride away from the city, Ras Mohammed and Tiran, which many dive experts consider as good as any found on Earth. There is also a spectacular wrecked ship, the SS Thistlegorm, for divers to explore.

The waters around the area have seen a big increase in plankton over the last few years, which has led to an increased amount of marine life throughout the food chain. Huge schools of fish will frolic around divers, offering some of the most spectacular dive scenes imaginable.

Horseback Riding

There are stables in the area that offer guided horseback rides through the desert surrounding Sharm el-Sheikh. This is a great activity that is well worth the time.

Eating

The food in the city is very good. There are cuisines from around the Middle East available for diners. There are also western chains like Starbucks, the Hard Rock Café and McDonalds. Makes sure to eat plenty of Egyptian barbecue foods. This is the style of cuisine that the area does best.

Drinking

Alcoholic beverages are available at most restaurants and at all the bars in the city. Be aware that they will be expensive. This country with a strong Muslim population puts a heavy tax on booze. The best soft drink available is fresh squeezed guava juice. It is amazing and is an absolutely must-try beverage while in Sharm el-Sheikh. There are also good teahouses and coffee shops in the city as well.

Mt. Sinai

A short taxi ride from the city will take visitors to Mt. Sinai, which is thought in the Biblical tradition to be the site where Moses was given the Ten Commandments from God. The mountain is now home to a beautiful monastery, the Monastery of St. Catherine.

Clothing

This is a place with a heavy Muslim population, so conservative clothing is recommended. This is especially true for females. Feel free to wear bathing suits at the beaches, but cover up when going into town.

The Monastary, Petra by Poco a poco

Hotels

Most of the hotels in the area cater to resort tourists who like to pay for an all-inclusive package. There are not many budget options for staying in Sharm el-Sheikh. Names like Ritz Carlton, Hyatt Regency and Four Seasons are the order of the day. You can research prices for your stay here.

See Petra

The beautiful city of Petra is one of the most fascinating historical sites in the world. Carved into the walls of a canyon, the beautiful ruins can be reached in a day trip to Jordan from Sharm el-Sheikh.

Bedouins

A popular day trip from the city is to take a trip into the surrounding desert to meet some Bedouins. Visitors can have tea with and talk to these fascinating wanderers.

Shopping

One of the most enjoyable parts of any trip to Sharm el-Sheikh is shopping in the many colourful markets. Always be sure to haggle fiercely to get a good deal. Have a price in mind before beginning to haggle, and do not go over it.

Busy, bustling, and bursting at its seams with history, Cairo has seen the rise and fall of civilizations, from the ancient Egyptians to the more modern Arab Spring. Nevertheless, this metropolis in the middle of the desert has endured. With all of its history, art and culture, Cairo is definitely a must-see.

Here is a round-up of some of Cairo’s top sites and activities, along with some advice about how to stay safe and make your trip more pleasant.

The Pyramids at Giza

The main draw for most visitors are the spectacular Pyramids of Giza, which are located among the sand dunes to the west of the city. As one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids have inspired visitors for thousands of years. You will also see the majestic Sphinx, sans nose, sitting in front as a stately guardian. Tourists can also go inside the Great Pyramid via a secret passageway into a central chamber to see what the pyramid looks like inside. Or if you’re up for it, you can also take a short camel ride or hire horses and explore the nearby desert.

Saqqara

At Saqqara, not far from Giza, you will find the Pyramid of Zoser, a step pyramid that is recognized as the first Pyramid built in ancient Egypt and predates the Pyramids at Giza by around 1000 years.

The Egyptian Museum at Tahrir Square

After you get tired of pyramid-spotting, you can take a taxi to Tahrir Square, which is directly in the center of Cairo and the location where Cairo’s Revolution began. Have a look around and then cross the street to the Egyptian Museum, a dark red building overlooking the Nile River. Inside you will find countless treasures and artefacts from ancient Egypt, such as the Narmer Palete, which symbolises the unification of the Upper and Lower Kingdoms into the Old Kingdom and contains some of the oldest hieroglyphic inscriptions ever found, dating back to the 31^st century BC. And don’t miss the shadowy, temperature-controlled room upstairs where they store the mummies!

Bargain Like a Pro at Khan al-Khalili

If you’re in the mood for a bit of shopping, you can check out Cairo’s open-air market Khan al-Khalili, where you can find anything from toy camels to necklace charms with your name written in hieroglyphs. Just make sure to bargain, as it’s a way of life in Egypt.

Cruise the Nile on a Felucca

Once the sun has begun to set, head down to the port on the Nile and hire a felucca, a traditional boat with one sail. Here you can sit back and watch the sun set while taking in the views of the city from the Nile.

Tips for Staying Safe

To keep your trip pleasant and avoid illness, remember to take care of yourself. Sometimes the standard of hygiene may not be what you’re used to, and food-borne illness is common. Make sure to eat in reputable, clean establishments and only drink bottled water. You don’t want to have to spend all your time filing holiday claims for holiday compensation. Instead, take steps to care for yourself, but don’t let that stop you from exploring all of Cairo’s ancient and modern wonders.

The initial inhabitants of this beautiful city were the Khoi san people. Today the town has greatly transformed into a big great city full of attractive scenes and providing the best vacation for individuals. Below are some of the things you must do while paying a visit to Cape Town.
Pay a visit to Table Mountain

Table Mountain, looking very table-like!

This is one of the most amazing places in Cape Town, South Africa. Climbing the mountain to the top will provide you with one of the most breath-taking views that you will never forget. There are also cable cars to take you up the mountain if you don’t feel up to the climb.

Take a trip to Robben Island

It's hard to believe somewhere this beautiful could house a prison!

This island reveals the vivid picture of the apartheid regimes. This island was used as one of the prisons for those who resisted the colonial masters. The former South African president Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life on the island trying to fight for the justice and freedom of his people. Visiting such historical sites will make your trip to Cape Town very exciting and unique. The present South African president Jacob Zuma also spent 10 years on the Robben Island. This island therefore signifies heroism and great triumph, but is also a great place to relax due to the tranquil atmosphere and wonderful weather.
Walk along the famous Long Street

Long Street, it's easy to see how it got its name!

This is one of the busiest streets in the city. The street houses great shopping centres, boutique and designer shops, coffee places, bars and music places. The bars along this street offer live performances of music by famous artistes. Day or night, the town is always vibrant and everything seems to be in motion. This street has everything that one may ever dream of in his vacation. Miss out on checking this street and you shall have missed an awesome vacation.
The Beach

Kalk Bay- stunning!

Cape town has some beautiful beaches for you to choose from. The Muizenburg and Kalk Bay beaches are cool, nice getaways. Nothing gives a day a good start like waking up experiencing the beautiful rays of the sun on your skin. The rays strike your skin gently and the cool evening breeze sweeps across your body providing one of the best and most romantic moments possible.