Moroc’s the Spot

The cities we went to, and the BEST thing to do in each:
*My roommates helped me make some of this list because I either didn’t go to one or two of these places, or didn’t do anything that special.

1. Volubilis- Go, and wear a hat. You may think Roman ruins in Africa may be the opposite of what you came for, but they really are interesting. And the guide is funny.
2. Moulay Idriss- Make the climb up this town’s stair-ridden paths for a gorgeous view of a sloping cityscape (top right photo).
3. Marrakech-Order the freshest, tastiest orange juice you will ever have in the Jemaa el Fna. Be sure to avoid all the hustlers.
4. Essaouira- Visit the famous “Castle in the Sand” that people mistakenly credit to Jimi Hendrix’s song. Though, he did visit this chill beach town. (My fave city!)
5. Fes- Go there on purpose. Get lost in the medina. Don’t get there on accident after missing your train stop.
6. Ifrane- Warning: this is not Morocco. Marvel at the absolute cleanliness and European-like quality this city has. Then get the hell out, because it’s just too fucking weird. They don’t call it Little Switzerland for nothing.
7. Azrou- Hike, hike, hike! It’s breathtaking, (literally!). I crack myself up.
8. Taza- Have an all-natural picnic post cave spelunking. Only bother going to Taza to check out the caves. And take the guide deep into them. You will get very dirty. But don’t forget the picnic!
9. Chefchaouen- Take a grand taxi to the Bridge of God. Hike to the waterfalls, jump off them, then follow a cat-eyed farmer to check out his plot of…herbs.
10. Merzouga- Dance on a faraway dune to the music of the Berber Nomads floating on a gentle wind from the tents lit in the distance, then make out in the sand. You decide if that’s real.
11. El-Rachidia- Eat lunch at a fountain with the super-smart kid who’s been following you around for the past hour. Then get on a bus and go somewhere more interesting.
12. Tehnrir- Have tea with a Moroccan you guys met on the bus. He wants to practice his English and learn how to spell words like diarrhea and negligee.
13. Toudra- After sleeping on a terrace and climbing the gorge early in the morning, find a way back to town by hitching a ride.
14. Ouarzazate- Check out the Kasbah used as a backdrop in the Star Wars movies! Morocco will make a lot of sense afterward.
15. Agadir- Eat the best Indian food in Morocco, after watching the sunset on the beach. DMC can happen here. Don’t get stranded at the port.
16. Tangier- Go to the Cave of Hercules.
17. Asilah- Check out the crazy graffiti.
18. El Jadida- Go see the historic Fantasia reenactments. I didn’t, but I hear they are cool.
19. Meknes- LIVE HERE. Learn belly dancing, go to the hammam once every few weeks, see the ballet, make friends, have fun.

Click to see photos of Meknes, Volubilis/Moulay Idriss, Marrakech & Essaouira, Fes, Ifrane/Azrou, Merzouga, Taza, Casablana/Rabat