Morocco, a beautifully diverse country of North Africa is growing in popularity and has become a popular tourist location over the years. A visit to Morocco gives you the full experience of the North African culture.

In this article, I am going to give you reasons why you should visit Morocco and I am telling you this from experience.

The delicious food and Mint Tea

Moroccan cuisine is considered one of the best in Africa and the World. Because of its closeness to the Mediterranean Sea, its cuisines contain similar ingredients with that of other countries like Spain, Italy and Greece. You can also find fruits like oranges, dates, peaches, figs, cherries, etc, which are all one of the sweetest in the world.

The major delicious delicacy of the Moroccan people is the Moroccan Tagine which is prepared and mostly served with the Tagine pot. It has many types depending on its method of preparation, i.e. with meats, veggies and local spices. Other delicious foods include omelettes served with bread and olive oil, couscous served with roasted veggies or meat and fish-grilled sardines.

It is a common tradition of the Moroccan people to drink mint tea with family and friends. Fresh mint leaves are put into a teapot and steeped with hot water. It is sometimes served with a few cubes of sugar. This tea is very refreshing to the body.

The Cities and the People

The Moroccan people are very welcoming and caring and love humble people. So be sure to be respectful in all your dealings.

The cities of Morocco are very much lively and bubbling which means no dull moments. But outside the big cities in some quieter areas, you can find calm and peace. In all these places you will find a mixture of food, architecture, culture, markets, etc.

For a good experience of the Moroccan culture, visit Marrakech and Fez. These are the most popular cities visited by tourists. Fez contains the richest history and culture of Morocco with the oldest Medina in the country and the oldest University in the world.

You can also visit Chefchaouen to see the city’s beautiful blue streets and Taghazou to experience surfing.

Shopping and Souvenirs

You cannot resist the beauty of traditionally made Berber handicrafts. These arts and crafts are worth getting as souvenirs to keep your visit to Morocco ever fresh in your memory. From handwoven rugs to the jewelled gowns, to the beautifully painted ceramics; you cannot resist.

Visit souks in traditional Moroccan markets to get these beautiful items and also now that you can politely bargain the prices for items and be generous especially if the item is handmade and beautiful.

You can also visit an organic health store and buy some natural presents like herbs, teas, soaps, oils etc., and experience the health benefits and healing secrets of these products. Do not also forget to buy some Moroccan Argan oil straight from the source (it is very good for your skin and hair).

Insight of Islam

The main religion in Morocco is Islam and it can be seen in the traditions of the people and their daily lives. This includes their prayer lives and their dressings, especially for the females.

Visiting Morocco will introduce you properly to the peaceful Islamic religion and its teachings and also learn the tradition of the people.

The Ocean and beautiful Landscape (the Rugged Mountain Ranges and the Sahara Desert)

To can visit the coastal towns like Taghazou, Essaouira, Agadir, etc, and visit the beach and see the beautiful ocean. You can also watch people surf, or learn how to surf. These parts of Morocco are great to visit all year round with pumping surf in the winter and the cold Atlantic feeling of the ocean on the skin in the summer. You can also have a taste of its amazing cuisines of seafood.

Morocco does not just have beaches, but also lovely mountains and distinct varying geography unlike anywhere in the world. Driving through these mountains gives you a memorable feeling and there are also many opportunities for activities like trekking and hiking (be sure to join an organized tour).

Also in these mountain areas are small villages where you can stop and experience the traditional Berber life.

The Sahara desert, a wonderful place (but do not get lost there), is also part of the landscape. Camp in the desert, explore the dunes and enjoy a camel ride.

The heat in the Sahara might be much but the sight is beautiful to behold. With layers of golden-like dunes and the peace of the area, and also being able to watch the sunrise and sunset, this experience is unforgettable.

The Beautiful Architecture

Moroccan architecture is one of the most intriguing in the world and I suggest you come with a camera because trust me; you will get tired of taking pictures. Every building has a peculiar architectural design on them which include a pattern of tiles or image with attractive colouring. This level of architecture is decorative and yet simple.

You will find many buildings made out of red clay especially in the desert and mountain areas, but the majority of the beautiful architecture can be found in the Palaces, Medina’s and the Mosques. Here you will find magnificent building decorated with beautiful colours, doors made with pure gold and huge pillars decorated with gold.

The affordability of everything

Finally, this is a very important aspect of all the reasons I have given. If you are on a strict budget you can still make your visit to Morocco and back with proper planning. Cost of living is not expensive here and so too is partaking in activities and tours.

Meals in restaurants are also very cheap ranging from $1 – $5 depending on the location of the restaurant and also you can find hostels for as cheap as $5 – $6 and expensive hostels for up to $20 (hostels are good if you are travelling alone, as you will meet and make friends with other travellers).

Generally, life in Morocco is cheap compared to many other tourist countries and places.

Finally

Visiting Morocco is a wonderful adventure because there is an endless list of things that you can do in Morocco and I am sure with all the reasons I have given you, your next destination for holidays or otherwise, is Morocco. You cannot miss this experience. There is a lot to see and experience, from the colours, sounds, scents, peace of mind, everything makes this visit worth the while.

Morocco has it all, from the loud and lively cities to the more quiet places, the colourful handicrafts and architecture of the people to the lovely delicacies and combination of beautiful spices everywhere in the country, you cannot but visit.

It is indeed a rollercoaster of sense because of the variety of feeling that you experience on this soul-changing journey.

The post Why Should You Visit Morocco in 2020? appeared first on Morocco Travel Safe.

Argan oil is an oil produced from the indigenous Moroccan Argan tree. In morocco is used for culinary as well as cosmetic purposes. The Moroccan Argan oil is best known for its ability to moisturize and repair damaged hair. Other benefits of this oil include its ability to heal damaged or cracked skin and also its ability to clear acne. Due to the many benefits of this oil, there are a lot of people who want to buy it, and this has made it become one of the most sort-for and one of the most expensive oils in the world.

Due to the high level of demand, it makes it difficult to get the very high-quality original Argan oil which has become very expensive, leading to the production of impure and unreal or diluted Argan oil gotten at a cheaper rate. It might be preferable for some people to get the diluted oils but why not spend the extra money and buy the original which gives you a 100% satisfaction.

Buying Argan oil, even in Morocco, does not guarantee that is the oil is original and undiluted except you bought it from well-known stalls or directly from the manufactures in Morocco which is ECOCERT certified.

I am writing this article to help you know how to identify high-quality Argan oil when visiting a stall in Morocco or outside Morocco. This is because the popularity of Argan oil has brought about the production of many products that claim to be original or pure Argan oil but from experience, many are far from it. I want you to know how to identify and avoid fake products and know those that are worth your money.

Let us take a look at some of those attributes used to determine the originality of a product.

Ingredients’ List

When buying, check for those products with only one ingredient, which is 100% Argan/ kernel oil. It should contain no paraffin, preservatives or fragrances and not even water. It should just be pure organic Argan oil.

From research carried out, it shows that when other ingredients are added or combined with Argan oil, the effects of the oil is degraded.

Packaging

The effect of sunlight on Argan oil reduces its effectiveness; therefore, do not buy Argan products sold in plastic or clear bottles. The best way of storing Argan oil is in dark glass containers and not even clear glass containers. An added advantage of glass being that it is eco-friendly and can be recycled.

You should go for products packaged in dark amber bottles with a spray cap for easy usage.

Price

Argan oil is difficult to make and many hours of labour is needed to carefully process and produce quality products and this is why the price of this commodity is not cheap. However, this does not imply that the most expensive oil is the best, but I am sure you would like to pay good money for quality.

Majorly, the prices of Argan oils are based on the concentration of Argan in the product. Carefully check the products to know the level of Argan used in the product and do not choose one with low Argan concentration. As I earlier noted, it is best, however, to go for a product with 100% Argan concentration and no added chemicals.

Do not give in to those pricey skincare brands that include Argan among a list of many other ingredients. This implies that you have spent your money for nothing because the Argan is less effective in the products.

Finally, the price to be paid for Argan oil is not easily said, but it is important to note that it should be at a reasonable price.

Scent

Argan oil nutty but mild aroma and some people also know it to have the smell of rubber band or popcorn (that is funny if you ask me). However, the scent it produces disappears after some minutes of application on the body because original Argan oil absorbs very fast.

For you to identify a good Argan oil quality, you should have in mind that Argan oil should have less perfume. If the Argan oil is deodorized, it leads to the elimination of its original scent which also leads to the removal of those nutrients that make the oil effective.

Therefore, I suggest you avoid strong-smelling or even odourless oils because in both cases, these oils become suspicious.

Texture

The texture of Argan oil should be non-sticky, smooth and less watery. This makes it able to disappear properly into your skin giving you a soothing effect.

Colour

Argan oil used for cosmetic purposes have a golden-yellow colour. If the colour is too light, it implies it has been mixed with other oils. On the other hand, culinary Argan oil has a golden-brown colour.

Label

Be sure to check if the product is labelled “cold-pressed”, “100% pure” and or “Made in Morocco”. It should at least also have the certification of ECOCERT.

Sediment

As this is a natural product and due to the nature of the plant from which it is produced, sediment content is a sign of quality and there is nothing unusual about it. When it contains sediment, it implies that the product is natural and has good quality as well. Original oil that is not refined efficiently will contain tiny particles at the bottom of a product and have a cloudy appearance, but this should not scare you. The sediments are part of the oil which are insoluble and are made up of fatty alcohols, sterols, carotenoids etc. Therefore, you can use the oil as it is original.

Cosmetic or Culinary

These are the two types of Argan oil available.

They have different methods of processing to produce different grades.  For the culinary Argan oil, the nuts are roasted before any other activity and this reduces major cosmetic-rich nutrients. On the other hand, the nuts are not roasted in the cosmetic grade. Meaning all the important nutrients needed by the hair and skin are intact.

Source

Buy Argan oil that has a certified manufacturer so that you can be certain that the product is original as well as the quality high.

Final thought

Buying original Argan oil can prove to be a difficult task, but with the right knowledge, you can buy a product that will serve you 100%. Be sure to buy products that are indigenously produced as the money paid helps the citizens and also generally supports the local economy.

The post Best Quality of Moroccan Argan Oil – Tips & Tricks appeared first on Morocco Travel Safe.

Slow Down

There are times when you are so used to doing everything in a hurry that you don’t notice how fast-paced your life has become. Simply reading the words, “Slow down,” will allow you to pause for a moment and notice. This step is mentioned first so you will carry the thought with you throughout this article and beyond.

• Avoid multi-tasking. It has become popular, if not clichéd, to multi-task. Research indicates that there is a point where the quality of what you are doing declines when you try to focus on too many tasks at once. Just because everyone is doing it doesn’t mean you have to.
• Find your threshold of diminishing return on the number of tasks you can work on. Your goal is to do things well so you can feel good about your accomplishments.
• Take frequent breaks while working.

Eliminate Extras

The concept of conspicuous consumption may describe your life. It entails lavish or wasteful spending that attempts to show others your level of social prestige. Simplifying your life will drastically cut into the amount of “extras” you have grown accustom to. The goal is to cut out the extra expenses so you won’t be tied down by financial obligations.

• Question if you really need that third ipad or newest electronic gadget, or twice-a-day trip through the coffee retailer drive-thru. Just say “no” to yourself, and “yes” to your desire to live a simpler and more peaceful life. Each time you are faced with a decision, you can make a good decision.
• Find fulfillment in the simple things in life by spending time with friends, in nature, or building something with your own two hands. Intrinsic rewards will improve your motivation and overall satisfaction with your life.

Practice Empathy and Compassion to Create Peace

The ability to appreciate someone else’s struggle is an important skill to develop. It comes easy to some people, and not to others. You know how you would like to be treated, so use that as a guide when trying to forgive someone.

• If you want to practice empathy and compassion start by reaching out to a family member or friend and offer to help her in some way. Perhaps you could run an errand for her, or do something simple like unload groceries, or water her plants. The point of this exercise is to provide to others the feelings and actions you appreciate when someone does the same for you.

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