North Africa calls – however to which of its legendary locations' siren songs must you reply?
We requested a pair of skilled correspondents to every sing in reward of two of the area's most beguiling nations to go to: Morocco and Egypt. Whichever place you choose to your subsequent journey, you're certain to strike the precise observe.
Mesmerizing Morocco
Journey journalist and UK native Sally Kirby moved to Morocco in 2018, realizing she would all the time have locations (and waves) to feed her curious, surf-loving soul there.
Do you know that Morocco has 9 UNESCO World Heritage websites? Egypt? Simply seven. Certain, one in every of them is the Nice Pyramid of Giza – however archeology fanatics are spoiled for alternative with the traditional sights (empty of crowds and principally freed from cost) throughout Morocco. You'll be capable to see the beautiful Roman ruins at Volubilis, the traditional casbah Ait Ben Haddou, and the medinas of Marrakesh, Fez and Essaouira, plus Igiliz, a long-forgotten acropolis now being excavated and opened to vacationers in Morocco.
Alongside these historical websites are Morocco's trendsetting cities equivalent to Rabat, Marrakech and Casablanca. They cater to a rising variety of discerning residents and guests, with full of life artwork scenes, modern museums, procuring malls, luxurious motels, buzzing nightlife and globe-topping music festivals – all linked by trendy tramways and high-speed trains.
Morocco's Sahara presents a glimpse right into a nomadic lifestyle. The large dunes of Erg Chigaga and Erg Chebbi function an ocean of pink sand that rises as much as 500ft (150m) over the encircling terrain. That is the actual Sahara, and really simple to entry. However don't simply take my phrase for it, you’ll be able to learn up on the variations between the Moroccan and Egyptian desert experiences from different dependable sources.
Now let's speak about Morocco's 1250 miles (2000km) of Atlantic shoreline, house to a few of the finest browsing waves on the planet. (Sorry, Egypt.) The nation's surf capital, Taghazout Bay has a 3 mile (5km) sandy seaside that blends luxurious seaside resorts with a surf-and-yoga, go-with-the-flow vibe that's inspiring reels throughout Instagram. Anchor Level, the native showstopper wave, now hosts a leg of the WSL (World Surf League) worldwide browsing championship. Oh, and in a counterpart to Egypt's Med and Crimson Sea seashores, I ought to point out Morocco's Mediterranean coast, house to placing emerald coves and beautiful seashores for the 310-mile (500km) stretch between Tangier and Oujda.
All that shoreline makes Morocco nicely positioned to haul in plentiful recent fish: the nation is the world's largest exporter of canned sardines. Moroccans historically serve their fish straight off the boat onto a grill, with seasoning, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon – as recent because it comes, and totally scrumptious. Meals is a large a part of Moroccan tradition – often home-cooked utilizing seasonal recipes handed down over generations. Tasty tagines, couscous, soups and salads are assured.
Maybe Morocco's greatest asset is its year-round sunshine, making it a wonderful seaside or pool trip alternative, particularly within the south, round Agadir. With such plentiful solar, Morocco is house to the world's largest concentrated photo voltaic farm and on observe to grow to be a pacesetter in renewable power. The warmth is much less intense than on Egypt's Crimson Sea seashores, primarily because of the cool breeze that blows off the Atlantic Ocean even in the summertime months.
Mountaineering fanatics flock to the Atlas Mountains, with its simply accessible day and longer treks. At 13,670ft (4167m), Mt Toubkal is the best peak in North Africa, offering an attention-grabbing climbing problem for wannabe mountaineers. Nature and wildlife lovers can even take pleasure in safari adventures within the nationwide park close to Ifrane, house to Barbary apes, or Souss Massa Nationwide Park, with its oryx and different endemic species.
In case you're nonetheless undecided, one ultimate level: the spirit of Morocco will converse to you. It is a peaceable nation with group at its coronary heart, the place folks have time for one another and the issues that matter. To be a part of that, even for a vacation, is usually a life-changing journey expertise. One I wholeheartedly advocate.
Enchanting Egypt
Dr Jenny Walker has spent 25 years working within the Center East and has lined Egypt amongst different regional locations in a number of Lonely Planet guidebooks. She lately drove 8500km (5300 miles) from Oman to her house in northern Spain.
“It's elegant,” a good friend newly returned from Morocco stated. “It has mountains as excessive because the Alps, souks extra labyrinthine than the Hampton Court docket Palace Maze and outdated castles that put the pyramids within the shade.” Pausing to take a breath between superlatives, she added, “And there's a backyard in Marrakesh that's fairly merely a world marvel.”
Properly…I grant you the Atlas Mountains are a wow, significantly when dusted with winter snows. And sure, you're certain to get misplaced within the souqs of Fez and Marrakesh (and I get that Yves Saint Laurent's backyard is exotically blue), however can the desert fortifications, which solely trace on the mighty Sahara past, actually overshadow the good works of the ancients?
Let's face it: if it's world wonders we're speaking about, there's merely no contest. No different nation however Egypt presents the prospect of visiting one of many unique seven. Looming over the desert on the sting of Cairo and constructed to accommodate the stays of Khufu – a strong Previous Kingdom pharaoh from the Twenty sixth-century BC – the Nice Pyramid is the one marvel from the traditional world that survives.
You’ll be able to examine it, think about its measurement and conceptualize its age, but solely sitting on a camel pacing throughout the arid Giza Plateau can you actually admire its extraordinary scale and wonder. The pyramids have impressed creation myths (assume “alien conspiracy theories”), have been the topic of a devoted department of archeology and have been immortalized in movie to such an extent that “Indiana Jones” has grow to be an adjective in Egyptian tradition. They proceed to function on the highest 10 must-dos of most vacationers' bucket lists. Nothing can put these giants within the shade.
And if we're speaking “bests” – let's throw into another world wonders. Take Luxor's Valley of the Kings, the place simply over 100 years in the past the tomb of Tutankhamun was uncovered with all of the younger pharaoh's funereal possessions intact. Nested in an elaborate three-part sarcophagus, Tutankhamun's mummy was surrounded by magnificent artifacts comprising over 2600lbs (1200kg) of gold – extra dazzle than all of the polished brass of a Meknes market mixed.
We could take it as a given then, that in the case of the ancients Egypt is unparalleled. However what about journey? Certain, Morocco boasts excessive mountains, however Egypt has its personal share of pure bounty. There's a river for a begin, and never simply any outdated river – at 4130 miles (6650km) the Nile vies with the Amazon because the world's longest. Supporting life alongside its shores for hundreds of years, it presents right now's guests a inexperienced approach of touring between high websites.
Then there's the desert: its western space is a geography lesson in geological formations and distant oasis cities, the japanese half is house to hermits. Within the custom of monastic isolation impressed by their mountain strongholds, the brethren of the monasteries of St Anthony's and St Paul's, along with St Catherine's within the Sinai, have inherited not only a legacy of Coptic treasures but additionally the artwork of residing merely.
And the backyard? I'll admit that Jardin Marjorelle is a contemporary Marrakesh traditional, however a world marvel? For now, my cash's on the gardens of the deep, which lie off shore within the crystal clear waters of Egypt's Crimson Sea. Dwelling to dugong, whale sharks and 1000 species of fish, these excellent waters are adorned with 150 sorts of corals, each bit as unique as a backyard in blue.
