Morocco: Where Old Meets New

Visit Morocco is the site of the country's official tourism office, offering a pleasant introduction to places to see and things to do. Go to the dropdown menu for "Destinations" for brief descriptions of Moroccan cities; "Experiences" for activities and specific interests like hiking and gastronomy; "Attractions" for geographical features and sites to visit, such as beaches and art galleries; and "Organizing Your Trip" for practical advice and tools to help you book a trip. The beautiful images on this site will undoubtedly pique your excitement and curiosity about the beautiful country.

The U.S. Department of State includes "Background Notes" for every country. You'll find facts, statistics, and a good general introduction to Morocco on this link. Peruse the site further for statistical information, such as population breakdowns, as well as detailed information about Morocco's government, educational policies, economy, and history.

Arab.net 's Morocco page contains links to broad categories, such as transportation, business, geography, history, and culture. Within the broad categories are subtopics that lead to short, focused information. This site makes finding specific information fast and easy, although the descriptions are not extensive. 

Lonely Planet provides a wealth of information most anyone headed for Morocco would find useful. Check out the "fast facts" tab on the top of the page for everything from the country's capital to the type of electrical outlets found there. The image gallery is beautiful, and the "Events" link can help you plan your experience around traditional cultural events. 

Geographia.com provides detailed information about Moroccan history, geography, climate and culture. It also details some basic sites to see in Morocco. Tourist destinations described include major cities and their attractions, the Atlas Mountains and spectacular summits, and the Sahara. 

The New York Times Travel section includes a guide to Morocco, complete with archived articles touting various destinations and attractions in the country, as well as multimedia features, such as photo slideshows and a breathtaking interactive journey into the Atlas Mountains. 

AsiaRooms.com provides extensive information to help you learn more about Morocco and available options for booking your trip. There is a thorough mix of accommodation options, cultural information, and details of attractions, destinations, festivals and events, and even wildlife. Asia Rooms is part of TUI Travel PLC, a U.K.-based international leisure travel group, and invites feedback from users regarding hotels.

AffordableTours.com is a general booking site, offering tours and a wide range of options for Moroccan tours at various price points. It's a great site for comparing prices and itineraries of many tour companies in one, easy-to-navigate place.

Gateway2Morocco organizes tours according to special interests. Examples of types of tours offered at this site include arts and culture, outdoor adventures, and Jewish heritage.

Ya'lla Tours USA offers tours throughout Morocco. This link from the company's Web site gives a great overview of the country's present and past, including descriptions of Morocco's ever-changing geographical and political landscapes. While here, you might consider some tour options. You can sign up for a tour, or use the site to explore Morocco's attractions.

BBC News provides an outline of key events in the history of Morocco, beginning with Arab invasions in the seventh century, and continuing through today. Entries in the timeline are brief but informative, giving a basic understanding of how Morocco has changed over the years.

Magic Morocco provides a more detailed look into Moroccan history, from early tribes, to religious influences, through inclusion in the United Nations in the 1950s. Although text-only, this site organizes information clearly and efficiently (see "Major Events," halfway down the page), despite Google ad cluttering the top of the page.

Morocco.com provides a comprehensive yet focused overview on the most important things to know about Moroccan culture for travelers. This page offers insights on a wide range of topics. Visit the "Culture" section for important information on customs and cultural practices. Note that there are many Google ads at the top of most pages, which you must scroll past to get to the information.

EWP provides a good overview of Moroccan customs and culture. This page addresses issues such as traveling considerations for women, and visiting Morocco during Ramadan. Browse through some of the other tabs at the top of the page for information about Moroccan culture and geography. 

Encyclopedia Britannica Online offers good insight into Moroccan culture and what to expect while visiting. The page focuses mostly on daily life and social culture, including local entertainment and popular cuisine. EB offers a free 30-day trial, after which an annual subscription rate of $69.95 kicks in.

Colorado State University provides information on the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. If you are planning to travel in the fall, it is a good idea to learn more about Ramadan, its significance, and its implications for travelers.

U.S. Department of State provides consular information sheets for all countries. They provide detailed information about entry and exit requirements, crime statistics, traffic conditions, and general safety and security issues. The menu located in the left sidebar takes you back to the State Department's International Travel page, where you'll find more advice for obtaining a passport, registering with embassies, and general tips for traveling abroad.

Royal Air Maroc , the official airline of Morocco, has nonstop flights to Moroccan cities from a few major U.S. locations. To read the site in English, click on "langue" at the top of the screen. A dropdown bar will let you choose "Francaise" or "Anglaise" (English).

American Airlines offers many nonstop flights to Casablanca every day from major U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. 

Continental Airlines also offers many direct flights to Casablanca and other major cities in Morocco. Like the Web sites for most major air carriers, this Web site is easy to navigate.

Delta 's Web site is straightforward and easy to use, and although the number of flights Delta offers is limited, flexible travelers can often find good deals. Flights are available from the United States to several locations in Morocco, including Rabat, Agadir, and Tangier.

United has a comprehensive, user-friendly Web site and offers many flights daily from U.S. cities, such as Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago, to Casablanca and Agadir in Morocco.

Iberia , a Spanish airline, offers several flights daily to Casablanca from Madrid and Barcelona. Because Spain is so close to Morocco, traveling through a Spanish city can be especially convenient and economical.

Air France offers many flights daily from multiple locations in France, including Paris, Nice, and Montpellier, to Morocco. In addition to Casablanca, travelers can fly into Marrakesh, Agadir, or Rabat.

Air Berlin offers flights to Morocco from Berlin, and many other European cities. The airline offers flights to major Moroccan cities from Brussels, Copenhagen, and Budapest, among others.

Directferries.co.uk allows you to book ferry transportation to Morocco. Ferries depart multiple times daily from three different ports in Spain: Algeciras, Almería, and Tarifa. You can also browse hotel options provided by the site, which offer competitive rates to hotels throughout the country. Click your destination city to see what accommodations are available.

The Man in Seat Sixty-One provides useful links on getting to Morocco by land or by sea. Links include ferry and train companies that operate out of various countries in Europe.

FRS is a booking site that offers ferries from the Moroccan cities of Tangier and Assilah to Tarifa and Algeciras in Spain, as well as to Gibraltar. 

RailEurope allows travelers to search for and book train tickets from London to Morocco.

Morocco Car Rental Guide aids your car rental search and booking process with fast, easy-to-use tools. Select your city and dates for which you'll need a car, and you'll be presented with quotes from such well-known rental agencies as Avis, Budget, and Thrifty. Rates are kept low because of the company's affiliation with the Internet Travel Group. Pick-up is available from most Moroccan airports.

Royal Air Maroc is the national airline of Morocco, offering flights to numerous cities in the country. You'll also find a special offers section with discounted flights, which the airline encourages you to check every day for price updates. 

AsiaRooms.com provides detailed information about bus travel in Morocco. The only bus company with an accessible Web site is ctm.com, but Asiarooms.com provides information on how to book travel with smaller bus companies once you arrive in Morocco.

ONCF is Morocco's national train company. The Web site is well organized and straightforward, but it is predominantly in French. There is a link at the top of the page for English translation.

Virtual Tourist is a site containing message boards from experienced travelers. There is a wide range of useful information on this site. Topics addressed include tipping, common phrases, and visiting during Ramadan. You can also find beautiful photos of accommodations here, and lists of hotels by type and city.

TravelBlog has forums on everything under the Moroccan sun. From the commonplace (favorite cities to explore) to the unusual (trekking the Atlas Mountains), there is a wealth of information here. You'll also find blogs about Morocco.

Warmafrica.com is well organized and has candid, helpful postings by tourists. These are good forums to frequent for tips on hotels and transportation. The site does have a search feature, so topics of interest can be located quickly.

Lonely Planet posts letters submitted by readers offering advice on a variety of subjects, such as arranging travel and the best times of the year to visit Morocco. This site is well organized, and the information is practical. 

TravelPod provides a wealth of photos and travel stories that should get travelers excited about their trip to Morocco. There are also many gems of travel wisdom tucked into the stories. 

RealTravel provides entertaining, helpful blogs, and photos. The site also has links for hotel reservations, car rental, and trip planners.