Tramp Imperial Travel

22/09/2022

Hello well why back soon

24/10/2016

Wondering what there is to do and see when planning your Moroccan holiday? Check out just a few of the great destinations in !

http://www.morocco.com/attractions/

Explore various cultural and historical tourist attractions in Morocco including museums, religious sites, art galleries and the Sahara.

19/10/2016

The Cornerstone of Moroccan Cuisine


Moroccan cuisine varies incredibly in its ingredients and preparation techniques, owing mostly to its indelible history --- and embracement --- of the numerous different cultures that visitors and conquerors alike have brought with them to the country. Couscous and tagine recipes can often be made interchangeably with meat, poultry, fish, or other seafood, and it’s not unusual to find the same kind of salad served hot, warm, or cold, depending on the cook’s preference. The binding cornerstone that is unchanging, however, the fulcrum on which Moroccan cuisine hinges, is its sauces.

The concept of sauce in Morocco is not the same as that of the French, to which most Westerners are accustomed. In Morocco, a sauce is not an entity separate yet complementary to the dish at hand, but instead, is a delicious amalgam of the myriad tastes that converge within the cooking process, itself. Sometimes, the sauce --- as in a tagine, for example --- is as simple as the oil or melted butter in which the main ingredient and accompanying spices have been cooked, lending to it the properties of their extraordinary flavors. Already used as a utensil, bread is also served at every meal for the purpose of soaking up the delicious juices collectively referred to as 'sauce.'

No matter what dish is being cooked, it will invariably use one of four traditional Moroccan sauces, or a variation thereof. They are: meqalli, a yellow sauce comprised of oil, ginger, and saffron; m’hammer, a red sauce which combines paprika, cumin, and butter; q’dra, which uses the clarified butter known as smen, as well as chickpeas and almonds; and m’sharmal, a yellow sauce of saffron, ginger, and pepper. While variations on these four basic sauces are as numerous as the cooks that make them, it is nearly impossible to find a tagine, or any other Moroccan main dish, without at least one of these combinations. In fact, so ubiquitous are these four sauces that the name of a dish often includes it: Chicken Meqalli, for example, is a popular meal, as is Q’dra Couscous.

Although a marinade and not a sauce, chermoula has certainly earned its place in Moroccan kitchens. Mostly used as a marinade for fish, chermoula begins as a mix of parsley and cilantro mixed with oil, lemon juice, and salt. Variations exist, of course, and are as numerous as those for the aforementioned sauces. Crushed hot peppers and finely diced rind of preserved lemons are also popular additions.[pull]No matter what dish is being cooked, it will invariably use one of four traditional Moroccan sauces, or a variation thereof.

Another non-sauce that nonetheless commonly makes its appearance alongside many Moroccan entrees is harissa, a spicy condiment made from a base of crushed red chiles that is traditionally mixed with salt, garlic, and oil until it has reached the consistency of tomato paste. While Moroccan food is unquestionably spiced, very little is actually spicy, in the Western sense of the word. Harissa is a notable exception, and it should be equally noted that this popular condiment was borrowed from Tunisian cuisine, which is generally much hotter than Moroccan.

In a cuisine based on cooking many components together harmoniously, Moroccan sauces provide a base upon which a meal in Morocco is built. In addition, meqalli, m’hammer, q’dra, and m’shermel elevate what might otherwise be simply called ‘stock’ into a higher realm altogether. Chermoula and harissa add their own unique contributions to a cuisine renowned for its expert use of spice. The Moroccan proverb says to ‘make do with bread and butter ‘til God sends the honey,’ but as long as there’s sauce, the honey can wait.

17/10/2016

Not only a fantastic destination for your next travel adventure, is building an eco-friendly infrastructure!

http://www.morocco.com/blog/wind-power-as-a-renewable-energy-resource-in-morocco

With almost 94 percent of its energy requirements being imported, Morocco has for some years now been implementing various renewable energy programs such as solar power, wind energy and hydroelectri

14/10/2016

is a universal dish in with so many variations to appeal to just about everyone. Here's a great clip from Agris Alksnis showing how a typical tagine is prepared everyday...it's capped off with the pouring of piping hot tea.

https://vimeo.com/19899290

When I was in Morocco, our new friend Hasan showed us the right way how to cook Moroccan traditionally - Tajines. And also tea.. they have some of the finest tea…

12/10/2016

ESSAOUIRA
Surf, Sand, and Serenity

It is difficult to find a city in Morocco as pleasant and charming to the senses and soul as . It is much like southern California, in that it enjoys a year-round mild climate, as well as fantastic beaches known for attracting surfers. Unlike its American counterpart, however, Essaouira has managed to elude the curse of mass tourism, and has the air of a town much smaller than it actually is, giving visitors the feeling that they’ve stumbled upon the best-kept secret in Morocco.

Essaouira’s history dates back to the Phoenicians of the 7th century BC, who made the site into a small port, and continues into the time of the Roman Empire, when Juba II established the place as a purple—dye manufacturing site. The Portuguese, in the 16th century, established the port and created a trading center, calling it Mogador. However, the city of Essaouira wasn’t actually built until the mid-18th century by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah, an Alouite sultan.

Sidi ben Abdullah decided to establish a naval port on what was then mostly known as Mogador, and commandeered the services of French architect Theodore Cornut to lay out the town. For this reason, even though the medina of Essaouira is the traditional maze of narrow streets and alleyways, the town itself is laid out in wide avenues that intersect one another at right angles. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why American and European visitors feel so at home, there.

The ocean provides Essaouira’s livelihood in a variety of ways, not the least of which is through exports. One of the largest sardine ports in all of Morocco, the port of Essaouira, known as Sqala du Port, still houses traditional wooden fishing vessels. There is also the spectacle of the weekly fish auction, where visitors may be able to lunch on the morning’s catch . . . if their bargaining skills are up to par. Always an engaging option, too, is strolling along the docks and taking in the engineering marvel of the battlements.

The salty Atlantic waters that lap the shores of Essaouira provide sustenance of another sort: tourism. One of the finest in Morocco, the beach at Essaouira is known for its surprisingly gusty winds that draw surfers of all kinds to the area year-round. The best time for surfing, however, is April to September, when the winds are optimal. Even those who prefer not to get wet can enjoy the picturesque stroll along the vast stretch of sand to visit the lonesome mausoleum of Sidi Kaouki, a holy man from the area.

A magnet for American hippies in the 1970’s, Essaouira has cultivated an active artistic haven ever since. In 1988, a former antiques dealer named Fredric Daamgard opened his own art gallery in the medina, featuring local artists and artisans. Among the most famous of its painters, Mohammed Tabal, is of Gnaouen descent, and the sub-Saharan African influence is prominent in his works. Also available for viewing at the Galerie Daamgard are creations of famed thuya wood, a richly toned, burled wood that is often smooth to a sheen and worked into a number of items, including cabinets, dishes, and the ever-popular puzzle boxes.

Whether your interests are academic, artistic, or simply to unwind as the ocean breeze caresses your face, Essaouira aims to please. Its rich history has seen a long parade of all sorts of visitors from all over the globe, and its citizens see little reason to stop that trend.

10/10/2016

An ideal trip south of for anyone who aspires to travel off the beaten track!

http://www.morocco.com/blog/explore-the-spectacular-ameln-valley

Travelers who enjoy off-the-beaten-track destinations will find the Ameln Valley in Morocco an absolute pleasure to explore. Located north of Tafraoute in the Tiznit Province of the Souss-Massa-Drâ

07/10/2016

If you love exploring food, culture, and fantastic destinations, is definitely a place for an adventure. This video from The Perenneal Plate encapsulates all that, and more! We love the street vendors, , acrobats, and sweeping scenery these excellent film makers captured on a two week Moroccan escapade.

Check it out!

https://vimeo.com/79788407

We spent two weeks in Morocco, here is our experience. Created by: www.theperennialplate.com In Partnership with: www.intrepidtravel.com/food/ Filmed & edited…

05/10/2016

DJEMAA EL-FNA

Nobody really knows the origin of the name for this most famous location in Marrakech. The name translates from Arabic as ‘Assembly (or Mosque) of the Dead.’ It could refer to a long lost Almoravid mosque that may have once stood on the spot. Another popular suggestion is that the plaza took its name from grizzly executions that might have once been performed there. No matter how the plaza took its name, Djmaa el Fna today reverberates with life.

The English writer Nina Epton once wrote of the famous square’s city, Marrakech, words that could also be applied to Djmaa el Fna itself: “[It] is different than Fes and from any other town in North Africa. It is more African. It possess the magic of heathen incantations in the beating of the nakkos, the drumbeat which seems to echo the rhythm of life, of the pulse, of creation itself.”

Djmaa el Fna is ringed on one side by the souks of Marrakech andon other sides by cafes, gardens, and hotels. A daily pageant of humanity has occurred here for what may be time immemorial. During the day, the place is occupied by orange juice stalls, water sellers in colorful traditional costumes with leather water bags and copper cups, Gnaouan dancers with their instruments and frenetic acrobatics, snake charmers posing with vipers and cobras for tourists’ cameras, and a myriad host of locals and tourists. As day slowly fades to dusk, an almost magical transformation takes place, and Djmaa el Fna is turned into a dreamlike scene of almost medieval scope.

As the crowds begin to grow thicker, the snake charmers depart and push carts are moved into the plaza by gangs of white smocked Moroccan restaurant workers. The heavy laden carts are turned into brightly lit outdoor restaurants offering up a delightful array of fresh vegetables, grilled meats, and raucous entertainment. The throngs of nightly entertainers arrive to liven the atmosphere: Chleuh dancing boys in traditional dress, wildly gesticulating story tellers weaving tales in animated Berber and Arabic, henna artists who weave their art quicker than a bird in flight, fortune-tellers, hucksters and tribal witch doctors offering herbal remedies, love potions, and traditional medicines from blanket shops arranged along the periphery. As night falls fully upon the plaza, the cacophony of thousands of voices, drums, and reed flutes combine with the smoke of the grills to blanket Djmaa el Fna in a haze of noise and mist that seems to blur any sense of reality.

To avoid sensory overload, it is advisable to indulge one sense at a time; namely, the taste buds. For all the spectacle that surrounds the plaza, the highlight is of course, the food. There are well over a hundred different stalls that set up shop here every night of the year, rain or shine, and to miss out on a meal here would be criminal. Select a booth, sit yourself down to have as much freshly baked bread as you can consume immediately served to you, and point out which of the wonderful selection of olives, salads, and meats you’d like to have. It’s cooked up right before your eyes, and it will, without doubt, be one of the best meals you’ve ever had. For all its pageantry and spectacle, the most remembered delights of Djmaa el Fna are often the simplest.

03/10/2016

Discovering the magic of Marrakech...remember to take it slow and steady!

http://www.morocco.com/blog/5-helpful-tips-when-exploring-marrakech

If you’re seeking a unique and intriguing holiday destination that’s free of all subtlety and possesses an atmosphere unlike any other, the beautifully ancient Moroccan city of Marrakech could t

01/10/2016

Recently, we've relocated our US operation to Los Angeles. As we prepare to begin offering tours and Moroccan travel services in our new home town, we've been doing a bit of exploration. If you aren't able to make it to Marrakech soon, we just found an excellent place to pick up a tagine (or, two...) at Badia Design in North Hollywood (http://www.badiadesign.com/).

Badia Design Inc. - Moroccan Furniture Los Angeles including a large selection of Moroccan tiles, lanterns, wedding decor, Moroccan furniture sale Los Angeles, movie prop rental Los Angeles and more, party rentals Los Angeles

28/09/2016

The Cascades d'Ouzoud are a beautiful and tranquil place, nestled in the Atlas Mountains not far from Marrakech. These waterfalls cascade over 110 meters and are the highest in North Africa. The basin of the falls, noisy with the rush of water – cool and breathtaking – is definitely worth the journey to discover them. Those who have a great love of Marrakech, Fes and even a fondness for Casablanca will almost all agree that the most relaxed places in Morocco are well outside the cities. The desert regions of Rissani and the mountain villages of the Rif and High Atlas are among favorite destinations for tourists. These are places where you can take your time and really appreciate the landscape and enjoy the hospitality of friends, old and new, without feeling pressure to constantly be on the go.

When you leave Marrakech, for instance, there's a genuine sense of getting away as you start to see the buildings give way to rugged countryside. The space opens up and it's almost a relief to know that you're leaving all the modernity behind. Whether by bus, 4×4 or grand taxi, it's a relatively short trip to the Cascades d'Ouzoud. The trip winds upward from Marrakech and into a landscape of stunning rock cliffs, forested slopes and scattered villages. The biggest draw to Ouzoud is without doubt the waterfalls. These constantly flowing, 110 meter cascades keep the tiny valley in which Ouzoud is situated cool, even during the height of summer.

Beyond the quaint cafes that have sprouted up near the waterfalls, the region is a painter's inspiration of reddish stone walls and verdant, leafy greens. On the outskirts of the tiny village of Ouzoud, roam ever braver tribes of macaque, or Barbary apes. These furry denizens are seen along the cliff walls and the tree lined footpaths that crisscross the valley. The apes are quite daring and clever, often divesting visitors of treats despite the warnings not to feed the monkeys.

The falls take their name from the Berber word for olives and the area is well cultivated with olive and carob trees. It's very easy to spend hours at leisure between the cafes, quiet hotels or exploring the well marked trails through the valley. There are easy hikes to a place the locals call "the Mexican village" and swimming or boating are on the list of activities, too.

All-in-all, Ouzoud is an idyllic way to spend a few days when you just have to get away from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.

27/09/2016

The rejuvination of the River of Jewels will certainly bring a lot of charm to the old town for the citizens of Fes, not just tourists!

http://www.morocco.com/blog/the-rejuvenation-of-the-fez-river

Traditionally known as 'Oued Al Jawahir' (River of Jewels), the Fez River runs through the heart of the city's ancient Medina – a large medieval pedestrian urban area listed as a UNESCO World Her

27/09/2016

What do you need to know about traveling to Morocco? We can answer most of your questions as you plan your trip with us, but here's a nicely written piece from the Huffington Post as a primer.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/halle-eavelyn/what-you-need-to-know-bef_b_4740418.html

THE BLOG What You Need to Know Before Traveling to Morocco 02/07/2014 12:17 pm ET | Updated Apr 09, 2014 Halle Eavelyn Transformational Coach & Tour Leader; Author So you're planning your Morocco travel! As they say in Arabic, Mabruk! (Congratulations). Now what? Well, before you get on the plane, t...

03/05/2016

Just an handful of Morocco's magical places...there's many, many more to discover!

http://www.travelnpleasure.com/places-to-visit-in-morocco/

Morocco is a wonderful destination with plenty to surprise its visitors. Here  some of the best places to visit in Morocco. Enjoy your time exploring! 

19/09/2015

The city of Orlando in Central Florida will pay tribute to the Kingdom of Morocco by hosting the first annual Moroccan Heritage Night at the Orlando Magic’s NBA game