COOL CASABLANCA
An eclectic mix of Moorish culture and a French colonial past gives Casablanca a uniquely intoxicating vibe
Hot and sweet and served in a traditional ornate nickel-silver tea pot, Morocco’s national drink is the perfect accompaniment to a teeth-locking pastry as you watch the day unfold in Casablanca. Start your trip at the Old Medina and you’ll be serenaded by an orchestra of car horns and harried market sellers on scooters, heading to sell their wares in the souk. It’s easy to get lost in the winding, labyrinthine alleyways here, but it’s the perfect way to experience the beating pulse of Casablanca life, haggling for leather goods, trinkets and spices. Local knowledge (human, rather than a map) is essential as the Medina feels like a world lost in time. Through the high, arched Medina gate, the pace slows as the myriad alleys open up to generous boulevards and ornate squares. Casablanca was occupied by the French for more than 50 years during the 19th century, so alongside grand French colonial architecture, such as the Grande Poste on Place Mohammed V, you’ll also discover traditional Moroccan arches, ziggurat patterns and Islamic mosaic tiling. For the finest example of this, head to the Hassan II Mosque, built on the edge of the Atlantic for the former king’s 60th birthday. It’s the largest functioning mosque in Africa and has the world tallest Minaret – so tall, in fact, that you can easily reach your daily step count with the 900 stairs to reach the top. The mosque was completed in 1993 and its sheer, sky-slicing scale is awe-inspiring. Handcrafted mosaics, marble floors, intricately painted ceilings, huge carved columns and horseshoe arches will dazzle you. Cosmopolitan Casablanca offers visitors a great choice of cuisine but for a real taste of authentic Moroccan fare, head to a local café and enjoy a chermoula-spiced tagine with a side dish of tabbouleh. And don’t miss the chance to stop for a cocktail at Rick’s Cafe on Place Du Jardin Public. Built in homage to the fictional movie haunt visited by Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, it’s the perfect place to relax before you head back to your ship.
The 10-night Lisbon to Barcelona cruise onboard Seven Seas Mariner, including stops in Seville and Casablanca, departing 2 October, 2024, starts from £5,495 all-inclusive per person, including flights, transfers, tips, laundry and wifi.rssc.com
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