Morocco's renovated riads combine old-world charm with modern comforts

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Jan. 6, 2016 - PRLog -- Travellers looking for luxury have never set their sights on the dusky labyrinthine streets of the old cities of Morocco. But those who venture there are discovering the riad, the North African equivalent of a bed-and-breakfast, with stylish contemporary decor, superb local cuisine and the kind of impeccable service you can only hope for at the finest of hotels. These inns, mostly old homes rebuilt by European entrepreneurs, are part of a revitalization that has helped transform the medinas -- the old walled cities at the core of most Moroccan cities -- into so much more than a place to shop for carpets, leather and exotic trinkets.

The medinas of Marrakech and Fez, in particular, are becoming popular destinations for travellers who want a taste of an exotic, almost third-world culture, but feel like ending each day in first-world comfort. Morocco battled a reputation as a slightly dicey, potentially unsafe destination for years, says the president of Gateway2Morocco, a Moroccan-Canadian based Travel Agency. Morocco's King Mohammed VI provided the law enforcement and cleanup services necessary to turn streets that were once crowded with beggars and touts into clean, welcoming places to explore.

And visitors were finally ready to try staying in the medinas, instead of taking day trips in from big-name hotels in the modern neighbourhoods.

'You're not going to go all the way to Morocco to stay at the Hilton,' says Brahim, who books a variety of morocco tours (https://www.gateway2morocco.com) that use riads (it translates as 'courtyards') whenever possible.

'Our clients love them; it shows up in the feedback regularly. The riads are typically run by a couple who go way beyond the usual to make you feel at home.

And the Moroccan people welcome Americans as graciously as visitors from anywhere else in the world. No need to stick 'We're from Canada' patches onto your suitcase; this is one Muslim country where you'll never need to hide your heritage or defend U.S. foreign policy. A proclamation that you're from the States almost always is met with, 'Americans? Big welcome,' and a friendly offer to help you find a good restaurant or sightseeing stop. The Sept. 11 attacks dealt a severe blow to what had been a 10-year government plan to boost tourism, which accounts for 20 percent of the Moroccan economy. About 9 million people -- including more than 250,000 Americans -- visited the country in the year 2015.

After the attacks, tourism dropped dramatically all over the world, but especially in Arab countries. By 2003, however, the plan was back on pace, with an expectation that the king's goal would be met, according to Inan el-Merini of the Moroccan National Tourism Office. The heart of Morocco is in the medina, a little slice of the Middle Ages, made up of twisting alleys packed as they have been for centuries with mule carts, food vendors and artisans. Weaving through the controlled chaos are Moroccan men and women in the traditional djellaba (robe) and kids sporting Nikes and jeans. Outside the medinas, in the new cities, are wide, modern streets and gleaming glass buildings, great if you need to cash a travelers' check, but a bore other than that.

The two most active and interesting medinas are in Fez and Marrakech (https://www.gateway2morocco.com/Major-Cities), cities that also have other great attractions within the distance of short taxi rides. The medina streets are mostly narrow, dark and dusky, and it takes a day or two to get used to finding your way around. But almost every nondescript doorway is the gateway to a sunny riad, mosque or school built with breathtakingly colorful tile and wood carving, even old palaces now used as sites to display pop art. The streets are teeming with women offering henna skin-painting and stands cooking up spicy steamed garbanzos, lamb kebabs and freshly fried doughnuts. You'll sometimes need a couple of hours to cover the equivalent of two U.S. city blocks, there is so much to see.

Most visitors enter the country through Casablanca, a magical place in the memory of Humphrey Bogart devotees, but a city nearly devoid of interest to tourists. Your best bet is to get on a train and head immediately to one of the more flavourful cities. The train system is cheap, clean and prompt, and you can be in Fez in four hours. Car rentals are available, and the nation's highway system is pretty modern, but once you hit the medinas, you'll have no need for the car and nowhere to park it.

To really appreciate Morocco's tourism growth spurt, you have to stay at a riad. The owners have banded together and formed a few online reservation services, so it's easy to get a good look at your choices and make arrangements at your computer. Check Gateway2Morocco (https://www.gateway2morocco.com) and get in touch with one of the travel experts who will be happy to assist you find  some of the best accommodations in Fez, Marrakech or the seaside city of Essaouira, Rabat, Meknes and Agadir. Fez and Marrakech have far more choices for great riads, and are also the most well-located cities for day trips into the Atlas Mountains.