Africa

Egypt can feel overwhelming in the best possible way. The history, architecture, markets, food, traffic, and social energy are intense, and that means visitors often encounter cultural differences almost immediately. Many tourist mistakes are not serious, but they can create awkward moments. Dressing too casually in conservative settings, photographing people without asking, showing impatience, or …

Morocco can feel familiar and completely different at the same time. Major cities have modern hotels, cafés, shopping centers, and international restaurants, yet everyday social habits can still surprise Americans almost immediately. Some of the biggest culture shocks are not dramatic. They come from small things: how people greet each other, how long meals last, …

Morocco is one of those destinations where travelers often arrive with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. The country is visually stunning, culturally rich, and deeply hospitable, but it also has social norms that can feel unfamiliar to visitors from the United States or Northern Europe. Many tourist mistakes in Morocco are not dramatic. They …

The chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives is the dish most American home cooks have attempted from a Moroccan cookbook and gotten wrong. The recipe in the cookbook is usually accurate. The cook’s framework is usually wrong, and the result is a dish that has all the right ingredients in roughly the right quantities …

The bowl of harira at a small place near the Bab Doukkala gate has fourteen ingredients in it that the American palate cannot identify. The American eats it anyway, and by the third spoonful starts to understand that the cookbook version of Moroccan food at home has been wrong the entire time. This is the …

Some dishes are weeknight quick, and some are labors of love that ask for an afternoon and reward you tenfold, and both of the dishes in this comparison belong firmly to the second kind. Ethiopian doro wat and Indian chicken curry are two of the world’s great spiced chicken stews, each built on a deep …

Moroccan cuisine is a feast for the senses. Rich with spices like cumin, saffron, cinnamon, and ginger, it transforms simple ingredients into deeply flavorful dishes layered with history and cultural pride. From bustling Marrakech souks to quiet mountain villages, dinner in Morocco is more than just a meal; it is a ritual of connection, warmth, …

Real Moroccan harira begins with fresh tomatoes that are blanched, peeled, seeded, pureed, and reduced for 20 to 30 minutes before any other major ingredient enters the pot. Most American recipes for harira skip this step. They open a can of crushed tomatoes and dump it into the simmering broth alongside the chickpeas, lentils, and …

While Morocco is a beautiful country with rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, it might not be the ideal destination for every traveler. Here are some reasons why you might reconsider visiting Morocco, especially if these factors significantly impact your travel experience. While Morocco offers a wealth of cultural and historical experiences, it also …

February is when Europe starts lying to you. The skies are bright, the cafés look alive again, and then you walk outside in Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, or even Barcelona and remember your hands still hurt. If you live in Spain, February is also when you realize something else: Morocco is not a “big trip.” …

Visiting Morocco is an unforgettable experience—full of vivid colors, fragrant spice markets, ancient medinas, and stunning desert landscapes. But for first-time travelers, the cultural customs and social expectations can be a bit overwhelming. Morocco is a country rich in tradition, hospitality, and etiquette, and while locals are generally welcoming, there are a number of unwritten …

Our guide on the best things to know before visiting Morocco and the best Morocco travel tips. Morocco is a mesmerizing blend of cultures, colors, and contrasts—a country where ancient medinas meet desert landscapes, and where tradition lives side-by-side with modern life. For many American travelers, visiting Morocco is like stepping into another world. The …