While there are a lot of popular or overrated travel destinations out there, Morocco is certainly considered as one of the top destinations for spring vacations. With its vibrant and magnificent landscapes, rich cultural heritage and amazing activities to explore, there are actually thousands of reasons why this country is a must-see. If you are planning a Moroccan trip this spring break, here are some of the things that you must know.
Mint tea everywhere. The Moroccan mint tea is an indispensable element in the traditional Moroccan culture. It is the country's national beverage and is also served in rituals and significant ceremonies. According to the College Tourist, Moroccans are used to offer a cup or two of a steaming hot mint tea to guests upon their arrival. Like any other customary traditions, it is likewise impolite to refuse a local who offers you a cup of mint tea so the best thing to do is to say "Thank you" then drink.
Many mosques do not allow non-Muslim guests to enter. Almost nine out of 10 Moroccans are Muslims, CNN says. So if you are going to travel to Morocco, you must basically expect to find mosques of all sorts everywhere. However, while not all travelers, especially those from the United States are non-Muslims, bear in mind that a lot of mosques in Morocco, including Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque, prohibits non-Muslims guests to enter inside these facilities.
Learn to love cumin. Just like mint tea, cumin is literally in every corner of Morocco. You can seldom find authentic Moroccan dishes that do not have cumin on them. This spice is basically one of the principal spices that are used by the Moroccans alongside sea salt, saffron and paprika. Aside from culinary, cumin is also used as a cure for diarrhea and other diseases.
Dromedary riding. What is travel to Morocco without trying to ride one of the Moroccan camels? Arabian camels with one hump are called dromedaries. These are the type of camels that you will likely encounter in the deserts of Morocco. You might need to wear longer pants and closed shoes as the rides are expected to be bumpy (and sandy).
Avoid trash talk. While most of the Moroccans speak Arabic, many of the locals know different languages like Spanish, French and Berber. Do not be fooled by their proficiency in their own dialect called Darija because many of them are good English speakers, too! So be careful with your words for they might likewise understand what you are saying.
