Category: Morocco

Morocco Bans All Arrivals From China Until Further Notice Amid Soaring COVID Cases

Morocco has imposed an entry ban on all travelers from China due to the soaring COVID-19 infection rate in the country following Beijing’s abrupt u-turn on its strict zero-COVID policy. Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the entry ban would apply to all arrivals from China, regardless of their nationality, and will…


Small Events Yield Big Memories of Morocco

During our recent visit to Morocco my husband and I saw elegant palaces, huge mosques and eye-popping markets in the cities of Rabat, Fes, Marrakech and Casablanca — each of which had its own distinctive character. But often it was the small events between the major ones — the roadside stops, the bits of information…


Croatia Beats Morocco 2–1 to Take 3rd Place at World Cup

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—Luka Modric led Croatia to third place in what was likely the midfield great’s last appearance at the World Cup. The runners-up from four years ago secured another medal by beating Morocco 2–1 in the third-place match on Saturday. Mislav Orsic scored the decisive goal shortly before halftime at Khalifa International Stadium to…


Mbappe, France Advance to World Cup Final, Beat Morocco 2–0

AL KHOR, Qatar—France and Kylian Mbappé are headed back to the World Cup final for a much-anticipated matchup with Lionel Messi after ending Morocco’s historic run at soccer’s biggest tournament. France beat Africa’s first ever semifinalist 2–0 Wednesday, with Mbappé playing a part in goals by Theo Hernandez in the fifth minute and then substitute…


One Last Day in Casablanca

When my husband and I tell our friends that we visited Casablanca during our recent trip to Morocco, the first question they ask is if we went to Rick’s, the bar where much of the action took place in the iconic “Casablanca” movie. It was one of our first questions, too, but our guide, Seddik…


A Visit to Marvelous, Mysterious Marrakech

During our recent visit to Morocco my husband and I learned that every city has a distinctive character. There was no chance we’d confuse any two when we got home and looked back on our memories. In Rabat we saw the palace of King Mohammed VI and learned how the constitutional monarchy in this country…


Morocco Reaches World Cup Semifinals, Tops Portugal, Ronaldo

DOHA, Qatar—Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1–0 on Saturday, likely ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of ever winning soccer’s biggest prize. Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco’s improbable run that has generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab…


Spain in Mourning, Local Moroccans Rejoice at World Cup Surprise

BARCELONA/MADRID—Spain fans were left in tears on Tuesday after the team crashed out of the World Cup on penalties to Morocco, whose fans filled the streets with cheers, flares, and flags from Barcelona to Madrid, and the enclave of Melilla. People had packed into bars decked out in the red and yellow Spanish flag to…


Fes or Fez, the Colors Remain the Same

Vast parts of Morocco are covered in the sand of the Sahara and the rocks and foliage of the Atlas Mountains, but its cities are riots of color. This is especially evident in Fes, home of the famous blue pottery and a whole lot more. And the city’s history is just as rich and vibrant….


Music, Flavors and Sounds Define Rabat

By Glenda Winders “Variety” is the word that jumps to mind when I look back on our recent visit to Morocco. Before the trip my husband and I had visions of unrelenting desert and people riding camels as their major source of transportation. Those elements are there, too, but so are colors and flavors and…