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(Rif Mountains)

Coming to Chefchaouen, in the Rif mountains, you will discover a preserved and little known Morocco. The Rif massif is not a very high range, its peaks are barely higher than 2000m so in the midst of this Chefchaouen is a small tranquil town, full of charm. Located 600m above sea level, it looks as if it is protected by two mountainous peaks, which have given it its name meaning "the horns" in Berber. Stroll around its cobbled streets and you cannot fail to be charmed by the simple and gracious white houses with blue doors. they often conceal very attractive patios. Cut into the sides of two mountains, Chefchaouen is a city with blue and white lime-washed houses. A powerful charm that you really can feel in the Outa-el-Hammam square, in the cobblestone medina. The city received the influx of Arabs and Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 and is now a city very welcoming and pleasant to the visitor.

Sightseeing: sat on the terrace of a cafe, you can enjoy the attractive view of the grand Tarik-Ben-Ziad mosque whose octagonal minaret is inspired by that of the Torre de Oro in Seville. This Andalousian architecture can be found in the kasbah and its gardens, at the center of the medina. Its walls and its 11 crenellated towers, of which one used to be a dungeon, house an interesting ethnographic museum. In the small museum in the kasbah can be found collections of embroideries and colored and varied pieces of clothing like those worn by the region's women. The famous djellaba, this long and ample garment worn by the men and women of North Africa, was created here. The welcome and great hospitality provided by its inhabitants can be experienced during a visit to a traditional oil mill (there are more than 1500 of them) or a craftsman's workshop. Over and above its weaving, Chefchaouen is renowned for its basket-making and its pottery. Furthermore, you can take part in an introduction to pottery workshop in the pottery at Ghzaoua, and go away with your own berradas (water jugs) or a more simple goulla (jar). On the whole, the pottery of the Rif region is fairly plain. Black or red paint is applied directly onto the terracotta. The walk continues as far as Rif Sebbarim, the wash house district, to the square on which there is a mosque dating from the 15th century. A visit to the agadirs or the region's fortified communal attics is also a must. Finally, leaving the town without having first tried its goat's milk cottage cheese from the mountains is out of the question. It is perhaps the best in Morocco.

At the north-east exit of the medina, the Ras-El-Ma spring is a cool oasis offering a very good view over the valley. For walking in its surrounding areas, Chefchaouen is the place of your dreams. On foot or riding a donkey, let yourself be guided around the Talassemtane national park, around the valley of the monkeys or even the Tissemlal falls. If you fish, the trout are waiting just for you in this unspoilt region. With its pure air, calmness, cleanliness, picturesque medina and attractive surrounding areas, Chefchaouen provides you with a complete and gentle break.

Ecotourism - Chefchaouen is lucky to be ideally situated as a departure point for trekking or rambling in the surrounding parks. Its surrounding areas are crammed with natural curiosities, like the Pont de Dieu at Achkour, a rock archway above a 25m precipice. Springs, fir tree, cedar and native pine forests cover the national nature park of Talassemtane (150,000 acres). The Talembote park, the mountains, forests and cliffs of Ghmara or the enormous regional nature park of Bouhachem (260,000 acres) complete this immense playground. Closer to the town, the spring at Ras El Maa, which supplies Chefchaouen with water, is a very pleasant place for a walk, as is the Toughoubit grotto or the refreshing waterfalls at Chrafate. It is also possible to hunt and fish in the region. The harrier, golden eagle, lynx, otter or even the macaque are some of the protected species

Festivals - in July there is the Alegria festiva, an event which enables local, national and now international music to be joined together in the festival. The town's large and small squares lend themselves perfectly to these gatherings. Several other festivals and moussems (Sidi Allal el Hadj in August) take place in a town which is imprinted with the soufi spirit. This mystical Islamic dimension manifests itself through singing, poetry and dances.

We have chosen:
Casa Hassan	Dar Baydou	Dar Mounir	Dar Echaouen
		Dar Mounir is a charming traditional hotel offering magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, the old medina and the new city. Dar Mounir is located in the centre of the “Blue City”, a few steps (50m) from the famous Place Outa Hammam.	A new hotel with a pool and good food.

Reservations - All our holidays are tailor-made so please feel free to request any combination of hotels, riads or tours for your own holiday. The minimum reservation for our accommodation only service is 3 nights in total, although not necessarily at same property. Simply contact us by phone or email or complete one of our enquiry forms. Why Rediscover? - All our reservations staff have worked in Morocco (or visited extensively) and will be more than happy to offer advice and suggestions on any of our featured destinations, tours and properties. Prices - our prices are similar to or quite often cheaper than our internet competitors or booking directly and significantly cheaper than those producing expensive brochures whilst our service, knowledge and after sales care is second to none. Security - Rediscover the World is a member of the TTA (T6816), we also hold our own ATOL bond (T7172). We therefore provide full financial security and assistance should any part of your holiday not happen entirely to plan. If you were to assemble your holiday yourself you may not have this sort of protection.

. More pictures of Chefcahouen

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