Bahia Palace, Marrakech, Morocco

Bahia Palace is a palace of century XIXᵉ of eight hectares in Marrakech, Morocco. It is a masterpiece of Moroccan architecture, one of the major monuments of cultural heritage. It was built southeast of the medina of Marrakech between 1866 and 1867. It was built for Si Moussa, chamberlain of Sultan Hassan 1st of Morocco, at his death, his son, Ahmed Ben Moussa, had enlarged the southern part his father’s palace by the successive acquisition and glitzy development of large sets of neighboring houses. The palace takes its name from his favorite mistress, Bahia. From 1912, General Lyautey, Marshal of France, used it as his personal residence as well as the residence of French officers by adding chimneys, heating and electricity. It has about 150 lavishly decorated rooms. There are marble, wood paintings, stained glass windows, many patios and gardens with orange trees, banana trees, cypresses, hibiscus and jasmine. The Moroccan royal family of King Mohammed VI sometimes stay there in a large private party not open to the public.

Tips

The palace is open to visitors, at your visit ask for information because you can also attend concerts of Arab-Andalusian music and art exhibitions.
You can also ask for a guide to accompany you and tell the whole story which is very interesting.

Todgha Gorge, Morocco

The Todgha Gorge is located east of the Grand Atlas near the village of Tinerhir. The rivers formed canyons through the mountains for about forty kilometers. The last 600 meters of the gorge are the most beautiful and remarkable. The canyon narrows and the rock walls reach up to 160 meters. There is a tiny brook nearby. There is an asphalt road that will allow you access to the place without any problems.

Tips

It is an ideal place for hiking enthusiasts. It is also a popular site for climbers. You will find several routes that have been classified to make a walk in the canyon. 

You can also take a nice walk next to the creek and the gorge on the asphalt road.

Teotihuacán, Valley of Mexico, Mexico

Teotihuacán is an important archaeological site of the Valley of Mexico, containing some of the largest Mesoamerican pyramids ever built in pre-Columbian America. The site also contains large residential complexes, the Avenue of the Dead, and numerous wall paintings where the colors have been well preserved. Its origin is around 200 BC. JC and researchers believe that the Pyramid of the Sun (the largest) was completed around the year 100 AC. JC. and they calculate that the city was inhabited until the VI or VII century. The city is located at the current location of the municipalities of San Juan Teotihuacan and San Martin de las Pirámides in the State of Mexico, Mexico (about 40 km from Mexico City). It contains the Avenue of the dead (the main central avenue), the pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (Feathered Serpent) and many palaces and lesser temples but there is no fortification or military structure in the city. Currently archaeologists continue excavation to determine more history of the city. In 2003, they discovered a tunnel, about 1,800 years 100 meters long under the Feathered Serpent Temple leading to a series of tunnels and chambers that are carved into the rock.

Tips

When you visit the site, try to visit the museum where you’ll find objects of everyday life, statues, tools, etc. that will help you to discover a little more about the history of the city.
Visit also the shops around the site where you will find crafts with different items representing this lost civilization. You will have the opportunity to taste the famous liquor cactus in different flavors, a traditional drink, always appreciated in the country.