Although the Hassan II Grand Mosque in Casablanca was built in the 1990's, it has quickly become one of the most famous sites in Casablanca.
Photo © 2002 Linda Garrison, licensed to About.com, Inc.

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Just the mention of the word "Casablanca" stirs emotions in many of us. After all, most have seen the famous Bogart/Bergman movie of the same name or read stories about Casablanca's role in the history of Africa and Europe. Although Casablanca was the French colonial administrative center in the early 20th century, today it is the commercial capital of the kingdom of Morocco and home to over four million citizens. Little of the atmosphere from the first half of the 20th century remains, but the old town still holds fascination for most visitors.

Silversea has three shore excursions in Casablanca, including one that allows passengers to overnight in Marrakech, rejoining the ship at its next port of call.

• Overland to Marrakech & Safi -- 1.5 days ($598 in August 2002)
Like Casablanca, Marrakech is often thought of as exotic and mysterious. The tour takes participants via bus for 4 hours from Casablanca to Marrakech. This sounds like a long ride, but the opportunity to spend the night at the fabulous La Mamounia Hotel might well be worth it! Arriving in Marrakech, passengers will first have a photo stop at the Koutoubia Mosque before checking in at the luxurious Moorish hotel and having lunch at La Mamounia's renowned restaurant Le Marocain. The afternoon in Marrakech will be spent touring Majorelle Gardens and the Dar Si Said Museum, ending up at he medina (old town). Dinner will be at one of the fine restaurants in the medina. After dinner and overnight at the hotel, the tour will visit the Bahia Palace and the Menara Gardens before driving the 2.5 hours on to Safi in time for lunch on the ship.

• Casablanca & the Grand Mosque -- 4.5 hours ($42 in August 2002)
For those who haven't visited Casablanca or who don't want to splurge on Marrakech, a city tour is a good way to see the Casablancan highlights. The tour includes a stop at the Grand Mosque built in 1993 and a walk through the Habbous Quarter. The mosque is a blend of traditional Moroccan architecture and new technology.

• The Grand Mosque and Rabat -- 8 to 8.5 hours ($108 in August 2002)
The Hassan II Grand Mosque cost over $800 million to build in 1993 and includes a retractable roof and fifty one-ton chandeliers made of frosted Venetian glass. Over 30 thousand craftsmen worked for six years on its construction. After touring the Hassan II Mosque, the bus will ride the 1.5 hours to Rabat, the second largest city in Morocco. The king's primary residence is in Rabat, and the city is known for its beautiful landscaping. The tour will include a visit to the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum Mohamed V. Before returning to Casablanca, the bus will take passengers to the Oudaya Kasbah, which features splendid views of the Atlantic, before returning to Casablanca.

• Casablanca On Your Own
The Silver Whisper docks about 3 miles from downtown. Shopping for handicrafts, copper ware, pottery, embroidered clothing, carpets, and silver jewelry in the bazaar sounds like a lot of fun. Bargaining for a good price in the souq (bazaar) is an accepted practice. The dirham (not the new Euro) is the local currency. One word of caution about shopping is that the vendors and guides in Casablanca may be aggressive. For those seeking a beach, the best are located east of Casablanca along the Corniche.

Casablanca is on the tip of Africa, and it provides visitors with a look at Moroccan and Muslamic culture, with a twist of French added. Sounds fascinating! Next, the Silver Whisper sails down the coast to Safi.

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