Casablanca

More than most Moroccan cities, Casablanca (Dar el-Beida – the white house) is modern.  Most visitors inevitably pass through « Casa » as Moroccans affectionately call the city, and it is a delightful place to spend a day or two.  The souks are more hassle free than most, it is easy to get around and there is plenty of art deco and art nouveau architecture along its broad boulevards.  But don’t come looking for the Casablanca of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman – the film was shot entirely in Hollywood.  Main point of interest and the only monument is the Hassan II Mosque built by the father of the present King Mohamed VI who wanted to build a mosque on the water.