Ourika Valley

Cooler than Marrakesh in the Atlas Mountains

Beautiful Valley along the Ourika River

Tomb of former Chief Rabbi Solomon Bel-Hench

 

It is well kept by a Muslim family and you are welcome to pray and lit candles in the compound around the grave

One of the greatest natural sightseeing spots is Ourika Valley located 30 km south of Marrakech. The Ourika Valley lies in the first foothills of the High Atlas, a beautiful expanse of luxuriant green, its adobe villages clinging to the mountainsides.

Located in the Ourika Valley is the ancient town of Aghbalou. Here you will find the 500-year-old tomb of a former Chief Rabbi of Marrakesh, Solomon Bel-Hench, which rests on the edge of a mountain above a river. One particular trait of Moroccan Judaism is the honor of holy men, and Rabbi Shlomo is one of the most revered Jewish saints in Morocco. Hananiyah Alfassi, one of the few remaining Berber Jews of the Valley, has faithfully guarded his tomb for over 30 years. Whilst here you can visit him and the tomb as well as take in the general scenery. You can also walk around the many herb gardens and have some traditional mint tea Berber style before heading back to Marrakesh.

Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria, 2 million inhabitants, is situated on the banks of the Danube. The influx of visitors from all over the world has made Vienna the most popular urban tourist destination in Austria.

Vienna - a romantically imperial city: Vienna is a dream city for anyone with a romantic streak or an interest in history. Sightseeing opportunities are to be found in abundance. Wander along narrow, medieval alleyways or across imperial squares and lovely boulevards, view Schönbrunn Palace or the Imperial Palace in the footsteps of Sissi and Emperor Franz Josef, and marvel at the majestic architecture along the Ring boulevard. You can be inspired by an atmosphere steeped in history - which also boasts the comforts and infrastructure of a modern city!

These guide book descriptions of Vienna are true but, unfortunately, not the complete story of this complex city. I, however, was overwhelmed by the complex underbelly of the dark past which tainted my time in Vienna.