Courtyard of the Medersa Bou Inania, Meknès. Image: Rex
If you’re already busy planning your 2019 adventures before 2018 is over, we feel you – and we have one suggestion for you in our region. A Moroccan city has just been named as one of Lonely Planet’s top destinations for the year ahead, thanks to its fusion of breathtaking architecture, warm hospitality, and rich history. Meknès lies in the central north of the North African country, and was once the capital of the nation, under the rule of Sultan Moulay Ismail.
One of the four Imperial cities of Morocco, the scenic Meknès is renowned for its 17th-century fortifications that surround the city, the Bab al-Mansour gate, and its historic, UNESCO-certified medina. “At the heart of the city, [Sultan Moulay] Ismail’s elaborate mausoleum is a national treasure and it’s scheduled to emerge soon from a two-year, top-to-toe restoration, giving travelers more reason than ever to visit this under-appreciated imperial city,” the travel guide writes in its 2019 destination guide.
Meknès wasn’t the only spot from the region to score inclusion in Lonely Planet’s must-visit list for next year either. Jordan was named as one of the publication’s top 10 countries to visit, thanks to its rugged landscapes, adrenaline-pumping hikes, and archeological treasures. When it came to destinations that gave good value for money, Egypt’s Southern Nile Valley won a spot for its inexpensive food, excursions, and access to world-class historical sites. Now we’ve got the ideas, all we need is far more annual leave for 2019…
