One Priceless Impact Morocco Has Made On the Luxury Car Industry

Morocco perhaps isn’t the first place that springs to mind when you think of luxury car brands. The North African nation has, however, made significant contributions to the industry.
There is a tree that grows in the Middle Atlas Mountains in Morocco – the Barbary thuya tree – that is highly prized for its beautiful wood. The scientific name is tetraclinis articulate, though most people simply refer to the tree as thuya. It is also sometimes spelt as thuja.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.Indigenous to Morocco, it has long been treasured, with wealthy people from the past choosing it for their household furnishings and used often for religious items. Oil extracted from the wood was also important in some religious rituals. Interestingly, the wood has also been named in some versions of the Bible!

Thuya wood has a fresh and distinctive fragrance, a deep colour, a surface that shines well, and an attractive burled grain. You will likely find ornate trinket boxes made from the prized wood as you wander around the nation’s souks and markets.
Working with the wood is a tradition that is generally passed down through the generations. While crafting the wood can be challenging enough in itself, the first major challenge is often selecting a suitable piece of wood that is big enough and attractive enough to work with.

The underground roots are typically favoured, with burls and patterns developing over the 70+ years that the trees take to mature. Often, the roots have become damaged over time, meaning that they aren’t suitable to craft into beautiful pieces.
So, what does this have to do with the luxury car industry?
Thuya wood has been used to create the dashboards of several luxury car makes, including Mercedes Benz, BMW, and the highly luxurious Rolls Royce. Indeed, thuya wood from Morocco was the first wood ever used in a Rolls Royce car.
In the early 1920s, when the company Rolls Royce came into existence, Thuya was chosen for the opulent and luxurious interiors of the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. The prestigious Silver Ghost has often been named the best car in the world, and also the most valuable. And, Moroccan thuya wood played a part in that!

Although thuya trees once grew in abundance across Morocco and Algeria, over-harvesting has created a great decline in the number of trees over the years. Where previously forests flourished, large areas are now barren.
Thuya remains in high demand and is still one of the most exclusive woods in the world, perhaps even more so now it’s in short supply. Unfortunately, the thuya industry in Morocco is not sustainable, so it is unlikely to feature in luxury vehicles or products for that much longer.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.