After graduating from Kent State University, Ohio native Lalla Maria received a scholarship to study opera at the "MusikHochschule" in Vienna, Austria. When she arrived in Europe in 1975 she soon realized that she had found another home. After many years singing opera on Europes most prestigious stages, Maria decided that it was time to share her love of Europe, travel and foreign languages ( she speaks English, German, Italian, French and some Arabic) with another audience and she started working as a tourguide, travelling through the European countries that she called home.
She discovered Fez quite by accident when she came here to study classical Arabic. She fell in love with the people, the culture and the beauty of the ancient city of Fez, purchased a 400 year old house and began a two year process of "restauration--conservation" a true labour of love.
Her relationship with Fez has deepened and she is very involved in her neighborhood--never too busy to help with the homework of the local kids or share a meal with her neighbors. Today Maria divides her year between Europe and Morocco. She wishes you "Marhaban" welcome to Fez and welcome to her home, Dar Aqiba.
