We arrived in the port of Tanger Med by ferry from Algeciras, Spain. It was very organized and short crossing of 3 hours 35 minutes. From here we traveled by taxi to bustling Tanger city for €65.
Tangier sits in the Mediterranean, across the straight of Gibraltar from Tarifa and very close to the Atlantic. Its bustling Medina of narrow streets and myriad shops invites you to walk and discover.
By car we headed across the Rif valley, skirting around numerous villages and farms at the base of the Atlas Mountains. We drove about three hours to the village of Chefchaouen. We noticed an impressive sea of blue and white buildings hugging the hillside. We parked and climbed up over 100 steps up to our hotel, the smell of roses and Jasmine emanated from everywhere on the property. Chefchaouen is an incredible place to visit for the food and hiking.
Our drive to Fez was an interesting one. We were stopped several times by the police who claimed we always made driving infractions for which we must pay. They would show us a fine on a big book, reduce the fine significantly then tell us to have a good trip after we paid. On the way we encountered some old customs: donkeys being used for everyday tasks; drawing of water, produce and for transporting people. Fez has the largest and oldest Medina in Morroco. To visit, you will need a tour guide to navigate the maze of shops and alleys. Our guide showed us a plethora of things sold here including the leather and dye factory, numerous carpet, textiles and clothing stores. The best part for us was strolling down dark passageways to emerge at some exquisite shops where we were invited to have mint tea and learn about the Berber people living in the Atlas mountains and their centuries-old weaving talents and traditions.
From Fez we continued to Casablanca and Marrakech. Casablanca is mostly commercial and home to the spectacular Hassan II mosque jutting out on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Marrakesh was very tourist oriented. The Medina is smaller than in Fez but it is a very busy city.
We left Marrakech for Essaouira. Located on the Atlantic coast, this soon proved to be our favorite city in Morroco. With warm days and cool evening temperatures, it was the perfect summer. Many outdoor activities are possible, including city tours, food tours, camel back riding, Quad rides over dunes, sailing, surfing and many more. From Tangier to Essaouira, we found the Morrocan people charming, helpful and welcoming.
Tips for Visiting
1. Do not bring ant types of drones. You will have to pay a fine and you will receive it back as you leave the country.
2. Have local cash ready to pay the traffic cops if you plan to drive. You will also need it to pay tolls.
3. Dress modestly outdoors, especially in rural areas, it’s a sign of understanding and respect.
4. Try different foods. You can be surprised by the culinary creativity of the locals.
5. If you visit any shop and are invited to tea, it means they want to sell you something. It’s okay to politely decline the tea.
Walk good,
PHB
Nuevo Nomads 