A WEEK IN
MOROCCO
Day 1: Marrakech
We arrived in Marrakech around midday. We took a taxi to go to our riad in the heart of the medina (the old city) (tips: bargain the taxi price at the airport). Warm welcome in our riad called Jnane Mogador with a Moroccan tea. A charming riad with a lovely staff. We planed to walk in the souk of Marrakech the afternoon and to discover Moroccan craft objects. (tips if you want to buy a souvenir bargain the price, divide it by 2 or 3). But first we took a fresh orange juice on the place Jemaa el Fna, so sweet and so good! And we had lunch on one of the rooftop restaurant of the place Jemaa El Fna. At the end of the day we came back to our riad where we book a hammam and massage so relaxing and the prices were fair! The night in the middle of the place Jemaa al fna, animation and restaurant take place. We decide to have dinner in one of those restaurant, simple and authentic food.
Day 2: Desert trip : Marrakech - Atlas Mountain - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Dades
It's easier and cheaper to book a desert trip with an agency. It's lot of drive to do in few days! They usually propose you 2, 3 or 4 days in the desert, with 2 days you will not see at all the nice desert dunes so we advise you 3 or 4 days. We personally choose 3 days with Traces Berbères (We booked more than once with them they reply quick and are reliable).
First stop was in the Atlas Mountain, it wasn't snowing but around December you can see snow. We were at 2260m above the sea level the view was amazing. Second stop the village of Ait Ben Haddou, a traditional village made famous by the cinema, use for exemple in Game of Throne. Third stop the city of Ouarzazate, the Moroccan hollywood, with cinema studios, most of the movie related to middle east are made here! Crossing the rose valley where they made rose water, we finally arrive in our hotel in Dades Boulemane. A charming hotel called Jardin de la Source and a lovely staff.
Day 3: Desert trip: Dades - Tinghir - Todra - Merzouga
On the way to the desert of Merzouga but two more stop before. The first stop was in the village of Tinghir, a berber village. We were welcomed by a guide that show us around and the berber rug weaving. (tips: during your trip don't forget to give to the guides and driver a little something at the end). The second stop was in the Todra Gorge. We feel so small in front of this canyon cliff. Morgane went there younger to climb it. In fact it's a nice natural climbing spot!
We arrive before sunset in the dunes of Merzouga, our camels were waiting us for a ride of 1h30. Amazing landscape with the sunset but ride camels is painful after a while! We finally arrived in our camp for the night. The berber guide offered us a shisha, before dinner, and after we were all seating around the fire singing and listening traditional berber song. The sky was full of stars and be careful you can also see shooting stars (tips: in winter is really cold in the desert, so bring warm clothes)
Day 4: Desert trip: Merzouga - Marrakech
The next morning we woke up before sunrise and we did the way back at the back of a pick up! We first drunk a tea in a nomad village. And after we drove to the highest dune, that we climbed (it wasn't easy!) to see an breathtaking view with the sunrise! A magic moment. Back in the pick up, riding the dunes we had trills! And now 9h of drive to come back to Marrakech! A long trip but it was worth it!
Day 5: Marrakech
Last night we change hotel to be in the Palmeraie and discover another side of Marrakech more peaceful. This second hotel is called Murano. The morning we went to the visit the Jardin Majorelle, an amazing place that inspire YSL for it's creation. I advise you to also visite the Museum YSL it's really interesting and well done. Both of them cost around 15£ and we advise you to go early morning because there is always a queue in front!
For lunch we came back in the hotel to enjoy the swimming pool and relax like a real princess and prince life! And the afternoon we did a quad tour. It's an activity that Morgane was always doing young when she was going to Marrakech. And it's so much fun! Daniele love it too! Don't be scared of the speed, and to be dirty because you will eat lot of sand!
Day 6: Essaouira
On the road between Marrakech and Essaouira, look around because you can see goats on argan trees! We arrive for lunch in Essaouira a costal city. We first went to the fish market, authentic place where you can't be picky with the smell and the cleanliness. You can also see all this blue fishermen traditional boats. Next to it you have a square with lot of restaurants that propose you fresh fish from the market on the BBQ, super good and super cheap, we paid 30£ for 4 poeple. After that we walk to the rampart of the medina. We got lost in the street and bought our souvenirs here because so much cheaper than Marrakech. In this relaxing atmosphere we drunk a tea in a cafe under the sunset listening street singer. We really enjoy the simplicity, authenticity and relaxed atmosphere of the city. After having dinner in a rooftop restaurant we come back in our cute riad called Chems Bleu.
Day 7: Oualidia
On the costal road direction Casablanca we stopped for lunch in the city of Oualidia. Famous for its oysters. We advised you to eat in the restaurant L'araignée Gourmande. Since she is kid Morgane was going there, it's a safe bet! After dinner enjoy a walk on the beach. You can also do a little boat tour on this colorful and cute boats. And you can drive to Casablanca.
IN AFRICA
RESTAURANTS
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NORTH EUROPE
. ICELAND . AMSTERDAM . BRIGHTON . LONDON .
IN AFRICA
- THE TRAVEL TIPS FROM A NOMADIC COUPLE -
NOMADICS AGAPEORNIS
10 THINGS TO DO IN
PUERTO VIEJO
Puerto Viejo is a town on the caribbean coast close to the border of Panama. Caribbean vibes, nature and parties on the beach, if you want to disconnect from reality here is your place. You have to know that Costa Rica is quite expensive as a destination of Central America but it's also the perfect place if you are a nature lover.
1. Walk to playa Cocles. From Puerto Viejo you have a beach path that goes to cocles it’s a really nice path between nature and sea. 20 min later you will arrive at playa Cocles with this mystic rock in the middle of the sea. Really like the vibes. But be careful the waves are usually super strong ! It’s also known as a surf spot.
2. Go to playa Negra. Playa Negra is a black sand beach in Puerto Viejo. It’s a really long beach you can do a morning or sunset walk it’s really nice. You can also swim usually there are not too much waves.
3. Watch sunset at Puerto Pirata. The sunset are just amazing in Puerto Viejo. And one the best spot is at the bar Puerto Pirata. Enjoy a nice cocktail or beer watching this amazing sunset view. If you like parties we advise you to stay late because usually on this beach there are parties on the beach.
4. Relax at playa chiquita. Playa Chiquita is a beach south of Puerto Viejo, accessible by bike, it’s about 30 min. It’s a really quiet beach. No strong waves and not a lot of people. Lot of rocks and corals that create pools to swim. And if you take your mask you can snorkel and see some fishes. A bit futher you also have the beach of Punta Uva that is also super nice and a nice spot for surf.
5. Discover the national park of Cahuita. The national park of Cahuita is North oh Puerto Viejo. There is 2 entrances one in the town of Cahuita and the second on the road between Cahuita and Puerto Viejo. We advise you to enter via the town entrance, the entrance price is a donation so you can give what you want, and to go out via the second entrance. We went at the opening and stayed until 2 / 3pm. We took food with us. We really liked this park because first you have different landscapes, and also because you will see lot of animals. We saw birds, monkeys, crabs, racoons, squirrels, snakes, frogs …
6. Discover the national park of Manzanillo. The national park of Manzanillo is South of Puerto Viejo. We think the entrance price is a donation too. At the beginning of the park you have a nice look up. But after the path is not amazing we definitely preferred the path of Cahuita Park. It was also super muddy because of the rains. And we also didn’t see animals. But we found an amazing hidden beach and just for that is worth it to go. It was not easy to found the beach we asked many people on the way, some found it, others no… At first we didn’t find it, it’s finally on the way back that we saw the path to go to this amazing. To help all the futurs traveller on the path you will see a private propriety with a blue house on your right. The path will be on your left in front of the propriety. It’s a really small path so look well ;)
7. Rent a bike. We advise you to rent a bike it will allow you to travel around and to discover different beaches. We can found bikes rental everywhere in the town.
8. Drink pipas. You will find pipas everywhere. The pipas are the green coconut. The coconut water is delicious and super tasty !
9. Zipline. We advise you to book a zipline activity with nativos. It was a super experience! It was the first time for Dani, the first ones he was a bit scared but from the third zipline he started to love it! Me it’s the kind of activities I love to do. And it was the first time that I did it in the jungle, in this incredible landscapes, we even pass next to a slot that was looking at us! It was just amazing! Highly recommended.
10. Eat a caribbean dish on the beach. We found this little restaurant in Puerto Viejo that cooked traditional caribbean dish in front of the beach. It’s perfect for lunch time and it’s not too expensive. The name is Soda El Ranchito.
LOOK WELL AROUND BECAUSE YOU CAN MEET THIS LITTLE GUY ON YOUR WAY TO THE BEACH !!!
