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
-
NORTH EUROPE
. ICELAND . AMSTERDAM . BRIGHTON . LONDON .
IN AFRICA
- THE TRAVEL TIPS FROM A NOMADIC COUPLE -
NOMADICS AGAPEORNIS
10 THINGS TO DO IN
SOUTH CORSICA
Corsica is called the beauty island. And when you visit this French Island located in the mediterranean sea just next to Italy you will quickly understand why we call it like this.
Here our recommendations for the south of the island. The best is definitely to rent a car or to come with your own car to visit the island. Public transport is not really convenient there. You can arrive in the south of the island by the aiport of Figari or by boat via Bonifacio, Propriano or Porto Vecchio.
1. Visit Bonifacio. Bonifacio is the city at the southest point of the island. The old town is on the edge of a cliff, quite impressive. The old town is beautiful with its charming little streets, restaurants and shops. You can also enter in the beautiful little churches or visit Le Gouvernail for few euros it's an tunnel built in 1880 by French military engineering, with a view on the skyline and Sardinia. In fact from the top of the old town you can see the Italian Island. When you leave the old town by the pedestrian main entrance if you continue along the cost you will discover a nice walk / easy hike to do where you can discover a beautiful panoramic terrace. The view is just amazing. And down you have the beautiful port with amazing boats parked and nice restaurants, shops and bars.
2. Take a boat and discover the Lavezzi island. The Archipelago of Lavezzi is a collection of small granite islands and reefs next to Bonifacio that separates Corsica from Sardinia. A beautiful spot where you can swim and do some snorkeling. To go there you can rent a boat if you have your boat driver license or book a boat day tour (but we would avoid the big shuttle boat tour really advise you to book something smaller to enjoy better your day). Whatever you choose we really advise you to book a full-day boat, to stop to Cavallo Island also called “Billionaires island” and do some beach mostly accessible by boat that you will find more direction Porto Vecchio.
3. Visit Porto Vecchio. City located on the south east cost of the island. Nice port with beautiful boats. And charming old town on the top of a hill. We advise you to go down next to porte genoise to have a beautiful view of the salt marshes and the bay of Porto Vecchio. In the old town you have a lot of bars, restaurants and shops. It's always a nice and dynamic atmosphere. In summer everyone is out until late hanging out in bars, drinking and enjoying the night.
4. Go to the beach. The beaches in Corsica are just amazing. The water is turquoise and calm, the beach are quite clean and in the nature. Some of the beaches will have a restaurants, and activities such as jetski, pedalo, canoe, ... You can also do a horse ride on the beach just need to book in advance. Here a list of some of our favourite beach but there are so much more:
- Santa Giulia / Palombadggia (South Porto Vecchio)
- Pinarellu (North Porto Vecchio)
- Rondinara / Piantarella / Petit Sperone (between Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio)
- Roccapina / Stagnolu / Argent / Tralicetu (between Bonifacio and Propriano)
- Portigliolo (South Propriano)
- Cupabia (North Propriano)
5. Visit Propriano. Propriano is a popular seaside resort on the south west cost. A real traditional feel and relaxed atmosphere. It is the perfect place to lounge, indulge yourself with a lazy lunch or simply watch the world go by. It is also an important departure point for boat trips and water sports. And around the city you will find beautiful beaches
6. Gain height and enjoy the island from above. For the one that like thrills do a skydiving. Morgane skydived in Corsica and it was one of her best experience. Skydiving it's an amazing experience, but doing it in Corsica it's just incredible. The landscapes are amazing! The blue sea on one side and the green mountain on the other. She went to school of skydiving Valinco, it is at just 10min away by car from Propriano. The team was super nice. And it's something you will remember all your life! If you prefer calmer activities we can also rent a helicpoter to enjoy the beauty island. Amazing experience also, you will be so amazed. Heli Sud Porto Vecchio propose different kind of route to discover the island, from 89 euros per person.
7. Hike in the forest. In the middle of Corsica you have moutains, lake, waterfall, rivers, forests,... To find all these spots we recommend you to take the road D268 and D368 from Solenzara to Porto Vecchio via Zonza. By the way Zonza is a really cute village in the mountain. On the road D268 you have the Aiguilles de Bavella (Rocky spikes of red granite that dominate the hill), so around there you have lot of hike available, including a part of GR20. But be careful, there are not easy you have to be prepared. If you are a beginner like us on the road D368, next to the lake of Ospedale, you can do a easy hike to join the waterfall Piscia di Ghjaddu. It's about an hour and you will feel so grateful when you will arrive in front of the 60m high waterfall. And next to the lake of Ospedale that is beautiful by the way, you have Xtrem Sud where you can do some rock climbing and tree climbing safely.
8. Swim and jump in natural pools and rivers. Let recommend you 2 places next to Porto Vecchio but there are so much more. The first are the naturel pools of Cavu, located at only 15min of Sainte Lucie de Porto Vecchio. Really nice and beautiful place, perfect to spend a day. The next spots are on the road D268 next to Solenzara. We recommend you to be attentive on the road because it's not always really well indicated where you can exactly stop to join the river. To help you here few stops: Next to U Rosumarinu camping/restaurant (nice but crowded in summer), at the Snack de Gaglioli (you have a rock 3m high where you can jump, and if you follow the river downstream you will find higher spot to jump like 7/8m), next to Camping U Ponte Grossu (just after this camping you cross the river and few meter after you have many parking spots) and just after the bridge of Fiumicelli (if you follow the river upstream you will find nice and isolated natural pools). For the one that like thrills we recommend you do book a canyoning activity. It's a nice way to discover nice hidden spots. Be ready because it's quite physical! You have to book in advance, here some names : Corsica Forest Canyoning, Corsica Canyon, Xtrem South Canyon, Bavella Canyon,...
9. Eat Corsican specialities. Corsican food is full of flavour and proudly local. We recommend you to try some Corsican cheese. The most popular are the broccio (really soft similar to riccotta) and the tomme de chevre (strong, full-flavoured goat milk cheese). Usually the goat cheese is served with a fig jam and it's excellent together! You also need to try Corsican charcuterie such as Figatellu (smoked, dried pork liver sausage), Coppa (shoulder and neck cuts of a pig air dried), Lonzu (smoked and peppered pork), Prisuttu (Corscian cured ham). Advice take a sharing platter cheese and charcuterie, the best way to discover this delicious food. Some special dishes you also have wild boar casserole that is super tasty or Aubergine à la Bonifacienne that as Italian vibes and will remember you the parmigiana. You can also taste fresh seafood and fish. And for dessert they use a lot of chestnuts.
10. Listen some live Corsican song. In summer you will find lot of event where you can listen traditional Corsican Song. To know where it happens be aware you will find in the city flyers and posters promoting it. Or you can ask to the tourist office of the city. If not some bars do live music with Corsican song. In Porto Vecchio the Corsican music live bar is called la Taverne du Roi.