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
LISBON
We really loved Lisbon, amazing architecture and landscape with a relax atmosphere and welcoming people. We also recommend you our hotel, good values, nice decoration and good localization, it is called Selina.
1. Go to the praça do comercio, colorful and charming architecture this square is an icon of the city. Next to it you have the cais das colunas that was the entrance for the nobles. And on the other side you have the arc of Augusta street. If you walk this street you will find on your left the famous lift of Santa Justa where you can have a nice view. But the queue was huge so we couldn't go.
2. Visit Alfama. Alfama is the old town of Lisbon. From there most of the visitors visits the castle of Sao Jorge ( entrance 10€) because we visited a lot of castles in the city of Sintra we didn't do it. But when we got lost in the street of Alfama, we find the Torre da Igreja do Castelo (entrance 2,5€), this is a bell tower where you have one of the highest view. Moreover you have access to the exhibition that is in the church next door, where it explain you how was the area of Alfama in the past and how it keeps its identity nowadays.
3. Take the tramway. In Lisbon you can still find old tramway. A good way to discover the city in a charming means of transport. You can't be in the rush also because the cars and tramway are sometimes on the same way . But it's perfect to rest your legs, because Lisbon is full of hills, you will have to walk up and down, take good shoes and be ready to work out your legs.
4. Go a mirador to enjoy the view. Lisbon center is surrounded by lookouts where you can have an amazing view. Our little favorite was the Mirador of Santa Luzia, the view was amazing but the place also, like a little park full of charm with its traditional tiles.
5. Go to Belem. Belem is a town next to the sea where was located Lisbon’s shipyards and docks, and from here departed the 15th-century voyages that discovered the sea routes to India, East Africa and Brazil. You can see there the Belem tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument and Gothic Jerónimos Monastery. From Lisbon you just need to take a tramway and in 20min you are there. In there you can also find lot of sea food restaurants.
6. Eat the famous pasteis de Belem. The pasteis natal is the traditional pastry in Portugal and every places has a receipe slightly different. We really advise you to eat the one in Belem, it was just delicious. There is always queue in front but it goes quick and it’s quite cheap it will cost only 1.15€ for one.
7. Listen a Fado. The fado is the traditional music genre of Portugal, really impressive and full of emotion. We really recommend you to go to Tasca do Chico, the place is authentic and offer the best deal. You have to go there the same day at 7pm to book your seats. Don't be late because it's a cosy and small place so it will be full quickly. And you have to spend at least 10€ per person in foods and drinks, the show is free. The food is good and typical so it's also the moment to try Portuguese speciality. Ask to have a table on the room of the entrance to see better. The show start at 8pm but on the street you have lot of cheap bars where you can enjoy a drink.
8. Eat Portuguese specialities. You have to eat codfish in Lisbon, it's the typical fish. You can find it in pastry: pastel de Bacalhau, in salad with lot of oignons (picture) or cooked usually served with potatoes. You also have to try the typical Caldo verde a vegetable soup with kale sometimes served with grilled chorizo. In Portuguese cuisine you can find lot of sea food: grilled sardine, fried fish, octopus, squids...
9. See the view at the Cristo Rei. In Lisbon they also have a huge Christ statue on the other side. It's not easy that easy to get there but the view from the other side was really incredible.
10. Go to Sintra. Sintra is a city at 40min of train from Lisbon. Sintra is a unique city where the architecture and monument could inspire many fairytales. Many places to see in Sintra but have to choose 3 of them. When you arrive in Sintra we advise you to take a bus pass for the bus N434 and cost 6€. The first stop was the Castelo dos Mouros, a medival castle with a crazy view. The second stop was Palacio Pena, a incredible Palace with a unique and colorful architecture, our favorite place! Unfortunately it was really crowded and we didn't had time to visit around the palace. The last stop was Quinta da Regaleira, this palace has a unique garden, with caves, initiation wells, tunnels, waterfalls, fountains, lakes,... we really felt like in a fairytales. Sintra is something I will advise you to do if your are in Lisbon because it's just unique. You can find more information on the post : one day, one place: Sintra.
