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
LONDON
1. Visit the iconic monuments of London. If you are in London for the first time you want to see the icons of the city such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace or Tower Bridge.
⬇ Buckingham to Big Ben - West London ⬇
Let's start in Buckingham Palace Garden and Buckingham Palace (changing guard starts around 11am) then you cross St James's Park (where you can see squirrels) to arrive at the household cavalry museum (where you can take picture with horse guards). Then you take the parlement street in direction of the Parlement square, the Parlement and Westminster abbey (where all the royal wedding happened). Then you need to take Westminster Bridge where you will see Big Ben and the London Eye. This is a nice walk that maybe can take you an hour but you will see the essential of London monuments. You can do in this order or in the opposite way as you prefer.
⬇ Tower bridge to Millenium Bridge - East London ⬇
Let's start with the iconic Tower Bridge and on the north end of the bridge you have Tower of London, a historical castle that was the majesty royal palace and fortress. Then you can walk direction St Paul cathedral that is at 20min and take the pedestrian Millenium bridge that linked the cathedral to the Tate Modern museum.
2. Check out those iconic squares: Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square Trafalgar square.
⬇ Piccadilly Circus - At the beginning of Regent Street ⬇
Piccadilly Circus is a busy square in the heart of London. With its big neon advertising, it will remember you Time Square but in miniature version. The statue of Piccadilly a meeting point, but also a space where people sit to enjoy the city life and the street artists shows.
⬇ Leicester Square - Between Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden ⬇
Leicester square is a pedestrian square with restaurants and iconic shops, such as M&M's world and Lego. In December, a christmas market take place in this square. Just behind Leicester square you have Chinatown, pretty area with red lanterns and asians restaurants.
⬇ Trafalgar square - In front of National Gallery ⬇
On this square you have the Nelson’s Column. This enormous structure in the middle of the square that was designed to honor Admiral Horatio Nelson after his death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. You can also find 4 big lions statues that is guarding the Nelson Column and two huge fountains. Always busy, events are regularly organized on this square.
3. Go to Covent Garden district. Covent Garden is one of our favorite area of London. Really cute area with paved streets, restaurants and shops. In the central square of Covent Garden you had a fruit and vegetable market, nowadays you can find shops and restaurant instead but they keeps its beautiful architecture. Around the market you will always find talented street artists. Covent garden is surrounded by theaters, it's the best place to see a musical or a play. And our little hidden gem of Covent Garden, that you have to see is the Neal's Yard, a hidden colorful courtyard with little restaurants, shops and street art.
4. Do some shopping. London is a capital of fashion. All fashion style are welcomed in London. So it's one of the best place to do some shopping. We told you that Covent Garden is one of the place where you can do some shopping but let us introduce you five others places.
⬇ Oxford Street - From Tottenham Court Road station to Marble Arch station⬇
Oxford street is THE shopping street. In this big streets you fill find popular brand such as Primark, Zara, H&M, Top Shop, ... Oxford Circus is the middle of this street, and usually on each side you have the same shop with some exception of course.
⬇ Regent street - Between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus ⬇
In this beautiful street you will also find popular brand but also more expensive brand like Guess, Ralph Lauren, Mickeal Kors, ... You also have one of the biggest toys store : Hamleys.
⬇ Carnaby Street - Parallel to Regent Street ⬇
The cute street of Carnaby street (always well decorated for Christmas), is a pedestrian street where you can find popular and trendy brands. A bit hidden in Carnaby Street you have a nice food court called Kingly court. At the north end of the street you have the shop Liberty. In this beautiful building you can find luxury fabrics, designer clothing, stylish homewares and sumptuous beauty products. We really advise you to have a look inside.
⬇ Mayfair - Between Regent Street and Oxford Street ⬇
Mayfair is a posh area. You will find designer and luxury brand such as Victoria Secret, Chanel, Gucci, ... The main shopping street is New Bond Street.
⬇ Knightsbridge - Under Hyde Park ⬇
Knightsbridge is also a posh area. You will find luxury brand and popular brand such as Zara, Ted Baker, Guess, COS... But the main shop to see in Knightsbridge it's Harrods, with 5000 brands, shop designer fashion and accessories, luxury beauty, fine jewellery and watches, food, furniture and more. Harrods is a London icon.
5. Go to a market. London is full of market where you can shop and eat different kind of food. We will propose you 5 different markets, choose the one you want to see.
⬇ Camden Market - North London⬇
Camden is a vibrant and colorful area. Camden market is made of 6 different markets next to each others. You can find all your tourists souvenirs, antiquity, fashion, multi cultural food,... There one shop that you need to see that is called Cyberdog you will feel in another world. Next to it you have the original cafe Cereal Killer where you can eat any kind of cereals. To eat we like to go next to Camden Lock where you have a large choices of different world cuisine and a nice view of the canals.
⬇ Brick Lane Market - East London⬇
Located in the cool and trendy area of Shoreditch, also popular for its street art and graffitis. Brick Lane market is the artistic and stylish market, all long Brick Lane street. The best day to go is Sunday to be sure everything is open. You can find vintage clothes, craft goodies, second hands, food stands,... We recommend you to eat the at the iconic place of Brick Lane street: Beigel Bake and take of course the famous salted beef beigel. We also advise you to do the Upmarket, outside you have some street art and inside in the basement you have a large choice of vintage clothes and accessories.
⬇ Portobello Market - West London ⬇
Located in the area trendy and posh area of Notting Hill with colorful and pretty houses. Portobello market is a vintage and stylish market. The best days to go it's Friday or Saturday. The market is located in the long street of Portobello, you can find antiquity, jewelry, vintage clothes, and food. Poeple love to go there for a brunch, you have lot of nice brunch restaurant in Notting Hill like Granger & Co, Farm Girl, ... but you will always find a huge queue in front.
⬇ Greenwish Market - South East ⬇
Located in the in the charming and historic borough of Greenwich. Greenwich is popular for its meridian, its maritime museum, its university and its market. This market is open Saturday and Sunday. In Greenwich market you will find crafts, antiquity, jewelry, and food. We really liked this market because we don't feel in London, every time we go to Greenwich we feel in a country side village. You can access Greenwich by bus, underground, overground, by ferry boat (really nice to take it to discover London from the river) or more atypical by the Greenwich foot tunnel (it's a foot tunnel under tames river).
⬇ Borough Market - South ⬇
Borough Market is one of the largest and oldest food market in London. You can find local products but also eat some international dishes. The best days to go are Wednesday to Saturday and you need to go the morning. From borough market you can join the river and walk through bank side.
6. Walk next to the river. The Thames is the longest river entirely in England and one of the icon of London. Situated in central London, the Thames divid London in two: North/South. From its banks you can admire a lot of London monuments. But the Thames also divid itself in different canals in the north side of London, where people live on boat. By walking next to the canals you will discover another side of London.
⬇ Walk Along The Thames ⬇
If you want to walk along the Thames river we advise you to do it on the south bank side between Tower Bridge and Westminster Bridge. The walk may take around an hour but you will discover many things. From Tower Bridge to Westminster bridge you will discover the Hay's Gallery, London Bridge, Borough Market, Golden Hide, Winchester Palace, Shakespeare's Globe, Tate Modern Museum, Wonderground, London eyes, ... And you will always have a nice view of the skyline of London North bank. You also have lot of piers on your way where you can take a ferry boat that travel on the Thames.
⬇ Walk Along Regent Canal ⬇
If you want to discover anther side of London, less touristic, we advise you to walk through Regent canal. Regent canal is long of 14km so obviously you can't do all of it. We recommend you to do from King Cross to Little Venice because on your way you will nice other place to visit. The walk take about 1h but it's a really nice walk, relaxing, that will show you another side of London. From King Cross to Little Venice you will discover Camden Town, Primrose Hill, Regent Park, ... and Little Venice, a bassin where you can find waterside cafes, cosy pubs and charming restaurants.
7. Walk in a park. You have a lot of park in London. Some of them has amazing view of the city, other has amazing plants and flowers, and some overflowing of squirrels or other animals. We will propose you 8 different parks that we liked but there is much more.
⬇ Hampstead Heath - North London ⬇
Located in the cute and quiet borough of Hampstead. Hampstead Heath is a huge park with a hill that offer you a beautiful view of the city. In summer people come here to spend the day, having a picnic and swim in the lake. There are 3 lakes where you can swim but be ready the water is really cold!!
⬇ Primrose hill & Regent park - Central / North London ⬇
In Primrose Hill park you have a big hill that offers you a beautiful view of the city. Really nice spot when there is fireworks in London. Regent park is just under Primrose hill. Big park with fountains, lake, playground, zoo, open air theatre, rose garden,... Perfect for families.
⬇ Hyde park - Central / West London ⬇
Hyde park is a huge park perfect place to lay down on the grass, have a walk, rent a boat on the lake, ... Lot of events happen in Hyde Park: the 20 of April it's weed day so everyone go there lay down and light a join at 4:20pm, end of November take place winter wonderland with attraction for Christmas and sometime take place some concert.
⬇ Holland Park - West London ⬇
Located next to the design museum. The park contains a café, Restaurant, an orangery, a giant chess set, a cricket pitch, tennis courts, youth hostel, a children's playground ,squirrels and peacocks. But the thing we prefer on Holland park are the two Japanese gardens.
⬇ Kew Garden - South West London ⬇
It is a botanic garden that houses the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world. Really nice to visit and discover the biodiversity. The entrance is not free it cost around £15.
⬇ Richmond park - South West London ⬇
Richmond park is the farthest but it's the wildest one. It is a National Nature Reserve where you can discover deers, around 650 deers are living there. The park is also an important refuge for other wildlife, including woodpeckers, squirrels, rabbits, snakes, frogs, toads, stag beetles and many other insects. If you need to escape from the city it's the place you need!
⬇ Greenwich - South East London ⬇
The best part of this park it's its hill where you have a breathtaking view of London city. On the top of this hill you also have the Royal Observatory and the Meridian line.
8. Do a museum. There is so many different kind of museums in London so we will propose you a lot but obviously you will have to choose. Most museum in London are free but if you want to see a specific exhibition you will have to pay.
⬇ For History Lover ⬇
- Natural History Museum - Nature and culture from the inside out - South Kensington Station.
- The British Museum - Two million years of human history & culture - Holborn station
- Museum of London - Discover the history of London - Barbican station
⬇ For Art Lover ⬇
- Tate Britain Museum - Art from 1500 to the present day - Pimlico Station
- Tate Modern Museum - Modern and contemporary art - Station Blackfriars+Millenium bridge
- National Gallery - The story of European art - Charing Cross Station
- Victoria and Albert Museum - Decorative arts and design - South Kensington station
- Saatchi Gallery - Contemporary art gallery - Sloane Square station
⬇ Atypical Museums ⬇
- Sir John Soane’s Museum - Visit the house of the British architect Sir John Soane, packed with classical sculpture, paintings and curiosities. - Holborn station
- Body World's - Exhibition of real human bodies - Entrance £24.5 - Piccadilly Circus Station
- Madam Tussaud - Life-size wax replicas of famous celebrities and historic icons - Entrance £32 online price - Baker Street station
- Design Museum - Inspiring insights into the world of design with exhibitions on fashion, architecture, graphics, product and digital design. - High Street Kensington Station
- Barbican Centre - A performing arts centre. You can visit for free this unique architecture, the indoor forest, the library,... you will have to pay for any exhibition or performance. And next to it you have a famous Bansky street art. - Barbican Station
9. Take the red bus. To take the typical red bus with two floors in London that is a public transport you need a travel card that you can use for bus or underground. This travel card is called Oyster Card, you can buy it in any underground station, then you can top up it un any station or in some off license shop. The card cost £5 and after you need to top up money on it to travel. In the bus you need to scan it at the entrance only and you need to press the bottom stop before your stop. 1h of bus cost you £1.50 and if you take the underground it cost you £2.40 in the zone 1 and £2.80 until zone 4. It's longer but it is cheaper and nicer to take the bus. And you will continue to discover the city through the window.
10. Drink a beer in a pub. Drinking a beer in a pub at the end of the day is a institution in London. In fact after work around 5pm all the pub are full because after work everyone go to have a beer. You have lot of pub all around London. The cheapest one are called Weatherspoon there are everywhere in London and you can drink for really cheap. After you have the cosy and traditional pub with a low lighting inside and wooden bar and furniture And you have more fancy and trendy bar that served beer but also cocktails. Little tips: download the app DUSK, this app suggests you lot of pubs and bars and sometimes you can have free drinks or discount. CHEERS!
