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
VENICE
1. Go early morning in San Marco and visit the Basilica, it's always full of tourists but you have to do it! It's free to enter in the Basilica but after you have to pay some part if you want to see more we decided to visit the treasure for 3€ and the terrace for 5€ It's really worth it!!
2. Get lost in the street of Venice! To understand this unique city you need to get lost in this labyrinthe of streets and bridges. It's another world and lifestyle, no cars but only your foot and boats, just incredible.
3. Do a gondole ride! We know it's really cliché and expensive 80€ minimum but it's a symbole of Venice! It's the thing you will do once in your life. We did it during lunch time and could negociate a bit the price but it's not that easy we just saved 10€. It's really relaxing that the 30min went so fast, a lovely moment.
4. Visit the bookstore, Libreria Acqua Alta. An atypical place with a huge book collection inside boat shelves. You can also walked on a book staircase and seat outside surrounded by book walls. The little gem we like to discover when we travel.
5. For sunrise, climb the Scala Contarini del Bovolo. For 7€ you have access to the art gallery and to go at the top of the tower. At the top you have an amazing view of Venice. It was also relatively quiet no queue and 2 other tourists when we arrive. So we really enjoy the view, the place and it's peacefulness.
6. Eat in an Ostaria. Typical bar/tapas from Venice. You drink and eat cicchetti, little tapas on bread. You can find a lot around Rialto bridge (A bridge you should cross even if it's super touristic!) But be ready it is usually crowded and small so you can be stand up. It's really good but a bit expensive around 2 euros the tapas so we started there and we finish in a place called FARINI that sell pizza! Really cheap for Venice and really good! I recommend it for the small budget! (Sorry we were to hungry so no picture of cicchetti... oupssi )
7. Take the bus boat to experience Venician life. In Venice the boat are the means of transport. One way ticket cost 7euros, it's quite expensive so if you know you take the boat more than twice in the day take a day pass that cost 20euros. In two days, we did one day only by foot and the second day we use the day pass that also allow us to visit the island of Murano and Burano.
8. Visit Murano glass making workshop. Murano is really close from Venice by bus boat. We advise you to don't go too late because the workshop close around 4pm. You can pay around 3€ the entrance to see the glass master working, really impressive and you can ask questions. In the town you have also lot of shops where you can buy this wonderful glass creations.
9. Visit Burano, the colorful town. Burano is on the same bus boat line of Murano it's the next stop. We were positively surprised by Burano. It's a really cute town full of colorful houses and canals. It's also famous for the lace. We highly recommend you to visit it!
10. If you are in the good period, you can go and check the Biennale of Venice. We had the chance to be there at the moment of this art event. Our favorite creation was "Building Bridges" of the Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn.
