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
ONE DAY ONE PLACE
SINTRA
If you are in Lisbon we really advise you to go in Sintra, it's at only 40min of train from Lisbon. You can go with the same ticket you use to take any transport in Lisbon city, the best deal is to take a ticket 24H deal that cost 10,60€ and with this you can take any transport in Lisbon and the train with return to Sintra. https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/buy/
8:30 We really advise you to take the train early morning because there is a lot to see in Sintra. Once you arrive in Sintra you need to take the bus 434. The bus is next to the entrance of the station, the ticket cost 6€ that you buy in front of the bus and you can take this bus as many time you want. This bus bring you to the most important monuments. If you stay one day it's the best itinerary.
10:00 The first stop is the castle dos Mouros. The origins of the castle date back to the 8th century and invasion of the Muslim Moors from North Africa. The fortifications of the Castelo dos Mouros offer you a great history point and an amazing view. We advise you to buy your entrance tickets here for the castle and the palacio da Pena (the next stop), you have a price if you buy the 2 together (21€/per) and you don't have to do the queue in the palacio.
11:15 The second stop is the Palacio da Pena, the stop the most popular. Between the two stops you can walk is not far at all and it avoids you to wait the bus. To access the palace you have a little hill so be ready to feel your legs burning but it's so worth it. The Palácio da Pena is one of the world’s most magnificent palaces. It's romanticism architecture style is just unique we were so impressed and amazed by this monument. You have lot of lookouts to enjoy the view and you can also visit the inside that is also incredible. It's also the attraction of Sintra so it's super crowded! So don't go to late and if you can go earlier do it! There is also a huge park around the palace that you can visit, we didn't had time for it and we decided to favor the park of the next stop.
13:00 Take the bus to go to the city center, it's the next stop called centro historico. Here you can have lunch and walk in the little street of the town.
14:00 From the city center you just need to walk 10 minutes to go in the last stop the The Quinta da Regaleira. (Entrance price 8€/per). It is an extravagant 19th century gothic mansion that is surrounded by the most elaborate of Sintra’s gardens. You will spend lot of time in this incredible garden discovering caves, initiation well, secret passages, fortifications, fontains, lakes, ... We really felt in a fairy tales landscape.
16:00 Walk back to the city center to take the bus, direction the train station. Take the train back to Lisbon with the same ticket.
This day was intense and rich of memories. We are really glad we visited the city of Sintra and we discovered all this incredible and unique places. We spend a bit more money as usual for this day (45€/per without the food) but it was so much worth it. We really recommend to do it because you will not see this anywhere else.