A WEEK IN
MOROCCO
Day 1: Marrakech
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
London is an international city, and many foreigners decide to move there. We both moved to London, Dani in 2016 and Morgane in 2017. It’s where we met in 2018, and we lived in London until 2020. We will give you all the tips to help you settle down in London.
THE VISA
As Europeans, it was super easy; we didn’t need to apply for any visa. But now with Brexit, things might have changed, so be careful to check the requirements thoroughly. You can find all the information on gov.uk.
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THE ACCOMMODATION
London rents are pretty high, so expect to rent a room in a shared house.
Where to look?
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The most popular website is SpareRoom. There are many choices, but you have to check them out carefully because sometimes there is a gap between the online advertisement and reality. So always visit before making any decisions. Some rooms on SpareRoom are listed by agencies; they often ask you to come to the office to show you pictures but never let you visit the house, and they will ask you to pay first… we would avoid this solution. It is important to visit beforehand!
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Another way to find a room is via Facebook groups. You can search using keywords like "room London," and you can also specify a neighborhood, like "room South London." Additionally, you can look in groups of your nationality if you want to live with people from your country, like "Les Français à Londres" or "Italiani a Londra."
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You can also check on Gumtree. It will have more listings from direct landlords, but there are fewer choices.
Ours tips:
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You need to be careful about the rent – sometimes the price is per month, but sometimes per week – the amount of the deposit, and the length of the contract.
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It’s always better to sign a contract, even if it’s directly with a landlord.
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London is huge; we advise you to find accommodation close to public transport and to check the public transport connections and the travel time between home and work/school.
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It is also really important to try to meet the housemates or ask for information about them. It’s important that you have a compatible lifestyle with your housemates.
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Always visit before!
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THE JOB
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Working legally
If you want to work in London, you will need a NIN (National Insurance Number). To get it, you need to call 0800 141 2075, answer the questions, and they will give you an appointment at the closest job center. It can take up to two weeks, and you will receive all the information by mail. If you struggle with English, we advise you to have someone who can help you on the phone and at the appointment. At the appointment, don’t forget to arrive early and bring your passport, proof of address, and the letter. After your interview, you will receive a temporary NIN, and then you will receive your final NIN by post. So, you can start looking for a job before getting it.
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Where to apply?
Finding a job in London isn't that hard! London is constantly moving and growing. You can find jobs:
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online on websites such as Indeed and Caterer (for hospitality).
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in stores, restaurants, and bars – go directly to the places, ask if they are hiring, and give them your printed CV
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contacting companies directly. London has many chain stores, restaurants, etc.; they usually open locations all around the city and constantly hire. Examples include Pret A Manger, Starbucks, Inditex (Zara, Bershka, Pull & Bear), and The Body Shop. You can go directly to their websites to apply. Most of them have a "Careers" section. Some of these big companies, such as Inditex, have a recruitment center; it’s better to go directly there to apply.
THE BANK ACCOUNT
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Opening a bank account is easy in London. The easiest banks for foreigners are Lloyds, Barclays, or HSBC. We both chose Lloyds, and we never had problems. To open a bank account, you just need to go there directly. Bring your passport and a work contract or a letter from the university for students. Apparently, Daniele could open an account with only his passport; he said he needed to transfer some money. We believe it really depends on the bank you go to; some banks are easier than others, so don’t hesitate to try different banks. Also, many people in the UK use Monzo, a popular online bank there.
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FOOD SHOPPING
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London is an expensive city, so you might think that food is expensive, but in reality, it’s not that much. In supermarkets, you can always find great deals. In fact, there is always a section in the supermarket for products that will expire soon. They reduce the prices significantly sometimes, so you can get products for really cheap. There are also markets where you can get fruits and vegetables cheaply in certain neighborhoods like Peckham and Elephant & Castle.
Here is a list of some of the supermarkets:
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Lidl and Aldi: always cheap products, and you can find foreign products at a really good price.
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Tesco: really convenient, there are Tescos everywhere, a bit more expensive but they have great deals.
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Asda: a large choice of products, average prices.
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Sainsbury's: a large choice of products, a bit more expensive.
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Poundland and B&M: stores where you can find everything for cheap, but with less choice.
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ALL OUR TIPS TO SPEND LESS IN LONDON
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Wait for sales to do some shopping. There are three important dates for shopping in London: Black Friday (in November), Boxing Day (December 26th), and the summer sales (in June/July).
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In London, you can also buy a lot of second-hand objects and clothes; you will find second-hand shops everywhere.
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You can also find free stuff for your home on Facebook groups. There are many Facebook groups that are usually called "Free Stuff London" + the neighborhood.
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You can also find furniture on the street.
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You can find or sell things on Gumtree. Before leaving, we sold a lot of furniture, most of which we found on the streets.
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To eat and drink cheaply, some restaurants and many bars have a happy hour, so be aware of it.
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Download the app DUSK to discover bars, get discounts, and free drinks.
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Download the app TOO GOOD TO GO; at closing time, restaurants or grocery stores will sell you a meal or some food for a very cheap price.
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If you are a student, always ask if they offer a student discount because many places do but don’t advertise it. And download the app UNiDAYS to see and use student discounts.
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Take the bus more often than the Underground. The bus in London is really good but obviously slower than the Tube. However, the bus is much cheaper; an hour of bus travel will cost you £1.50, while a trip on the Underground will cost you a minimum of £2.40. And at the end of the month, you will see the difference.