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
- THE TRAVEL TIPS FROM A NOMADIC COUPLE -
NOMADICS AGAPEORNIS
London is an international city many foreigners decide to move there. We both moved in London Dani in 2016 and Morgane in 2017. It’s were we met in 2018 and we lived in London until 2020. We will give you all the tips to help you to settle down in London.
THE VISA
As Europeans it was super easy, we didn’t need to apply to any visa. But now with the Brexit, things might have change so be careful to check well the requirements. You can find all the informations on gov.uk.
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THE ACCOMMODATION
London rents are pretty high. So expect to rent a room in a sharing house.
Where to look?
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The most popular website is spareroom. There are lot of choices but you have to check it out well because sometime there is a gap between the online announce and the reality. So always go to visit before taking any decisions. Some rooms in spare room are part of an agency, they always asked you to come in the office to show you pictures but never make you visit the house, and they will asked you to pay first… we would avoid this solution. It is important to visit before!
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Another way to find a room is via Facebook groups. You can look under the key words room london, you can also specify a neighborhood like room south london. And you can also look in groups of your nationality if you want to be with people from your country like les français à londres, italiani a londra,…
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You can also check on gumtree. It will have more announce from direct landlord. But there are less choices.
Ours tips:
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You need to be careful to the rent, sometimes the price is by month but sometimes by week, the price of the deposit, and the time of the contract.
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Always better to sign a contract even if it’s between you and a landlord.
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London is huge we advise you to find an accommodation close to the public transport. And to check the public transport and the time distance between home and work/school.
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It is also really important to try to meet the housemates or ask informations about them. It is important that you have a common 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 to questions and they will give you an appointment to the closest job center, it can takes 2 weeks and you will receive all the informations by mail. If you struggle with english we advise you to be on the phone and at the appointment with someone that can help you.
At the appointment, don’t forget to arrive early, to take you passport, a proof of address and the letter. After your interview you will have a temporary NIN And then you will receive your final NIN by the post. So you can start to look for a job before getting it.
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Where to apply?
Find a job in London is not that hard! London is constantly moving and growing. You can find jobs:
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online on website such as indeed, caterer (for hospitality), …
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in stores / restaurants / bars go directly in the places ask if they hire and give your CV printed
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contact directly the company. London has lot chain shops, restaurants, … they usually open places all around the city and constantly hire. Such as Pret à manger, Starbucks, Inditex (Zara, Bershka, Pull and bear…), The body shop,… You can go directly on their website to apply. Most of them has a category career. Some of those big company such as Inditex has 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 easier bank for foreigners are Lloyds or Barclays or HSBC. We both choose Lloyds and we never had problems. To open a bank account you just need to go there directly. Bring your passport and a contract for workers or a letter from university for students. But apparently Daniele could open an account with only his passport, he said that he needed to transfer some money. We believe, it really depends where you go some bank are easier than others so don’t hesitate to try different banks. Also lot of people are using the bank Monzo in UK that is a popular online bank there.
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FOOD SHOPPING
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London is an expensive city so you would think that food is expensive but in reality not that much. In the supermarket you always find great deals. In fact there is always a space in the supermarket for the products that will be gone soon. They put the price really down sometimes so you can really get products for really cheap. There is also market where you can get fruits and veggies for cheap in certain neighborhood like in Peckham, Elephant and castle,…
Here a list of the 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 Tesco everywhere a bit more expensive but do great deals
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Asda large a choices of products, average prices
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Sainsbury a large choices of products a bit more expensive
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Poundland and B&M store where you can find everything for cheap but less choice
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ALL OUR TIPS TO SPEND LESS IN LONDON
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Wait sales time to do some shopping. There are 3 importants date for shopping in London: Black Friday that is in October, Boxing day that is the 26 of December and the summer sales that is 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 group that are usually called: free stuff London + the neighborhood.
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You can also find furniture in the street.
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You can find or sell things on Gumtree. Before leaving we sold lot of furnitures that most of them we found in the streets.
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To eat and drink cheap some restaurants and lot of bars have a happy hour so be aware.
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Download the app DUSK to discover bars, get discount, and free drinks
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Download the app TO GOOD TO GO at closing time the restaurant or grocery will sell you for really cheap a meal or some food.
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If you are student always ask if they do a student discount because lot of place do it but don’t write it. And download the app UNIDAYS to see and use student discounts.
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Take more the bus than the underground. The bus in London is really good but obviously slower than the tubes. But the bus is so much cheaper, 1h of bus will cost you 1,5 £ while a trip in underground will cost you minimum 2,40£. And at the end of the month you will see the difference.