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
4 DAYS ITINERARY
GUADALARAJA
Guadalajara is the second biggest city in Mexico. But it's also the region of the tequila. We definitely needed to stop there to try the real tequila ! We stayed at Casa Arayan, it was in the center, quite, clean and there was a sharing kitchen. We stopped to Guadalajara to meet a friend of Morgane before going to the Caribbean coast.
Day 1: Historic center, market, museum and Lucha Libre show
After breakfast we walked direction the cathedral de Guadalajara and see the different monuments around like the Palacio and the theater. We have to admit that the old town of Guadalajara is more clean and safe than the one of Mexico city. Then we stopped to the centro de Joyero, if you like jewelry or making jewelry you will love this place.
Around midday we went to the mercado San Juan de Dios where we eat a « torta » it’s a big sandwich it was super good. We also try, in the street, the drink « tejuino » made from fermented corn but it was really not good we couldn’t finish it.
In the afternoon we went to the Museum Cabañas, the architecture of the place is beautiful and you always have lot of exhibitions going on. The entrance is 80MXN but it’s free on Tuesday.
The night we decided to go to a typical show. A show of Lucha Libre at the Arena Coliseo. It’s every Tuesday at 9pm. We bought the ticket there. It was a nice show, a thing you should see once. The ambiance also was crazy.
Day 2 : Tlaquepaque
We went around 11am to Tlaquepaque. We took an uber to go there, it’s a neighborhood in the south of Guadalajara. It’s a charming neighborhood where you can feel the authentic mexican culture. We first went to the museum of the ceramic, the entrance was free, then we got lost in the streets, enter in cute shops and exhibition.
We had lunch in a typical restaurant called El Patio, they served typical mexican food. It was super good. The ambiance were nice also with some mariachi.
After a last walk in the neighborhood we stopped at « Tlaquepulque » to try the typical drink called Pulque. Pulque is also called the drink of gods. It’s made from fermented agave. The pure one doesn’t taste amazing, but there are making with different flavor that make it quite good at the end.
Then we went home a big day of tequila was waiting for us the day after.
Day 3: Tequila Day
We booked a tour to visit the town of Tequila where we make the Tequila. It’s about an hour, an hour and half from Guadalajara. We first visited the distillery of Tequila, then we did a tequila tasting.
We stopped in a restaurant for lunch in the middle of agave field. After lunch we visited the cute town of Tequila. We went to the museum of Tequila, the entrance was 15MXN.
And before coming back to Guadalajara we stopped on a bar road to have more tequila and to dance. It was a fun day. Our group was also super fun, it was only Mexicans so they were super happy to share their culture with us.
Day 4 : Breakfast at Amaricana
We drunk lot of water last night to avoid the hangover. We definitely needed a good breakfast today. We went in the neighborhood of Americana to have breakfast. There are many nice breakfast places. Here few recommendations : El terrible Juan, Brick Lane , Desayunador Pajarito .
In the afternoon it was time for us to leave Guadalajara for a new destination.
