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
5 DAYS ITINERARY
LA FORTUNA
Costa Rica is made for nature lovers. You will discover many beautiful landscapes and many animals. But Costa Rica is an expensive destination, so we booked an airbnb to cook and we use the bus to travel. The bus was slow and you only had one per day so you can't miss it. This itinirary is about 5 days but if you have a car you can do it in 4 days easily.
Day 1: San Jose to La Fortuna
If you don’t have a car, you will have to take the bus from San Jose. The bus is quite long and there is only one bus per day. The bus was at 8:40 am and we arrived around 1pm - 2 pm. That’s the cheaper way, if not there is also private shuttles that are quicker but way more expensive. So we didn’t did that much that day we settle in our airbnb, walk around the town, book a tour for tomorrow and rent a scooter for the next days.
Day 2: Rio Celeste
We absolutely wanted to go to Rio Celeste, so we chose to book a tour because in scooter it’s too far. The tour cost us between 70/80 USD per person, it was with seven tours. After more than an hour of drive and 45 min of walk we arrived in front of this famous blue waterfall. The water color is just incredible. It’s unbelievable how blue is it! From then you follow this blue river, discovering some hot spring and crossing bridge until you arrive to the point where this blue color start. It’s quite amazing to see the difference of color. So this blue color was a mystery for many years! But so far we believe that is due to a type of mineral that is reflecting light from the sun and give this incredible color! After that we stop to have lunch and swim in a river. And we come back super tired from this first day! We are not use to walk that much but it’s only the beginning because in La Fortuna you will walk a lot!
Day 3: Around Arenal Volcan : Hanging bridge, Walk and Free Hot Spring
We picked up our scooter at La Fortuna rental. We rent it for 2 days and we could negotiate the price. We really recommend you to rent there, they were super nice and the scooter was in perfect condition. If you don’t have a car you absolutely need a scooter to visit.
So first stop is Mistico Hanging Bridge. We were really curious to experience hanging bridges. It’s a really fancy place for a natural parc, super accessible and easy walk. But also a bit expensive: 26 USD per person. It’s a nice park, we so some coati and we enjoy walking in the nature. The hanging bridges were also super nice, a bit scary sometimes because it’s quite high and it’s moving but super experience. You also have a super view on the Volcano Arenal.
Our second stop will be the volcano Arenal. There is two walks around the volcano we choose to do Arenal 1968. The price is 19 USD per person. We did the long trail it took us more around an hour and half. The beginning of the walk was super nice, walking on hills formed by lava during the Arenal Volcano 1968 eruption, with a super view of the volcano and the lagoon. The second part of the walk wasn’t exceptional.
We stop to eat on a road restaurant and we went to our last stop. Because of the volcano the town is famous for it’s hot terms. We went to the free hot spring you can found the localisation on google map, park on the side of the road and walk few meter to access it. It was a bit crowded, the water was hot but not super hot. It was nice to finish the day like this. But after 40min there it started to rain. We were hoping that it will stop at some point and that we could go. But it was worst and worst. So we took the decision to go home. We were wet, our cloths were wet, and it was raining so much, impossible to dry. And we couldn’t found the key of the scooter and it was so hard with the rain too look in the bag, or on the floor around. At the end the key was on the scooter… and it’s not the first time Dani forget it there… We were so yet and cold driving home. A hot shower, a dinner and we finish our day super tired too .
Day 4: Waterfall Catarata and Paradise Hot Springs
Around 8am we drove direction the waterfall Catarata. It’s a waterfall of 70m. It’s quite impressive. The entrance cost 18 USD. You can go down and swim next to the bottom of the waterfall. Dani went, but for me it was to powerful I was a bit scared. And it was a cold. But next to it you have a river, it’s more calm and you can swim safely. Time to go up, it was approximately 530 steps, the way up wasn’t easy.
After that, we planned to do the hike Cerro Chato. Yesterday some travelers told us that it was quite a bit hard because the last days it rained a lot. We are not hiking expert and we felt a bit tired with the steps of this morning but also the hike we did yesterday. So we decided to rest because we felt that we would not have enjoying it. Instead we decided to spend the afternoon in the hot spring. Way more relaxing. Yesterday we tried the free one. Today we decided to pay a day pass in an hotel to enjoy the hot springs. We choose Paradise hot springs. The entrance price was quite accessible compare to others. We paid 28 USD for a day pass. We had access to different pools with different temperature. It was really nice. There is even a bar in one of the pool. A fresh beer, in a hot spring, it was what we needed!
Day 5: La Fortuna to San José
We wake up late. Did a walk in the center to buy our magnet before living. The bus was at around 2 pm. On the way to go the bus station we broke the suitcase wheels! We try to fix it with what we have, black tape hahaha. We had lunch in the restaurant next to the station, it was good and cheap. And then we took the bus direction San Jose, because we have a flight the day after for Mexico!