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
A WEEK ITINERARY
ICELAND
To visit Iceland we rented a car to do all around the island. Our 8 days journey was possible because we drove a lot and we were also lucky with the weather because we didn't find any closed road. But ideally we would recommend 10 days to do this journey because we couldn't visit properly the north side of the Island.
We chose to go in February to have a chance to see northern light, we saw some but this year they were not that strong. If you go in winter you have to be ready because it is really cold and windy. Sometimes the weather can block you roads for a day or cancel activities. We also advise you to take a 4X4 to travel, sometimes we got little fright on the road. You also need to be comfortable to drive, but don't worry it's not that complicate you will always follow the main island road N1.
Iceland is just so worth it to visit! You will never remember how to pronounce the name of the places you discovered but you will never forget those incredible landscapes. You will never see something like this anywhere else !
Day 1: Reykjavík
We arrived end of the afternoon in Keflavik airport and we went to pick up our rental car. We booked with guide to Iceland that works with northern light car rentals it was the best deal we found. We choose a 4X4 for more safety because we were in the middle of winter. They also take time to explain us the rules and recommendations. We drove for 45min to join Reykjavik where we book our accommodation via Airbnb.
Day 2: Reykjavík
We visited the capital by foot. First we went to the modern cathedral Hallgrímskirkja, after we went to the old town, through the street of Laugavegur we joined the center. On this street you will find shops, bars, restaurants, ... We stopped to eat for lunch at Icelandic street food. We really recommend you to go because it's good and cheap. We choose the seafood soup served in a big bread bowl and you can refile it for free! After we continue to walk direction the Old Harbour, and we continue to walk along the sea and we entered in the Harpa Concert Hall to warm up and admire the architecture. We finally went back in the old town to enjoy Icelandic beer. And we went home, take a warm bath, and go to bed early because tomorrow we will take the road to do the round of the Iceland. (Be careful if you have silver jewelry don't put them under hot water in Iceland they will turn black...)
Day 3: Kerid crater, Guillfoss falls, Geysir strokkur and Secret Lagoon
The food in Iceland is quite expensive so the first things we did before taking the road is to buy food in a supermarket. We decided to save money on food so we made sandwich to eat on the road and cook in our different accommodations the night. Here we are on the road direction East. After less than an hour of drive, the first stop is the Kerid Crater. The entrance cost few euros, really impressive, you can go around the crater. It was a great walk to start the day. The two next stops are really touristic so a bit crowded, they are both free access. We drove more than a hour and we arrived at our second stop, the Guillfoss falls. The view was just breathtaking. Between the falls and the third stop, the Geysir strokkur you have only 10min drive where you can also see Icelandic horses. We did a quick stop to say hello. Strokkur is a geothermal area, with mud pools, fumaroles and geysers. The Geysir is really impressive, you have to be patient to see it, it erupts every 6-10min. Its usual height is 15–20m but sometimes it can go up 40m. We were so amazed. We drove 25min to enjoy our last stop of the day: the Secret Lagoon. Created in 1891, The secret Lagoon is a geothermal pool with a spouting geyser. The entrance cost around 20€ but it's just so good and relaxing to be in a water of 38°C when outside it's only -2°C. We finally drove 45min to our accomodation for the night that was next to Selfoss city. (A really nice Airbnb with a nice host, horses and the possibilities to see northern light.)
Day 4: Seljalandsfoss fall, Skogafoss fall, Sólheimasandur plane wreck, Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara black sand beach
After 1h of drive on the south cost of Iceland we arrived to our first stop Seljalandsfoss fall. An amazing fall where you can walk behind. You just have 20min ride to arrive to the next stop Skogafoss fall where on this incredible fall you can walk to the top! We try to get closer as we can but the ground was ice so super slippery and the wind was strong, not easy but we managed to get closer to enjoy this incredible view. On the road between this two stops you can find a fences full of ladies bras! Some local started this tradition to put bras on the fence as they were having a party and stole some bras from a local lady nearby. Since then people passing by have donated bras to the fence. Will you also leave your bras? The third stop is Sólheimasandur plane wreck, only at 10min away. But be ready from the parking to the plane wreck you have about 1h of walk! (You have also the possibilities to take a shuttle). In 1973 a United States Navy DC plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black beach at Sólheimasandur, fortunately, everyone in that plane survived. An really mystical landscape with this abandoned white plane on this black sand beach. The next stop ,at 20min drive, was the lookout of Dyrhólaey. You will have a breathtaking of the sea, volcanic rocks and black sand beach. This spot is perfect for sunset. Before it started to be dark we quickly drove 20 more min to Reynisfjara black sand beach and enjoy this incredible black sand beach with a pink sky! Just beautiful! And we finally drove one more hour to arrive in our night accommodation.
Day 5: Kalta Ice cave, Jökulsárlón lagoon and Diamond Beach
We both wanted to do a unique experience in Iceland and we choose to visit an Ice cave. We booked it in advanced via Troll expedition. We chose to do the Skaftafell tour unfortunately the night before the agency contact us to cancel because of the weather condition, so we had to choose another tour. Here we are to on our way to visit Kalta Ice cave. A natural ice cave underneath Kalta volcano that is still active. When you enter in the Ice cave it's just incredible, beautiful and breathtaking. It was one of our best memory of Island. We know it's a bit expensive but it's the kind of things you do once in your life. This activity took us the full morning and we still have a lot to drive! The next stop is Jökulsárlón at 2h20 of drive. Jökulsárlón is a large lagoon open to the sea. The iceberg are falling and floating first on this lake. The lake has grown because of melting of the glaciers. They are also travelling to the sea and beach themselves on the beach. So you have two things to see here. First the lake, where you can see sea lions playing around this floating icebergs. Then Diamond beach, where you can admire a magical landscape and this black sand highlighting the blue and purity of the icebergs. The colors are amazing during sunset! Time for us to drive 3h to arrive at our Airbnb night accomodation located in the south east cost next to Breiðdalsvík.
Day 6: Geothermal spot of Hverir namafjalls, lake Myvatn and Myvatn hot bath
We drove 3h to arrive to the north side of the Island. In the north the snow was more important so it was not easy to access our first stop because the entrance and parking was under the snow. The first stop is Hverir Namafjall, geothermal spot with bubbling pools of mud & steaming fumaroles emitting sulfuric gas. The gas sulfuric emitted doesn't smell good at all! Then we drove 15min to the Lake Myvatn, a huge lake that offers a beautiful landscape. And to end the day at only 10min we stop in Myvatn nature bath. Similar to the famous blue Lagoon but half price and less crowded so we choose to do Myvatn lagoon. The water is heat thanks to the geothermal area around, the temperature is between 36 to 40°C. The water contain Sulphur, it have a positive effect on asthma and other respiratory diseases, and is considered to have a good effect on the development of skin problems. You can also enjoy a beer or a glass of wine in the Lagoon and admire the beautiful sunset. So relaxing! Then we drove 3h to arrive at our night accommodation around the city of Saudárkrókur. On the road around the city of Akureyri you will go through a tunnel, you have to pay online to cross this tunnel, a pannel is in front to tell you. Personally we didn't see it and we got a fine, so little tip to avoid the same mistake.
Day 7: Kirkjufell mountain, Gerduberg basalt column and Fossatun camping pods
Today, the weather condition wasn't the best so we didn't see that much of this two beautiful site that we advise you to go. We drove 4h to arrive to our first stop Kirkjufell mountain. The drive wasn't easy today lot of wind and snow so we drove slowly. One part of the road was between sea and cliffs, a beautiful landscape but we didn't felt that much confident because of weather conditions. Kirkjufell is a beautiful landscape with a mountain of 463 m high and falls just in front. Unfortunately this day the fall was frozen, and the landscape so white that we couldn't see the mountain. We then drove 1h to the next stop, the Gerduberg basalt column. The basalt is a rock made from lava. It is a row of perfectly shaped hexagonal basalt columns that go up to 14m and that run along a cliff of 1km, made by nature. We could only see it from the main road because the road to access was close because of the snow. So we continue to drive to our Airbnb accommodation for the night. It was about an hour and we really recommend you to sleep at the Fossatun. It's a kind of camping with cute little room in wood. The owner is passionate about trolls, he write a book and create a nice walk around the camping to know more about the trolls. And we had the chance to see northen light this night.
Day 8: Back to Keflavik airport
Today it's time to leave this wonderful Island. We slept a bit more and join Reykjavík for lunch that is at an hour. After lunch we drove to the airport and flew home. Iceland was an incredible discovery with unique landscape. We were so impressed to see that many kind of natural landscape on one island. The weather wasn't easy, cold and windy but it so much worth it!