There’s a few things I’ve learned from my years of traveling; one of which is that rarely does anything go according to plan. Often times you’re going to have to roll with the punches. But that’s what makes the experience so eventful and full of adventure!
We had planned to spend two days in Tangier and I was beyond thrilled to finally make my way over to Morocco, even if it was a quick trip. Then, Petar couldn’t get a visa to enter…I was so disappointed. We debated if I should still go, was is it safe to go alone, etc. This wouldn’t be my first trip alone, but I like to consider myself an informed and “cautious” traveler. That’s when I came across Aziz Saint Laurent Tours.
I had found Aziz on Tripadvisor and after reading stellar reviews, I reached out and received a response within the hour. Aziz allowed me to customize my own tour and make the most of my short time in Tangier. My trip was booked by the evening and I had received my email confirmation and ferry tickets for the following morning.
* Ferry boats depart for Tangier almost every hour out of the port of Tarifa, Spain. This is roughly an hour or so drive from Marbella and is a lovely city to check out on its own.
Aziz would be waiting for me at the port of Tangier upon my arrival, but in the meantime I was instructed to make sure and get a stamp in my passport on the ferry before we arrived. It would cut down waiting times once we entered into Morocco. The ferry ride was only 50 minutes, a bit choppy and surrounded by beautiful views of the Straits of Gibraltar and the Moroccan and Spanish coastlines.
Since it was the final days of Ramadan, many stores and historical sites were closed in the morning. Aziz had met me at the port and we took a car and drove through new Tangier on our way to the heart of the old city. We drove by diplomatic homes and I gawked at the beautiful French meets Moroccan details.
We started our walking tour in the winding and narrow alleyways of the Medina. Aziz was friendly and not only had perfect English but so much knowledge of the history of his city and its people.
* During Ramadan, the Muslim world cannot eat or drink until sundown. They also need to refrain from impure thoughts of any sorts. While you should always dress appropriately for Muslim countries, I would suggest being more conscientious during Ramadan. I brought an additional scarf to wrap around my shoulders and chest.
Tangier, as I’m sure in much of Morocco, is incredibly, visually stimulating. The chaos of the city somehow ebbs and flows in perfect harmony. It was exactly that, that I was hoping to see. The Berber market takes place in the Medina on Thursdays; this is when the Berbers come from the mountains to sell their fresh produce in the city. You can distinguish them by the straw hats with colorful pom-poms they wear.
There was so much colorful produce. The spices, fresh figs and my favorite, a cows-milk cheese that was wrapped in braided palm leaves, were delicious. Chickens walked around freely before they were chosen for that evening’s meal. I also spotted a quivering bunny that would probably end up becoming a stew.
Look at those adorable hats on the Berber women… Haggling is common and even expected in Morocco, so be prepared for a respectful and fun banter of negotiations!
Markets are my favorite place to visit in a new country- it’s where you can see how people truly live; what they buy and eat in their everyday lives
We stopped for a break and a fresh-squeezed orange juice {for me} at the Grand Hotel Ville De France, which reopened earlier that month. This is where Henry Matisse called home for two years and painted over 400 of his paintings. I was able to get a private tour of the hotel and the room where Matisse stayed. The views were incredible and so inspiring.
This view inspired one of Matisse’s paintings
The original courtyard and fountain are still in tact and have been kept the same to keep the historic charm
Around every corner, there was a surprise. Much like this one…
I blended in with the blues of the beautiful mosques
I can never get enough of these architectural details- and those tiles!
The prettiest museum I ever did see…
A hidden doorway amidst the foliage
Meet Aziz- my incredible tour guide! He even carried my heavy purse for me so that I can take pictures and when I wasn’t snapping away, he was taking candid shots of me for my blog. Thank you Aziz, for making me feel so welcome {and safe} in your country. And for only escalating my ongoing obsession with Morocco! Shokran for your hospitality!
Helpful Tips
Where to Shop: Boutique Majid for a curated selection of antique textiles, Moroccan blankets and jewelry that deserve an encore!
What to Eat: Don’t get sucked into tourist traps. Ask for a local specialty, like lamb tagine. The lamb melts in your mouth and the cooked apricots and dates add a sweet note to the aromatic dish. Don’t forget to enjoy in a Moroccan mint tea to help with digestion and cleanse your palette.
How to Dress: Modestly. While you do not need to cover your head, I do suggest dressing in either pants or a long skirt, out of respect. Carry a purse with multiple compartments and one that you can carry hands-free. Spray on that spf…the sun is strong and don’t wear too much jewelry. You’ll be attracting enough attention without all that extra bling.
Thank you for reading! If you haven’t already, check out my recaps of Granada and La Costa del Sol.
Xx
