Day 1 : Marrakech
We arrived at Menara Airport from London Gatwick airport on EasyJet. Over night at Riad Chorfa. Although we were led into a dark alley, the riad was not bad at all (although it was a first time experience for my family). As most Riad ,it have a lot of stairs and are extremely colourful with tiled patterns and orange trees in the middle of the house. It is only 5 minutes walk into the Medina. So our first night at the Medina, we had the usual kebab dinner and tagine at one of the best restaurants – Chez Chegrouni just at the Djema el Fna. The best thing I know from that Medina is only worth 4 dirham or 40 pence which is the awesome orange juice. It is so naturally sweet that it is unbelievable.
Day 2 : Marrakech
Today was a free day for us to explore the city its ramparts and heracus whole. We spent almost the whole day getting lost in the markets. The funny thing is that all the stalls tend to sell the same thing. In the end, it is up to us to haggle. We had lunch and started people watching at Mubarak restaurant. It is also a hotel. While we were there, we say some “illegal merchants” setting up their mats with their merchandises. People were flocking until you see some policemen chasing them. They were so quick to just bundle up their stalls and run away. Only to be back again after half an hour. We thought that this was hilarious especially when even the customers who were busy choosing continued their shopping and chasing them while they were being chased by the policemen.
Day 3 : Marrakech
Today we were accompanied by an English-speaking guide, Muhammad who actually did English Literature in University. We visited the Koutoubia Minaret, Saadian Tombs, and the Bahia Palace. He also brought us to a herbalist store right in front of the palace where they started selling herbs that could cure any disease that you have ever heard of. Sure, bought some but has yet to see the results. Then we had set lunch at Riad Omar. I am not sure if the food was really good or that we are just hungry. But the portions and what was given in the set menu was extravagant! Although, we saw similar sights to the right, left, front and back of us. All of them were tourists brought in by a tour guide. The owner of this place must have had a deal to turn this place into a tourist trap. Muhammad also brought us tour the walls of the old medina, the markets, and the famous Djemaa el Fna Square. The famous square is animated with: storytellers, vendors of Magic potions, dancers, snake charmers, and acrobats. He managed to bring us to corners that we have yet to see. Then we went to Jardin de Majorelle where Yves Saint Laurent spent most of his life there breathing the fresh air. At night, we were craving for other cuisine as we have been having tagine almost everyday, twice a day. We managed to find an Indian restaurant Les Jardins de Bala which is in one of the 5-star hotel near Djema el Fna. We were quite impressed with the food…and thought we could handle their spice when we confidently requested for extra spicy.
Day 4 : Marrakech – Ouzoud – Beni Melal – Azrou – Ifran – Fez
We had to depart early from Marrakech heading to Fez. We crossed nice landscape along the way and arrived at Ouzoud cascades for a visit. It was breathtaking – both the scenery and the fact that we couldn’t really see it as all of us were afraid of heights and did not dare to stand by the cliff to see the waterfall. Throughout the journey, we took the scenic routet via a forested mountain to enjoy the beatiful scenery of middle Atlas. We stopped for lunch in Beni Melal. Here we couldn’t find a descent restaurant until the owner of the restaurant brought us to a private sports club where we had really good tuna salad and a range of western food. Then our next stop is at Azrou a name that means rock. After a long 12 hous journey in total!!! We arrived in Fez and was greeted by a couple of exuberant staff/owner of Riad Tafilalet – Ibrahim. Their energy level was extremely impressive and I doubt that we would ever get this kind of personal service and attention from the butler in your 5-star hotel. As Ibrahim said, the big palace near to the entrance of the riad is 5 stars, but his is a thousand stars.
Day 5 : Fez
The authentic city of Fez, where the old medina offers a step back in time – it is exactly like the Prince of Persia. A well preserved medieval city of donkey-wide alley ways and souks, the medina is encircled by an unbroken line of ramparts and gates. We visited La Mederssa Attarine, Nejjarine fountain, and the mosques of El Karaouyine, Medersa Bou Inania, and Baba Jloud. After the walk, we spent the evening on the rooftop of the Riad with our mint tea and dates, while enjoying the breathtaking view of Fez accompanied by the sounds of Azan during Maghrib from all corners of the city.
Day 6 : Fez – Chefchouan – Tetouan – Tangier
After breakfast we travelled from Fez along a part of the middle Atlas and a part of the Rif mountains with their picturesque sites and panorama. We had lunch at the symbol of the north area “Chefchaouen”. The city was beautiful and had a medina withwhite walls and blue gates. Afterwards, we continued our trip to the city of Tangier and had dinner in Riad Tanja. The entire family was the only occupant in this 5-bedroom riad and we managed to get the beautiful suites. So happened that the restaurant is one of the country’s first to offer nouvelle Marocain which is Moroccan with a French twist to it and the food is definitely considered as fine dining.
Day 7 : Tangier
Tangier, also known as the White City, revolves around its state-of-the-art import and export port and you are sure to see many millionaire yachts on this stretch of Moroccan coastline where the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet. The tour guide brought us into one of the millionaire’s house to look into his collection of classic cars. We managed to even sit in them. Then we walked around Place de France which is a small French-looking square right in the middle of the Ville Nouvelle with many friendly, inviting street cafés. We also visited the Kasbah before going to the Grand Socco Market Square with its good street cafés and absorb the city life. The market sells everything including arts and crafts, fruit and vegetables and an assortment of trinkets. We then continued walking to the the inviting shade of Mendoubia Gardens that surrounds the Grand Socco Square in the midsummer afternoons. This garden contains a fascinating banyan tree that’s over 800 years old. The Caves of Hercules was another not-to-be-missed site in the Cap Spartel area. It is a place of great beauty and archeological significance.
Day 8 : Tangier – Rabat – Casablanca – Marrakech.
Today we took the highway and headed straight to the capital Rabat to visit Hassan tower and Med V mausoleum. We,then drove towards Casablanca to visit Hassan II mosque. After lunch, we arrived at Marrakech which brings our journey to a total of 8 hours. We checked in to Hotel Tichka and got ready for our New Year’s Eve Dinner at the desert. The journey to the beautiful tents were dark and quiet but when we arrived, the tents were so beautiful and we were welcomed by folk musician. The dinner was shocking as each family had a whole goat to eat! then a huge portion of couscous of which we couldn’t finished. Then it was a night of dance and fun with shows from the fire acrobats and belly dancers. Although I think it is very overpriced for what we had.
Day 9 : Marrakech – Back to the airport.
After breakfast, we had a few hours before heading back to London on a 3 hour plane journey. Tour is courtesy of Sahara Services.
