Before visiting Morocco, I didn't have a clue as to what to expect. All I knew is that it was a country located in Africa, the population was predominantly Arabic, and colorful spices were all the hype in the Medinas. All of which turned out to be true. Everyone I know kept telling me how crazy I was to be traveling alone in Morocco, especially as a young woman. I wasn't completely unaware and naive to that fact, so I made sure to stay in a safe hotel and always hire a private driver to take me wherever I wanted to go. This is actually fairly common in Morocco, and not as expensive as you would think. Fes has one of the oldest and largest Medinas in North Africa and is considered to be the cultural and handicraft center of Morocco. Although there is plenty to explore in this ancient city, you definitely won't become overwhelmed by any of it. Most people only pass through this city for a few days, so if that's all you have, then I can assure it is enough! Below I will provide a brief outline on the highlights of Fes including accommodations, where to eat, and places to visit. ACCOMODATION IN fesFES MARRIOTT HOTEL JNAN PALACE Location: 8 Rue Ahmed Chaouki, Fès 30000, Morocco Cost: 1 room starts at about $82 per night ***** 5 STAR HOTEL Website: https://www.marriott.com/hotels TOP PLACES TO EAT IN FESBesides the one day I spent in Chefechoune, every meal I ate in Fes was consumed at my hotel. This isn't because I wasn't willing to try something new, but mostly because it was already included. The most popular places to eat for tourists were none other than the food stalls at the Medina's. Not quite my first choice, but I did hear a lot of great things about them from other travelers. Depending on where you are staying, food choices might be pretty limited. Because my hotel was located in a more isolated area away from the Medina, there weren't as many options. Below I will provide a list of some of the top rated eateries in Fes (mostly places that come highly recommended by others): -THE RUINED GARDEN -DAR ROUMANA -CHEZ RACHID -CAFE CLOCK -DARORI RESTO -L'AMANDIER PALAIS FARAJ -RESTAURANT RIAD LOUNA -RIAD AL BARTAL -LA MAISON BLEUE BATHA TOP THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN fes*Indulge in the beauty of the Medina (Al Attarine Madrasa). *Walk around Kairaouine Mosque, which is also known as the second largest mosque in Morocco. *Explore the markets inside the Medina for some delicious food & drinks. *Wander around the magical Bou Inania Medersa. *Take in the fabulous sunset views from one of the many rooftops. *Visit the Tanneries in Fes and wander at the spectacular views. *Get lost in the bustling square of Nejjarine. *Admire the most visited and revered attraction in Fes - the Zaouïa (shrine) of Moulay Idriss. DAY TRIP To chefchaouenAlso known as Morocco’s “Blue City,” Chefchaouen is located in the northwest of Morocco. It is a small, traditional city, covered in vibrant shades of blue, and is absolutely one of a kind. It is a bit out of the way, no matter which direction you are coming from, but I can assure you it is well worth the visit if you have time. I chose to visit Chefcheoune from Fes, on a small group day tour through Viator. The van picks you up from the hotel around 7:00 a.m., and you don't return until about 9:00 p.m. at night. For the price of $55 per person, I didn't think it was a bad option at all. There were about 7 other people on the tour, and the ride took about four hours or so from Fes. There was one stop along the way for restroom and snacks, and then another stop right before we reached the town to take pictures of the view points. Once we arrived in the city, we were given about 4-5 hours to explore on our own, which was plenty of time to walk around, eat lunch, and shop for souvenirs!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWest Coast blogger with a love for traveling and adventure seeking. Archives
July 2018
Categories |