Morocco

A Whirlwind Week in Morocco: Exploring from Tangier to Rabat

WHY I WENT

I had been in the south of Portugal for a few weeks and the notion of venturing into Morocco seemed too enticing to resist. Why not add a touch of adventure to my trip? 

HOW LONG I STAYED

In July 2009, I set out on a week-long trip to Morocco. 

WHO WENT

Just Ana, with mom and sister. Fun fact: Dave and I had met a few weeks prior and were planning our first date upon my return to Canada. 

WHERE we WENT

This trip was a whirlwind. We covered significant ground in Morocco: from Tangier to the blue-hued Chefchaouen, to the ancient allure of Fes, the historical Meknes, and the capital city, Rabat. 

HOW we DID Morocco

We started with a ferry ride from Tarifa, Spain to Tangier, where a driver awaited to guide us. For the entirety of our trip, we relied on him to navigate us through Morocco. 

Time change

Having spent weeks in Portugal, the time difference from there to Morocco was only an hour so our transition was seamless. 

Transportation

We had a private driver who chauffeured us to each town and city on our itinerary. Once we arrived, we explored on foot, immersing ourselves in the local sights and sounds. We could have hired donkeys to take us around but chose not to. 

accommodations

Our stay was made memorable by charming boutique hotels meticulously arranged by the travel company I booked through (TBH, the name escapes me all these years later).  

Our days

Admittedly, the drives were long, but the beauty of Morocco made every kilometer worthwhile. Even pit stops at gas station washrooms were a unique experience,  with one of those holes in the ground toilets with ceramic foot rests (new to us and way more comfortable for dirty public washrooms). 

Once we reached our destinations, our days included a mix of free time to wander, scheduled tours, and so much delicious food. The standout meals? For sure, the breakfasts. Even now, the memory of those Moroccan morning feasts still make me drool. 

In the span of a week, Morocco had my heart. I cannot wait to bring Dave and the kids here one day!