At the moment I am looking for a few nice city trips that I would like to do this year. One city is high on the wish list:Fez. With a city trip to Fez you imagine yourself in another world.
Now I must honestly say that compared to many others I probably haven't traveled that much. I was born in Germany near Munich, where I lived until I was ten. As a child I regularly visited Austria and when I was nine I also went to Yugoslavia (it is indeed called differently now). We visited Dubrovnik which I have fond memories of. The hospitality in particular made a big impression on me, even though I was still a child at the time. Croatia is highly recommended and I definitely want to go here again.
I have also been to Belgium (yes, I know, very normal, so not really worth mentioning), France, England, Suriname (I also lived here for almost 13 years and my children grew up), America ( New York a month after the attacks with a newborn baby) and in Turkey.
So I have already been to four continents:Europe, North and South America and Asia. So I would really like to add Africa to this. And that is easy to do without having to fly very far:Fez is in Africa.
Of course a city trip to Fez is not high on my wish list because of the fact that I can cross another continent off my list. There is so much to see and do that it just seems like a great city to me. It is the oldest city in Morocco and in the old medina you imagine yourself in a fairytale. Narrow alleys, donkeys, horses, old houses in beautiful colors, not to mention the authentic shops. The tanneries, the shops where you can buy delicious fresh spices and the squares complete the picture of a fairytale.
Personally, I love to get to know other cultures. A visit to a market (souk) seems great to me. The activity, the mix of different colors and the delicious scents of fresh fruits already ensure that I get the ultimate holiday feeling. Wandering along all kinds of stalls, seeing, feeling, smelling and buying new things. I would like to take argan oil, which Morocco is known for, anyway, just like natural cosmetics.
And don't forget:Place Seffarine. A must if you like handmade products. Here you can buy not only cheap leather products, but also ceramics and metal products. These are all made by hand. The metalsmiths are at work here every day and as a visitor you can just watch how the most beautiful things are made. Plus point:this place is not well known yet, so you will not find mass tourism here.
A whole day of walking through the medina provides many impressions. Fortunately, there are also plenty of ways to relax in Fez. One of them is, of course, enjoying delicious food and drinks. The possibilities are endless. Grab a bite to eat at one of the stands on the street or opt for a restaurant with a rooftop, so you can enjoy a beautiful view over the medina. Get to know local specialties such as harira (Moroccan lentil soup) or tagine. A cup of mint tea should of course not be missing.
You can completely relax after all the impressions you have gained in a Hammam. A traditional hammam is a bit rougher, while the hammams at the various riads or hotels are aimed at introducing Westerners to the age-old bathing ritual.
A city trip to Fez is not complete without an overnight stay in a riad. Of course a hotel is nice when you are on holiday, but nothing can beat the charm of a riad. A riad is a traditional house or small palace with a courtyard, with or without a swimming pool. I've already taken a look on the net and there are some really great looking riads among them. How wonderful it would be to wake up in the morning and start the day in such a courtyard with beautiful native plants and a swimming pool.
For the time being, I keep hoping and who knows, I may soon be able to cross Fez off my wish list and this fairytale will become reality for me.
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