Casablanca, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Meknes, Fes

In October, 2019 we joined a great 15-day G adventure tour to Morocco. Some good flights on KLM and Air France we arrived in Casablanca early in the evening. Nice weather, sunshine.

Hassan II Mosque

We had booked a few extra days to explore on our own and then joined the group at our hotel. Casablanca was not what I expected. The Old Medina, (an old shopping district with a collection of small shops, walled and containing narrow streets, fountains, palaces and mosques) was a bit rough.

The first day we hired a local guide who led us to the Hassan II mosque, a beautiful building on the ocean front. Also visited a local mall, upscale housing area, the New Medina and the quality of goods and shops was much better, although a smaller area away from the center, then to Rick's Cafe, a copy of the one in the movie!

After meeting our CEO (Chief Experience Officer) we left the next day by private bus to Tangier, a beautiful city across the straight of Gibralter, 15 km from Spain.

Tangier

Then on to Chefchaouen, the blue city in the Rif mountains, for two nights. We ate local fare (Tagine) and walked the town including a 40 minute hike up to the Spanish Mosque which gave an amazing view of the city.

Chefchaouen

The Blue city in the Rif mountains

We left on a rainy morning and headed to Volubilis, a first century Roman ruin with aquaduct, gates, houses, baths, etc.

Volubilis aquaduct

Tile floor of an ancient Roman home

Roman Gate

Then on for a short stop in Meknes, where an 18th Century Sultan kept horses and built a huge granary. A night in Fes and then on through Ifrane, where there is a ski area with sheep herds and a local monkey population (Barbary macaques).