Tours – Tangier
Crossroads of Europe & Africa
Tangier Tour
At the crossroads of Europe and Africa, of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Tangier opens the door onto Morocco.
There is still an air of mystery about the city going back to the time when Tangier was an international zone.
Since Its foundation, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Arabs Spaniards, Portuguese and English have jealously fought for the right to control it.
Other African city is close to Europe, and no other orient is more dearly loved by European & Americans Artists.
Delacroix, Matisse, Tennessee Williams, Jean Genet, Joseph Kessel, Williams Burroughs, and Paul Bowles to name few of them, but have all lived in Tangier and been captivated by its spell.
Upon the arrival from Spain, after a crossing of approximately one hour, our guide in Tangier will be expecting you at the pier for the sightseeing tour.
It’s composed of two parts just the city itself, a driven tour will help you discover the modern Tangier and then take you up to the North-western trip of the African continent where the strait of Gibraltar embraces the Atlantic Ocean, not far from this extraordinary site, the Hercules caves will take you back to the original location of the first people established in Tangier.
The Kasbah gate introduces you of the other Tangier, with its white washed houses, small privacy proof windows and narrow alleys. The way will slowly take you through the Kasbah square & to the Sultan’s Palace.
Lunch will be served in a native restaurant so you can taste the Morocco food.
The Medina offers you a good opportunity to visit the Local Market, fish market, spices market, cheese market.
To Finish the Tour, there will be a transfer back to the boat.
Blue City
Called the Blue City, charming city of about 40 thousand residents located in the heart of the Rif Mountains.
At an altitude of about 600 meters, placed between two mountains that form JEBEL ECH CHAUEN (the mountain of the two peaks) with their houses raised in the form of floors, covered with brown roofs and painted indigo blue… Chauen, is one of the most picturesque cities in the north of Morocco, with a peculiar style, typical and particular, that reminds the Andalusian villages. Especially those from the Granada region of the Alpujarras, with its well-preserved architecture of Hispano-Arab, or Hispano-Moorish art.
Founded by the Cherif Mulay Ali Ben Rachid in 1471 to slow the entry into the interior of the Portuguese, who came to occupy Ceuta and Alqazar is to follow, on the strait of Gibraltar… Thus, he built a fortified castle the citadel that still stands and that its walls are still visible. But, the city will know its true development with the arrival of the Andalusian refugees of the 7th century. These are the ones who will take care of changing, transforming, and of giving it this aspect of a typical Andalusian city.
Holy City:
To praise the Glory and goodness of God, which sprouted the multiple springs in the YEBEL ECH CHAUEN. The Arabs made Chauen an important religious and political center and proclaimed it a holy city. Today Chauen gathers about twenty mosques and shrines of which the most important is the founder and patron saint of the city MULAY ALI BEN RACHID.
During the RIF war in 1923, the city became a closed field for Rifian ABDELKRIM fighters… The Spaniards helped by the French troops finally imposed their authority in 1926. In 1956, Chauen was definitively integrated into the Kingdom of Morocco.
The population now lives mainly from the agriculture, craftsmanship, and turism.
What to see in the city.
More than a city of monuments Chauen should be considered as a city to stroll and wander aimlessly.
The ancient Medina is nestled in the heart of the RIF mountains. In it you can breathe a fresh and pleasant air, which is mixed with the sound of water, coming down from the high mountain, creating a stream where you can find the washhouses and their hydraulic mills of the source RAS AL MA.
The water fountain, its alleys lead to a series of shady little squares…
The best known and liveliest is the square UTA EL HAMMAM. (Pigeon Square). Authentic city center lined with Moorish-style cafes…
From there, you can admire the well-preserved remains of the kasbah, ancient fortress of the city.
Note:
It is possible for European citizens to book a day Trip with only their European identity card if they do not have a passport.