During my cruise in the Persian Gulf, I had the chance to visit several cities. Dubai, of course, with its endless skyscrapers including Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world on which I had the chance to climb, but I was also able to visit Abu Dhabi. This city, less touristy, less publicized and much calmer than Dubai surprised me a lot. Abu Dhabi is a city that lends itself well enough to a stay of a few days or even a visit from Dubai for the day.

Visit Abu Dhabi: Some information to know

Abu Dhabi is a city, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, but it is also the name of one of the seven emirates that make up this country. The richest of all. Indeed Abu Dhabi entered a new area after the 1960s with the discovery and exploitation of the riches of its subsoil. Indeed, it is with oil (of which Abu Dhabi has 9% of world reserves) and natural gas (of which Abu Dhabi has 5% of world reserves) that Abu Dhabi was able to become the city it is now.
Abu Dhabi is a rich city and it shows. You can’t miss the famous 7-star hotel welcoming the most important and wealthy with rooms costing tens of thousands of euros a night, the Emirates Palace Hotel. This hotel has a private beach built with sand imported from Algeria. It testifies to the wealth that circulates in the city.
Besides this hotel, you will find many buildings there, like the famous Etihad Towers, huge shopping centers, the most modern museums and crazy projects.
Let’s go for a little visit to Abu Dhabi and its essentials.

What to do in Abu Dhabi: the essentials of a visit to Abu Dhabi

Visit Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, the 8th largest in the world. Its construction lasted nearly 12 years and cost 400 million euros. It can accommodate 40,000 people. She is of rare beauty, one of the most beautiful in the world. Its interior decoration is very rich, with the largest chandelier in the world, 10 m in diameter and more than 12 tons. The mosque also has the largest carpet in the world, over 5,600 square meters.
The mosque is open to non-Muslims every day of the week except Friday. To visit the Abu Dhabi Mosque you can go there directly or opt for a guided tour of the city which will make you discover the main places of Abu Dhabi including the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.

Abu Dhabi, World Capital of Culture

While Dubai is aiming for the title of world capital of tourism within a few years, Abu Dhabi covets the title of world capital of culture and is giving itself the means to do so. Indeed, projects linked to culture are multiplying and are part of a more global project, Abu Dhabi 2030. Abu Dhabi has quite simply dedicated an island to receive these cultural projects, Saadiyat Island. You will soon find:

The Zayed National Museum

The Zayed National Museum project was originally a project carried out in partnership with the British Museum in London. A project unveiled in 2010 which was originally due to see the light of day in 2013. A few complications prompted the British Museum to withdraw from the project. We do not know, at present, if the project will see the light of day.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi

In the image of the project in partnership with the British Museum, the Louvre Museum has also joined forces on a “Louvre Abu Dhabi” project. A project initially started in 2007 which saw the light of day at the end of 2017. The atypical architecture of the building was entrusted to the famous architect Jean Nouvel.
Since 2009, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum has been purchasing numerous works in order to enrich its permanent collection. There are objects dating from antiquity but also more recent until the 21st century.
The museum is located on Saadiyat Island about ten kilometers from downtown Abu Dhabi. If you wish to visit Louvre Abu Dhabi, it is possible to purchase your skip-the-line tickets in advance online. Entrance costs a little less than € 20.

Le Performing Arts Center

The Performing Arts Center is the artistic center of Abu Dhabi, a city of the arts. This center, whose construction has not yet started, should include 5 theaters, a concert hall, a music hall or an opera house. It will have a very particular shape. Its creator wanting to give an organic and vegetal side to this building. It is planned on the same island as Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi’s new cultural district.

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

The Guggenheim in Abu Dhabi will be the 6th (and largest) Guggenheim Museum. After Berlin, Bilbao, Las Vegas, New York and Venice, Abu Dhabi will soon inaugurate the largest Guggenheim museum in the world with an area of ​​30,000 square meters. The construction of this museum is scheduled for 2018.

Yas Island, leisure above all

In addition to these places devoted to culture, mainly located on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi recently created an island dedicated to leisure. This island hosts the craziest attractions, it is Yas Island. This island aims to host the craziest attractions in order to be entertained. It already hosts some world famous places.

Abu Dhabi and its Formula 1 circuit

First of all there is the famous circuit of Formula 1, the Yas Marina. Each year, a stage of the Formula 1 world championship takes place on this circuit. Like all the buildings in Abu Dhabi, this circuit has a very particular design because it passes under a hotel, also very design. Every year at least in November, the best Formula 1 drivers compete on this 5.5 km long circuit. The circuit also hosts motorcycle GP races.
It is possible to visit this Formula 1 circuit for around thirty euros.

Ferrari World d’Abu Dhabi

Close to this circuit you cannot miss the famous Ferrari World. Indeed, it is on this island that Ferrari has decided to set up its indoor amusement park. Opened in 2010, it has a very elaborate design with the largest roof in the world, 220,000 square meters. This park has many roller coasters, including the fastest in the world as well as the largest Ferrari logo in the world. An amusement park that will delight young and old alike with thrilling attractions!
Entrance to Ferrari World costs around 70 €, it is possible to buy tickets on the internet in advance.

Yas WaterWorld, Abu Dhabi’s water park

Let’s continue our journey a bit to head towards one of the largest water park in the world. The Yas WaterWorld. A huge 15-hectare water park with close to 43 attractions including a 238-meter-long water slide. This incredible water park hosts the Flowboarding World Championship every year. The park is divided into 8 zones, each with their own particularity. This park has received many distinctions including that of the main attraction of the Middle East in 2013, it was also elected among the 12 best water parks in the world!
The park was designed to respect sustainable development standards.

Where to sleep in Abu Dhabi?

Several places are to be favored if you are looking for a place to sleep in Abu Dhabi, the first being the Corniche, Corniche Road, a promenade of several kilometers long which runs along the sea. This place constitutes a first choice place to stay in Abu Dhabi.
Even if Abu Dhabi is full of overpriced hotels, it is quite possible to stay inexpensively in Abu Dhabi. I can recommend two ideally located hotels, the Novel Hotel City Center and the Sofitel Abu Dhabi. These two hotels offer great services for reasonable prices, at less than € 90 per night.
If you have a slightly more comfortable budget, you can head to Al Maryah Island which has some very nice hotels without spending several thousand euros on a room. This is the case of Rosewood Abu Dhabi or the Four Seasons.

My opinion on Abu Dhabi

During my visit to Dubai I, of course, visited many places, trendy hotels, beaches, chic districts but also the famous Burj Khalifa (Burj meaning tower in Arabic). I spoke about it briefly in my article on Dubai but I decided to devote an article to it. In this article, you will find all my advice for a successful visit to Burj Khalifa. Its history, how to book your ascent of Burj Khalifa? What are your options for visit Burj Khalifa ?

First of all, for what it won’t talk to, Burj Khalifa is, quite simply, the tallest tower in the world. Burj Khalifa is therefore 828 meters high, for 160 floors. It consists mainly of apartments, offices and also a luxury hotel. This tower is located (obviously) in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It is located in the district of DownTown Burj Khalifa. This district is really spectacular, you can walk there for long hours. We will talk soon about the different things to see and do in the surroundings.

Burj Khalifa history

For the record Burj Khalifa was originally not to be called Burj Khalifa but Burj Dubai. Indeed, the tower was renamed at its inauguration with the name of Sheikh Khalifa, Emir of Abhu Dabi and President of the United Arab Emirates. In the midst of the financial crisis, the emirate of Dubai was hampered in its frenzied construction momentum by a lack of money. Dubai therefore did not have the financial means to complete its huge Downtown project. Burj Khalifa. It is therefore the neighboring emirate of Abu Dhabi which came to the aid of Dubai by financing the crazy project of Dubai to the tune of 10 billion dollars. In return, the tower was renamed Burj Khalifa.

The Burj Khalifa project began in 2003 when one of Dubai’s leading real estate companies decided to build the tallest tower in the world. Initially the tower was to measure only 560 meters in height but in view of the many similar projects, the promoter decided to considerably increase the size to arrive at this final size of 828 meters. Although it has undergone many controversies, especially on the working conditions of workers, the tower is a real technical feat. The figures are staggering, 39,000 tons of steel, 330,000 cubic meters of concrete for a total of more than 22 million cumulative working hours. The tower can accommodate more than 35,000 people at the same time distributed in the 304 hotel rooms and 900 apartments that compose it.
It was in 2010, on January 4, that the tower was inaugurated. Today it is possible to visit Burj Khalifa by accessing different floors (the 124, 125 and 148th) open to the public.

Visiting Burj Khalifa is a must in Dubai, the ascent of this tower is called ” At The Top “For floors 124 and 125 and” At The Top Sky » for floor 148. This visit is, of course, not free. The price varies depending on the floor you want to access. Indeed, it is possible to visit Burj Khalifa by joining one of the three floors open to the public: the 124th, 125th or 148th. It is mandatory to book your ascent of the tower in advance. Once you have entered Burj Khalifa, you will first wait in a sort of waiting room in which you can admire a miniature representation of the tower.

Once your turn has arrived, you will therefore pass security gates and a souvenir photo. Further on, you will advance through several corridors of the tower until you reach … the end of the queue. I you therefore strongly recommend the purchase of skip-the-line tickets. So let’s resume our queue through several corridors, plunged into darkness with a timeline telling you the history of the tower and exposing you its impressive figures and records.
Finally your turn. You will therefore enter one of the two elevators available to tourists. Large elevators, very design, also totally black with a small counter that shows you which floor you are on.

The elevator starts up, and even though we can’t see the outside, we feel the elevator pick up speed, reaching its maximum speed of 18 meters per second (world record). The floors indicator scrolls through the numbers to a pretty impressive visit. Be careful with the ears, they get blocked very quickly and will hurt you slightly.

Once at the top, you arrive in a large room, completely glazed and offering you an exceptional view. You can also go out onto a small terrace. Look up, you will have a rather strange feeling when you see what is left in height, almost 400 meters. The height of the tower is truly impressive. From this point of view you will be able to see almost everything. First of all, the roof of the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa lake, the city is its innumerable towers (which will immediately seem smaller to you), in the distance you will see “The World”, the artificial islands of Dubai then in the distance. horizon la jumeirah palm. Many “interactive binoculars” are available and show you the different places in the city that you see, you can even see what they look like at night, thanks to the screens of these binoculars.

You will find, on this floor, a souvenir shop as well as a stand to have your photograph taken.
A new queue awaits you before descending, just as quickly, via the same elevator.
I advise you to visit Burj Khalifa by day, but to stay near it to admire the tower at night. The lighting of the tower and the district is really sumptuous. You can also opt for a combination which will allow you to enjoy the café located on the ground floor of the tower.

Burj Khalifa in numbers

• 330,000 m3 of reinforced concrete
• 39,000 tonnes of steel beams
• 142,000 m2 of glass
• More than 24,000 windows
• 57 elevators
• The fastest elevator in the world: 18m / second or 40 km / hour
• 22 million cumulative working hours
• Tallest tower in the world: 828 meters high
• 160 floors
• Highest panoramic terrace in the world: 452 meters
• The tower is (theoretically) visible 90 km away.
• Cost of the tower: $ 1.5 billion

My opinion on the Burj Khalifa

For me, a visit to Burj Khalifa is a must-see in Dubai. This tower, the tallest in the world, is truly surprising. From start to finish the experience is unique. Even the ascent, in the fastest elevator in the world, is an experience in itself.
The view from the top of the tower is impressive and offers a breathtaking panorama of the city of Dubai and its surroundings.
So this is a tour that I highly recommend if you are visiting Dubai.

Around Burj Khalifa

Visiting Burj Khalifa also means visiting the neighborhood that surrounds it. In addition, this tower, the district and the surroundings are among the most attractive in Dubai. You will find many hotels there, including the famous The Address, the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping center in the world, a veritable labyrinth of shops where it is pleasant to cool off when the heat becomes hard to bear outside. You will also find the Burj Khalifa Lake with its impressive Dubai Fountain, a real aquatic spectacle with the highest water jets in the world. A visit to Dubai should be near these fountains. One should not miss under any circumstances one of the shows that animates the fountain. Every day at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday), then in the evening every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. and until 11 p.m. the fountains of the basin come alive and offer a beautiful sound and light show. The Dubai Fountain’s water jets are among the tallest in the world, rising to over 275 meters in height. More than 6,000 lights illuminate this pool of water located at the foot of Burj Khalifa. It is even possible to see the spectacle up close by opting for a boat trip on this body of water!

Burj Khalifa: Questions / Answers

What year was Burj Khalifa built?
Work on the tower began in 2003 and ended in 2009. The inauguration was celebrated in 2010.
How high is the tower?
The tower measures 829 meters with the antenna.
Which floors of Burj Khalifa can you climb to?
It is possible to reach floors 124, 125 and 148.
What is the price to visit Burj Khalifa?
It all depends on the floor you want to go up to.
Between € 30 and € 47 for floors 124 and 125. Prices vary depending on the hour.
Between 80 € and 115 € for floor 148. Here too the prices vary according to the time of day.

During my recent trip to Morocco, I, as you may have understood, visited the magnificent artisanal city of Fez. This city is actually split in two with on one side the new city comprising the royal palace and more typical European and American shops with an architecture that combines modernity and tradition. On the other hand, the medina of Fez which takes us into the splendor of Morocco and its quality craftsmanship.

This is why I am writing this post to let you know about our choice by explaining to you the advantages it could bring us throughout our stay. First of all, we hesitated for a long time when choosing our accommodation between these two solutions. Indeed, the new city has the advantage of more nocturnal activities while the medina offers various activities throughout the day with many visits such as tanneries, palaces (of Glaoui in particular) or the Medersa Bou Inania.

Riad Adarissa, a quality location

Our choice finally fell on the medina and more precisely on Riad Adarissa. The latter has the advantage of being located very close to the main entrance to the medina, namely Bab Boujloud. To get there from Fez train station, count around ten dirhams by taxi. Once you arrive there you will be there in just 5 minutes of walking. The route also has the advantage of being simple, because the medina is full of streets and you can get lost easily. You can still count on the friendliness and kindness of the locals to show you the way in the event of a mishap.

Once, in Riad Adarissa we find everything that makes the charm of Morocco with an open courtyard. The staff were also very courteous and helpful throughout our stay. We were also treated to a Moroccan tea on our arrival. It is also in this same courtyard that we had a hearty and typically Moroccan lunch. Nothing better before starting a day of travel.

The Mohammed Leftah room

The rooms are spacious and very comfortable. After a good day of walking in the medina, it is all the more appreciable. They are also fully functional with everything you need to keep up to date with the latest news or activity feeds from our favorite social networks. A safe is present, which is reassuring if you do not want to carry a too heavy bag during the busy days of visits.

Mohammed Leftah Room
Average price: 67 € / night

Equipments:

• TV with satellite dishes
• Internet par wi-fi
• Safety deposit box
• Telephone socket
• Air conditioner
• Heater

A traditional bathroom

The bathroom is just as spacious and combines modernity and tradition. Indeed, an artisanal seal was available in the shower to be able to rinse off. I have to admit, it turns out to be very effective, especially since we had quite a bit of desert sand left on us.

Soak up the sun in the medina

This Riad also offers a magnificent terrace, which will delight more than one in the summer evening. We find there the typical style of Andalusian and Arab fortifications. This also allows you to gain height over the whole of the medina and to be able to admire the Marinid tombs or the minarets nearby. Unfortunately, we did not have time to take advantage of it with our busy schedule and the temperatures which can be cold in March.

In summary, finding accommodation while traveling is always a delicate step and Riad Adarissa convinced us with its quality, its prime location in the medina.

Information on Riad Adarissa:
Site : http://www.riadadarissafes.com/
Tel : 00 212 652-487977
Adresse : Talaa Kebira | Derb Sidi Yaala n° 4, Fès 30200, Maroc

Here is my second article on my road trip in Morocco. Today I will tell you about our journey to reach what was, the primary goal of our trip to Morocco: the sand dunes of Merzouga.
Indeed even if our trip was not only to reach the Moroccan sand desert in Merzouga, it was one of our first goals. We wanted to spend a night in the desert, admire the sunset but also the sunrise. So I will tell you how we were able to achieve this goal.

Departure from Fez, Direction Merzouga

To reach the sand dunes of Merzouga, it’s a safe bet that you will come either from Marrakech or from Fez. Having already visited Marrakech in the past, we opted for a flight to Fez, the city where we took the car rental to reach Merzouga. The road being relatively long, nearly 500 kilometers and rich in things to see, we decided to make several stopovers including one to spend the night.

Fes – Ifrane

Our first stop was shortly before arriving in Ifrane, at Lake Aoua. The reason for this stop, a magnificent panorama of Lake Aoua and the first glimpse of the diversity of Morocco’s landscapes. Lake Aoua is located a few kilometers from the main road and therefore will not waste your time.

Second stop, Ifrane. The arrival in Ifrane is truly disconcerting, an impression of no longer being in Morocco but in Switzerland or in a town in the French Alps. This town is located at more than 1700 meters above sea level, famous for its ski resort located a few kilometers from the city, Ifrane is regularly snowed, as it was a few weeks before our arrival.

In Ifrane you will surely have the chance to see storks which are there in number.

Azrou

Azrou is one of the most famous sites on the road that connects Fez to Merzouga. You will be able to discover the oldest cedar in Morocco, more than 800 years old. A majestic cedar at the entrance of a forest where you will have the chance to see and feed monkeys. Indeed, many monkeys are free on the site and they love peanuts that you can buy on the spot. Nice experience.

Midelt

Midelt is the city where we decided to spend the night. This city is located 230 kilometers south of Fez, about halfway between Fez and Merzouga. There you will find hotels, restaurants and a medina.

On the road

These 470 kilometers of road through Morocco will have allowed us to discover the diversity of the landscapes. Between rock and sand deserts, crossing the Middle Atlas, plains and plateaus, or even Oued, the landscapes that you will have the opportunity to see are very varied and breathtaking. I offer you this small photo gallery which will give you an overview.

Find all my photos on my Pinterest account.

Merzouga

The arrival in Merzouga was made at Ksar Bicha. I will tell you more about this Ksar in the rest of my article. Once arrived at Ksar, head for the sand dunes. Two hours of camel ride separate the entrance to the desert from the camp where we are going to spend the night.
Many must tell themselves that in the desert, in the middle of nowhere, there is not much to do, and think again.

Surfing in the middle of the desert

First activity, and not the least surprising, surfing in the desert. Indeed the Ksar where we stayed is located at the foot of one of the largest dunes in the region which offers an ideal setting to try sand surfing. After several tens of minutes to reach the top of the dune (the climb is very physical), you can give yourself to your heart’s content by surfing the dune. There is very little chance that you will hurtle down the slope in one go, you will surely fall several times but do not worry, it is only very fine sand that you sink quickly into.

Sunset

One of the must-sees of this excursion, the sunset. The ideal panorama is obviously from the top of this famous dune which constitutes the ideal point of view. The desert then stretches as far as the eye can see in front of you, you will see the sun gradually disappear behind the horizon. Do not start your climb too late, you risk missing this magical moment. Little advice, if you intend to surf, given the difficulty of the climb, capitalize your efforts by going up with your surfboard to watch this sunset and descend the dune with the surf.

Meal and evening

A meal in the middle of the desert is a real experience. Despite a slight apprehension about the comfort of the camp, my doubts very quickly vanished. A solar panel and a well offer you all the expected comfort, see more, when staying in the desert. We were treated to a generous couscous followed by a moment around the campfire with the people from the camp. The calm of the desert is truly surprising and the sky that you will have the chance to admire is really worth the detour.

Sunrise

The sunrise, like the sunset, is a real spectacle. This will, of course, require you to get up early, but it’s worth it. Woke up at 5 am to climb the nearby dune to record this video.

During our stay in Rabat we stayed in a riad in the heart of the medina. For those who are not familiar with this word, a riad is the traditional Moroccan dwelling found in the medinas. These are dwellings built around a central patio, sometimes transformed into a dining room or living room. The bedrooms are located all around this central location. The riads are almost always on several floors, its roof, which serves as a terrace, offers you a clear view of the medina. It is therefore in a riad that we decided to stay in Rabat.

The location

Location is one of the number 1 qualities of a home. Indeed no one likes having to walk or take public transport at the slightest activity. Riad Azahra enjoys an ideal location. Indeed the riad is located in a small quiet street with very little traffic. It is located north of the medina not far from the famous Kasbah de oudayas. You will find something to eat within a 3-minute walk and can reach all of Rabat and Salé with the metro, which is a 10-minute walk away.
To reach the riad from the station, take a taxi, it will take you to avenue laalou, less than 5 minutes walk from the riad.

A charming riad

As I told you earlier, a riad is built around a central patio. That of the riad Azahra will allow you to rest during the day but also places of meals for your evening at the riad.

Around this patio you will find lounges to rest, to meet or even a room to have breakfast.

You will also find the bedrooms. These are neat, very clean, they overlook the patio.
They have a very large bathroom with a walk-in shower, tastefully decorated.

One of the strengths of this riad is its terrace. This riad has two beautiful terraces where it is very pleasant to sunbathe or even in the evening when night has fallen, drinking tea in peace is a real pleasure.

Who says rooftop terrace, says view. This riad offers a panoramic view of the medina of Rabat which will delight you.

Back from my trip to Morocco, I am writing today my travel diary of this 1 week trip to Morocco which was very busy. Indeed we wanted to see as much as possible during our trip and therefore travel as much as possible in Morocco. The ultimate goal of this trip was to spend a night in the Moroccan sand desert to witness a sunrise in the dunes. Has this goal been achieved? The answer in this article.

Day 1, from Fez to Midelt

As I told you, the goal was to reach the sand dunes of the Moroccan desert in Merzouga. This city, which borders the desert, is located just over 460 kilometers from Fez, the city where our plane lands. The journey being relatively long (no highway), and bordered by a multitude of incredible places, we decided to make this trip in two days. The first allowing us to reach Midelt while having time to stop at different places such as Lake Aoua, Azrou, where we were able to have fun with free monkeys, Ifrane, famous Moroccan ski resort or on the road to admire sublime landscapes. We reached Midelt in the early evening where we were able to rest before making the last part of the journey separating us from Merzouga.

Day 2, from Midelt to Merzouga

Beginning of day 2, we leave Midelt to join Merzouga, the goal is to arrive there in the middle of the afternoon because two hours of camels await us before reaching our camp in the middle of the sand dunes. Mission accomplished, here we are on our camel, less and less comfortable as we go deeper into the desert. I will tell you about our experience in the desert in a future dedicated article and you will see that the activities in the desert are much more varied than one can imagine.

Day 3, Return to Fez

Mission accomplished, despite a difficult get up at 5:30 am, we witness a magnificent sunrise before heading back to Fez, this time in one go.

Day 4 and 5: Discovering Fez

Days 4 and 5 allowed us to discover Fez. Lots of walking through its huge Medina. We were able to visit madrasas, its tanneries, one of its palaces or even see the entrance to its royal palace. I will soon devote an article to the discovery of Fez.

Day 6: Direction Rabat

Day 6 allowed us to reach Rabat, 3 hours away from Fez by train. Arrived in Rabat at the end of the morning we devoted the day to its discovery, the Kasbah of Oudayas, its medina or even Salé, a very close city.

Day 7: From Rabat to Paris

Our plane leaving in the middle of the afternoon, we were able to take full advantage of the morning to end our visit to rabat with one of these emblematic places, the Hassan tower as well as the mausoleum of Mohamed V.

With

The results of this trip are very positive with the visit of two of the most important cities of Morocco, Fez and Rabat and a getaway in the desert which will leave us with wonderful memories with breathtaking landscapes. Be careful however with the distances in Morocco, the roads are not the same as in France, the duration of the journeys is often multiplied by 2, so be careful not to be overly optimistic about the distances to be covered in a day. In 7 days we still covered 950 kilometers by car, 150 by train, 20 kilometers on camels and 75 kilometers on foot. You will soon find my articles devoted to the visit of Fez, Rabat or our escapade in the dunes. Here is our itinerary of our week-long trip to Morocco.

After having made you discover some of my rentals in Fez and Rabat and after having made you discover my trip in the Moroccan desert, I will try to make you visit Fez.
Fez is the second largest city in Morocco, with nearly 1.2 million inhabitants. Fez has, on several occasions, been the capital of Morocco.
We are going to review the essential places of this city and I will give you some tips for visiting Fez. First of all, you should know that the city of Fez is divided into three large sectors, the medina (historic center), the new city and the royal district.

The medina of Fez or Fez El Bali, the historic center of Fez

The mosques of the Medina of Fez

The medina of Fez is the largest medina in the Arab world, therefore it has many mosques, more than thirty, some of which are very old and very well renovated, such as the El-Qaraouiyyîn mosque founded in the 9th century. Unfortunately, I could not tell you more about the mosques in Fez, indeed mosques in Morocco are prohibited for non-Muslims.

The medersas of the Medina of Fez

Madrasas or madrassa, are schools or universities, religious or secular, in the Arab world. The medina has several, some of which are very well preserved and renovated. Admission is payable, a few dirhams only, to enter the courtyard of the madrassa. I had the opportunity to visit two of the most beautiful medersa in the medina of Fez.

Medersa Bou Inania

The Medersa Bou Inania was built around 1350. It is the only medersa to have a minaret. It also has a water clock. The decoration of this Medersa is impressive, the details of the inlays on these walls are quite impressive.

Médersa Al Attarine

Built in 1323, the Medersa Al Attarine is one of the most beautiful Medersa in Fez and one of the best preserved. Small regret, of this old Koranic school you can only visit the courtyard. It will cost you 10 dirhams.
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The Chouara tanneries of Fez

You should know that you will find 3 different tanneries in the medina of Fez. The most famous, the largest and also the oldest are the tanneries of Chouara. Visiting the tanneries is a must during your stay in Fez. It is a unique place where animal skins are worked so that they are transformed into slippers, bags or any other leather-based product.
The visit of these tanneries will show you the different stages of this preparation as well as the different tanks in which these skins are immersed. You will also see the drying of these.

Tips for visiting Chouara tanneries

Be aware that when you walk in the medina of Fez, you will have the unpleasant surprise of being alpaca by a multitude of people wishing to drive you and show you around the tanneries. Even if you will feel like these people want to take you there for free, you are sure to come across someone asking you for money to access the tanneries.
Even if, theoretically, there is no charge to enter, be prepared to donate a few coins to be able to enter. Nothing excessive, 10 dirhams (around 1 euro). It is a bad thing for a good because the visit quickly becomes a “guided” visit where you are explained the different stages and processes of transformation of the skins.

The Glaoui Palace

The Glaoui Palace is one of my most memorable visits to the medina of Fez. Off the busy streets of the medina, the Glaoui palace, built in the 19th century, was the palace of the Glaoui of Marrakech. It was here that he stayed during his visits to Fez. This palace has not been used since the 1950s and this is where all the peculiarity of the palace lies. Indeed, Abdou, the only resident of the palace, cannot maintain and renovate this monumental palace. And yes, I didn’t tell you, but this palace covers 13,000 square meters and has more than 1,000 rooms. Abdou is a painter, plastic artist, he exhibits his paintings around the world at various events. You will be able to contemplate some of them during the visit of the palace. The tour only covers a very small part of the palace, but the visit is well worth it. No fixed price, you give what you want, the money will be used for the renovation of the palace.
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Visit Fez, its royal district

Visiting Fez also means visiting its royal district. The royal district, where the royal palace is located, is an obligatory stage of your visit to Fez. This one is located between the old city with its districts, Fés El Bali, Fès El Jdid and the new city. The royal palace is located on the Place des Alaouites. You cannot miss it with its imposing facade. Unfortunately you won’t see any more. You will not be able to go inside you can nevertheless contemplate the impressive door.
Merinid tombs

The Mérinides is a dynasty that reigned over Morocco between the 13th and 15th centuries. They settled in Fez for a period and founded Fes El-Jdid. They have therefore left their mark on all of Morocco and more particularly Fez.
It is therefore in this city that you can discover the ruins of the Merinid tombs. Unfortunately, not much of these tombs remains, but I still recommend this stop during your visit to Fez. Indeed these ruins being located on a hill you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the medina of Fez.

Small tips for visiting the Merinid Tombs

The Merinid tombs are located a little outside the city, they are not easily accessible on foot or even by public transport. If you haven’t rented a car, I recommend taking a taxi. You will quickly understand that it is the most practical public transport to get from one place to another in Fez. The trick is to ask the driver to wait for you not far from the tombs. You can ask him to wait 20 to 30 minutes, which is more than enough to enjoy the ruins and the view of the medina.

Where to stay in Fez?

Fez is a relatively large city separated into 3 main parts. The question of accommodation will inevitably come to your mind and to visit Fez well it is better not to be wrong about the location of the accommodation.
As I told you Fez is divided into 3 large districts, Fes El Bali which is the oldest district of Fez. Fez El Bali is the medina, entirely pedestrianized, picturesque, full of life during the day with its alleys full of small stalls mainly based on crafts. It is the most touristic district. It was in this neighborhood that I stayed. You will inevitably come there during the day. In the evening the medina gradually empties. There you will find a few restaurants and places to have a drink.

Fez El Jdid, again a more recent medina. I did not go to this medina at night, but only during the day. You will find the living side of Fez El Bali but you will undoubtedly be less disoriented.
The new city is the most recent district of Fez. This one looks like most big cities in Morocco. You will find a multitude of bar restaurants. This side of town is much more lively in the evening.
Several choices are therefore available to you for accommodation when you visit Fez. For my part, I will recommend the medina and if possible stay in a riad, this typical Moroccan accommodation is very pleasant and the people particularly welcoming. I invite you to make your choice on a vacation rental site like Vacances.SeLoger.com for example. There are many riads there and you can refine your choice according to your budget and the desired equipment. In this regard, do not hesitate to choose a riad with air conditioning if you plan to visit Fez during the hot season!

Wondering where to sleep in Montreal? How not to tell you about one of the best hotels in Montreal. Absolutely beautiful, it is located in the heart of old Montreal! We had the chance to stay there during our passage through this beautiful city during a road trip in Quebec.

A hotel of history and culture

First of all, let me quickly introduce you to the history of this unique place. This boutique hotel, located just behind the magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica, overlooks the gardens of the Sulpicians’ Seminary. This religious community is still present in these places today.
You will not be able to miss the many architectural testimonies of this period throughout your visit to the hotel, starting with the magnificent remarkable stone facade upon your arrival.

Throughout your stay, the Saint Sulpice hotel wishes to provide its customers with a unique experience combining modernity, luxury and history. You can find within the hotel itself a selection of works of art presented in different forms: book, exhibition and film!

The book is the result of collaborative work between different writers who have been invited to stay at the hotel so that this unique place can be their source of inspiration. Thus, each of the 14 guests produced a piece of news according to their respective desires. This collection is available to customers for reading. And if you’re a fan, you can even pick up a copy.

During our visit, we were able to discover the works of the famous Quebec designer Jean-Claude Poitras. The concept is simple: each floor of the hotel is associated with a different theme. And this theme is given a musical atmosphere broadcast throughout the floor concerned. The association of the works of Jean-Claude Poitras with the musical universe of François Dompierre, a great Quebecois composer, offers us a unique moment of escape. This immersion is an original experience, worthy of one of the best hotels in Montreal, such as the Saint Sulpice.

To finish on this cultural part, you can also watch a short film called La Valise. This film is produced by the hotel itself! Four characters and a suitcase will take you to explore the Saint Sulpice hotel in a rather original way.

An exceptional location for one of the best hotels in Montreal

It is obvious that the choice of your hotel will depend greatly on its location. And to be the best hotel in Montreal, what better place than Old Montreal to set up a business? Le Saint Sulpice is perfectly located both for tourists who come to discover this beautiful city, and for professionals on a business trip. You can enjoy a wide choice of tourist activities to do on foot from your hotel: visit Notre-Dame Basilica, stroll along the Old Port, visit Old Montreal and its underground city, go to Chinatown Chinatown and the Village, or visit the must-see Pointe-à-Callière museum.
As you will have understood, the Saint Sulpice is the ideal hotel for visiting Montreal.

Room and services

After having discovered the universe of our floor through the works of Messrs Poitras and Dompierre, we move towards our suite. And there … wow! A large bedroom, with all the comforts of a suite: a living room with fireplace (using an electric fireplace), a magnificent bedroom, a bathroom as a girl could dream of (with the very beautiful products). L’Occitane beauty salon) and a customer well-being corner with a Nespresso coffee machine (an important detail for us), minibar and other sweets to make you feel at home. In short, you will understand, this room is perfect for a stay in Montreal, whatever the duration: one night, a week or more!

If you are traveling with a car, note that this is not a problem during your stay at the Saint Sulpice hotel: a parking service is provided so that you have no problem to manage during your stay. The valets take care of everything!

And finally, if your soul of a great sportsman apprehends this trip because it represents a break in your training, reassure her, a gym is at your disposal during your stay. And to comfort you after the effort, you can take a tour of the Scandinavian Spa. A unique moment of relaxation in a contemporary and ecological environment.

Sinclair restaurant

The room is good, but breakfast is also very important for us French people! We took it in the hotel’s very nice dining room. A bright room, well decorated and quiet. A good start to the day. Here, breakfast is served at the table, no buffet. You will have the choice between different plates (continental, Canadian or more focused on health), but also with a selection of local specialties. We took the continental plate: very good and generous enough for a breakfast!

In order to fully experience the experience, we took our midday “lunch” at the hotel restaurant, the Sinclair. If you are a foodie, a lover of good food, mixing originality and flavors, come and take a look at this Montreal restaurant. As I said earlier, the hotel is located near a business district. The restaurant is one of the landmarks for these businessman to come and have a good but also quick “lunch”.

Regarding the meal, we were really spoiled! We had the chance to taste various and varied specialties: crab, foie gras, squid, tuna tartare,… And for each dish, its own wine for optimum tasting.

In addition, the chef is attentive to his supply: fresh and local products! Everything we love.
The little extra of this most beautiful hotel in Montreal? Le Saint Sulpice is the only hotel in Montreal where you can enjoy a beautiful terrace, flowered and shaded in summer, sheltered from cars and tourist traffic. A significant point that brings a touch of charm.

And to conclude on this rather gastronomic part, we particularly appreciated the bar area. A cozy space, by the fireplace in winter, where you can discover or rediscover a whole range of cocktails or warm up with a delicious hot chocolate.

Once again I leave the keyboard to Mélanie who tells us about her “favorite” country: Mexico.

On my first trip to Mexico, I was amazed by the culture of this country. A unique blend of heritage from pre-Columbian civilizations, Spanish influences and North American culture. Five years and as many trips later, my admiration for this country has not diminished, quite the contrary! I therefore offer you an overview of the country and the jewels of each region.

Mexico City area

Mexico City is one of the largest in the world. You will often hear of “DF” or “CDMX”, both refer to the capital.
This city is surprisingly diverse. It suffices to speak of the cathedral, a masterpiece of Spanish architecture, under which was discovered the Templo Mayor, the great pyramid of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztecs, to understand that it is a place at the crossroads of cultures. . And the discoveries never stop in Mexico City!
Let us not forget either the more recent Mexican culture with in particular the frescoes of the XXth century and the many artists therefore undoubtedly the most famous are Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. The must-see museum in my opinion and the National Anthropology Museum that will help you understand this magnificent country.

Central part of Diego Rivera’s fresco “México a Través de los Siglos” (Mexico through the centuries) at the National Palace in Mexico City.

Of course, Mexico City is not limited to its historic center. I will only mention the two districts that I like the most: Coyoacan for a quiet afternoon, and La Condesa for a festive evening!

The Yucatan Peninsula

Located in the Gulf of Mexico, near Cuba, the Yucatan Peninsula is the cradle of the Mayan civilization. There is therefore obviously an infinity of archaeological sites to visit. The best known are Chichen Itza, Tulum and Uxmal. But there are a multitude of others (and less frequented!) To discover. Archaeologists are still far from having discovered everything in this region and in Mexico in general and you have to know how to think outside the box to make your trip a unique trip!

It is not only the men who have made this region a jewel of Mexico, but also the nature that delights us! Caribbean beaches like Playa del Carmen, Cenotes and caves will delight you. The Yucatan is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful regions of Mexico, to visit with family, friends, lovers… But not to be missed!

Chiapas

Chiapas is a state in southern Mexico, bordering Guatemala. Nature reigns supreme in this region. Very far from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City, Chiapas is made up of forests, mountains, rivers, waterfalls… The landscapes there are simply breathtaking.

San Cristobal de las Casas, one of the main towns in the state is a must-see. Several indigenous peoples live in this region and are often present in San Cristobal to sell their products. On agricultural or craft markets.

The north, lower california and the pacific coast

I’m not finishing the regions that I don’t know yet… I know that these regions are probably at least as magical as the ones I told you about before! I hope to have the opportunity to go there to tell you about it and make you want to travel to Mexico even more.

Of course, I am not forgetting the south of Mexico, particularly the state of Oaxaca, which I have already told you about here.

Discover Oaxaca, in the south of Mexico, far from the activity of the capital or the north of the country. We quietly discover an atypical culture and friendly inhabitants. Between crafts, local cuisine, colonial city, nature and archaeological site, this part of Mexico has something to dazzle.

From the city of Oaxaca is less than an hour by plane from Mexico City, many tourist routes will allow you to enjoy the region.

Handicrafts – Teotitlan del Valle

The village of Teotitlan del Valle has an important textile tradition. His tapestries are renowned and are sold around the world just like oriental tapestries. Here we can discover all the stages of the manufacture of a carpet. From washing wool to remove impurities, to weaving, including wool spinning and coloring. Demonstration and practical work in support, you will discover the art of wool spinning, how from a few plants and 100% natural blends, we can create all colors as bright as they are varied. We can also admire the people weaving large rugs that will be finished… in several months.

Oaxacan cuisine

Discovering Oaxaca goes through the discovery of its cuisine, one of the best in the country. In the heart of the colonial city, you can enjoy all the Oaxacan specialties in the shade of the arcades of the Zocalo square or in the market. Tlayudas, chapulines, queso, mole negro, you can taste anything, but be careful with spicy dishes for those who are not used to it. The great specialty of Oaxaca is Mezcal, an agave-based alcohol but quite different from Tequila. There are several types of Mezcal depending on the distillation, we can also find a larva at the bottom of the bottle, which slightly modifies the taste of the drink. A mezcalcito, as the locals call it, is most often eaten as a shot with “sal de gusano” and a slice of orange.

Discover Oaxaca: Monte Alban

Discover one of the greatest archaeological sites in Mexico. Located on a summit, you can enjoy a beautiful panorama. The museum presents the archaeological discoveries that were made in Monte Alban and that contributed to the understanding of the Zapotec culture.This site is further proof of the superiority of the
pre-Columbian cultures in science, and in particular in astronomy. We discover the pyramids, the temples, a sacred playground, the “pelota”.
Fairly easy to access and only 10 km from the city of Oaxaca, Monte Alban is an essential passage.
Nothing like a guide who can tell you about the social organization and the rituals of this ancient civilization.

Mitla

Far from the immensity of Monte Alban, its neighbor Mitla is no less interesting and is essential to discover Oaxaca. Here it is the finishes that impress. The walls of the temple are covered with geometric stone friezes. These friezes would represent the symbols of the Zapotec civilization and in particular the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl, a deity found in many pre-Columbian civilizations.

Boil the water

If you like to be impressed by original landscapes, you cannot miss Hierve el Agua, literally “the water that boils”. In the heart of the state of Oaxaca, two immense petrified waterfalls, shaped for millennia by water very loaded with minerals which allows sediments to settle while flowing very slowly along the cliff. At the top of the waterfalls, you can swim in the natural pools. “Boiling water” is in fact relatively cold, it is the minerals that give an impression of bubbling. The tourist circuits take you there through Santa Maria del Tule, Teotitlan and Mitla. However, it is quite disappointing to arrive at such a site to find yourself in the middle of a crowd of tourists. It is also possible to spend a day on the trails that descend into the valley in order to fully enjoy the landscape.

Today I’m writing my second article on my road trip in Thailand and Laos to tell you about one of the most surprising but also exotic stages of my trip. Indeed after landing in Bangkok in Thailand, going to Chiang Mai for the lantern festival, I went to Laos where most of my 20 days of travel took place.

The first stage of this trip to Laos consisted of reaching the border between Thailand and Laos at the city of Luang Prabeng in Laos, a stage that we did in an original way, by boat, following the Mekong for two days. We took this cruise with the Luang Say company, based in Luang Prabeng.

The day before departure we had chosen to stay in the town closest to the border, in Thailand, Chiang Khong. Indeed we have an appointment around 10am at the border post between these two countries (Laos side).

It is therefore at dawn that we get up, not sure how long it will take us to cross the border. A tuk-tuk then awaits us at the exit of our hotel located in the center of the city, a 15-minute journey is enough to reach the border post, still closed at this time.

The border crossing on the Thailand side goes smoothly, a bus is waiting for us to take us across the Mekong, the natural boundary between these two countries. The journey is very short, only a few minutes. No need to try to book the bus, it is set up by the border posts of the two countries. The border crossing to enter Laos is slightly longer, a few forms to fill out and a wait of a few minutes to collect the famous visa. The visa costs 30 USD, it is possible to pay it in Laotian kip, a distributor is on site. Watch out for exchange rates if you arrive with euros or Thai baht.

Once we have passed the border post, cruise staff will be waiting for us. Half an hour is necessary to reach the place of embarkation where the boat awaits us which will take us to Luang Prabeng.

This first day of navigation is devoted to reaching the village of Pakbeng or we will spend the night. We will sail around 5 hours on this first day. The boat we are sailing on is a typical river cruise boat, long and relatively narrow. This one is no less spacious and comfortable. It has a toilet and a kitchen. Indeed our meals will be taken on the boat. The food is plentiful and of good quality.

After 2h30 of navigation we make our first stop in a small traditional village in the Laotian countryside: Houy Phalam. A small village in which we will spend an hour walking around and listening to the guide’s explanations on life in the village.
We then take the boat for 3 short hours towards our hotel located on the edge of the Mekong in Pakbeng.

A few words about our hotel. First of all the rooms, large overwater bungalows, spacious and in a simply sumptuous setting. We can enjoy a magnificent view of the Mekong from this one. The meal is taken in an equally pleasant setting, on a large terrace. It is an impression of calm and serenity that emerges from this place nestled in the heart of lush vegetation.

The day starts early. We must reach the city of Luang Prabeng at the end of the day, but two stages await us on the way, the visit of a second village where rice alcohol is made as well as scarves then the visit of caves, of which I will speak to you again very soon.

We begin the journey in unfortunately a little gray weather but which will not prevent us from enjoying the superb landscapes offered by the Mekong. Its flora, of course, but also its fauna with the presence of numerous pink buffaloes. We pass a few villages, see some fishermen on the banks before arriving at our first stop: Ban Hoay Kha

Ban Houay Kha is the second village we visit on the banks of the Mekong. This city produces rice alcohol as well as various cloths. Although the village is traditionally designed like the design of these fabrics, most of the villagers sell them to passing tourists. An interesting visit which shows us, once again, the way of life of the inhabitants of the small villages of Laos definitely very different from ours.

Let’s take our boat once again in the direction of our last stop on Pak Ou Caves. The caves are only accessible by boat. Moored on a makeshift walkway to access these impressive caves where an incredible number of religious objects are stored, in particular Buddha status.

Slightly higher up are the grottes de Tham Phum. Smaller, these caves are also home to many religious objects hidden here during the war to prevent their destruction. Entrance to the caves is chargeable, count around 20,000 LAK or 2 euros.

For our last trip, we leave the caves in the direction of Luang Prabeng that we will join a few tens of minutes later. The cruise therefore ends at the Luang Prabeng pier located in the city center of the latter.

The results of this cruise on the Mekong between Thailand and Luang Prabeng in Laos is very positive. First of all because this mode of travel is relaxing! Far from the hassle of traveling by bus or car, the boat is an original and peaceful mode of travel. Full support by the agency is a plus.

It is also interesting to see the life that can be on this river as well as the villages located around it. The hotel in which we were staying corresponds to the standard offered by the cruise, an upscale hotel in a peaceful setting.