Morocco

Departed from Brussels-Charleroi on a 3-hour flight towards Fez. Arrived in Fez ready to dive headfirst into authentic Moroccan culture and centuries-old traditions. Also we do some kind of roadtrip with a different start and end airport so that's why we started at Fez.

The medina's labyrinth of narrow streets twisted through markets brimming with spices, leather goods, and textiles. Watching artisans work with techniques unchanged for centuries. The energy, colors, and sounds created an immersive experience into Moroccan heritage. A more traditional Moroccan city compared to Marrakesh to get the 'real' experience. The medina is endless and it gets really hot during the summer so be prepared for that ;). I will not forget that a guy offered us beer at an 'cafe' like he was selling drugs which was quite funny. During the most of our trip we stayed in Riads. There are lots of things to eat here, for example camel.

The drive south toward the Sahara marked a dramatic shift in scenery. Mountain landscapes gradually gave way to increasingly arid terrain. The transition itself was a journey worth experiencing. A long drive but with some stops along the way. We had tagine at a roadside spot (during this roadtrip we will eat a lot of tagine but it taste good) and a pleasant surprise at the monkey forest, just 30 minutes from Fez. I love animals so actually that was the headliner for the road. Also the cats that are around here in Morocco are really cute. We also stopped at some viewpoints which were really nice.

When we came to our stay in the evening, it was a really nice place (a little to luxury for us). We enjoyed our evening with a little swim in the pool. The morning after, an exhilarating quad tour through the Sahara, racing toward the Algerian border while witnessing mines and endless dry landscape. The raw energy and scale of the desert revealed itself up close as we tore through the dunes and explored terrain few tourists ever see. Gotta say that it's really hot there. We visited the berbers in the dessert also and drank a little moroccan tea with them.

A one-hour camel trek to reach our desert camp. Honestly brutal for my ass, and I had concerns for the camels wellbeing (though they're surprisingly strong). Would I do it again? Probably not. But watching the sunset over endless dunes and falling asleep under a sky absolutely blazing with stars? That was absolutely crazy and unforgettable. I had never seen the Milky Way this obvious and also there were lots of falling stars. The heat here is intense, but we left in the morning (and also woke up for the sunrise).

Ouarzazate delivered an unexpected cinematic dimension to the journey. Explored the film studios where blockbuster productions have been shot (quite fast because we had lots of places to be), then visited Kasbah Aït Benhaddou, an ancient mud-brick fortress town that looks like it belongs in a film itself. Standing amid these adobe structures, you're transported centuries back in time. We visited some other places like an local market which was also nice to see.

The 20-hour drive through the Atlas Mountains & the desert was intense and unforgettable. Winding roads climbing higher through dramatic peaks, passing Berber villages clinging to mountainsides, experiencing ecosystems shift dramatically in a single day. It's astonishing how Morocco compresses such diverse landscapes into one country. Within hours you traverse desert, mountains, and multiple climate zones. But I should have spent more time in the atlas because we rushed it a little (that was also part of the tour because it was the last day). I really wanted to climb Mount Toubkal, but maybe for a next time. We still had incredible views.

Marrakesh pulses with vibrant energy. The souks are an overwhelming maze of sights, scents, and sounds and again like Fez spice merchants, textile vendors, and traditional craftspeople everywhere. The palaces and gardens offer elegant respite. After exploring thoroughly, I realized 2-3 days captures Marrakesh well. I'd recommend adding time to nearby Mount Toubkal for an entirely different experience. Jemaa el-Fnaa square captivates with snake charmers, but I dindn't spend much time to those things because with those animals i have compassion. It's kinda sad how they keep the monkeys for example in small cages if they are not performing. So Marrakesh was nice but for me personally seemed a little like Fez but less authentic.

Taghazout provided the perfect ending. A complete tonal shift from the intensity of previous stops. This charming coastal town perches on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. The bohemian, relaxed atmosphere allows time to decompress. Fresh seafood, creative energy, and stunning sunsets over the ocean create a peaceful conclusion to an epic journey. Surfing here seems nice but when I was there the waves weren't there, so we did a beach day or two (because it was still hot) and explored the town.

Flew back from Agadir to Brussels with a head (again) full of memories. Twelve days that spanned ancient medinas, endless deserts, towering mountains, and tranquil coasts. Morocco proved to be one of those rare destinations where you 'can do everything'. You have nature, the beach and a lot of cultural experiences. Speaking french also helped a lot and when I'm in a country where I can speak the language it makes a big difference.