Travellers shouldn’t worry about the heat and possible culture shock when considering a trip to Fez, Morocco. I went last year and loved the experience.
There’s plenty of things to love about Fez, including the sunny weather, historical buildings, food and drink— traditional tagine followed by mint tea anyone?
Whether its a chicken, beef or vegie tagine with cous cous they’re all delicious and filling, while very sweet mint tea is a refreshing finisher.
And my accommodation, like many buildings in Morocco, was decorated with mosaics. My hotel — once the British Embassy when Fez was the capital of Morocco — was at the foot of the medina (old city).
I’d recommend a tour guide as the medina is like a rabbit warren and not the kind of place you want to get lost in the heat.
A guide is also handy for people who don’t speak Arabic, French or Spanish as not everyone speaks English yet, although clearly they’re doing well in the multilingual department!
The medina consists of market stalls, businesses, mosques and living quarters.
I visited a leather tannery and was given a large sprig of mint to sniff during the tour and thank goodness because the big, leather-soaking pots smelt like sewage but the colours were beautiful, just like the products in their shop.
A visit to a pottery where traditional bowls, vases and tagines are made was interesting, just a shame it’s hard to bring the fragile, hand-painted wares home.
And stepping inside a traditional pharmacy was intriguing with its various herbs, remedies and natural perfumes displayed in jars.
