winairtravel

Arriving into Fez, Morocco from Barcelona, Spain was exhilarating with stunning top views of the Rif Mountains and its surrounding lakes.

 

 

The shadow of the Ryanair plane as we were about to land in Fez airport was so haunting against the nicely lined up olive trees.

 

WHERE WE STAYED

We were met at the airport by Mr. Abdel, whom we booked to be our guide and driver during our entire stay in Morocco (except until after he had sent us off to Marrakesh).  He brought us to the riad we booked called, Riad Rcif.

 

 

We were welcomed by the owner himself Mr. Hasish (not pictured) with complimentary Moroccan tea and sweets made by his mother.

 

 

This was the view of the receiving area/restaurant from the third floor of the riad.

 

 

Welcome to Morocco!

 

 

After a quick rest, we decided to have our lunch in the riad before we ventured into a city tour.

 

 

We did the right thing! The food was sumptuous!

 

 

 

This is Moroccan food at its best.  This truly stamped Riad Rcif as one of the best, if not the best restaurant in Fez. In my entire stay in Morocco the food here was the best I have tasted.

 

 

And on to our room.  My wife was 35 weeks pregnant and I failed to verify that the riad did not have an elevator so we had to walk 3 stories up to our room. We just considered it as an exercise and we found it worthwhile as it is the only room with stained glass windows and views of the city.

 

Could have I asked for a nicer bed?

 

There was a tiny nook with a small table and a couple of chairs.

 

The bathroom gave us the experience of  medieval times.

 

 

Finally, up at the penthouse of Riad Rcif one can have the view of a part of the old walled city.

 

THE WORLD-RENOWNED POTTERY OF FEZ

As one of the city tour stops, our guide brought us to the famous pottery in Fez which is the biggest in Morocco.

 

 

 

We were oriented on the entire process of ancient pottery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were also briefed on how the intricate designs are prepared and meticulously carved out and put together.

 

 

These are some of the outputs from the same pottery factory that are exported to all parts of the world.

 

We also toured the area of those painting the designs on the ceramics.

 

 

Here are some of the the colorful finished products being sold inside the factory.

 

 

 

 

 

We were so enticed we bought some to be brought back to the U.S.

 

 

MORE OF FEZ’S AMAZING CRAFTS

We were whisked off to a metal crafts store that’s selling magnificent metal lamps…..

 

 

….gleaming copper plates……

 

 

….with demonstrations of how intricate designs are etched on the plates….

 

 

…Berber jewelry…

 

….even ultra expensive dining set made of camel bones.

 

 

 

MORE BEAUTIFUL SITES AROUND FEZ

This is the area where we would be dropped off by our driver and picked up by the hotel staff to traverse the winding alleys of the old walled city as it is only accessible by foot and donkey. Somewhere up there is Riad Rcif, our base in Fez.

 

 

Yes, donkeys abound, nicely blending with modern cars and they are real mode of transportation mostly in the northern and eastern part of Morocco.

 

Another beautiful place we visited was the Army Palace overlooking Fez.

 

 

At the mountain summit is a small palatial compound composed of just one squarish structure guarded by armed men.

 

 

The sweeping views of Fez before sunset were overwhelming.  Yes a  walled city lies below with its ancient culture well preserved.

 

 

We were not accompanied by our tour guide as we roamed around the palace and stopped at the lookout so we had to take a selfie instead as we were the only ones at the top as it was late afternoon already.

 

 

Next, the king’s palace was a sight to behold even from outside!

 

 

 

More of the gates of Fez.

 

 

And its walls.

 

 

 

 

 

As the sun went down the golden effect it had was captured on the city wall.

 

 

We then visited a night market that was starting to come alive at twilight.

 

 

The dramatic and imposing Blue Gate was one of the highlights of our tour of Fez.

 

Our tour guide and driver, Abdel, also brought us to Fez’s version of the Champs Elysees.

 

 

Here are some shots of the narrow, ascending and descending maze of alleys inside the  old walled city only accessible on foot and donkeys.

 

 

Surely, Fez gave me and my beautiful wife a unique experience.