Tangiers ~ 10 minutes drive

Tangiers, known as the "gateway to Africa", is one of the most intriguing, vibrant, and mysterious cities in Morocco.

The petit Socco is great for a coffee and a good starting point for exploring the old city. Just wander around the maze of alleys, find your way to the old Sultans Palace overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar. The gardens here are stunning; a mixture of orange and lemon trees along with  fragrant herbs and shrubs. Then there's the Kasbah area, the 17th-century Dar el-Makhzen and the American Legation museum - a reminder that Morocco was the first country to recognize American Independence.

Literary greats such as Oscar Wilde, Jack Kerouac, Tennessee Williams as well as artists like Henri Matisse, Cecil Beaton and numerous political figures, including Winston Churchill  have all been attracted to Tangiers .
This is a city of cultural extremes and dynamics; it's like nowhere else on earth - an exotic adventure not to be missed

Above and Below : Tangiers cityscapes

Cap Spartel and The Caves of Hercules ~ 25 minutes drive

Cap Spartel, the African continent’s most extreme northwest corner, is within quick reach of Playa Blanca. The area lies atop a rocky coast. At the summit stands a large lighthouse offering dramatic views of the meeting point of the Mediterranean and Atlantic waters. The cafe/restaurant here is the perfect place to have just a mint tea or a full fish platter and watch the sunset. 

The Caves of Hercules lie 5 km to the south of Cap Spartel. The caves are known for their window-like opening in the shape of Africa. Outside there are little cafes dotting the rocky coast, offering fresh fish and tagines.

        Above : Where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, Cap Spartel.           Above : The image of Africa at the Cave of Hercules.           Below: The rocky Atlantic coastline         

Asilah ~ 1 hours drive

The fishing village of Asilah lies to the south of Tangier. Asilah has one of the most beautiful old cities of Morocco, well-kept and dramatically situated along the cliffs towards the Atlantic. It has a beautiful beach, and offers a picturesque 15th century Andalusian medina and several excellent seafood restaurants. You can buy fresh fish from the tiny market set up at the harbour, when the fishing boats land.

Asilah is also the home of the now revived cultural festival, where every August, music, painting and sculpture can be found all over the city . A large part of the festival is street art, artist use the walls of the houses as a canvas, so the art can be enjoyed by all who visit Asilah.

Chefchaouen 2-3 hours drive depending on which route you take

At the western foot of the Rif Mountains Chefchaouen is a charming medieval town.

Chefchaouen lies beneath two mountain tops, known as Ech-Chaoua, "the horns." Chefchaouen means "Look at the horns."

The medina of the town is considered by many to be one of the most charming in Morocco. It has its own distinct style, with well-maintained houses all in white with blue doors, climbing the mountainside along narrow streets. All around the town, fresh mountain water is provided by springs.

 Above: Asilahs city ramparts at night

Above : One of Chefchaouen's famous blue doorways                Above : The main square