00:00I'm Lily Douse and this is Grand Voyager.
00:05In this series, I travel the world to discover incredible places filled with culture, luxury and adventure.
00:13Along the way, I meet the people, taste the flavors and experience the moments that make each destination unforgettable.
00:26Today, I'm traveling to a North African country full of color and tradition.
00:32I'm here in Morocco, a place known for its stunning coastlines and ancient cities.
00:39Salaam and welcome to Morocco.
00:42As you explore this charming country, you feel the history, culture and coastal energy.
00:48The streets, the colors and the rhythm of daily life give Morocco its soul.
00:54I'm starting my journey in Tangier, a city shaped by centuries of trade between Europe and Africa.
01:01I begin in the city's historic heart, the Grand Soko.
01:05This square sits next to the Old Market and I'm going to explore this area with a local.
01:11Welcome to one of the most beautiful food markets of Tangier.
01:15It's the oldest here where you can get like fresh products.
01:21Here you can buy fruit, vegetables and spices, everything you need for traditional Moroccan cooking.
01:27It's an authentic spot that gives a real sense of everyday life and a great place to pick up a
01:33bargain.
01:37Outside, the market continues, where vendors sell savory treats that are a must-try.
01:42One of them is Karanteka, a Moroccan chickpea tart, perfect for snacking on as you explore.
01:49Close by, among the stalls, is a shop filled with decorative items.
01:54It sells everything from vases and plates to handcrafted wooden furniture.
01:59It's packed with traditional Moroccan designs.
02:02Anas has brought me here to meet the owner.
02:04As you can see downstairs, we have a can of pottery, of course, jewelry, murals, boxes, doors.
02:11They are all made by men, but 80% of our handicrafts, they are made by women, which is our
02:17lovely textile.
02:19It's fascinating to learn about the people behind these pieces, and the roles men and women play.
02:25Many items take months to create, with skills passed down through generations.
02:30The level of detail in each piece is incredible, and you can really see the skill that goes into each
02:36one.
02:38Leaving the market behind, we head to the city's highest point, the Casper of Tangier.
02:43This historic fortress has watched over the city for centuries.
02:46We've come to one of Tangier's most popular viewpoints, to look over the old town and the port below.
02:53It's the perfect way to end my tour of the city.
02:58Tangier stretches along the coast, with buildings stacked one above the other.
03:02Its white walls and terracotta rooftops give the city a Mediterranean feel.
03:09Overlooking it all is the Fairmont Tazi Palace.
03:12Once a royal residence, it has been carefully restored, and is now one of Tangier's most luxurious hotels.
03:19This will be my home for the next few days.
03:22What stands out about this place is how calm and welcoming it is.
03:27The bustling city might only be a stone's throwaway, but here, in the hills of Tangier, you feel completely relaxed.
03:39Inside, I'm greeted with traditional mint tea, fresh dates and sweet treats.
03:44A true taste of Morocco.
03:46And that same sense of luxury carries through to my suite, where everything feels grand and elegant.
03:53This is the Katara Suite, named after the hotel's owners.
03:58The rooms are full of subtle decorative touches, with views that look out over the gardens and the city below.
04:06Beyond the hotel's glamour, you can also get hands-on with private pottery classes.
04:12Today, I'm learning how to make a traditional Moroccan ceramic cooking pot.
04:18Pottery has been part of Moroccan culture for thousands of years, and working with clay really brings you closer to
04:24that tradition.
04:26After getting creative, it's time to sit down for something to eat.
04:31Here, the flavours are inspired by the Mediterranean coast.
04:34It's a delicious end to a day exploring Tangier.
04:41Morocco is full of history and colour.
04:43My next stop is Chefchaouen, known for its winding streets and blue-painted houses.
04:50It's one of the country's most photogenic places.
04:54Nestled in the Reef Mountains, Chefchaouen is known as the Blue Pearl of Morocco.
05:00And it's clear to see why.
05:02Amazing narrow streets and a colour that pops.
05:06There's so much to explore.
05:08I'm meeting local guide Mohamed, who knows this beautiful city inside out.
05:13Today, I would like to show you around here in the blue city.
05:16Chefchaouen is actually one of the most beautiful cities in the world right now.
05:20So I'll be glad to show you around here today.
05:22And on the way, so we're going to get to know so many interesting things about the city, the history,
05:27the culture and, of course, lifestyle of people here.
05:31Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 and quickly became a safe place for people fleeing religious persecution from Europe.
05:38It's a city where communities came together to trade and build new lives.
05:44These are local goods. These are the Moroccan caftans.
05:47Everything is handmade here. So handicraft is one of the main industries in the city.
05:52As we wander through the narrow streets, we pass everything from handmade goods and traditional textiles to freshly baked pastries,
06:01olives and dates.
06:02Vendors stock their stalls with styles unique to the local area.
06:06It's a lively and authentic place that feels like the Morocco of the past.
06:11These are the hats that the ladies here wear, you know, especially the people who live in the mountains, in
06:16the reef mountains, the countryside.
06:18So this actually what explains or gives them, you know, their symbolism, what's how they are symbolized in the city
06:25or like represented.
06:26So this is only in this region they will wear the hats?
06:29I would say in the whole country, but it differs, you know, it varies, like, you know, you might find
06:33them with straps, could be like that.
06:36We head deeper into the blue city, passing stairways and narrow alleys that are full of charm and character.
06:44Look at this beautiful place.
06:46Wow, I feel like I've definitely seen this in movies and a film set.
06:50Yeah, you're right, you know, this place is actually a very, you know, famous spot here and so many movies
06:54were held here.
06:55Please tell me why the blue color of the whole city?
06:58Blue is something that is very recent to the city. Back in 1970, actually, that's when the blue appeared.
07:04The city was known for its white color before and the white color is so bright and it reflects the
07:10sunlight.
07:10So that's one of the reasons why the people here painted the blue, so that they can cut that brightness.
07:15And of course, over time, the blue became signature of the city's identity, actually.
07:21If you look closely, you can see the layers of paint on some of the buildings.
07:26The blue and white tones tell the story of the city's past.
07:30And while the blue has made the city famous, its architecture is just as important.
07:35As you can see around here, this is actually what shows, I mean, clearly the Andalusian architecture or the Moorish
07:43Islamic designs, too.
07:45So it's not only the blue color, but the terracotta color adds up.
07:49So we have a mixture of two architectures on here, the local and of course the Moorish one.
07:54As you walk around, you notice those details everywhere.
07:57The city is rich in color and culture, and it's also home to a fortress known as the Casbah of
08:03Chefchaouen.
08:04This historic fortification has stood here for centuries.
08:08It was built as a means of protection against the Portuguese and the Spanish invasions that were happening back in
08:13the 15th century.
08:15As the Portuguese were actually attacking the coast of Morocco, and of course the Spanish too later on.
08:19So that's the reason why they needed something here to protect the city.
08:22Exploring the city with a local gives you a real insight into what makes this place so special.
08:28From the city's blue streets to the historic Casbah, Chefchaouen has been a fascinating place to visit.
08:36On the edge of Tangier lies another must-see location, a 700,000 square meter forest.
08:42Here, I'm meeting a local expert to discover more about the surrounding landscape.
08:47We are today at the park of Perdicaris, also known locally as Zarmilat.
08:52This is a place where Tangier slows down a little bit to breed.
08:56I feel very relaxed here in the trees.
08:58So the park is a Mediterranean forest with mostly coke, orc and pine, eucalyptus trees.
09:05It's also home to birds, hedgehogs, tertuazas and a lot of other seasonal species,
09:11which makes it a living ecosystem and not only a park.
09:16On a clear day, you can see all the way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Strait of Gibraltar.
09:22The park offers a mix of scenic walking trails and epic viewpoints.
09:28It's a popular place to escape the busy city.
09:31Here you can sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful forest all around you.
09:39Close by is Cap Spartel, a famous spot along Morocco's coast.
09:44So this is the meeting point of two seas actually.
09:48This is where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.
09:51And because of this, the currents and the tides in this region are very, very complicated and difficult to navigate.
09:57The lighthouse was built in 1864 to guide ships as they traveled through these waters.
10:03It was a collaboration between Morocco and other European countries.
10:07Cap Spartel is built in a Moorish-Andalusian architectural style because Morocco really insisted on keeping the Moroccan identity on
10:18the projects,
10:18although it's a collaboration with Europe.
10:20And the result, as you can see, is very beautiful.
10:24Today, the lighthouse is still in use, helping ships navigate the rocky coast.
10:29With its special location, it's become a local landmark.
10:35Further along the coast is another iconic rugged place steeped in history.
10:39So here we are, Lily. We have arrived at the very famous Hercules Caves.
10:45It's naturally formed caves, mostly limestone, formed with centuries of big Atlantic ocean waves and wind.
10:54The cave is named after the ancient Greek hero Hercules, who is said to have stopped here during his travels.
11:01The name of his wife was Tingis. So that's where Tangier got its name from.
11:07These caves have been used for thousands of years, and walking above them, you can see why this place has
11:13captured imaginations for so long.
11:17As my journey in Morocco comes to an end, I take one last adventure.
11:21A ride along the coast on a camel, one of the country's most iconic symbols.
11:27Camels have been part of life here for hundreds of years, and were used by traders crossing the Sahara Desert.
11:33Today, you can travel along the sand the traditional way, and take in the sea views.
11:38It's a fun and memorable way to end my time here.
11:42Morocco is a place that seamlessly combines its geographical location with its historical roots.
11:48I've learnt so much since I've been here in Morocco, and truly appreciate the combination of cultures.
11:53But now, onto my next adventure.
11:55hasta
11:55We'll see you gradually.
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