Tangier, Morocco
We took a day trip to Tangier a city in northwestern Morocco via high speed train which took us 2 hours instead of 4 hours by car. Tangier is on the Moroccan coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel.
Ruled through the centuries by waves of conquerors including Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs and Portuguese, the city is more than two and a half millennia old, but the city has been going through a modernization so we found the central city, marina and port more modern and cosmopolitan than Casablanca.
The modernized city built primarily in the 1950's through today, is juxtaposed by the old medina built on the hillside dating back to the 6th century BC.
We took a ride through the city home to 2 million Moroccans with our guide Asis who is a native to Tangier who obviously loves his city. along the way he pointed out many of the historical buildings and the various embassies from all over Europe and the United States because Tangier is the most important port in Africa located geographically on the straits of Gibraltar.
Morocco was one of the first countries to accord recognition of the new American republic when it allowed American ships access to Moroccan ports in 1777, shortly after the outbreak of the American Revolution. Less than ten years later, the two countries signed a Treaty of Friendship and Peace which was renewed for an indefinite term in 1836. As testament to the special nature of the U.S.-Moroccan relationship, the Moroccan city of Tangier is home to the oldest U.S. diplomatic property in the world, and the only U.S. National Historic Landmark located outside the United States, the Tangier American Legation.
The Perdicaris Forest, better known as the Forest of Rmilat, is a real botanical park containing hundreds of species and offers a breath-taking view of the Strait of Gibraltar.
In the parc is a lone house with an interesting history. The Perdicaris affair, also known as the Perdicaris incident, refers to the kidnapping of Greek-American Ion Hanford Perdicaris, who was a human rights activist for slaves, Moors and Arabs in Morocco and in the United States, and his stepson, Cromwell Varley, a British subject, by Ahmed al-Raisuni and his bandits on 18 May 1904 in Tangier, Morocco. The American consulate became involved when the terrorist group demanded the release of political prisoners and cessation of control over several districts in Morocco. Angered by the kidnapping, President Theodore Roosevelt reacted with a show of force by diverting seven of the sixteen American ships in the Mediterranean Sea on a "goodwill cruise" to Tangier. This show of force resulted in the return of Percardis and his nephew.
Our next stop was to go to the coast of Tangier. Tangier has many of the nicest beaches in Morocco. There are seemingly endless sandy beaches and secluded natural spots, and others with a more rugged and rocky composition. Some are along the Atlantic and others along the Mediterranean They are not located in tourist areas and practically all of them are not overcrowded. Also on what other beach can you ride a camel?
Speaking of the lack of tourists ... our next stop made up for it. We visited the cave of Hercules. The story is that Hercules once slept here in the cave. It was crammed full of tourists and local tourists. Our guide told us that he would take us to the better cave than the large opening where there was a long line. This is the "cave" he took us to!
We felt he was taking advantage of our ignorance of the city and he was taking us to some more tourist trap type of places, until we explained that that is not the way we travel and visit a city. After doing some research on Tangier while working on my blog, I found out we were right about our feeling and that he diverted us to the tourist trap at the cave of Hercules saying he knew a better cave to take us to, so we took him on his word, and in actuality missed the real thing. The cave of Hercules is actually one of the best places to see in Tangier according to my research. We ultimately discovered that we do better on our own most of the time discovering a new city rather than booking a tour.
After explaining to our guide that we wanted to experience the city by immersion rather than take side road camel rides and experiences of the like, he took us to an archeologically significant site where they discovered roman graves and artifacts.
TangierKasbah
The the next stop was the Kasbah of Tangier. It is situated in the upper part of the medina. In other words, to visit the kasbah you must make your way to the medina, a small universe bursting with life, and then navigate its steep streets to the oldest part. The former citadel dates from around the tenth century and, although it has gradually been altered, it still retains enough of its original characteristics to transport you back in time.
We took time to explore this old citadel at a leisurely pace, observing the architectural details of stately homes, streets with beautiful bougainvillea with their vivid tones, brightly-colored doors and windows and much more. We enjoyed hearing the sound of our own footsteps and feeling the weight of history,
MedinaTangier
We left the Kasbah and wandered back down through the medina and the marketwith spices olives, meats and produce.
Cap Spartel
Cap Spartel is on the northwestern tip of Africa, a lovely picturesque place where a 150 year old lighthouse in perfect condition stands to warn ships travelling too close to shore.Truly some of the most spectacular views of the ocean can be seen here, an absolute must when you are in Tanger.
TangierStraight of Gibraltar
.jpg)
We went to the location designated as the location where the Atlantic Ocean waters meet with the Mediterranean Sea. The Strait of Gibraltar separates the Iberian Peninsula in Europe and Morocco in Africa. The two continents are separated by 8.1 miles of ocean at the narrowest point between Point Marrocrui in Spain and Point Cires in Morocco.
We ended our tour with a coffee at the beautiful Palais Zahia which is located at the edge of the medina facing the port. It takes its inspirations from the city’s amazing blending of culture and tradition.
The hotel has some of the most beautiful Moroccan tile and raised relief sculpting.
