While staying in Europe for the summer, I was able to hop a flight for a long weekend in Morocco.
I stayed in Fez, one of the largest cities in Morocco. It was warm.
Fez is home to one of the planet’s most intricate pedestrian-only cities. A maze of over 9000 alleys filled with markets, dwellings, and noise greets the senses! It is highly possible to get lost in this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Many of the “streets” of the medina are just wide enough for two people to pass in opposite directions.
Or even narrower!
The Chouara Tannery from the 11th century is one of the oldest tanneries in the world. They still produce leather goods the same way they did centuries ago.
My accommodation had a total Moroccan vibe.
Somehow, I don’t think I meshed with the local clothing styles.
Typical Moroccan food consists of couscous and tagine chicken.
But, as a tourist, I couldn’t resist at least trying the camel burger. Tasty!
Pastries and candied nuts are big as well!
Outside the city are some surprisingly lush gardens.
Have you heard of Andorra? It is a small land-locked country nestled in the mountains between Spain and France. It has the highest capital city in Europe and when I arrived some fun festivities were going on:
The country has clean air and beautiful walking and hiking paths. This country has no airport, so you must climb the mountains by motor vehicle.
Andorra has one of the lowest tax rates in the world, making it a popular shopping destination.
Andorra has no military and is the only country with Catalan as its official language.
I spent this summer in Europe while our children spent time in California with their mother and grandparents. I stationed myself in Valencia, a beautiful city on the Mediterranean Sea, and Spain’s third-largest city.
During my exploration of Valencia, I biked almost 200 miles. The city is mostly flat, and Valencia has a great bike share/rental program. You can pick up and drop off a bike almost anywhere in the city via an app. There are bike paths everywhere!
The food in the markets was mostly organic and tasty! I never went hungry…
I kept finding new street art everywhere I looked.
With a touch of graffiti.
The architecture was amazing and I could fill a book with the pictures I took…
The many markets were art unto themselves.
I was most fascinated by the Palace of the Arts in the park that encircles the city center.
The museum next door wasn’t shabby either…
This park was my happy place. Years ago, the river around the city overflowed and flooded the city. Afterward, the city diverted the river so that it could never again flood the city. There were plans to make the former river into a freeway, but the residents wanted a park instead – good choice! The Turia park now surrounds the downtown and is the largest urban park in the world. I would come here to relax, eat meat and cheese on a blanket, and enjoy the time in the sun and shade.
Life seems so busy sometimes, but this book gave me an opportunity to reflect on things that are important, and take a step back.
I made a quick trip over to the Balearic island of Ibiza. Considered the dance music capital of Europe, it also hosts beautiful beaches and great weather. I was able to explore the island by bus and chill out at the famous Café Del Mar.
I just had to head up to Barcelona and see one of my favorite church structures in the world, La Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudí. It has been under construction for over 100 years!
The inside is breathtaking a well!
The light through the stained glass bathes in the interior.
Spain was a welcome respite before returning to work and the busyness of life in America.
