Jaime and David’s honeymoon took them to Spain and Morocco. The ancient city of Fez (also spelled Fès) was a true adventure for these two. The crowed, crooked winding streets, the shouting shopkeepers and hawkers, the smells and tastes of exotic food transport visitor to not just another culture, but another time as well.

Just wandering through Fez is a lesson in Moroccan architecture.

Jaime says, “Fez’s Medina is labyrinthine with no street signs and winding, path-like streets running in all directions, therefore, having a guide is absolutely essential. Beware of unlicensed guides who will waste your time and money.” They were lucky enough to find Mohammed (a local history teacher and native of Fez) spent an entire day giving us the historian’s view of 5,000 years of Fez. Others interested in arranging a tour can email Mohammed directly.

Above are images of local pottery and mosaic tables being created by highly skilled artisans.

You can’t visit Fez without checking out the leather tanneries. The cow hides are cured and dyed with a mix of pigments and – ahem – pigeon poop. Visiting a tannery is a smelly, but unmatched experience.

On to something much more appetizing… food! Jaime is a food lover for sure, working in the industry. So checking out the local grub of Moroccan was a huge part of their travel. Traditional meals at local spots let them feel like locals.

As Jaime and David know, the best way to learn about a culture is often to skip restaurants and check out the local food markets.

For a true taste of Morocco, these honeymooners sampled from the shops and stalls of the Medina. Jaime says that in the ancient walled city, “there are no cars or motor bikes allowed, this is Morocco 2,000 years ago in the days of Aladdin.”

The Medina is more than just food, too. I absolutely love her shots of local handicrafts like the rugs above.