Welcome all to the ultimate Fez guide on how to experience this chaotic yet totally charming city with knowledge, sense of adventure, humour and style, in a way that even Lawrence Sterne would have approved of.

Feel alive in its labyrinthic streets rather than take pictures that annoy locals, and dare blend in the context rather than walk shyly. This is an hedonist guide to Fez and its an open party to all your senses; otherwise you can just choose to be a regular tourist...and get only half the fun.

This blog is dedicated to everyone who makes Fez a lilveable and ejoyable city, and to all the rest who serve just as a background and extras to our liberal lifestyle. Remember, you can become a player too, just follow the guide and your instincts..best wishes,

Gatsby

Introduction

8:43 AM

Fez is one of the most fascinating cities in the world; it is so diverse that each individual will find something or the other to do here. All you need to find is your area of interest and the only thing you should be open to is experimentation.
- Places to visit:There are countless places to visit in Fez, the intellectual capital of Morocco. From gardens to forts, museum to universities and mosque to medersa all are set beautifully in this enchanting city of Fez.
Below are just a few tourist places:- Ibn Danan Synagogue- Kairaouine Mosque and University- Nejjarine Museum- Zaouiya of Sidi Ahmed al-Tijani- Museum of Andalusian Music- Water Clock, part of the Bou Inania complex on Talaa Kibeera- Cherableeyeen Mosque- Royal Palace- Merenid Tombs- Hammams in Fez`
- Besides the above given places there are many sites around Fez which are of immense historical importance and you should see them all on your visit to Fez.- Tickle your taste buds and experience the exotic cuisine, or simply learn how to cook the sumptuous Moroccan dishes.- Learn the Moroccan language and study the standard Arabic.- You can also visit the tanneries of Fez, or the place where beautiful pottery is created. - Maneuver through the streets of the Fez lost in the vibrant market place, absorbing all you can.- Shop till you drop through out the vacation and surely you will still find it less. - Discover new ingredients and new remedies to old ailments with Berber pharmacy in the Medina, the typical Moroccan therapy.- Loiter around the streets of Fez and immerse yourself in the aroma of the city.

Introduction

12:27 PM

Fez is the oldest city of Morocco. As with other Moroccan cities it consists of two parts; the Medina and the Ville Nouvelle. Fez differs from other cities by its divided Medina which include New Fez (Fes-el-Djedid) and old Fes (Fes-el-Bali). New Fez was build in the 14-th century so imagin how old Fes-el-Bali (old Fes) is. This city was founded in the 9th century by the first Muslim dynasty to rule Morocco, the Idrissids. Since then Fez has always played a pivotal role in the history of Morocco, right up to the revolt against the French.
Fez-el-Jadid is an outcome of the glorious times in 1248 during the conquest of Fes by the Merenids and therefore it reflects a massive royal city.


Most Fassis -the people of Fes- continue to live in in the Medina-city Fes-el-Bali instead of moving to the Ville Nouvelle; the modern urban and more European city.
Fez is no longer the capital of Morocco, and is not the biggest nor the most important town, but more than any other town it is immersed with the history of Morocco.
By now, most of the original Fassis who trace their heritage back to the time of the Andalusians have either moved to the Ville Nouvelle or to other cities like Casablanca and Rabat. The old medina is now crowded with rural-to-urban migrants and among the old families, very few still occupy their houses there.

Introduction

12:06 PM