28 March 2025
While I traveled to parts of Morocco in 2010, I thought it a good time to update my impressions and learn more about this country. Actually, it was my niece who chose this trip from among other choices. Thankfully, it was the cheaper one. Maybe she felt mercy on my credit card.
Flying Transavia
We departed Paris’s Orly Airport aboard Transavia Airlines, a Dutch low-cost airline and subsidiary of KLM. Sounded like it would be a good way to get to Tangier. Reviews range from “an appalling lack of respect” to “the flying crews are nice and the planes are ok.” So, we shall see.
Metro Line 14 departs Châtelet – Les Halles as a direct and speedy transport to Orly. Cost is one metro ticket and was included in our Day Pass.
Lodging overnight across the street from Orly, the 7:20 am flight was still horribly early. The airport teemed with travelers and suffered long lines at security. However, it appeared an organized chaos, or maybe just friendly confusion. Immigration was swift so we soon found ourselves at the gate sipping coffee.
We worried about carryon weight as Transavia puts the fear in you about serious bag restrictions. The airline also sent “we would like to inform you that cases of measles have recently been reported in Morocco.”
Overall, our experience with Orly and Transavia was fine.
Max fares and Speed Talkers
I paid the Max fare so we could take an extra bag and pick a seat. Plane was full so glad for it. The announcements employed speed talkers and I understood nothing in French, only a few words in English.
It took too long before being offered something to drink. Water was not free. Then the flight attendants pushed their perfume trolley down the aisle hoping for sales. We thought Transavia was fine, but perhaps we were just too sleepy to care.
Airport to Lodging
Landing in Tangier about 2 hours later, the airport was lively. Immigration easily cleared, we walked out the door to meet our pre-arranged transport to our hotel.
I have mixed feelings about prearranging taxis. While they are convenient to do from home, the transport is also more expensive. However, one big pro comes from not having to deal with taxi drivers in a foreign country. Morocco doesn’t have a good reputation for this but then nor does most of the world. One faces the challenge of locating the driver in a maze of foreign confusion. Once accomplished, all goes well.
First and Foremost
Where are we? It is important to know the correct spelling of our destinations. Tanger is the French spelling for this Moroccan city, known to us English speakers as Tangier. It is the same city. In Morocco most all signs are in French so I only see the spelling Tanger. This differation is especially important when booked passage on Moroccan railroads.
Either way one spells it, Tanger, a vibrant Moroccan port on the Strait of Gibraltar, sits where the Mediterranean and Atlantic Oceans meet. A crossroads of cultures since Phoenician times (that’s around 3rd to 4th century BCE), the city served as a strategic gateway between Africa and Europe.
Kick-back Friday
Today, we pause to refresh. We lodge at the beautiful El Minzah just steps from the Medina. Bless their hearts, they gave us our room at 10 am. Upgrade no less with a balcony overlooking the sparkling blue port. The room is larger than a shoe box; we enjoy a bathroom and shower of size. Perfect site to relax, catch up on all things important.
Weather is sunny, clear, and at least 10° warmer than Paris. Gabrielle can do some laps in the pool and I can order a drink in the bar.
Self-care is arbitrary but necessary.
