Rabat, Volubilis, and Fes

Sunday was our first full day in Morocco having arrived in Rabat the night before. Our guide picked us up at 10am to visit Rabat’s most famous site - the 12th-century Hassan Tower, an excellent example of the Mauresque style, located alongside the mausoleum dedicated to Mohamed V, the founder of modern Morocco and grandfather of the current king.

Then we walked through the remains of the ancient city of Sala, also known as Chella.

We left Rabat and headed to our next stop in Fes. On the way we visited Volubilis home to the largest and most well preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. With its Triumphal Arches, Basilicas and Capitols, the Volubilis skyline is peppered with examples of Roman architecture.  However, the greatest treasures of Volubilis are the superb mosaic floors, which have been excellently preserved.

Then on to Fes to stay at the Riad Fes. Originally built in the 1930’s as the residence of the noble Fassi family, it is an authentic example of traditional Moroccan-Andalucian architecture. Our room feels authentically Moroccan.

We had dinner at Palais Faraj recommended to us by our good friends Lance and Sabine.

Steph says:

After visiting a mosque in Rabat we drove from Rabat to Fes stopping for an unremarkable lunch (a fresh seafood salad, pate and fruit.) We visited the famed Roman  Ruins at Volubilis. The ruins consist primarily of many stone outlines of houses with mosaic floors. The floors are interesting but overall, despite the reviews, I thought the ruins were unremarkable especially after seeing Pompeii and Ephesus, We had a good hour walk with a local guide though and I am glad we saw them. 

Our Riad in Rabat is located at the end of a series of twisting narrow alleys in a medina. There are no markings or landmarks and without our guide to lead us, we would never find it even having walked back and forth there twice. I remarked last night that it's hidden that we didn't decide to go for a walk before dinner!

The Riad Fes is spectacular. It looks like a movie set. Every surface is covered with gorgeous tiles and mosaics and there are beautiful rugs covering the floors. Our room is located on a balcony overlooking a three story courtyard. It has elaborately designed windows with wooden doors that close over them. The ceilings in our room are twenty feet high.

We have a large narrow suite with a separate dressing room on one end and a bathroom with a glass door on the other. 

We will be here for three nights. Today we are going to walk through the medinas. Asiz said there is a great rug shop here so that will be interesting. We asked him to join us for dinner last night at a place recommended by our friends Sabine and Lance. The tangines and the pigeon pastille were fantastic. The restaurant which is also located in a Riad has a view overlooking the medina although it was dark.

We learned that Asiz lived in Paris for ten years and worked for Amman Hotels and the Mamounna Hotel in Marrakech. He frequently quotes famous poets and authors and is very philosophical; a most interesting man! He has never been married and has no children.