St. Maarten | St Lucia We arrived in the Caribbean two days after leaving Miami on our 110-day cruise . We had been sailing southbound to South America in preparation for our circumnavigation aboard the beautiful Marina with Oceania Cruises. The Caribbean - Oceania Cruises Let's talk about the Caribbean islands we visited, where we got our little taste of paradise. St. Maarten and Saint Lucia. Day four - Philipsburg, St. Maarten Welcome to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. The Caribbean - Oceania Cruises After two days sailing from Miami, we arrived at our first destination, Philipsburg, and made our way to the Amazon for Christmas and New Year. Seven years ago, we first visited St. Maarten, an island that the Netherlands and France share. We spent our time on the French half on our first visit, so we enjoyed the Dutch half this time. After the Spanish abandoned their fort in 1648, a few Dutch and French soldiers hid on the island and decided to share it; soon after, both countries signed a formal agreement to split the island. After a quick water taxi to the centre, we were hunting for decent wifi, so we bar-hopped until we found a great connection. We also had a small shopping list of essentials, so we took this time to prepare ourselves for the next few months at sea. The island vibe was in full swing, swarming with cruise passengers from the four ships docked and the sweltering heat. The beach was filling up fast, and everyone enjoyed the hot weather! We decided we preferred the French side as it offered more quality dining establishments, was further from the port, and was more peaceful. The Caribbean - Oceania Cruises Day five - Castries, St. Lucia This morning, we arrived in the tropical gem of Saint Lucia, a small Caribbean island located north of Barbados. It is 27 miles long and 24 miles wide. The Caribbean - Oceania Cruises We were docked in Castries, where we could wander off the ship to explore the nearby town and enjoy the local vibe. We visited St Lucia in 2015 and fondly recalled finding a local cafe overlooking the square, so we searched to see it. Afterwards, we strolled the streets, saying hello to all the vibrant and friendly locals and discovering that St Lucia was home to a few Nobel prize winners. We discovered a familiar balcony cafe, although we soon realised it was different. We were previously docked on another part of the island; we later determined the restaurant we were looking for was entirely on another island. We settled in all the same and enjoyed one of the most delicious coffees; we had to stay for two. We loved feeling part of the local life and watching everyone go about their day, the best way to immerse yourself in a new destination. The Caribbean - Oceania Cruises After we were caffeinated, we took to the streets and enjoyed visiting the local market; everyone was super friendly and exuded the island's chilled-out vibe. Once the heat had reached its limit, we snuck back to the ship for lunch and were spoiled with a golden hour sailaway, capturing the tropical gem of an island in the sunset. Thank you, St Lucia, for welcoming us back. The Caribbean - Oceania Cruises Join us for our next chapter, 'Brazil', as we embrace and explore the Amazon over Christmas and New Year with Oceania Cruises on our 110-day voyage around South America.

Souk Hebdomadaire Samedi - Msemrir Sahara Atlas Tours M'Semrir is a commune in the Tinghir Province of the Drâa-Tafilalet administrative region of Morocco. Its population is just under 10,000. This souk is open on Saturdays. The journey through the pass is full of stunning scenery, switching between rugged mountains and beautiful valleys. Within the vast tapestry of Morocco's landscapes, the Market Souk Msemrir stands out as a vibrant testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and bustling daily life. Nestled amidst the scenic wonders of the Dades Gorges, this market is more than just a traditional souk; it's a journey into the heart and soul of Morocco itself. Souk/Market - Msemrir Dades Gorges The drive to the souk on a dirt single-lane road (dual-lane) with a one-kilometre drop to the side was a highlight of our day. The Souk Msemrir awakens every sense. The air here carries the aroma of spices and local delicacies reminiscent of the culinary journeys in the markets of Oualidia. Souk/Market - Msemrir Dades Gorges From rare spices that bring Moroccan cuisine to life to handmade textiles that tell tales of generation-old crafts, the market is a treasure trove to explore. Each stall and shop is a portal into the rich tapestry of Moroccan heritage, offering keepsakes and memories as unique as the souk itself. But perhaps the most enduring aspect of the Market Souk Msemrir is its people. The warmth and hospitality of the vendors, the stories that weave through their crafts and goods, and the shared moments of laughter. For those looking to immerse themselves in the authentic Moroccan experience, the Market Souk Msemrir is an unmissable destination. Every visit reveals new layers, stories, and treasures.

Tropical Waters and Remote Island Communities in the Caribbean - Colombia & Panama. In week nine of our 13-week bucket list Pole to Pole cruise on the MS Roald Amundsen with Hurtigruten Expeditions , we explored Central America. We fulfilled a bucket list item: the Panama Canal. Day 57 - At Sea, Caribbean Sea Today's most eventful item was the incredible display of birds over lunch; we were mesmerised by the flying creatures following the ship, hunting fish, and even tackling each other for food. The Brown Boobies catch the fish, and the Frigatebirds attempt to steal the Boobie's meal. We had a fantastic view from our window table in Fredheim. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole Lunch was also impressive, and we tried the soft steamed buns filled with delicious chicken and peppers; they were so good we had to order seconds. As we chose to visit Erik and King Richard in Fredheim today, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to order a crepe. We were delighted when the chef made a little taste of home for us—a lemon and sugar crepe! Thank you, team Fredheim. Day 58 - Providencia, Colombia Welcome to Country 57. Moving our country tally up has been a great week, and we can expect another one later this week. We are edging closer to 60! As always, we had coffee first, followed by a chat with the lovely Seth, who happens to be working at Hurtigruten on the Customer Care team. He was a ball of energy, and we loved sharing our travel stories with him. Thank you, Seth, for popping over to say hello. We were called to board our tender, and unfortunately, it was complete. Hence, a handful of us passengers had to wait for the crew tender, which, in hindsight, was in our favour due to the tropical rain arriving for a moment, so we missed the downpour and only had to receive a light shower. Sparkling clear turquoise waters now surround us, filling you with a sense of wonderment and delight. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole Providencia is a small tropical Caribbean island in Colombia; unfortunately, it was still recovering from a significant hurricane two years ago. The small village community is busy rebuilding and cleaning up, and they didn't let this get them down. They were all full of kindness and warmly welcomed us. We couldn't wait to support them and provide a little financial boost to help them rebuild more quickly. We welcomed the half-hour walk to town with only a light shower, and it was a blessing to keep us more relaxed from the scorching sun and humidity. As soon as the rain stopped, you could feel it coming back; the locals welcomed us with a big wave and hello and took cover under their porch as we walked by. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole The island is bursting with bright colours, slowly starting to resurface from the remnants of the hurricane damage. The locals are resilient; I know it will soon return to its glory. Our goal was to find a local establishment to support for lunch and a cold drink. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole We finally arrived at one and raced in to spend the afternoon treating ourselves to sample the local Colombian cuisine and mojitos (in a can, but delicious). We chatted with our fellow passengers who had found the same venue, and our lovely new friend Seth joined us; we had a perfect afternoon full of laughter and mojitos! Based on Seth's recommendation, we popped into a cafe nearby and sampled the Colombian coffee; we were a little sceptical, not being black coffee drinkers, but Seth was spot on, and it was incredible! Thank you, Seth! We started our return to the tender and, fortunately, found a shuttle going by. We jumped in and enjoyed a sing-along in Spanish with our driver, and the latest state-of-the-art air conditioning; leave the doors open. We had a blast, stopping every so often to pick up fellow passengers and give them solace from the heat. I think we managed to squeeze over ten of us in, and our driver wanted to pick up more! HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole We were back on the ship for a much-needed cold shower and to enjoy the evening. Unfortunately, we had tried to return in time for the local cultural performance, but we arrived too late once we were showered, due to the delay with the tender, and everyone was trying to do the same. The evening was spent enjoying cocktails, meeting more fellow passengers, and everyone sharing their stories of the day. Day 59 - San Andrés, Colombia Today, we arrived around 9 am in San Andrés, a Colombian island in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Nicaragua. It’s known for its coral reefs and reggae music, definitely popular with tourists. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole All excursions were delayed due to a slow clearance from authorities. Once we were cleared, the passengers were on the tenders to embark on their tours. There is usually an inclusive tour and a couple of paid options to visit villages, sample local cuisine, enjoy beach days, and go snorkelling. We commonly opt for the independent as we love to get lost in a new place and explore at our own pace. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole We enjoyed a coffee from our lovely Arnel in the Explorer's Lounge (he truly makes the best coffee) and used the time to research the best places for lunch and cocktails. Around lunch, we were on the island, a very short tender, although very hot, so we tried to nab a seat in the open air. Once on the island, a free shuttle took you 30 minutes into town. Watch these guys as they still want you to pay on arrival, even though Hurtigruten has provided them for passengers. A quick stroll to our restaurant on the boulevard, with views of the crystal waters and air-conditioned indoors! We thoroughly enjoyed the new cuisine. We had a day of Asian, which was most welcome, and the cocktails were a nice warm-up to the day! After spending a few months in Canada and the US, it was also a pleasant surprise to receive a lazy lunch bill of AUD100, which was significantly lower than the average of AUD350. We quickly had six cocktails and a few courses. After lunch, we took on the sweltering heat to stroll the beach, were quickly defeated, and waited for our taxi. He messaged to say he would be half an hour late, which meant we would have missed the last tender, so we hailed a cab for USD20 and were back in time. We spent our first night in the room; after a hot and humid day, it was nice to hide away. We were incredibly spoiled by our beautiful team in Lindstrom, who were only happy to deliver our meals. Thank you, Raymond and Helen 🙏 This evening, we received a letter advising that another country has been removed from our Pole to Pole due to COVID restrictions on cruise ships. To avoid the risk of the vessel being quarantined, Peru has been cancelled, and we now have an additional port in Ecuador, as well as four seas instead. Hopefully, we will be surprised with a new destination from Ecuador to Chile🤞 Nicaragua was also cancelled for the same reason this week. Fun fact: Always walk the beach before you decide to frolic in the water, and do a quick check on the health of the water. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole , Day 60 - Bocas del Toro, Panama It is a busy week for these two slow travellers, who are counting new countries. Last year, we visited six countries, and we've already visited three this week! HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole Bocas, as the locals refer to it, is the archipelago of Panama. It stole our hearts with its island vibe and beautiful people, and with stunning views, it is fast becoming a gastronomic destination right up our alley! In a new country, the ship and passengers needed to be cleared; after a few hours, we explored Isla Colon, one of the three islands in Bocas, which is attached to mainland Panama. The zodiacs were out to whisk us to shore, the sun was taking a break, and the rain was to keep us company; we didn't let this get us down. We just ducked out of the walking excursion and escaped to Meren Pool Club, a new beach club, to stay dry and quenched for the afternoon. The food and cocktails were excellent, and the Panamanians' beautiful nature and the beach club's decor and design were very chic. All places offer incredibly high-speed Wi-Fi and English menus, making them a perfect destination for digital nomads. We bar-hopped back to the ship and loved meeting the locals for a chat; even as we walked along, we were enthralled in conversation with locals. After chats with the locals and feeling at home with the island vibe, think of Koh Samui in Thailand. We are already planning an extended stay in Isla Colón, Panama. We enjoyed a drink with the lovely Emilie from Hurtigruten, who brought her boundless positive energy to the occasion, along with fellow passengers, and then headed back to the ship to make our way to Colon. Day 61 - Colon, Panama This morning was disembarkation day. We woke to a very peaceful ship, as all guests had checked out to explore Panama City and travel home. The Pole to Pole guests were fortunate to be on an organised excursion of Colon, which we were grateful for, as after researching online, it isn't recommended to do it independently. Below is the local prison, which was in dire condition but reflects reality today in Colon, a city home to the Panama Canal with a daily revenue of approximately $ 15 million. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole Colón is a city and seaport in Panama, on the Caribbean Sea, near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal; it has traditionally been known as Panama's second city. The vast Colón Free Trade Zone offers tax-free shopping, and over 3000 stores are located in a nearby pocket of the city. It is the distribution centre of all goods for South America. A bus awaited us on an excursion to popular sites near Colon. With Carlos, our guide, and Jorge keeping us safe on the road, we drove through the streets of the outskirts of Colon. Seeing the reality of the living conditions for the people and the city was quite disheartening. Carlos described to us only yesterday that the areas we were going through were one metre underwater, so they were dealing with the remnants of the flooding. First, we surprised visitors with a visit to the northern entrance of the Panama Canal, at Gatun Lock, where a visitor centre and viewing platform are located to observe ships in transit. We were excited to hear one was leaving the last chamber and another was entering the first. We experienced the whole event from the viewing platform, including the chamber gates opening and closing, and the power of gravity as the water rose and was released into the lock chambers. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole It was genuinely fascinating, especially as we would all experience the transit on our ship the following day. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole We were overwhelmed with information as we learned all about the Panama Canal and the country of Panama. Here are some fun facts below. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole As we were heading back to the bus, we were surprised to see a visitor out front, a coati, part of the raccoon family. He was familiar with having humans in his presence, so we all took the opportunity to snap some pics of our first Coatis sightings. Next, we visited Fort San Lorenzo. To access the fort, you drive through an abandoned US Army training base during the Vietnam War, a dense jungle rainforest and mangroves, hearing stories about the crocodiles who cross the roads at night to hunt; therefore, no night walking is recommended unless you are keen on being their appetiser, to also the road we travelled on being nicknamed 'crunch road' when the crabs are migrating, as millions come to the area to do so. It becomes impossible to avoid them as you drive through. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole Within half an hour, we arrived at a well-preserved 18th-century colonial military structure. These UNESCO seaside ruins offer sweeping views of the mouth of the Chagres River. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole We strolled through the historic site and admired the panoramic views. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole We even encountered an army of disciplined little ants delivering food and shelter to their home. The little things, we were all enthralled by the ant's trail. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole Upon leaving, we were also treated to another Coatis visitor as we departed. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole Carlos was an excellent guide. His insights were just the right amount, and we learned many fun facts. We were whisked back to the ship after a drive-by tour of Colon and the sites; we were also advised to steer clear and stay in our bubble of safety on the ship. It was a fantastic morning. We checked off a bucket list item, and after a quick duty-free shop, we were back in the safety of our floating home for a delicious lunch at Fredheim. Our new fellow passengers were embarking, and everyone was excited to kick off their vacation. They have all been an absolute delight onboard, sharing travel stories and the new segment as we explore the West Coast of South America. Fun facts: Panama hats are made in Ecuador; more on this next week Until 1979, Colon was part of America. US citizens can retire back to Colon and receive 20 years of tax-free income. Approximately 80% of Panama City's population is of Chinese descent, largely due to the railway construction, and 80% of Colon's population is from Barbados and Jamaica, primarily due to the canal. Every little town has a different influence. Ships transiting through the canals pay for all containers and cabins, whether occupied or empty. On average, it is 350k per ship to cross the channel. The canals make an average of 12-15 million daily in revenue, and the minimum wage is $600 monthly. A dry canal refers to the process of offloading containers in a port and then using rail to transport the cargo. Another ship waits to collect on the other side to continue the move. Some companies want to save dollars and opt for a dry canal. The Panama Canal was inaugurated in 1914; for 85 years, the United States operated and maintained government control. In 1999, the canal was transferred to Panama, which now operates and manages the route. A new lock was built to transport more cargo and more than 40,000 workers, and the larger canal was inaugurated in 2016. The old canal does not recycle water; the new one uses the same water three times, refreshed to avoid pollution, and only recycles during the dry season. Fifty-two million gallons of water are released from the lake each transit in the old canal. Up to 10,000 people work in the canal today. The channel pays the best salaries in Panama, with the top level for pilots reaching $500,000 a year. The locals of Colon are now turning their home kitchens into restaurants, cooking up home-style feasts for people to enjoy at a small cost, promoting healthy eating habits, and supporting local businesses since the COVID-19 pandemic. Day 62 - Panama Canal Transit Today was the transit through the Panama Canal, an experience both Wayne and I have had on our bucket list for over 15 years. We booked a cruise in 2009 but decided to change our plans and postpone the cruise (which never eventuated). HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole We were advised to enter the first lock at 8:45 am (the Atlantic exit), so we set the alarm and were up and ready. The ship was on schedule, and we commenced our entry into the first chamber (as we are a smaller ship, the old canal chambers were for us); there were three in total, and we were supported by a tug boat at the front and rear, along with the mules (locomotive trains). It takes about one hour to go through the three chambers as you experience the waters in the chambers using the force of gravity to raise you and bring you to the same level, so that we can continue our transit to the South Pacific. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole We arrived at Miraflores Lock (the Pacific entrance) around 5 pm, and the same process to enter, lower and exit the chambers; this was perfect timing to call my Mum and Dad in Australia, who also wanted to share this moment with us, they were also able to enjoy it over the wifi. The video images were blurry, but didn't ruin the moment. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole Once through the last of the chambers, we had completed the entry into the Pacific Ocean; it was a beautiful evening, blessed with a vivid and colourful sunset, over a backdrop of ships all waiting their turn to cross into the Atlantic Ocean. After experiencing the Panama Canal locks from both outside and inside the ship, we felt the visit to watch the ships transit the waves was much more enjoyable. Once on the ship, it is difficult to fully understand the power of the process due to visibility, but we loved having the opportunity to experience both sides. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole Our lovely team spoiled us again this evening, and we enjoyed our dinner in the suite—a special thank you to our dear Aries and the Lindstrom team. Day 63 - At Sea, Crossing the Equator, Ecuador Week nine finished with the crossing of the Equator from the North to the South Pacific Ocean. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole The sun shone, and we were all treated to the Equator crossing ritual during the afternoon. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailor's first time crossing the Equator. In this case, King Neptune, the Captain, and the team all came out in preparation for the baptism. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole King Neptune is said to be the ruler of the seas, and this entire shindig is orchestrated to appease the King by showing him respect, keeping sailors away from the perils of the sea, and bringing good luck. We all queued up for the tradition, and Wayne, of course, was first. The Captain and crew baptised us with a splash of ice, bright red liquid (just food dye), and a refreshing spray from the fire hose as we crossed the Equator. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole It was much easier than the Arctic Circle crossing, where the ice-cold water and ice ceremoniously drizzled down our backs in a few degrees! Everyone was energised and enjoyed the moment, with lots of laughter. The ship has renewed energy for the new leg as we embark on our Ecuador and Chile segments. Unfortunately, Peru has been excluded due to local COVID-19 restrictions, which are outside of Hurtigruten's control, but it will always be available for another time. HX Hurtigruten Pole to Pole The poor expedition team suffered the worst of it, as it was their first time experiencing the crossing. We followed this with the Captain's welcome in the lounge and a meet-and-greet with the new crew members who had joined us for the next South American segment. Dinner was next, and we celebrated the lovely Barbara's 69th birthday; she joined us with her hubby for the new leg with the team. Smiles all around. We all retired early and prepared for our new destination, Manta, Ecuador , and our 59th country. We can't wait to share 'week ten' as we explore the undiscovered gem of Ecuador .

Hamilton, Bermuda It was time to return to Europe after 12 months of incredible adventures. Here is a little summary to remind ourselves of the year we just experienced; it goes by so fast, you need to pinch yourself it happened: Seven months at sea wasn't quite long enough, so we crossed the Atlantic by ship to return to Europe for the remainder of 2023. This time was extra special as my parents were cruising with us to spend a few months travelling together; after four years between catchups, it was a great way to make up for lost time and a trip we treasure dearly. Thank you, Mum and Dad! We were to embark on a 22-day back-to-back cruise. The first segment would involve crossing the Atlantic and visiting Bermuda, Ireland, the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It would then be followed by a majestic 7-day cruise through the Norwegian Fjords—another bucket list item! As part of our two-week Western Europe Transatlantic voyage on Celebrity Apex, we had the weather gods on our side. Our first port after two days at sea, as we left Florida in our rearview mirror, was another port that is hit or miss on a cruise; the weather is the dictator, whether you dock or not. Welcome to Country No.70, our first destination on our Transatlantic crossing to Europe. After two days sailing from Fort Lauderdale, we arrived in Bermuda's cosmopolitan capital, Hamilton. Bermuda, we have been told, is one of those stops on the crossing that is like winning the weather lottery, and we were in luck. Upon disembarking the ship, you are immersed in crystal-clear turquoise waters boasting abundant tropical and local fish life; you are mesmerised by the sea life activity and the beautiful display of colours from all the different species. As we were docked at the Royal Navy Dockyard, you were deposited directly in the harbour surrounded by various vessels providing a marine parade as you wandered around. As we disembarked, we were all mesmerised by the blue fish swimming in the crystal blue waters. Sailing Into Bermuda We continued our stroll around the charming and colourful seaside capital, full of history and beautiful architecture. Sailing Into Bermuda The main attraction was the clock tower, which housed a great selection of souvenir boutiques for avid cruise shoppers. Here is a fun fact about the clock tower: It has twin towers that rise 100 feet overhead; one displays the current time, while the other tells the day's high tide. We enjoyed capturing the village's essence, and with more time, you would definitely explore and enjoy the pristine beaches nearby. As we sailed away later in the afternoon, you were spoiled with million-dollar views and homes to match. Bermuda is worth an extended stay, as it captures and experiences all the goodness, local culture, and excellent culinary scene.

Temsco Helicopters - Juneau, Alaska Given the many helicopter flights offered, how do you select the best helicopter flight option in Juneau? Temsco Helicopters With two different glacier landings and the pilot as your guide, this gave us the best value for money. The tour includes approximately 50 minutes of helicopter flying time and two separate landings of roughly 15 minutes each. The total tour duration is about 80 minutes. Allow up to 45 minutes for return transportation from where your ship docks and the safety briefing. After arriving at the heliport, the friendly tour attendant will outfit you in glacier boots and give you a safety briefing; thank you, Parrish. The pilot will choose two other glacier landings among the 36 named glaciers stretching across 1,500 square miles of the Juneau Icefield; a few landing possibilities include the Herbert, Taku, Norris, Gilkey, Hole in the Wall, or the famous Mendenhall Glacier. Most other tours provide a brief view of the lower glaciers and a shorter flight time with no landings on the glaciers. Therefore, the Pilot's Choice is the best. Temsco Helicopters The flight takes you over ice spires, deep blue crevasses, meltwater pools, beautiful glaciers and mesmerising views of the stunning Alaskan terrain. Temsco Helicopters Temsco Helicopters With approximately 50 minutes of helicopter time, you can view steep alpine ridges, lush rainforest, and the incredible glaciers below. Our Temsco Helicopter pilot, Josiah , was incredible. We landed on two different glaciers and had the opportunity to walk around Herbert and Mendenhall glaciers. Josiah kept us excitedly on the edge of our seats as he expertly manoeuvred the aircraft safely between cols in the mountains and landed neatly alongside a crevasse on the glacier. It was thrilling and one of the most amazing experiences we have had flying. Thank you, Josiah. Temsco Helicopters The glaciers' colours were gorgeous, and the spectacular mountain ranges were a sight. Josiah will also keep you posted on all the wildlife below and the eagles soaring above. It was a magical morning, an experience we never thought possible, and you will have a bounce in your step for the rest of the day. Temsco Helicopters

Our favourite bars in Rabat. Le Dhow Restaurant Lounge It has good food and a good wine list but is slightly expensive. What the heck? You can sit outside and enjoy the sunshine and water views. Le Dhow Restaurant Lounge Maya Restaurant & Lounge It is an excellent place for food and drinks, with a solid wine list. It is open for lunch and dinner, then clubbing later in the evening. Maya Restaurant & Lounge Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses A hidden treasure of a bar in Rabat, nestled deep inside the Sofitel. The surroundings are very picturesque, and the bar itself is beautifully designed. Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses

Riviera aperitive bar Our local bar was great for better-value cocktails while still enjoying the Rovinj sunset. This was one of our favourites. Riviera aperitive bar Molo Grande Caffe bar Our other local is a nice small bar that offers a great view of the famous Rovinj sunsets. We visited this place at least ten times. Molo Grande Caffe bar Vestrum Beach A nice little beach bar serving drinks is the perfect spot to avoid the crowds from the centre of Rovinj while still watching the sunset and listening to cool tunes. Vestrum Beach The Melegran Some days, it just gets so hot in Rovinj that you want to sit in a cocktail bar with air conditioning while enjoying the charming views. The Melegran La Puntulina One insider tip: if you cannot book, go at least for sunset drinks. La Puntulina Hotel Adriatic   It is the perfect location for people to watch and enjoy a reasonably priced Aperol spritz that is air-conditioned inside. Hotel Adriatic Carera 5 Good for people-watching. Carera 5 Mediterraneo Cocktail Bar It is a great, cosy cocktail bar away from the crowds that serves high-quality cocktails. However, the cocktails are just a bit too sweet. We think there are better bars in Rovinj. Mediterraneo Cocktail Bar

Our favourite bars in El Jadida. Hotel L'Iglesia - El Jadida Hotel L'Iglesia is the perfect spot for a lazy lunch in the sun and a sunset drink on the terrace. Hotel L'Iglesia - El Jadida Le Privé Restaurant It is a fantastic local restaurant and will surely be an event for anyone visiting—great hospitality and food. Le Privé Restaurant Mazagan Beach Resort It's a giant casino resort; it would be perfect in summer, but it was very empty in the winter. Mazagan Beach Resort

Our favourite bars in Essaouira. La Coupole Ocean views, great wines, and delicious, quality food—we loved La Coupole so much that we dined here four times in two weeks. La Coupole D'Jazy This is perfect for enjoying a meal and cocktail while listening to live music or dancing the night away. It is also ideal in the late afternoon as the sun sets. D'Jazy Océan Vagabond Restaurant We had drinks here once. It had a lovely vibe and views, but felt too much like a tourist trap, so we did not revisit it. Océan Vagabond Restaurant Caravane Cafe What a find! It's a fantastic hideaway away from the crowds. It offers high-speed Wi-Fi, wine, cocktails, and delicious food—basically, heaven. Caravane Cafe Le Taros café restaurant Go for the sunsets and music, just not the food. Le Taros café restaurant

Our favourite bars in Meknes. Relais de Paris It is a perfect restaurant to satisfy our appetites while enjoying fine local wines at affordable prices. Relais de Paris Zaki Suites Hotel & Spa It's an excellent spot for live music and food in Meknes. We visited on a Friday afternoon and stayed until late in the evening. Zaki Suites Hotel & Spa