History

Tangier city has always been of prime importance thanks to its position at the junction of the Atlantic ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Muslim Arabs have all settled here and for two hundred years a power struggle existed between the Spanish and Portuguese. Evidence of their occupation can still be seen today.

Tangier was even briefly occupied by the British as it was part of the dowry given to Charles II by Catherine de Braganza. Samuel Pepys, the famous diarist and Tangier's treasurer in London, once referred to the city as 'the most considerable place the King of England hath in this world'.

Today as its economic importance has decreased its tourist industry has increased, some say due to its former notoreity. But this is perhaps a little unfair - Tangier has got much to offer the visitor. A broad palm tree lined promenade borders an impressive golden sandy beach. To the East Cap Malabata with its sparse collection of villages and to the West the old town of Tangier , a cluster of little sugar-cube houses, covering every inch of the hillside.

In contrast modern day Tangier boasts wide boulevards crammed with offices and shops, through the Boulevard Mohammed V to Boulevard Pasteur is home to its cafe society, and upwards to the Place de France which is the town's focal point offering breathtaking views towards Spain. Nestled in the corner is the infamous Cafe de Paris, once a popular meeting place for wartime agents.

From here it is a short stroll to the Grand Socco. Lying just outside the medina walls this bustling collection of small shops and cafes is dominated by the mosaiced minaret of the Sidi Bou Abid mosque. From here you can follow the increasingly narrow road to the heart of the medina and the Petit Socco. A pause for breath here before tackling the maze of narrow, twisting streets, aromas drifting from the spice stalls and shopkeepers trying to entice you into their shops to haggle good naturedly over their wares. Finally, the Kasbah perches atop the medina, once a heavily fortified place, now considered the des res of the artistic set.

Meanwhile in the town as sunset approaches families begin their nightly stroll along the promenade. This is the place to see and be seen. Alternatively, relax at one of the many beach bars and as the sun sets on another day, suffusing the town with its rosy hue, and you see the lights of Spain twinkling in the distance you can reflect on just how close Tangier is to Europe, so close, yet worlds apart.

Tangier provides the ideal location for exploration. A 40 minute drive  through fantastic scenery brings you to Asilah, a fishing port once fortified by the Portuguese.

Life is still traditional in Chaouen, an Andalucian town in the heart of the Rif mountains. Whitewashed walls splashed with vibrant blue contrast with the verdant hills surrounding the village. Peace and tranquility are in abundance here, broken only by the sounds of laughing children playing in the sun, their voices echoing through the tiny cobbled streets. This is a holy place with around twenty mosques and is still a place of pilgrimage.

Steeped in history is Larache or Lixus, the second most important Roman site in Morocco. Many speculate that here lay the Garden of Hesperides, from where Hercules took the apples to fulfil one of his labours.You can still see the remains of the  temple, theatre and baths.

Alternatively spend a day or two in Gibraltar, Britain's home from home in the Mediterranean. Excellent shopping, a huge choice of restaurants and, of course, the Barbary Apes! Legend has it that if they ever leave the Rock then Britain will leave Gibraltar.

This was taken so seriously that during the Second World War an officer was apointed to make sure they didn't come to any harm! The apes are a great source of entertainment and absoutely adore Smarties! Don't miss a visit to St Michael's Caves to experience the wonderful acoustics - concerts are very often held here.

Back in Tangier travel through the opulence that is the Montagne, an exclusive suburb containing sumptuous villas and royal palaces, until you reach the extreme northwest corner of Africa at Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean.

Here can be found the Caves of Hercules. Some say that these caves were once joined under the sea to St Michael's Caves which provides one theory about how the apes got across from Africa. One of the main photographic opportunites here is the 'window' in the cave shaped like the map of Africa.