Travelling is not only about sightseeing. You have to discover new places with all your senses, including hearing, touch, taste, and smell. You might forget museums visited 10 years ago but probably will always remember your first sushi experience. Or, accidentally met friendly locals that showed you the secret spots of a new country.
A few weeks ago, I got an invitation from Marrakech guide, Ayoub, to join his unusual experience. Ayoub, with his team, organizes “Sips and Bites” adventure where travellers can try local alcohol, tapas and have an authentic dinner. Now, how is this experience different from many others organized in Marrakech?
- It’s the only experience I know in Marrakech that included alcohol tasting in local bars.
- The guide shows you the right mix of places. Starting from a local bar and continuing to a more international one.
- I thought I knew almost all local bars in Gueliz, but Ayoub surprised me. He brought us to a place I’ve never been even though it was in the street I pass every day 🙂
To “Sips and Bites” experience title, I would add “and Talks.” During the tour, we introduced each other, talked about our travel experiences. Ayoub explained to us about Moroccan culture, alcohol selection, and local food; we asked him all kind of questions. As Ayoub said, each experience is different depending on people participating in the tour. Their personalities shape the tour pace and dynamic.
Sips&Bites experience
Price: 470 DH/person (46 euro)
Included:
– 2 Moroccan beers for each guest
– A bottle of Moroccan wine for group size 1-5, 2 bottles for 6-10 plus tapas in the second stop.
– Dinner: Tanjia
– Spice tea (Khoudenjal)
– Snacks, coffee or tea
Make sure you don’t eat before this tour. We started in the new part of town, in a local bar, tasting beers. Then, we continued getting wine and great tapas in another more international place. After, with comfortable transport, we moved to Medina, where in Jemaa El Fna square had traditional Moroccan tagine and tangia.
To adjust all the food, Ayoub invited to try spicy tea (Khoudenjal) from the Jemaa El Fna vendors. Honestly, I didn’t expect to try so much good food and tapas and even couldn’t finish the dinner plate.
Funny fact, my most popular blog posts till now are THERE IS (NO) ALCOHOL IN MOROCCO!? and 7 CHEAP STREET FOOD MEALS TO EAT IN MOROCCO. Travellers always send many questions about bars and drinking culture in Morocco. Now, all these questions can be quickly answered by attending “Sips and Bites” experience.
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