We’d been on a lot of romantic getaways in our time, but there wasn’t a lot that could prepare us for the intensity of our first expedition to the gateway of Africa. The characterful port city of Tangier may lay just 20 miles from the coast of Spain, but a rich blend of France, Portugal, Spain and Africa wafts gently through the air there, due to the plethora of civilisations that have inhabited it in times gone by. And what a location we had within this melting pot: the wonderful Dar Sultan is in the heart of the mystical Kasbah district of the old medina, and just a few hundred meters from the beach.
We were truly steeped in history from the moment we arrived. The guest house itself is over 300 years old, and has been wonderfully restored to provide the utmost level of modern comfort whilst retaining elements of its old soul. Our room, named the Grand Socco after the city’s grand square and romantic entrance of the medina, was the picture of Moroccan elegance. Vibrant patterns of traditional fabrics and hangings lined the coral crennellated walls around the luxurious bed, whilst an eclectic assortment of furniture from the rest of Africa and beyond was artfully dotted around, adding to the exotic atmosphere.
With such sumptuous accommodation and so many fascinating sights to see right on our doorstep, we were ready to start our adventures; but no exploring can be done on an empty stomach. Lucky for us, the delicious breakfast including homemade cakes and breads, fresh fruit juices and jams was more than enough to fuel us for our action-packed days. On returning in the evenings, it truly felt like we were going home, if only because of the sea of friendly faces: the hotel owners gladly recounted us endless fascinating stories from their travels to all four corners of the globe, whilst the beaming smiles of the small dedicated team of staff assured us that during our stay, nothing was too much trouble. We barely scratched the surface of this exhilarating city during our stay at the Dar Sultan – but that’s just a brilliant excuse to go back!