Tangier has passed through many hands. It has been controlled by the Berbers, Romans, Arabs, French, and Spanish, and has long been one of the gateways wanderers pass through when coming from Europe to Africa. Travelers today looking to add some spice to their European journeys may do well to consider a visit to this city – a crossroads of the world where Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and immigrant communities have rubbed shoulders for centuries.

RealTraveler Karen Watkins writes of this singular city:

“Tangier is the most western extremity of the Muslim and Arab world. The place is overwhelming at every turn in the overcrowded, narrow, scent-filled lanes. No wonder it’s said to be the place of sex, drugs and rock-and-roll as it certainly shocks all of the senses with its strange smells, colourful images and variety of the exotic… Crossing the Straits of Gibraltar after travelling through France and Spain, the laid back feel of Morocco is sublime… we soon found Tangier to be a unique, likeable, lively place with a special character.”

Mythologized more recently by writers such as Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, and Tennessee Williams – and rockers the Rolling Stones – Tangier first acquired its bohemian reputation after receiving attention from French painters Delacroix and Matisse. The visual beauty of the city and its stimulating street life inspired them, as well a reputed aura of decadence.

Tourism is one of the city’s main industries, and Tangier Hotels can be found near the beach or in the city center. Markets sell artisan-crafted wares, and the beaches offer everything from windsurfing to camel rides. Restaurants tempt with traditional Moroccan, French, and Spanish flavors. Visitors have long been seduced by this enchanting and enigmatic city.

A Weekend in Paris

Steeped in rich culture, Valencia is an often overlooked Spanish destination, one that should definitely not be skipped by anyone traveling through the country.

Check out the voice-post below for a firsthand account, and for a few recommendations on sights to see in this beautiful and diverse city.

Art, Architecture, and Paella in Valencia

The blend of cultures in Buenos Aires – due to waves of immigration from Spain, Italy, Poland, Japan, and Korea – led to a city unique in Latin America in its dynamism and diversity. Cuisines and sights from around the world can be tasted here, and the local cocktail of street and ballroom influences found in Tango music are best enjoyed in the city that gave the dance such life. RealTravelers atchang wrote this of their experience:

“The first morning in the city we headed for the La Boca history area. This area is known for buildings painted in vibrant, bright colors… not unlike those buildings found in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. There you can find lots of hand-made crafts (paintings, jewelry, belts, etc) you will see lots of leather goods (local leather is “cheap” here) and tons of Yerba Mate and TANGO dancers. Here and in the San Telmo region on the weekends you will find lots of tango dancer pairs dancing in the many squares of the region. If you are interested you can even get a free quick lesson and dance session on the spot!”

For couples interested in making dance the focus of their trip, there are dozens of Buenos Aires dance studios and agencies that will help. Many offer tango instruction package deals lasting anywhere from several days to several weeks.

Buenos Aires

irvine, a Realtraveler from Breda in the Netherlands, went hiking with his father at the lovely Mount Rainier National Park and snapped this gorgeous photograph. He wrote the following description in his travel blog:

“Driving up Mt. Rainier there are quite a few nice views. It’s a shame that it wasn’t fully clear, or we would’ve been able to see it in Reflection Lake as well. But we were able to see a nice little creek from Box Canyon. As we drove further up the mountain we got closer to the clouds, and yes, there was… SNOW!

Beautiful flowers were growing everywhere in the brightest colours, lovely creeks along the paths, with nice clear water flowing over the stones. At one point the path was still covered with snow, but it was still possible to walk around it. Always nice to see the white white snow!”

Here he describes his encounters with the deer:

“We even ‘bumped’ into a deer on this trail! And a little further up another one…they’d probably be used to the amount of tourists coming through, but it’s still nice to see these animals in the wild from so close. A couple of mountain climbers came back from climbing just then and we had a little chat as we watched the deer. Pretty nice people around here I’d say!”