Fez Medina

Oh my God, was that a snow-colored donkey that almost ran into me, packing cases of Coca-Cola on his back, draped with a tattered, colorful agave blanket? Welcome to the ancient medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is over 1,200 years old. It’s a dusty, poorly lit maze with “9400” stone alleyways that even Aladdin would have trouble navigating. Playful cats scamper freely as the dry, humid, capricious wind flows through the baffling maze.

Hundreds of characters can be discovered here, including snake charmers, perfume makers, painters, silversmiths, musicians, & chefs. Some tarnished, secret, worn wood-bolted gates lead to 299 mosques that can host up to 500-1,000 guests. Entire camel caravans once took refuge in the medina while their owners traded rare, fine silks and spices.