After a morning sailing the Moroccan coast, we arrive around midday at a city located at the crossroads of Africa and Europe - Tangier. Unique among Moroccan cities, Tangier has a checkered past, offering one of Europe's most tantalizing stories. Designated an 'International Zone' in the early 20th century, Tangier harbored no taxes, no banking restrictions, no drug, censorship or morality laws. Attracting a mix of expat residents, it played house to everyone from eccentric British nobility to American authors, Franco's civil army to Nazi spies, while it awaited its inclusion in the post-war nation of Morocco. Stories of elicit affairs, underworld deals, and espionage abound in this city, which remains as colorful as its history suggests. Join your local guide this morning on a walking tour highlighting the many faces of Tangier. We follow the winding lanes of the medina, making our way along its busy stall-lined alleys upwards to the city's fortified Kasbah. Largely unchanged since the 17th century, the Kasbah was the traditional residence of the sultan and now sist amongst one of the most fashionable residential areas of Tangier. Our next stop is at the American Legation Museum. The first American public property outside the United States, the American Legation is now a museum that traces the history of the relationship between the US and Morocco. As one of the first countries to recognize America's independence, Morocco permitted the new United States government to establish a legation in Tangier in 1821. It is the only historical monument to have remained in American possession since the birth of the American nation. Among several displays here is a letter from George Washington to the Sultan Moulay Abdallah. For those who would prefer a more relaxed alternative, a complimentary shuttle from the ship to the center of Tangier introduces you to a gentler side of the city. Enjoy time at your leisure to sip mint tea in a local cafe, browse traditional craft shops, or take in the atmosphere at your own pace, before we sail north to Spain. ...
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