The Grand Bazaar amazed me, prompting a return visit with my husband. We enjoyed its diverse offerings, from spices to trinkets, and found Istanbul to be an incredible, though costly, adventure.
Tag Archives: markets
Balat market
Imagine my delight in discovering an outdoor market in Balat, with all the joy of fresh produce stalls. Vibrant colors, lively atmosphere, and appealing scents, the freshness and size of the fruits and vegetables are in stark contrast with our UK supermarket offerings.
Egyptian Bazaar
Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, or Egyptian Bazaar, offers a sensory feast with around 85 shops selling spices, sweets, and souvenirs.
Colourful corridors
Fez captivates with vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and rich traditions, showcasing artisans and historic craftsmanship throughout the city.
Lost in Fez
Exploring Fez’s labyrinthine souks after the tanneries offers a vibrant experience, with colorful walls appealing to photographers. Unlike the chaos of Marrakech, Fez feels less crowded. The sight of rainbow-colored wool dyeing streets adds to the joy, showcasing the happiness that can be derived from such vivid artistry.
Fez tanneries
The Chouara Tannery in Fez is one of the oldest and largest tanneries, known for its traditional curing methods. Despite the strong odors and potential tourist hassle, it remains a popular attraction. The process involves soaking animal skins in various solutions and natural dyes, producing leather goods sold worldwide.
Frantic Fez
We’re in the vibrant city of Fez, staying at the beautiful Riad Al Makan, known for its stunning Moroccan craftsmanship. With a population of 1.2 million, Fez boasts historical charm, including the World Heritage-listed Medina, which features Fes el-Bali, Fes Jdid, and the modern Ville Nouvelle. Up next is a visit to a famous local attraction.
Dyed wool delights
We stumbled upon this glorious rainbow of a street just outside the Ben Youssef madrasa. Wool of every feasible colour is draped from wires high across the street, while bundles of vivid jewel bright yarn and textiles are piled in every corner. I was a little giddy with the joy of it all!! Enjoy thisContinue reading “Dyed wool delights”
Market mayhem.
There is so much to see in Marrakech’s vibrant souks that this post is just dedicated to the many photos I took! The old medina is roughly divided up into various trades, although there is a lot of overlap. Here are a few of them. The metal workers market. The pungent, colourful spice markets. SoContinue reading “Market mayhem.”
Marrakech markets
Our first full day in Marrakech was spent simply aclimatising to the hustle and bustle, exploring and wandering the myriad of labyrinthian streets that make up the old medina. This blast to the senses is completely overwhelming at first, with stall holders calling out to you, cats streaking between your feet and the ubiquitous motorbikesContinue reading “Marrakech markets”