THE BEAUTY OF "TANJA"
"It is my belief that some places are more magical than others", Paul Bowles wrote.
And who can know this better than the writer of The Sheltering Sky, having lived in Tangier until his death in the 1990's.
Paul Bowles was not alone with this opinion; it is a very long one, the list of writers and celebrities that lived in or visited Tangier.
Tangier is rapidly evolving though. Only 5 years ago, this would have been a totally different website. That quick are the changes to Tangier.
In 5 years from now, this website will be totally different as well, filled with pictures of modern glass buildings and luxury hotels. In the mean time, Tangier is "à point".
Rapidly evolving, but still with that little bit extra, a mixture of the modernity of Casablanca and the tradition of Fes.
WHY TANGIER?
What is it that makes Tangier so special?
It is the very strategic location of Tangier that has molded its history - and it is this history that has shaped Tangier in a city unlike any other.
From whatever country you are, you will see traces of home - and at the same time feel truly elsewhere.
It is in Tangier that Europe meets Africa, the Christian world the Muslim world, Arabian souks meet cosy French tea shops, modernity mingles with tradition, Spanish and French with Arabic and Berber languages.
And this at not even 14 km or 9 miles from mainland Europe.
WHY WE LOVE TANGIER
It's a port town, the main entrance to Morocco and North Africa as a whole, and nowhere in Morocco the street life is so diverse as here. Nowhere you can step so quickly from one atmosphere into the other. Many tourist destinations in the world are visited because of the well kept historical remains. Tangier is living history.
Due to its location there is no aspect of modern life that does not affect Tangier, from migration to smugglers, from the forgotten city of after the International Zone to be a location in the new Bourne movie.
It is the city closest to Spain, and the best place to go for an introduction to Morocco, if only for one day. It has a beach in the centre. But most of all we love the people. Bubbling, dazzling, poor, rich, new, old, coulourful Morocco starts here... in gateway Tangier.
The rise of brandnew 5 star hotels at the beach and the cleaning and construction all over the city will tell you: Tangier is an up and coming destination.
