Chefchaouen, Morocco
I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument while the song I came to sing remains unsung.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941), Indian writer and Nobel laureate
With fortified walls to protect against medieval invaders, Chefchaouen is tucked safely into the majestic Rif Mountains not far from Tangier. Here, away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, a pilgrim can take respite in the refuge of the seventeenth-century mosque, sit under the mulberry trees sipping mint tea, or wander beneath the cypress in the castle garden.
If you are ready to put away your smartphone and enjoy some peace and quiet, let your senses be calmed by the sanctuary of Chefchaouen. Daily CTM buses run from Tangier, Fez, Casablanca, Tetouen, Cueta, and Meknes.
Notice the sacredness of each moment as you walk along the cobblestone streets and marvel at the soft hues of the sky, horn-shaped mountain peaks, houses awash in shades of blue, and flocks of sheep dotting the landscape. Breathe the mountain air.
Despite the bustling trade in marijuana that openly goes on in Chefchaouen, there is practically no crime, and it is one of the safest cities in Morocco. Spanish language is widely spoken here because of the community’s proximity to the border with Spain.