#tangier tours

[bruderherzlove]

✨ Special Offer: 20% OFF on the 7 Days Morocco Tour from Tangier! 🇲🇦✨

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with Nasari Viajes on our 7 Days Morocco Tour from Tangier! This extraordinary journey will take you across Morocco’s most iconic destinations, from bustling cities to tranquil deserts.

🏰 Explore the imperial cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fes

🏜️ Ride camels through the Sahara’s golden dunes, spending the night in a traditional Berber camp

�� Marvel at the cinematic beauty of Ait Ben Haddou and the dramatic Todra Gorges

🌿 Wander the magical blue streets of ChefchaouenWith private transportation, expert multilingual drivers, and handpicked accommodations, this tour offers you comfort, luxury, and unforgettable memories.

Book now and save 20% on your dream Moroccan adventure! 🌍✨

https://nasariviajes.com/7-days-morocco-tour-from-tangier.html

contact@nasariviajes.com

[touring-morocco]

Morocco Tours From Tangier

That set apart Tangier is a city that has always combined Europe with the Orient and Africa. Tangier is the gateway city between the European and the African continents. For many centuries, even millennia, Tangier has been inhabited by various civilizations. The oldest traces of humans in Tangier return to the Phoenicians in the 10th century BC.

Know more: https://www.touring-morocco.com/en/morocco-tours-from-tangier/

[tripbooking]

What are the best places to visit in Tangier, Morocco?

Tangier offers a wealth of captivating attractions. Some highlights include the historic Kasbah, bustling medina, vibrant Grand Socco, American Legation Museum, and scenic Cape Spartel. Each spot offers a unique glimpse into Tangier's rich history, culture, and natural beauty.For additional details and comprehensive insights, please follow the link provided below.

https://tripbooking.ma/

[moroccoauthenticexperience]

Exquisite Escapades: Embarking on a Luxury Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes

Traveling from Marrakech to Fes is like opening a book, where each turn leads to a fresh chapter of discovery and excitement. However, in the middle of Morocco's untamed beauty comes an oasis of luxury: the Luxury Sahara Desert Tour. This unique experience promises to take you to a world of splendor and magic, where the comforts of luxury meet the majesty of the desert. Before you go to explore a universe of possibilities as you leave Marrakech. A private transfer will take you to the edge of the Tangier to Marrakech desert trip to start your tour in style. You will be treated to breath-taking views of Morocco's many landscapes along the route, starting with the verdant valleys of the Atlas Mountains.

The guide will meet you at the edge of the desert and join you on this incredible journey. As you enter your exclusive desert camp, you will find yourself in an opulent realm where every last detail has been carefully chosen to guarantee your comfort and happiness as the memorable desert tour from Tangier to Casablanca.

With its luxurious furniture and tasteful décor, your tent provides a haven in the middle of the open desert. As you take in the peace of your surroundings and get ready for the activities that lie ahead, unwind and relax in luxury.

However, what awaits you on the camel trip adventure in Merzouga is where the real enchantment is found. Go on adventurous adventures such as walks into secret oases or thrilling camel rides across the dunes. You'll learn the mysteries of the desert and create lifelong experiences with the help of your professional guide. Savor a sultan-worthy feast beneath the stars as dusk descends over the Sahara. Enjoy a delicious dinner that highlights the best local products and lets you experience Moroccan cuisine while being transported back in time to traditional music and entertainment. All these things will rightly fulfilled with 5 days desert trip from Marrakech to Sahara. You'll be filled with wonder and thankfulness as you head back to your opulent tent for the evening and drift off to sleep to the soft sound of the desert wind. The Luxury Sahara Desert Tour is an experience of a lifetime that will awe you and make you yearn for more. It's not simply a tour.

[wanderlustphotosblog]

The Ultimate Gibraltar Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Explore the wonders of Gibraltar with this informative Gibraltar travel guide. Find recommended hotels and tours for an unforgettable experience.

This Gibraltar travel guide post contains my Hotels.com, Expedia, Vrbo, and Viator affiliate links. I may receive a commission when you book a hotel or tour from this article, though at no additional cost to you. I hand-pick and recommend only the hotels and tours that I have thoroughly researched and feel comfortable recommending. When it comes to destinations in Europe, the tiny overseas…

[moroccoarukikata]

Private Morocco Tours from Tangier to Chefchaouen, Fez, Ifran, Morocco’s Cedar Forest, Morocco’s “ Grand Canyon”, Merzouga , Sahara, High Atlas Mountains and Marrakech.

[littlequeenies]

Pam and Jim visit Spain and Morocco, 1971

Jim Morrison arrived in Paris on March 11, 1971, where Pam was waiting for him. Pam forced him to visit the American Hospital in Neully. There he had a quick medical examination, including X-rays. He was told that his lungs were in bad shape because of cigarette smoking. He was advised to stop smoking and drinking immediately and to go to a warmer place so he could get better. Jim Morrison took advantage of the doctor's advice to fulfil his old dreams. He would visit Madrid, Granada and Tangier.

On April 10, 1971, Jim rented a Peugeot Sedan. With Pam, he took the road south. They spent the first night in Toulouse. Jim wanted to enjoy the architecture of the pink-coloured buildings in the French city. The next day they crossed the border with Spain through Andorra and slept in Barcelona.

One day later, on April 14, they arrived in Madrid and visited El Prado Museum. Jim had written poems and had described on several occasions the sensations that an incredible triptych painting by Hieronymus Bosch, El Bosco, provoked in him. Pam told the anecdote that Morrison spent more than an hour, as if hypnotized, in front of "The Garden of Earthly Delights", filmed by Pam herself on the Super-8 camera that Jim had brought from Los Angeles.

Jim and Pam arrived in Granada on April 16. They wanted to see the rooms where Washington Irving had written his "Tales of the Alhambra", a book that was always a dream for the Doors singer. He liked mysteries and the dazzling Nasrid world of the 15th century. The neighbours say that he went from the city centre to the monument for three days straight and that, sitting on one of the benches in the Generalife gardens, he wrote a beautiful poem that, apparently, has disappeared. Nor is it easy to find the Super-8 film that he and Pam recorded there, in front of the Patio de los Leones. In any case, the Arab enchantment did not disappoint a young man who was accustomed to LSD and hallucinogenic experimentation.

Bill (billr2375 on youtube) recalls:

Jim and Pam followed our High School Spanish Club on a visit to LA ALHAMBRA-GRANADA, Museum in Spain. We didn't figure it out at the time but later realized they were the "two American hippies" listening in on our English version of the Museum Tour. Can read about his visit to that museum on that date in a book about Jim. They were very cool--would nod to us, but kept their distance as they followed us on the Tour. He had a beard at that time, she was beautiful. They were clearly in love with each other. Giggling and holding hands and enjoying that we didn't recognize them. (source)

Morrison's visit to the Alhambra was immortalised in the famous Super-8 film. Jim appears in front of the lions, the famous lions in the Alhambra Courtyard. In the film, the singer can be seen against the backdrop of the fountain, with his arms clasped to his chest and a smile. He slowly approaches the camera lens. Pam told months later that this film was the one Jim watched on the night of his death, while listening to the song 'The End' by the Doors.

Jim and Pam spent four days exploring some of the corners of a Granada that was, more than ever, an exotic place for two inhabitants of hippie California. Some people from Granada said that they stayed at the Alhambra Palace. Others, that they actually spent the night at home of some Australian colleagues. Rafael Cuéllar was one of those who recounted that visit and defended this last hypothesis. He also told an anecdote that is not without its macabre character:

In a place called La Zíngara, Morrison asked them to play a song by the already deceased Janis Joplin. “You are drinking with number three,” he said to all those who approached him, alluding not only to Joplin’s death, but also to that of Jimi Hendrix. The fatal premonition would end up coming true.

After four days, the couple headed to Gibraltar. There, they had to 'let go' of their Peugeot, because the insurance did not cover their stay in Morocco. When they arrived in Tangier, they stayed at the famous Minzeh hotel, where Paul Bowles sat every afternoon. But they had been invited by Paul and Talitha Getty, in their winter palace.

Pam also remembers that at the old market, Jim bought a French version of Paul Bowles' 'The Sheltering Sky' from the Colonnes bookstore on the Pasteur avenue in Tangier. Jim was obsessed with the relationship between Paul Bowles and his wife Jane.

Jim and Pam flew to Marrakech, which was all the rage because of the hit song by Crosby, Stills and Nash. There, they stayed at the Ville Taylor, the mansion that the Count of Breuteuil and his mother owned on the outskirts of the city. On May 3, 1971, just two months before his death, Jim and Pam flew from Marrakech to Casablanca and from there to Paris. Heading to his end. Jim Morrison had shaved one night when he bathed in the moonlight at the Marrakech hotel, the only one with a swimming pool in those days.

SOURCES

Josa y sus cuentos

Vanitatis

NOTE:

Just after their Spanish/Moroccan trip/holiday, Pam and Jim travelled to Corsica and stayed there for 10 days, the exact date is unknown, but here you have more information about their trip.

[fashionbooksmilano]

The House of a Lifetime

A Collector’s Journey in Tangier

Umberto Pasti & Ngoc Minh Ngo , Forewors by Madison Cox

Rizzoli, New York 2023, 240 pages,  22.23 x  28.58 cm, ISBN  978-0847899135

euro 65,00

email if you want to buy booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

A photographic tour of an exceptional villa in Tangier with a special focus of its museum-worthy collections of Morrocan artworks and objects. Saturated colors, intricate patterns, striking architecture: writer Umberto Pasti’s house and garden in Tangier is the ultimate example of a well-curated Moroccan villa, filled with museum-quality pieces furniture, luminous textiles, rare tiles and ceramics, and other objets d’art worthy of a private museum. Set in a lush garden, the house offers glimpses of the serene landscapes and fountains through windows, archways and loggias, as well as Pasti’s scholarly collection of tiles and rare textiles from Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. Also on display are highly crafted wooden objects that Pasti has rescued from obscurity and destruction.  With evocative text and gorgeous specially commissioned photographs, this book offers a tour through one of the loveliest homes in Tangier, bringing to life the sophisticated fusion of Morocco’s multicultural blend of cultures. Anyone interested in interior design and scholarly collecting will be inspired by the masterful photographs of this gracious home and its masterful collection.

04/04/23

orders to:     booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

ordini a:        booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

twitter:         @fashionbooksmi

instagram:   fashionbooksmilano, designbooksmilano tumblr:          fashionbooksmilano, designbooksmilano

[umichenginabroad]

Madrid Week 12: I got got (Morocco, part 1)

Hola a todxs! Niko back here with week 12/13/14 of studying abroad in Madrid! Don’t fear, I will not be going on any esoteric rants about time or something this time (except for the fact that I have 45 days left in Madrid, damn). Instead, I wanted to take this blog to write about the experience I had visiting northern Morocco this weekend with a tour group. Spoiler alert, it was awesome, and I’ve had a ton to reflect on. Moroccan culture is unlike any that I’ve experienced in my life (which makes sense, as I’ve only ever traveled in Europe, the Caribbean, and the Americas), and I had the pleasure of being immersed in it while simultaneously meeting new people. Since there’s so much to unpack, I decided to split this blog up into two parts, for the two legs of this trip. Let’s dive in!

Smart on the inside

This trip has definitely been a highlight of my travels thus far, and looking back, I really got the best of both worlds. I went on this trip with a tour group from a company called Smart Insiders, which helps young people in Madrid (especially those coming from abroad) find housing, get involved in community activities, and most importantly, travel. I would not recommend Smart Insiders, or any tour group for that matter, if you’re a serial planner when it comes to travel and need to fit in every item on your bucket list — or someone who prefers to wander a city, choosing what to explore based on vibes alone.

With that being said, I would highly recommend Smart Insiders — or tour group experiences in general — if you fall somewhere in between those two extremes. Traveling with a tour group means that there’s a pretty rigid schedule to every day, but if you don’t mind letting go of the reins and can just ride the flow set by the tour guides, you can have as amazing of an experience as I did (given that the tour company is good. Smart Insiders was).

A month or two back, I signed up for the trip alone. A friend had recommended it based on a trip he took to Spain’s Basque country. When I saw that they had a trip to Morocco, I immediately resolved to sign up. I had wanted to experience traveling in a tour group again after my first time in Buenos Aires (where I met Gaia, my italian friend I visited and wrote about many weeks back!), and Morocco was a bucket list travel destination for me. Given that the culture was so distinct from what I was used to, I figured that it might be nice to have the whole trip planned out for me ahead of time. 

So, I paid a reasonably low price for the group (~200 euros for 3 days of travel, tours, housing, etc), bought the plane tickets fro Air Arabia, and forgot about it until last weekend. Flash forward a month or two, and I was immediately buffeted by an arid wind as I stepped off Plane that had just landed in Tangier. Once we were through customs, I was greeted by a Moroccan man named Saied and a large congregation of around twenty familiar faces from the flight over, mostly 20-something year-old Americans with some Canadians, French, and a Belgian sprinkled into the mix (majority of which were English teachers). Smart Insiders collaborated with a Moroccan tour company to put together this trip, for which the entire itinerary had already been laid out.

We piled onto our little tour bus and started getting to know each other. As we departed towards our first destination, Asilah, I was flashed with deja vu from the bus scene on the way to Iguazu Falls, Argentina. A highlight of that trip was the people I met, and I stepped away from it with one key takeaway: people who like to travel are, almost by definition, open to new experiences. That attitude extends towards their interactions with others. Consequently, I knew that I would meet interesting people this weekend, and if not, I was assured that I could always keep myself company — especially with an entirely new landscape and culture to explore.

Both Worlds

Which two worlds was I referring to in the section above, you may ask? Solo and group traveling.

I came alone on this trip, which meant that I had no allegiances or obligations to anyone but myself and the schedule set by the tour leader. During our blocks of free time on the trip, I could choose where to go, what to do, and who to do it with — and to be honest, I spent most of my free time in Morocco wandering around by myself. Call me fascist or impatient, but I don’t really like the democracy (and associated waiting) that comes along with traveling in a large group of people — especially if they don’t know each other well. 

When I travel alone, I can do whatever I feel like, at my own pace, which was a luxury in the ultra-dense Souks in Morocco. I’ve found that my self confidence in new environments has really blossomed this semester simply because of the amount of weird cultural situations I’ve had to navigate by myself. Without this, I would have never had the confidence to break away from the group, and I’m proud of myself for getting to the point that I could do so comfortably. 

“But wait Niko,” you may ask, “Didn’t you just say last week that traveling with close friends is always better”. Why yes, my friend, I did (might I add, very conveniently, and actually not on purpose). Seeing the world with close friends gives new depth and meaning to the things we experience while traveling. 

I chose to be alone a fair amount on this trip, true. However, the majority of my time spent was with the group. Together, we went on guided tours, shared meals, spent many hours on the bus chatting (and sleeping), rode camels, and more. I can’t say for certain if I’ll meet up with anyone on this trip again in the future (shoutout Gaia again :) ), but I learned something from everyone I met (especially the two french girls on the trip! merci!) that I’ll take with me now for the rest of my life. By the time we rolled up to the airport together on Sunday, I felt that we had all really bonded. I knew almost everyone’s names, and relished in the feeling of being part of the tiny temporal community we had formed — a community which would never exist again, which made it all the more special. If you have the opportunity sometime, join a tour group and go somewhere cool for the weekend! It’s a unique adventure that I think everyone should experience at least once (and it’s soft on the bank account, too ;) ).

Hell-o Morocc-o!

So, now about Morocco itself, the focal point of the trip, which was one I’ve been looking forward to for the entire semester. As I mentioned, this trip would be my first time in Africa, and my first time experiencing a non-western culture. I certainly was not disappointed (sorry about the lame title of this section. I’m embarrassed).

Moroccan culture is a mix of Arab, Berber, African, and European cultures, but to an outsider like myself, the Islamic/Arabic influence came across most strongly. We visited Asilah, Tangier, and Chefchaouen, all of which are located in the northernmost tip of Morocco, bordering the strait of Gibraltar. Consequently, Spanish is a very common second language to Moroccans, after their native dialect of Arabic. More often than not, Moroccans would start interactions with our tour group in Spanish (and oftentimes, we would respond back to them in Spanish, too B) ). French and English are also very commonly spoken, and an impressive number of people I interacted with were fluent in all three.

We started the trip in Asilah, a small town on the west coast of Morocco’s northern tip, known for its quiet beauty and art scene. It was very calm and incredibly peaceful. One of our local tour guides, Hasan, led us on a short route through the city where we took our first look at a Moroccan city. We had lunch (freshly caught swordfish) and departed, spending the rest of the day hopping around different sites in the region: the caves of Hercules, the Cap Spartel lighthouse, and a beach on the side of the highway where we all took our turn to ride on a camel (which I wasn’t a big fan of — more info in the picture description). 

We finished at Tangier, where we checked into our hotel and departed for a group dinner at a traditional restaurant. The food was delicious, and we got a little surprise too. I finished the night drinking some mint tea and eating some flatbread at a little bar in a square. Yum.

In general, the food in Morocco was amazing. I’m a big fan of the Mediterranean/Arabic spice palate (and mint tea, although it was a little sweet to my liking), and that’s all we ate the whole weekend. One mini takeaway that I realized: I think food in America has trained my palate to desire more salt than is used in other countries. In Morocco (and Spain, Italy, at times) I often found the a bit undersalted. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this (or maybe not… nearly 90% of Americans consume sodium at levels which exceed amounts recommended by the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans), but it’s interesting to be aware of.

We spent the next day exploring Tangier’s Medina (historic city center). The streets were narrow, the architecture was beautiful, and the shopping was plentiful and diverse. The shopping district had a vibe that was completely distinct to any I’ve visited before, people were bustling, things were colorful, and every few steps we’d get a whiff of some heavenly spicy soapy or incense-y smell.

We visited a pharmacy (where I picked up authentic Moroccan Argan oil), a textile shop (I got an epic cotton-cashmere scarf), and various shops selling artisan goods and souvenirs (a sick black woven belt, some postcards). Shopping in Morocco has a distinct vibe for one very special reason: none of the items have set prices.

Dance battle in the souk

If you weren’t aware, if an item has no price tag in a Moroccan shop in the Souk (market area), you have to bargain/haggle to get a good price. Crudely and metaphorically, haggling is somewhat like a dance battle, with each dancer attempting to gracefully undercut the other’s bluff with their words, body language, and actions. You can’t make a starting offer that’s too low, because then you’ll risk the vendor laughing in your face (consequently relinquishing all your power). You can’t show too much interest in the product because then the vendor knows that you would be willing to pay a higher price. But you can’t show too little, or you’ll hit a stalemate and they won’t be willing to negotiate further. Maybe it’s like judo or something, using the opponent’s body weight against them, something like that.

Having watched a few youtube videos about haggling strategy on the plane ride over, I was ready to roll when I stepped into a huge artisan shop. Every action was intentional. I found a woven leather belt that I really fancied — but focused my attention towards other items until I was ready to make an offer. The vendor gave me a starting offer of 350 Dirham (Moroccan currency, ~35 euros). I countered with 100 (seems low, I know. you’re supposed to counter with ⅓ of the original price and go from there). After a good amount of back and forth (trying desperately to hide my steadily rising heartbeat and sweaty palms from showing on my face or in my voice while a few other shopkeepers and another member of the tour group watched the battle ensue), we reached a stalemate. I pulled out my ultimate trump card: I started to leave, to show that I I didn’t care that much (I totally did, this belt was sick). He called me back to make me a cheaper offer to keep me around, around 200 Dirham. I said 150, take it or leave it. Deal made. Boom. Great success, and now that belt holds a little more meaning that it would have if I had just picked it off a shelf.

My biggest fail? In a shop shelling scarves. The vendor was hyping me up, saying I must be so smart if I speak so much Arabic (I knew like 4 phrases), where am I from, what languages do you speak, etc. etc. Then I found a scarf. He offered me 100 dirham for a Pashmina scarf (which was not handmade, but beautiful nonetheless), I countered with 30. The vendor pulled out the “he’s not like other vendors” tactic, said that he prefers not to start with a crazy high price, and thus doesn’t have much room to go down. He was a really nice guy, I believed him. We settled on two scarves for 170 Dirham, and I left happy. I proceeded to walk through the Souk, seeing  scarves of the same maker hanging up at a nearby shop. I asked how much for one, he told me 80 dirham. Damn, I got got. The other guy was intentional with every action, he knew what he was doing. Well played bro. 

Haggling like this was exciting, it let me practice a skill I didn’t have, it was totally new. I felt culturally immersed, and got some cool things out of it that I’ll have as a memory. Although at times it was stressful, I kind of wish more people did business like this in the USA. It would be fun.

But simultaneously, I felt a good amount of resistance when I first started practicing the skill. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being incredibly cheap offering a third of their asking price, especially when in theory, I could have afforded it. There’s a lot of nuance with this surrounding the privilege I carry with me when I travel — more on that in the next blog. 

Overall, Tangier has a good vibe. Downtown is very modern, which is in stark contrast to the old-town artsy vibe of the Medina. We left in the late afternoon to Chefchaouen, the “Blue Pearl”, which was my favorite leg of the trip… more on that in the next blog, along with some important commentary/reflection…. Stay tuned!

As always, thanks so much for reading :). Check out the image descriptions for more details, and I’ll see y’all in the next post!! You can read it here.

Salam,

Niko Economos

Aerospace Engineering

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Madrid, Spain

economos@umich.edu 

[quarantineroulette]

12 Things That Didn't Suck this Year, plus 12 Films I watched and Liked

For me, 2023 was a somewhat easier year than most in recent memory. In the wider scope, everything remains very demoralizing and bereft of even a shred of hope. With whatever motivation I can find, my aim in 2024 is to refine aspects of my personal life I'm currently unhappy about; outside of that, things feel pretty much unsalvageable. May the new year surprise us all and give us a few glimmers here and there, culturally or otherwise. In the meantime here are 12 points that brought me some sort of comfort or release in the past year -- and also a dozen movies as most would agree it's been a great year for those. Maybe just maybe I'll finally take a crack at writing a screenplay in the new year so long as the world doesn't careen completely off its axis:

Traveling: In late 2022 I got it into my head that it would be really cool and fun to plan a trip as if we were touring, going from location to location within a span of 2 weeks. I really wanted to go back to Spain, James has always wanted to go to Morocco, so I routed a trip from Madrid to Tangier and back, with stops in Granada and Seville along the way (and also we went to see Suede, because why not). This was an intense journey that involved multiple buses, trains, shuttles to ferries, and plenty of taxis, and I'm pretty shocked and impressed that we pulled it off without sleeping through any departure times or losing any belongings (apart from a pair of earrings of mine that fell out of my purse and got crushed in Granada). The whole trip was a highlight not only of the year but of our lives in general and I'll absolutely never forget getting lost in the Ancien Medina in Tangier, something which I still dream about on the reg.

I Think You Should Leave: This has been an intellectually rich year in terms of films and television shows. The third season of Tim Robinson's completely unhinged Netflix series isn't part of that particular conversation, yet nothing I've watched this year has brought me more joy. I've easily watched the "Jellybean" sketch alone about 15 times, and could easily watch it twice that many more with no threat of it ever getting old. Absolutely insane, ceaselessly hilarious, and sometimes even emotionally stirring. May Netflix renew this 100 times over.

PJ Harvey - I Inside the Old Year Dying: I'm maybe a minority PJ Harvey fan because I find her later output far more interesting than her early, more iconic records (excepting To Bring You My Love and Is This Desire? here). This maybe didn't stir me quite as much as The Hope Six Demolition Project, which I found to be truly radical, but it neither felt like a retread (although surface listens might lead some to write it off as a return to White Chalk-era atmospherics). Outside of the record itself, the video for the title song is outstanding, and all her collaborators (including the directors of the video, animators Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña) were expertly chosen. Personally, Ben Whishaw singing lines from "Love Me Tender" is something beyond even my wildest dreams (Fun fact: I met Ben Whishaw forever ago and gave him a PJ Harvey button I made, so this collaboration in particular is quite the full circle).

Books By Friends: This year I read several recent books: HellSans by Ever Dundas, Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez and The Ghost Theatre by Mat Osman, all very different novels but all incredible in their own right ( I believe I technically read Ever's book last year but including it here anyway because I loved it that much). HellSans is a dystopian cyber-horror that satisfied my love of experimental writing and body horror alike, Our Share of Night is a touching story about a complicated familial relationship with heavy occult overtones, and The Ghost Theatre is a lush historical fiction that at times reminded me of Patrick Suskind's Perfume in terms of sensory details. All three novels solidified all future output from these writers as must reads for me, regardless of genre designations.

Movies: A short sub-list of 12 movies I watched this year that I liked enough to rank:

12) The Passenger (director: Carter Smith): Kyle Gallner is the #1 scream king to me and I'll watch pretty much whatever he's in as he usual picks interesting roles - plus, he makes me happy to be from Pennsylvania, and I can't say that about many people. Anyway, I've watched like three movies he was in this year alone but The Passenger was the stand out for its Falling Down-esque intro and fucked up reveals.

11) Beau is Afraid (director: Ari Aster): Docking this a few points because I think Ari Aster is pretty overrated, but I can't deny that this was an absolute trip to see in a movie theater. A quietly brilliant performance by Joaquin Phoenix as well.

10) The Royal Hotel (director: Kitty Green): Anything set in Australia instantly piques my interest, even moreso when it's as indebted to Wake in Fright as this film is. It wasn't the strongest year for horror films, and The Royal Hotel would probably be largely categorized as horror-adjacent, but it made me feel absolutely dreadful all the same.

9) Infinity Pool (director: Brandon Cronenberg): The unease I got watching this didn't totally stick, but the weird as shit Mia Goth performance certainly did.

8) Dream Scenario (director: Kristoffer Borgli): Very on the nose but I still laughed like a fiend over the whole "dreamfluencer" bit. Tremendous Nicholas Cage performance to boot.

7) Saltburn (director: Emerald Fennell): Sorry, loved its audacity and the way everybody in it dressed and how everything looked. A bit shallow but sometimes if everything looks great, I can hardly give a shit about any deeper meaning. Also, Barry Keoghan is absolute superstar and I don't use that term lightly.

6) Talk To Me (director: Danny and Michael Philippou): Easily my favorite straight-up horror film (not horror-adjacent) since It Follows, to which it certainly owes a debt. Funny, fucked up, and an amazing debut by Sophie Wilde, who gave the most underrated horror performance of the year imo.

5) Oppenheimer (director: Christopher Nolan): I liked it enough but what I liked even more was an on the surface "men's film" being embraced and subverted by a diverse, sometimes irreverent, audience (just look up Oppenheimer on Know Your Meme or TV Tropes and you'll get what I mean). July 2023 was a glorious period of people celebrating films and for one brief moment everyone seemed to love small, beautiful men just as much as I do.

4) Asteroid City (director: Wes Anderson): I'm generally iffy on Wes Anderson but this was just gorgeous and a truly profound experience that I'm still revisiting regularly and piecing together in my mind. If Jarvis Cocker doesn't get an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song with "Dear Alien," I will punch through a wall and all the way into a different reality.

3) Killers of the Flower Moon (director: Martin Scorsese): No movie has angered me this much since Judas and the Black Messiah in terms of a despicable moment in human history, but of course it was extremely gripping and moving, too. Say it's boring all you want but nothing this year has packed as much poignancy as that ending.

2) Anatomy of a Fall (director: Justine Triet): Best ever child acting in a film, best ever dog acting in a film.

May December (director: Todd Haynes): Todd Haynes is so intelligent, I love hearing him discuss his films and he's without a doubt one of the all-time greats for me. Even with my high expectations for everything that he does, May December still blew my mind. The marriage of Lifetime aesthetics with arthouse cinema is insanely deft, the "final showdown" between Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman's characters is absolutely chilling, and Charles Melton crying behind that fence will stay with me long, long after this year has ended.

Protomartyr Live at Johnny Brenda's: I really liked Protomartyr's 2023 release Formal Growth in the Desert, but it didn't fully hit until I attended this gig. It's been hard to get excited for gigs in the post-Covid era, but when that happens I'm reminded again of the pleasures of live music and its overall importance. I've seen Protomartyr several times in the past but in my humble opinion they've never been better than right now. Wanted to experience the whole show again as soon as it ended. The projections were really cool, too.

Living with a Cat: My parents got a kitten this year and shortly thereafter a cat mysteriously appeared in our alley. She was very scared and hungry, so we fed her and she found her way inside our home shortly after that. Cats are a lot of work, but she also brings us a lot of happiness and comfort. Sometimes she'll for real wink at me and it's very cute. Her backstory is a total mystery but she was clearly a house cat and we're very delighted to give her a new, happy home.

Swarm: Atlanta is one of my favorite things ever, plus fandoms and horror are two major interests of mine, so it was pretty inevitable that I would love this. The show was brilliant in itself, but Dominique Fishback was particularly phenomenal and delivered the horror monologue to beat going forward. A wild, funny, wicked ride.

Our first gig in Boston: We only played three shows this year but the best by far was our set in Boston at the Dark Springs Boston festival this past May. We played a bunch of our new, as yet unreleased, songs for the first time, met some bands we'd been longtime fans of, and just generally had a great time. Sitting down at the bar afterward, we met some festgoers who were genuinely star-struck, which was both flattering and very, very funny. May that be the first of many such experiences.

The Bear Season 2: Fishes and Forks. Enough said.

Cillian Murphy's Radio Show on 6Music: I listened to previous series of Cillian Murphy's Limited Edition radio show and it was my favorite thing then, but 2023's iteration was somehow better than ever. Played lots of Aldous Harding, my favorite cover song ever (Sonic Youth's cover of "Superstar"), and I'm still shocked that he threw in something from Cindy Lee, whose music I had just discovered like two weeks prior (and from a Protomartyr interview! Everything is connected!).

The Curse: There's an episode of Succession in which Roman Roy utters the phrase, "I cringed so hard I turned into a fossil." That's me with every new episode of The Curse. This would be way higher but it won't actually end 'til 2024 so it could possibly show up on next year's list as well! Also, let's give it up for Benny Safdie, who rules in this and in every other role he's played this year (and also on late night tv appearances).

[bruderherzlove]

✨ Enjoy the Ultimate Adventure: 7 Days Morocco Tour from Tangier! 🇲🇦🐪

Looking for an unforgettable journey through Morocco? Nasari Viajes invites you to explore the best of Morocco on our 7 Days Morocco Tour from Tangier! 🌍✨

🏰 Wander through the imperial cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fez 🏜️ Ride a camel into the golden dunes of the Sahara & spend a magical night in a Berber camp 🎭 Discover the cinematic landscapes of Ait Ben Haddou & Todra Gorges 🌿 Stroll through the charming blue streets of Chefchaouen

With private transportation, expert multilingual drivers, and handpicked accommodations, we guarantee a hassle-free, immersive experience filled with adventure and luxury.

🌟 Book now & let Morocco enchant you! 🌟 https://nasariviajes.com/7-days-morocco-tour-from-tangier.html contact@nasariviajes.com 📍 DM us for reservations & more details!

[sillyname30]

2023 recap

Darren had a pretty busy year:

Concerts:

Charlene Kaye Neon Tour (guest)

Australia (7 concerts)

Broadway and Vine

Lea Michele Carnegie Hall (guest)

Jonas Brothers (guest)

Jumperwall – Malibu + The Bourbon Room

London (2 concerts)

Scary Pockets (guest)

Mexico

The Ford

Crissmas Tour

Galas, Events:

An evening with Darren Criss

Chase Humantarian Awards

Atlantic Theater Gala

Goodman Theater Gala

ACT Halloween Gala

Marocco: Jaques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living in Tangier

MPTF Summer Party

Alzheimer Gala

National Anthem (SF Giants + New York Knicks)

Orpheuscapade New Orleans

SCL Awards

Tony Awards after after party

Spirited Singalong at TSG

Paris: Believin' Fan Meet

APEC Leaders' dinner San Francisco

TV/streaming

Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter

Carpool Karaoke

Justice League Warworld

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Name That Tune

That's My Jam

Dick van Dyke birthday special

National Christmas Tree Lighting

podcast:

The Bystanders

This list doesn't cover private events, movie premieres he attended, interviews.

[moroccoauthenticexperience]

Exquisite Escapades: Embarking on a Luxury Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes

Traveling from Marrakech to Fes is like opening a book, where each turn leads to a fresh chapter of discovery and excitement. However, in the middle of Morocco's untamed beauty comes an oasis of luxury: the Luxury Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco. This unique experience promises to take you to a world of splendor and magic, where the comforts of luxury meet the majesty of the desert. Before you is a universe of possibilities as you leave Marrakech. A private transfer will take you to the edge of the Sahara Desert to start your tour in style. You will be treated to breath-taking views of Morocco's many landscapes along the route, starting with the verdant valleys of the Atlas Mountains. With luxury desert tour Marrakech to Fes, it will be easy to get all these things done with appropriate manner.

Your knowledgeable guide will meet you at the edge of the desert and join you on this incredible journey. As you enter your exclusive desert camp, you will find yourself in an opulent realm where every last detail has been carefully chosen to guarantee your comfort and happiness. With its luxurious furniture and tasteful décor, your tent provides a haven in the middle of the open desert and this is the best part of best Sahara desert tours from Marrakech. As you take in the peace of your surroundings and get ready for the activities that lie ahead, unwind and relax in luxury.

However, what awaits you on the Luxury Sahara Desert Tour is where the real enchantment is found. Go on adventurous adventures such as walks into secret oases or thrilling camel rides across the dunes. You'll learn the mysteries of the desert and create lifelong experiences with the help of your professional guide and it is all along with the way to 6 days desert tour from Tangier to Marrakech. 

Savor a sultan-worthy feast beneath the stars as dusk descends over the Sahara. Enjoy a delicious dinner that highlights the best local products and lets you experience Moroccan cuisine while being transported back in time to traditional music and entertainment.

[moroccosaharadesert-travel]

Immersive Morocco Cultural Tour from Tangier to Marrakech

Discover Morocco’s rich history and vibrant culture with a Morocco Cultural Tour from Tangier. This 9-day journey takes you through ancient medinas, bustling souks, stunning landscapes, and historic landmarks. Explore Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara Desert, and Marrakech with expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and authentic local experiences. Book your cultural adventure today for an unforgettable Moroccan experience!