Leaving the pink hues and European flavor of the Costa del Sol, we ventured across the Strait of Gibraltar into the bustling port of Tangier. Simply put, Morocco is striking – its vibrant culture embraces travelers as soon as they step off the ferry.

We started the day by meeting our gracious host Youssef, a painter and graphic designer in Tangier (see some of his beautiful work in the slideshow above). Youssef advised that we plunge deeper into Morocco to experience the countryside and culture. We hired a driver, Abdul, to cart us around for two days. He was so much fun to spend time with. We took a road trip into the coastal town Assilah on Wednesday and the mountain town Chefchaouen on Thursday. Being in these two beautiful, relaxed towns was like walking into a Dalí painting! Whitewashed homes lined rocky Atlantic coastline and perched on the edges of towering cliffs in the Rif mountains. By far, the most rewarding experiences were found wandering through labyrinthine medinas, taking in the sights and smells of North Africa.

It's difficult to summarize the experience in words. Morocco is best described in sights and smells. It's a visceral place that beckons travelers to slow down and absorb daily life. Check out the slideshow for a taste of Morocco!