these are the towns that give the sky a run for its money

These are two towns at the top of Africa that wow with their natural and spontaneous flourishes of colour.

CHEFCHAOUEN

One of the original colour blocking cities, boy is Chefchaouen pretty. Here it is a little less paint the town red, more paint the town in a sedate blue. Its effect is calming without question, and adds even more intrigue to the narrow alleys of this village found between the Rif mountains. The hillside village is rinsed and washed in blue as the Jews here believed the colour represented God’s might. The colour has stayed even though the religions are now diverse – more typical for Morocco, there are Muslims and Berbers living here among the Jewish community. This all-blue city rivals that other blue city, Jodphur in India, but is better maintained. It could be touristy, but it has remained off the radar of most travellers. The medina of Chefchaouen melds traditional Moroccan with a Spanish edge of red roof tiles as it was a bolt hole for exiles. Interestingly though the connection remains to this day, for the walls of the medina were fixed thanks to financial aid from Spain.  And Morocco has a knack of maintaining its cultural integrity, with all its destinations being very much serviceable to the locals rather than visitors. One example are the riads that allow clients to live in a local house-stay in the medinas.

ESSAOUIRA

Think of this as Marrakesh by sea, with some Santorini-style architecture and French panache folded in. The tagine pot of cultural influences is thanks to the white washed walls and blue paint detailing across the city; while the French derives from the designer who hailed from that very country and designed port towns.  Due to its position on the crown of Africa, it has virulently strong winds that rustle the white veils of local women. The spice of the souk will smack you across the face. In a good way. Be sure to indulge in traditional tagines. But since we’re by the coast, eschew the classic lamb tagine for fish mixed in with the couscous dish. Chase it down with a fresh and sweet leaf-packed mint tea. That’s sustenance for shopping, for the seaside town has emporiums of bright ceramic teapots and brass glasses. Leather pixie slippers of all colours, studded with stones radiate rainbow-like from the souks. All the things you’ve heard about Morocco and its Aladdin like shopping caverns are warranted, and it’s very easy to lose a day getting lost on purpose. This is very much a town that is practicable and serviceable for the locals.