Coucou les French learners,
This April, my family and I took our first journey to North Africa.
It was an unforgettable adventure that took us by car across Portugal (where we live), through the sunny South of Spain, and across the Strait of Gibraltar by boat to Ceuta.
Did you know Ceuta is actually a Spanish city on the North African coast?
From there, we spent 10 magical days in Tetouan, a charming city nestled between the Rif Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, famed for its rich Andalusian heritage and vibrant medina, a true cultural gem.
What made this trip truly special was our choice to slow travel.
Unlike “fast travel,” which rushes from one tourist spot to another, slow travel is all about immersing yourself deeply in a place and its culture. It means savoring the moment, forming connections with people, and truly feeling the pulse of a city or region.
I love this because it feels authentic and allows space for discovery and relaxation, instead of just checking sights off a list.
It mirrors perfectly how I believe French should be acquired.
Slow travel rejects rushing in favor of meaningful experience.
Acquiring French naturally means immersing yourself gently in stories, conversations, and real contexts instead of trying to cram vocabulary or rules quickly.
🐓 A Wonderful Stay at La Granja: A Pedagogical Farm Near Tetouan
We were lucky to stay at La Granja, a beautiful educational farm with breathtaking mountain views near Tetouan.
The farm fosters learning through nature and sustainable living, serving delicious organic meals in a welcoming atmosphere.
The wonderful people we met inspired us so much that my husband and I made a special video to share this magical place with you virtually.
Watch the free video on YouTube. Click here!
Why should you watch?
Hear francophones (not all native) speak French naturally, with spontaneous conversations
Train yourself to catch the gist rather than every detail, building listening confidence
Discover Moroccan culture, linked to French history as a former protectorate
For a deeper experience, read the transcript on our site. Click here!
🌿 Join Our Community and Acquire French the Natural Way
If you love stories, authentic conversations, and acquiring French through real-life input, you belong in our community.
For just 8 Euros per month (about the price of eight espressos in Portugal), subscribe at aliceayel.com and start making real, meaningful progress by acquiring French naturally.
CLARITY: progress step by step through stages and make French become clear to you. Understand French with ease.
COMMUNITY: meet weekly and keep yourself accountable through the most caring and invested community. Think French naturally.
TRANSFORMATION: feel empowered. Be fluent in French. Transform yourself and get a new soul. Speak French freely.
Let your French journey bloom like slow travel, rich, immersive, and full of discovery.
With warmth and excitement,
Alice Ayel 🌼
Your guide to natural French fluency