Adventures in Morocco
The trick to travelling in Morocco is to leave enough time to watch the world go by with the locals when there’s so much else to fit in; hiking up North Africa’s highest peak, camel trekking in the desert, shopping in the souqs, getting lost in the medina and sweating in a hammam and I certainly am not very good at sitting still!
When I was offered a 3-day educational trip with other Travel Counsellor colleagues I was intrigued to find out more about this country which was only a 3-hour flight from the UK but rich in culture, distinctive cuisine and stunning landscapes plus with my love for all things African I couldn’t resist seeing this side of the continent.
However, the trip was only 3 days exploring Marrakesh and I’m not a city girl so I immediately extended my flights and worked on an adventurous extra 5-day itinerary to explore more of the country from the city to the desert to the mountains.
On our first evening after settling into our hotel we were taken for a tour of Jamaa el fna Square and the surrounding souks before a beautiful dinner at Riad Kniza.
My first impressions were very pleasantly surprising, the city seemed very clean, we felt very safe walking around even amongst the hustle and bustle of the narrow lanes and there was no hassle from the sellers to enter the shops or purchase items. The souqs were a treasure trove and had I not been in a large group I could have happily spent hours exploring the market places. The after-dinner entertainment is also excellent with many venues providing live music from bands, to cover artists and even operatic Queen songs we ended up dancing the night away more than one evening.
The following two days were spent visiting the various hotels in and around the city, there is such a variety from traditional riad’s to boutique hotels and resort style hotels, there really is something for everyone. We were blown away by the service, food and absolutely stunning views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.
A couple of the stand-out hotels were the La Mamounia hotel, once a favourite of Winston Churchill (you can even stay in his room) and the Beachcomber Royal Palm with its own golf course and one of the best kids' clubs I’ve come across. We were also taken to the Terre D Amanare hotel/adventure park for ziplining and electric bike mountain biking! Great to have a break from the city for some outdoor adventures.
It was then time for my colleagues to return home and for my solo adventures to begin with a trip to the Sahara Desert and a camel ride to a nomad camp for the night. Although it was a long drive, there are very few things more beautiful than watching the sun set over the desert from the back of the camel, with the stars then coming out in all their glory and the silence that descends. It was a magical night which took my breath away especially when watching the sun rise on top of one of the dunes in the morning.
From here, it was time for the Atlas Mountains and trekking through the Berber villages (I told you, I can’t stay still!). On the way back from the desert I visited an underground village and library stuffed full with books collected from around the world made out of animal skins and written in saffron and indigo ink! I love a hike and although it wasn’t particularly difficult it was lovely to stretch the legs, the villages were fascinating with their earth-toned mud brick houses and painted doors.
The people were so welcoming, helped by the fact my local guide and manager of Riad Africa knew everyone in the area. The highlight of our day was visiting a family who lived in a village built high up on the hills and which I named the village in the sky, for a traditional Moroccan lunch in their home. They genuinely enjoyed having us there and to just be welcomed into their home is an absolute privilege and experience I won’t easily forget.
On my way back down from the Atlas Mountain I stopped off for lunch at the stunning Kasbah Tamadot, part of the Richard Branson portfolio of hotels and one I’d been eagerly anticipating seeing since working for his Kenyan property a few years before. It was not a disappointment and the setting, rooms, food, were all 5* with beautiful extra touches such as an outdoor cinema on certain nights in the summer, a petting zoo, tennis courts and community projects which Richard’s mother Eve is still heavily involved in. It’s easy to see why he picked this spot for one of his exclusive properties.
For my last night I had to have one more evening under canvas and the stars at the Scarebo Camp in the 'faux' desert 20 minutes outside of Marrakesh and just half an hour away from the airport. More rocky than sand but beautiful nonetheless and with the Mountains as a back drop, I met new friends around the camp fire and joined them for dinner discussing our time in this slice of North Africa.
This is such a snap shot of my trip to Morocco, it was a fun-filled, adventure-packed experience. In Marrakesh, it was so much fun to enjoy the restaurants, bars and markets with a group and yet travelling solo had given me an opportunity to speak to the locals, take in more of the beauty of the country and really appreciate the land and it’s people.
For more information or to start planning your Moroccan escape please e-mail me on kim.pierce@travelcounsellors.com