Travel Guide: Morocco
Morocco stole my heart, here's what I loved
It was my first time in Africa. I had no expectations and zero inhibitions. My mom said she was going and last minuet I said I would go too. I saw the colors in a coffee table book and I was sold. Little did I know it would be one of the more heart opening experience of my life. We did Morocco right, and by right I mean we did it all. From the coast to the desert to the bustling souks. I fell in love with the country and it’s people over and over and over again. Here’s what I did, in order, and what I think you should do too.
Tangier
Stay: Villa Mabrouka or Hotel La Tangerina
Eat: M Restaurant
Drink: El Morocco Club
See: The medina (old town) and souk (artisan market) with a guide
Inroute
When driving from Tangier to Fes stop at Scorpion House for a home cooked meal in fabulous house. If you like history you can also visit the Roman ruins near by at Volubilis.
Fes
Fes was my favorite of all. I think some people skip this city, I can’t imagine why! It is the artisan capital of Morocco. The Moroccans from Fes claim the best of the country comes from this ancient walled city. The medina is a labyrinth of tightly packed walls and alleyways. Donkey’s pass carrying goods and one feels transported back in time.
Stay: Karawan Riad
Eat: Nur Restaurant
Coffee: Cafe Clock
See: The medina and souk with a guide. Specifically the leather artisans, herbalists, and rug weavers.
The Desert
Much of Morocco is a desert, when I say ‘The Desert’ I mean the san dunes. In person they are even more glorious and enchanting than one could imagine. We went to Merzuga and stayed at the Riad Madu Desert camp. We arrived in style to the camp via camelback at sunset. I suggest you do the same.
Stay: Riad Madu
Do: Dune Gazing & Berber Drum Circle
The Desert → Marrakech
In route from the desert to Marrakech we stoped for two nights in the oasis town of Skoura. We stayed at The House of The Butterflies or Dar Faracha. The house cooks made our experience not only exceptional but cozy and homey too. Moroccan mint tea in the mornings for vibrant days and verbena tea in the evenings for dream filled slumbers.
Marrakech
Marrakech is one of the most developed and westernized city in Morocco, so we saved it for last. We savored all of the rural, raw, artisan locations and then landed in the color explosion that is Marrakech.
Lunch: Le Jardin
Aperatif: La Mamunia
Dinner: Kabana
Night cap: Royal Mansour
Do: Sidecar tour
Shop: The souk
