Morocco For The Senses OCT 2023
Morocco is described as being a diverse land and a touch exotic. Your senses will be in heaven as we explore the spice markets and witness the best light show on earth under the night sky of the Saharan desert. Interior designs with swathes of colourful fabrics, carpets rich in detail, traditional riad style lodgings with sumptuous couches and stunning mosaic tiling will take your breath away. Earthen kasbahs, lush oasis, fresh fruit on donkey carts, endless alleyways full of trading goods, Andalusian influence, quaint seaside villages, the play of light on the sand dunes, pretty blue hillside villages, crumbling ruins, big skies, local people proud of their culture, life around the tagine, and vast landscapes. Take some time to meet Moroccans who are full of hospitality where everything revolves around a glass of mint tea!
Parallel 50. This is Life. This is Travel
- Heady Aromatic Spices
Salam alekum – Peace be Upon you (greeting)
Alekum salam – your response to the above
Labas? – How are you?
Labas – your response, Fine
iyeh – Yes
la – No
wakha – Okay
shukran – Thank you
afak – Please
Smiti – my name is ….
Ana men – I am from…..
lma – Water
bira – Beer
hlib – Milk
atei – Mint tea
Our Morocco journey begins! We will head northwards towards Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Enjoy fortress walls with ancient crumbling ruins in the gardens and hopefully see at close range the storks and their crazily perched nests. A little piece of the Sahara has made it to Rabat in the form of a bedouin tent style eating place where you will be introduced to the way Moroccans serve their tea and one of our favourite tagines. We will head inland where you will experience your first introduction to Moroccan lodgings. It will delight.
You will love exploring the blue city of Morocco! It is a beautiful unique village nestled at the base of the Mountains known for its blue doors and blue and white washed walls. It has a real Andalucian feel to it and discovering its narrow lanes and lay back style will delight. Shops line the endless laneways. Relax in this hilltop village and take in life. Enjoy!
Travel today through the Rif Mountains as we make our way to Fez’s real attraction, the old medina. It is easy to lose yourself in the labyrinth of narrow lanes but you won’t mind one little bit as aromas of spices, the tinkering of tradespeople and the donkeys laden with goods all vie for your attention. Prepare to be overwhelmed! This ancient city has much to see from crumbling old ruins, fascinating life in the tanneries, exquisite mosaics and pottery, Persian influenced architecture and a bustle of people in the bazaars. It has a great vibe and you will love our stay in a traditional riad right on the edge of the Medina.
Let’s travel to Switzerland today! Well Morocco’s Switzerland anyway. A drive through the mountains with an overnight stay to break the long drive to the Sahara.
Welcome to the Sahara! Early morning light makes for great shadows in the sand dunes of this amazing desert giving life to the shapes and forms of the dunes. Visit Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, to experience their music and lifestyle. Traditional dress is still worn here. So we are in for a night of living life as it is with a beautiful nomad family.
This won’t be a nice soft feather bed type of experience but I bet it will be one that stays with you for some time and where you will develop an admiration for the resilient and resourceful nomadic peoples of the Sahara. The local animal market and souq has that ancient feel like it hasn’t changed over time. Oh and the spices! And a visit to the desert would not be complete without a ride thru the desert by camel. The late afternoon shadows across the shifting sands are a breathtaking sight and the desert will surprise you. A desert camp with some of life’s little luxuries will set you up for an entertaining evening under the stars before you head to your tents.
And the stars will astound. A traditional tagine meal in the Sahara somehow tastes so much better! And the drums sound so much sweeter around the campfire! 1 night motel, 1 night nomads tent, 1 night desert camp.
Today will see us travel thru lush green valleys and the largest palm grove in Morocco. Mountain roads will wind us thru spectacular countryside with canyons and gorges. Enjoy the drive to another diverse area of Morocco…the gorge country.
This is truly spectacular landscape. Glacial streams and tall cliffs surround us. Our riad feels like a little oasis and a nice place to recharge. We can stroll through the crops enjoying seeing life in the fields. Stunning big country again as we travel through the gorge. The ruins of kasbahs set in the oasis of palms, a visit to an ancient mosque and meeting the friendly peoples of this valley will offer many heartwarming experiences.
We head off the main road a little now to experience small village life in the Atlas Mountains. I think I will leave the rest to Morocco to explain! An exciting drive with chance meetings of the locals and many a photo to take!
I don’t think there is enough days to absorb this stunning land with its textural and fascinating geology, farms making the most of water ways in the valleys, aqua blue lakes, mountain vistas and thundering waterfalls. Let’s give it a nudge today though!
We will take our time to travel and explore along the way today with a delightful riad at the end of the day with the smiliest host you will ever find! Great food and atmosphere will be a welcome home to be after being on the road.
Here we come Marrakech! A visit to Morocco is not complete without a visit to this vibrant city with its cosmopolitan feel mixed in with its ancient medina. You will be continually surprised with stunning architecture, stories, Marjorelle Gardens, Jewish quarters, Palaces, souqs and the famous Jemaa El Fna square comes to life as night falls with its street performers and cafes. Enjoy! How about a hammam? Shopping galore!
Experience a seaside village. Spectacular coastline both rugged and beautiful, cruising the calm lagoon waters, eating fresh oysters from the street stalls, fresh fish grilled on the beach, enjoy home cooked meals from a lovely local lady. You may like to learn how to cook ‘real’ couscous and traditional tagine. Spend time with a local fisherman. We will take a night visit for sunset at an intriguing beach below the cliffs and visit the local market. Try not to fall in love with this village. This was my home for 6 months and will love to share with you!
Today ends our amazing journey thru Morocco. You will be transported to the airport for your departure flight. You will take home with you a richness of feeling for this amazing land, it’s unforgettable travel experiences and a bigger heart for the people you have met. What a story!
