Morocco is an incredible country to explore and a destination with many unforgettable experiences. Now, I know I say that for a lot of places, but it really is! It’s been on my “bucket list” for quite some time. I’ve always wanted to ride a camel in the shimmering Sahara Desert, explore maze-like souks, drink tea with Berbers and taste the country’s mouthwatering cuisine! And the fact that it is so close — just an eight-hour direct flight from New York City to Casablanca makes it a convenient destination to explore.
I was thrilled to travel to Morocco recently so I could experience this colorful, fragrant, eye-opening destination and check it off my “bucket list”!
To visit Morocco is still like turning the pages of some illuminating Persian manuscript all embroidered with bright shapes and subtle lines.
-Edith Wharton
Morocco is a melting pot of cultures with Arabic, Berber and European influences. There is an abundance of historical sites to explore such as the fortified city of Chellah in Rabat, the tanneries in Fez, and the ancient medina of Fez. There are also the roman ruins of Volubilis, which were a major trading center during Romans times. The main religion in Morocco is Islam, and Mosques can be found in every single town and village. You’ll hear the call to prayer several times a day during your trip.
Morocco is a journey into a timeless, tranquil world of cute coastal villages, colorful-painted towns that cling to hillsides, and remote outposts defended by fairy-tale adobe forts. This fascinating country is a merging of the African and Arab worlds and is steeped in age-old customs.
From the high Atlas Mountains to the desert and coast to coast, Morocco is an amazing country that hits all a traveler’s senses.
Here are my top 5 Experiences!
1. Camel Trekking in the Sahara Desert
One of the highlights of our trip was spending an evening at Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp amid the dunes themselves. This was the perfect place to relax and gaze at the ever-changing colors of the desert.
We were greeted by talented musicians playing traditional Moroccan music. It was upbeat, cheerful, and added some pep to our step after our 12-hour drive from Fez!
Our tents were made of camel skin typically used by nomadic people. Each one was beautifully decorated with comfortable beds, a full bathroom and air conditioning!
We arrived just in time to ride the camels at dusk. As I sat on top of mine, I looked around and could not grasp with my mind the surreal landscape that surrounded us. I had never seen anything so magnificent. The color of the sand was a gorgeous golden yellow. The silence in the Sahara is like nothing else…with views of seemingly endless dunes from every angle.
After our sunset ride, we enjoyed a traditional meal of Orange Blossom soup, chicken and beef tagine, couscous, potatoes, carrots, dates, olives, homemade bread and fresh fruit.
An early start the following morning meant mounting the camels in the dark so that we could reach a good vantage point for the sunrise. It was neat watching the nomads lead the camels up and over the dunes to meet us.
Once we were mounted, we trekked to the highest peak to catch the sunrise! Our caravan was moving along in formation…ever so slowly, casting long beautiful shadows on the dunes. It was a full-on Arabian vibe!
Once we reached the top, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the early start and for the long journey to get to the Sahara. The magnificent landscape of changing colors as the sun eased its way up over the Sahara dunes was stunning! The sunrise camel ride was even more spectacular than the sunset.
Riding a camel in the Sahara, spending one night under the stars in a desert camp between the dunes is not only an iconic experience, but it’s one for the memory bank!
2. Intricate Architecture
It is difficult to find a dull building in Morocco – at every turn, you will be impressed by the architecture from the colorful tiles, arching doorways, vibrant colors, intricate lighting, red adobe buildings, decorative carvings and elaborate mosques. One of the most beautiful buildings is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the second largest functioning mosque in Africa and the 7th largest in the world. It is exquisite and worthy of savoring.
3. Hospitality of the Berbers
We hiked the High Atlas Mountains (from 5,000 feet to 6,000 feet) and ended up in a small Berber village. We were invited into their home for traditional mint tea. It is a common way for them to extend their hospitality and welcome you to their family. The Berbers are one of the oldest cultures in North Africa and much of their traditions and customs have been maintained over the years.
4. Wandering the Medinas
The medinas of Marrakech and Fez are labyrinths of narrow twisting alleyways that are easy to get lost in. You may even experience a complete sensory overload…in a good way! We had fun shopping in the souks that are brimming with items such as ceramics, leather goods, jewelry, spices, clothing, shoes and carpets. I bargained a bit and bought a beautiful leather camel skin backpack!
5. The Flavors of Morocco
If you are a foodie, you won’t be disappointed in the Moroccan food. It is very flavorful with plenty of spices (cumin, saffron, orange zest, salt, pepper & cilantro) and fresh vegetables. We learned to cook chicken, beef and lamb in a tagine (a terra cotta pot with a cone shaped lid), made couscous with cinnamon and raisins, roasted eggplant and baked bread in a traditional stone fire oven. We even learned how to make the perfect cup of mint tea. YUM!!
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to the same dimensions.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
My journey through Morocco was more than I expected. It’s a country bursting with unforgettable cultural experiences! From camel trekking in the Sahara Desert to the colorful, heady markets filled with the rich scents of spices to the vibrant Atlas Mountains to cooking in a tagine, there is so much to see and do in this incredible North African country.
Now that the world is opening back up, where would you like to go? Is Morocco on your “bucket list” now? If so, let’s plan this adventure together!
