Morocco has always been on my bucket list. However, I didn't expect to fall in love with this vivid and such an authentic country. It was all about vibrant patterns, colors, textures, people and their heart touching life stories. Every now and then I had a strong feeling that time doesn't exist here.
Actually, I wasn't supposed to make a list of things what to do, visit, buy or where to stay in Morocco. I believe it can't fully represent a country. Anyway, here I am, making my own list of best things that impressed me the most during our trip across Morocco. Hopefully, it'll help or give tips some of you one day. So, let's get down to the nitty gritty:
Sign up for a cooking class. Attending a cooking class in another country is one of my favorite ways to soak up culture and learn more about traditions and customs.
Pamper yourself and experience a traditional hammam followed by a relaxation massage. Some hotels and riads also include these traditional baths, so be sure to ask it in advance.
Get lost in the soaks and buy Argan oil, organic rose water, fragrant spices, renowned raffia shoes or traditional clothing, ceramic bowls and plates featuring stunning patterns, intricate metal lamps and woodwork or if you have an extra suitcase to get everything home, you can even buy rugs or leather poufs. However, be prepared to bargain with shopkeepers.
Try your hand at surfing, kite surfing, wind surfing or boogie boarding in Essaouira. For the very first time I've tried surfing. Moreover, I can't swim at all and afraid of deep water. To my surprise, somehow I've managed to catch a wave twice! Of course, with the help of an instructor.
Don’t leave Morocco without trying the most iconic dish - tagine! Seriosly, you'll find an endless variety of it. Drink as much as you can freshly squeezed orange juice in the Jemaa el Fnaa Square or enjoy a cup of sweet mint tea, known as "Moroccan whisky". Also a glass of gris wine would be a perfect end to a lovely day.
Take a camel ride among the rolling sand dunes of the Sahara desert and watch one of the most spectacular sunsets.
Make a wish when you see a shooting star in the sky of the Sahara desert and dance like nobody is watching you around a bonfire under the rhythm of Berber music.
Take a step backwards in time visiting the Chouara tannery in Fes.
Fall in love with picturesque Chefchaouen, find the prettiest street and take a million photos of it. Also don't forget to send a beautiful postcard to your loved ones from there.
Our adventure began in Marrakech. Despite the chaos, Marrakech is such a charming, colorful and enchanting city steeped in traditions. It's a visual delight for the eyes. However, you should take into consideration that almost all the beauty of architecture hides behind the unassuming doorways.
Essaouira, known as The pearl of the Atlantic or The sleeping beauty, was my love at first sight. If you're crazy about seafood just like me, then you'll definitely love Essaouira. Honestly, it's a real paradise for seafood lovers. Perfect ending to your day is to have a romantic dinner with a glass of wine at a fancy restaurant, overlooking the ocean. What more could you ask for?
Speaking about the ocean, be bold enough to take surf lessons.
Not only is Essaouira less touristy, but also residents are generally friendlier, kinder and they aren't as pushy when you shop for souvenirs, comparing with Marrakech. That's why shopping here isn't so stressful and much more enjoyable and pleasant.
Morocco is an incredibly diverse country. I couldn’t even believe that it has so much to offer – the Atlantic ocean, beaches, the Sahara desert, waterfalls, rocks and the Atlas Mountains. On our way to the Sahara desert we visited Ouarzazate, nicknamed "The door of the desert" and Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, World Heritage of UNESCO. Ouarzazate is also widely known as the Hollywood of Africa. This is due to its movie studios – the CLA and Atlas. Many famous movies like Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy and many more were filmed here. No wonder, why I felt like a movie star here. Who wouldn't?
The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world, one of the most beautiful and surreal places I've ever seen. Seriously, it's a crime if you missed out on a great opportunity to make the trip to Merzouga and experience camping in the Sahara. Without any hesitation, this will be the highlight of your trip to Morocco! Made all the better by the fact that you can take a camel ride among the dunes. In the desert, not only can you enjoy traditional dinner accompanied by local Berber music around a bonfire, but also wild dances after all. Moreover, local Berber men let us try the drumming patterns. I didn't succeed fairly well though. But who cares when you're just having fun?
Don't forget to bring a bottle or two of gris winewith you to make this evening even more special.
At nignt the stars and planets shine like diamonds scattered across the Universe. You'll easily spend hours looking at the dark sky and identifying the Great Bear, Cassiopeia or many other bright stars, constellations and asterisms. Even if you're not a big fan of astronomy, you can't deny that making a wish when a shooting star appears is so romantic and exciting. Next day, we woke up early (I'm not a morning person at all that's why this is always the hardest thing for me) to catch the dawn. However, it worth it! Almost unreal and so magical. No matter whether a seasoned traveler you are or not, many times you've seen the desert or for the very first time, its awesome power and beauty never disappoints anyone.
If I had to choose one word to descride Fes, I would definitely opt for "labour". People are such hard workers here. Well, many can argue with me, but there is something different about Fes. Day by day, year by year, people live and work without any rest to make ends meet like their ancestors did many centuries ago. It seems almost nothing has changed over generations. How many of us will be left in the dust of time? It's not only about the famous Chouara Tannery, one of the three tanneries in the city, that gives me this impression. If you take a stroll through a medina, you'll see many districts of artisans who maintain the century-old techniques of handicraft industries.
Please, don't dare go to a medina without a local guide, whom you can trust. It can be dangerous, especially in the evening.
I have to confess Chefchaouen was the main reason to visit Morocco. I've been dreaming of it for a long time. How does it feel when your dream comes true? Excitement, joy, glee, pure happiness, elation, sheer delight? All-in-one! You know one of those pinch me moments. Was it real or just my dream? Still can't believe it!
Chefchaouen or Chaouen, also called the Blue City or Morocco’s Blue Pearl,is widely known for its walls covered in different shades of blue. Actually, there's no one theory why so. Some people believe that it was made just to protect against mosquitoes and help to beat the heat, others reckon that the Jewish community, after escaping Europe, painted blue the walls to remind them of God and heaven. Nevertheless, there is something exquisite in this small city in the North of Morocco. Plenty of shops with handmade hats, bags, blankets, local organic cosmetics that will be always wrapped with care and all the relaxed atmosphere of the town make Chefchaouen very attractive and charming.
One day I'll definitely come back to Morocco again... You know that feeling when there is something calling you back and you can't understand what exactly it is? Or it just seems like I fell in love with this extraordinary, vivid, beautiful and such a wild country.
