Morocco
Arabia’s mystical allure and Africa’s vibrancy converge in Morocco, refusing to give in to Western ways and instead delivering a splendid culture contrast that’s sure to stay rooted in traveller’s minds forever.
Arabia’s mystical allure and Africa’s vibrancy converge in Morocco, refusing to give in to Western ways and instead delivering a splendid culture contrast that’s sure to stay rooted in traveller’s minds forever.
Throughout Morocco, a sense of tradition coils its way into every corner of life that goes on in its differing landscapes. Marrakech seemingly never sleeps, with lanes of shops selling homely goods that welcome midday sun escapists turning into hives of activity as dancers in traditional costumes and halqa acrobats stir up the still night air.
The snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains loom in the background, their Berber villages happy to bop to the beat while sipping on a mint tea. The unmapped sands of the Sahara Desert stay well away, only disturbed by its ephemeral campsite dwellers as they stand mesmerised by the stars above.
In pursuit of…
… a far-off culture extraordinarily close to home
For somewhere that’s quicker to get to than a cross-country drive, the atmosphere couldn’t be more different. Days in Marrakech begin with the sound of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer, before Hawkers begin to trade their vast piles of spices in the souks in an aromatic scene of red paprika, beige cumin, yellow turmeric and green aniseed. And up in the mountains it’s a similar yet less frantic affair, with Djellaba-robed residents wandering the markets for fresh ingredients to cook Harira and bake khobz according to family-famous recipes.
“Marrakech taught me colour. Before Marrakech, everything was black.”
Its essence...
TIME-HONOURED
DIVERGENT
INSPIRATIONAL
Passages from a journal A week in Marrakech
Day 1
Day 2
Day 4
Day 5
Day 7
Day 1
Day 2
Day 4
Day 5
Day 7
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![A display of colorful carpets and rugs in a shop]()
7pm
The souks were just how I remembered from my last visit. It was no less cacophonous then flying solo than it was today with a group in tow. The guided tour helped us get our bearings and introduced us to some labyrinthian shops that you could easily get lost in. Some of us have already picked up a few bits, so much for not spending on the first day.
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![A woman looking at framed photos in Moroccan museum]()
5:59pm
If ever there were a place to feed inspiration, it’s the YSL museum. From architecture to fashion to interior design, everything was dripping in jaw-dropping beauty. We’re back at the hotel now and about to indulge in our first tagine of the trip and something tells me it won’t be the last.
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![Incense in a small glass bottle]()
8:15am
We had a lazy day yesterday while we all pampered ourselves with a spa day, it’d be rude not to take advantage in the land of the Hammam. But today we’re up and heading out to feel the wind in our hair on a sidecar tour, the final destination being the sculpture park.
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![Landscape photography of road leading to mountains]()
1:45pm
I’m currently sat on the sheltered terrace of a Berber family’s home, with sweeping views of the Atlas Mountains before me. We’ve just had lunch, a tagine cooked lovingly for us by our hosts using ingredients from the markets we passed through on our way. I’m also sipping on what much be my 25th glass of sweet, sweet mint tea – I may be a bit hooked.
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![Camp tents under a dark blue sky]()
4pm
Waiting to go home so I thought I’d write about our last night. We drove out into the desert yesterday and as the city melted into the background I got a real sense of how small we are in such a vast landscape. We arrived at a luxurious camp in time for dinner followed by sundowners. Then as the stars emerged we settled down with telescopes to watch the spectacle.
0:00
The leading line-up
Morocco
Destination essentials
WHEN TO VISIT
Flight
Time difference
Currency / Language
FROM THE READING ROOM
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