MOROCCO
An Elegant Escape Through Ancient Cities
and Untamed Landscapes
I flew into Tangier, the most international city in Morocco, where modern architecture blends beautifully with the flair of the traditional medina. For a long time, Tangier was the country’s most important port, and it remains the closest point to Europe — or Spain, to be exact — reachable by ferry.
I spent three nights here to allow time for a day trip to the blue city of Chefchaouen, which had long been high on my list.
Next was Fes, whose medina encompasses over 9,000 laneways — definitely a place where a guide is essential! I also joined a local expert for a night-time food tour of the medina, which was a real highlight. I learned so much and tasted dishes I never would have discovered on my own. Fes is famous for its ceramics, leather goods, and much more — and it’s nearly impossible not to shop (and ship) plenty back home!
Another highlight was my stay at Riad Fes, a Relais & Châteaux property with incredible charm and style. It quickly became one of my favourite boutique hotels — not only because the bartender at the rooftop bar remembered me as Ms. Wong on my second night!
Travelling from Fes to Casablanca, I stopped for a guided tour of Volubilis, one of the most impressive Roman cities I’ve ever seen. Much of it remains in remarkable condition, and there’s still a vast area yet to be excavated. Nearby is Morocco’s best winery, where you can enjoy wine tastings and lunch — part of a growing trend in the country.
Casablanca remains mainly a gateway city, home to the world’s third-largest mosque and the elegant Royal Mansour Hotel, owned by the royal family. Beyond that, there isn’t much to explore.
From here, I joined a small group of Australian agents, and together we travelled to the coastal town of Essaouira, famous for its cinematic beauty and appearances in films like Game of Thrones.
We then continued to Marrakech, where we had the joy of exploring the city on a vintage sidecar tour and taking a cooking class, preparing a chicken tagine in the prettiest kitchen I’ve ever seen!
Marrakech has a distinct charm and a captivating medina perfect for getting lost in. It’s also home to many celebrities who own houses there and serves as the gateway to the Atlas Mountains, where you’ll find beautiful retreats to unwind after touring the country — or, if you’re still feeling adventurous, to go hiking.
I didn’t have time to see the Sahara Desert, so that will have to wait for next time — because one thing is certain: I’ll be back!
Posted in Travel-Stories and tagged @arianawongtravel, @traveldesignedwithyouinmind.
Ariana Wong Travel is an Independent Affiliate of SmartFlyer – a member of Virtuoso, Preferred Hotel Group, Leading Hotels of the World
