Travel Guide to Marrakesh, Morocco
Tour of Ait BenHaddou with our local tour guide
Morocco, hands down, is one of my favorite places I have traveled to. The combination of dodging motorcycles, donkeys, shouting merchant vendors, hoards of people, and cars all while you are trying to make your way through small,narrow alleys, can make you feel uneasy and unsafe. I was so out of my comfort zone the first day and a half. But the longer you stay and soak in this enchanting country you don't ever want to go home. The mayhem, the spices, the vibrant colors, the snake charmers playing their punji is quite the sensory overload, yet you adapt to it quickly. Read on for my top recommendations on what to do and where to go.
Shopping- From traditional Moroccan shoes to lamps to carpets, shopping the souks in the old Medina is a must, make sure you come with a light suitcase so you can stock up on what you find here. Bargaining with the locals goes a long way. I scored a variety of little trinkets (keychains,magnets), jeweled glassware, Moroccan shoes, hand painted ceramic pots, lavish jewelry boxes, purses, wooden jeweled mirrors all for under $80.
Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa- This former Islamic collage, is an impressive sight to see. The tiles, the marble and the Arabic inscriptions transports you back to the 14th century when it was built. I was really taken back with how well preserved this building was. A prime sample of Islamic design done right.
Treat yourself to a Spa- I didn't get to experience a traditional "Hammam" which is a bathing/cleansing ritual in the Muslim culture. But for my birthday I was happy to spend half a day at the historic La Mamounia Marrakech luxury hotel for a little rest and relaxation. A day pass was 500 Moroccan dirham which is about $50. Lounging by the pool area and having a rest day in between traveling is neccessary.
Le Jardin Majorelle: In the 80's French designer Yves Saint Laurent bought this garden and restored it 18 years after the artist who designed it, Jacques Majorelle passed away. Yves fell in love with Morocco and eventually purchased a holiday home, with his partner Pierre Berge. The quaint, colorful gardens were a must visit for me because of my admiration for Yves Saint Laurent and his work in the fashion world. Yves ashes are actually spread out all around the garden.
If you are still in need of a YSL fix, "Musee Yves Saint Laurent" opened recently which showcases a few pieces from his couture collections and displays other exhibits dedicated to the legendary designer. Although I missed this Musuem, it'll be one of the many reasons to come back.
Sunset dinner: Enjoy a Moroccan feast with picturesque views from a rooftop restaurant. Nomad's was the place to be, so I recommend making a reservation in advance. I ordered the traditional dish lamb tagine ( I probably had either chicken tagine,lamb tagine, or some kind of tagine almost everyday until I left) which is best described as a stew, with a side of couscous and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Food and service was great but you are paying more the upscale ambiance.
Go on an excursion: You can either book a 2 day trip or a 3 day trip to venture out of Marrakesh and into the Sahara desert. All around the medina travel vendors are selling tours. I recommend shopping around and asking different vendors for prices. Try to bargain and if you don't like the price you hear, walk away. Either they run after you and give you the price you want or you will find someone else that will. The 2 day trip was only about $35-$40, all thanks to some major bargaining skills. The price was pretty much a steal considering what we got. We visited the High Atlas Mountains, local villages, Ouarzazate specifically Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou which is famous for filming movies and shows like "The Gladiator" and "Game of Thrones."
When we finally got to Zagora, which is where the Sahara desert begins, we got to hop on our camels and ride to our camp, about 20-30 minutes away. Despite being in a light sandstorm and being a bit uncomfortable on the camel, we made it to our destination in one piece. As we waited for dinner, we were spoiled with Moroccan mint tea and got to pick out our tents. There were several huge tents circled around us, so it made it feel like a private village. Once we got called for dinner, it was no surprise the main course was... chicken TAGINE with cous cous.
The light sandstorm we experienced earlier was pretty much non existent. It was comfortable and warm out, so we brought our mattresses outside and reclined under the stars. We were also treated with a performances by the locals, who sang and played traditional folk music by the campfire.
The brightest stars you will see are in the desert where city lights are miles away. Such an unforgettable experience and #1 recommended activity to look into when planning a trip to Morocco.
