Morocco: A Firsthand Travel Guide
Morocco is a feast for every sense, and it is one of the most extraordinary trips I have taken. I have wandered the souks of Marrakech, walked the ancient medina of Fez, slept under the stars in the Sahara, and driven through the palm oases and blue streets in between. Here is the Morocco I know, and how I plan it for clients.
Where to go
- Marrakech, the sensory heart of Morocco. The souks are everything the movies promise, right down to the snake charmers in Jemaa el-Fnaa, and the riads hidden behind their walls are magic.
- Fez, the oldest imperial city, where you watch leather being made the traditional way in the famous tanneries and get lost (happily) in the medina.
- Chefchaouen, the blue city tucked in the mountains, one of the most photogenic places on earth.
- Ouarzazate & Skoura, the gateway to the desert, with palm groves, kasbahs, and the nearby Valley of the Roses.
- The Sahara, the reason to come. More on that below.
- Casablanca, the modern coastal city and a common arrival point.
The desert is the moment you will never forget
Everyone remembers the Sahara. Sandboarding down the dunes, fire pits at night, and a sky so full of stars it does not look real. Nothing else on the trip compares, and a night in a proper desert camp is the memory clients talk about for years.
Where to stay
- L’Ma Lodge, Skoura, where I stayed, a serene palm-grove escape that is the perfect base near the desert.
- La Mamounia, Marrakech, the legendary grande dame I toured, iconic gardens and old-world glamour.
- Four Seasons Marrakech, where I have had clients stay, polished, family-friendly luxury.
Wherever you land, spend at least a night or two in a traditional riad, the courtyard homes turned intimate hotels. It is an experience in itself.
The experiences worth seeking out
Beyond the sights, Morocco is about its crafts and traditions: learning how olive oil and roses are made in the oasis valleys, watching artisans work leather and silk by hand, and slowing down for a rooftop dinner as the call to prayer echoes across the city. These are the moments I build into an itinerary.
When to go
Timing matters here. March and April are ideal, a mix of comfortable temperatures across the cities and the desert. Summer can be punishingly hot, and winter (especially desert nights) can be genuinely cold, so pack layers whenever you go.
What most people underestimate. The best riads are small, often under a dozen rooms, and they fill months out for March and April, with the desert camps going even faster around the holidays. Add long transfer days between the cities and the desert, and a route that only works with the right local drivers and guides, and a self-booked trip can unravel fast. None of it is hard once it is planned, and all of it goes sideways when it is not, which is where I come in.
Why plan Morocco with me
Morocco rewards a well-designed route and the right local guides and drivers, the difference between a smooth, wondrous trip and a stressful one. I plan the cities, the desert, and the riads around your pace, pair it with the right season, and handle every transfer and detail. It is a spectacular honeymoon or bucket-list adventure, and because it is a long haul, it is worth reading whether business class is worth it for the flight over.