We had a fantastic 17 day trip to Morocco organized by Kim Kim.
First and formost, the trip was made special by the great driver we had with us throughout the entire trip. Tayeb was a delight to be with and informed us along the many long drives of the history and culture of Morocco. He also let us know about his family and his Berber heritage. We also got to meet his wife and 18 month old child which was a special treat. he went above and beyond to create a seamless trip that was both structured and flexible as our needs dictated.
Casablanca
Casablanca was a good starting off point to familiarize ourselves with the country and get our travel legs under us. We love our hotel Le Doge and enjoy our visit to the Hassan II Mosque.
Rabat
We had a short visit Rabat and were taken by the contrast of old and new. We had a great tour of the Chella ruins and saw Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
Tangiers
Who are we spent a lovely night in Tanger at the Villa Mavrouka where the service was lovely and the location could not be beat. We had dinner at the hotel by the fire and were welcomed with a lovely welcome cocktail. The next day we had a tour of the city with our guide Mustafa who was quite the character. He took us on a great tour of the Medina with a special stop at the Jewish cemetery, where the caretaker was his friend. Tayeb then took us on a beautiful drive of where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meat and took us to see the very cool Hercules caves.
Chefchaouen
Wow. What picturesque city. We enjoyed our time wandering the street with our guide Abdul See the sunset we visited the Spanish mask to see the sunset took lots of pictures of blue things.
Fes
After an amazing stop at Volubilis to see the ruins, we drove with Tayeb onto Fes.
Our hotel Riad Fez was amazing. The interior decoration and our room were very memorable. The next day we took a walking tour with our guide Mohammad. The tour was amazing and took us from the royal Palace into the Jewish Quarter and a tour of the labyrinth of the Mellah, which included stops at the mosaic workshop, the ancient tannery the carpet coooeeative the Weavers.
Merzouga
After our long drive from Fes, which included stops to visit with the monkeys in the cedar forest we arrived in the desert and had a once in a lifetime experience, writing the dromedaries ( not camels) for a sunset ride to the Tiziri luxury camp. The vibe was great and we met some very interesting people along the way which enhance our experience.
The next day, our guy took us on a tour of the Black Desert and the nomad camp, which were a fascinating inside into the culture of the nomad Barbers. We also got to hear the Gnaoua music. Finally the best for me we rode the dunes on quad ATVs, which was an exhilarating experience.
Ourrzazate
On our scenic drive the next day we got to visit a beautiful gorge and the land of 1000 Kasbahs. We arrived in Ouarzazate. Our hotel, the palace was huge and reminded us a little bit of a Las Vegas hotel.
The next morning, Tayeb had arranged for us to have a guided tour of the ancient Jewish area of the town, and we were given a private tour of a synagogue museum by a man of Berber Jewish Heritage.
Imlil
On our way to our next stop, we stopped at Ait Benhaddou. It was like stepping into a movie and that’s because so many movies have been filmed there. It was quite amazing to see the architecture.
On this day we had was was probably the dining highlight of our trip stopping in a very small village Butcher who carved lamb chops off of the lamb and then grill them over the coals. We were taught by Tayeb had to eat them with the cumin and the salt. Unforgettable.
With a drove to Toubkal national Park in the Atlas Mountains, where we got to follow mule who carried our luggage up the hill to our hotel.
Since the power went out, we had a beautiful candle at dinner at the hotel, Kasbah de Toubkal. The views were spectacular, including in the next day when we took a hike through the mountains with our guide in Mohammed, and also paid a visit to his brother‘s family, where a wonderful lunch served by the Berber locals.
Marrakech
As we were on our way to transfer Marrakesh, we were met by Tayeb and his family in their and their traditional djellebas marking Eid, the end of Ramadan
We arrived at the spectacular hotel La Mamounia. How very grand and gracious. Special mention must be made of the amazing breakfasts.
The next morning, we did a walking tour of the Medina with our great guide Said, who gave us much inside into the Bahia, Palace and Islamic culture as well as the Jewish heritage of Marrakesh.
We visited the spectacular Majorelle gardens and took many more pictures of blue things
Essouaria
On our way Essouaria we stopped to look at the Arg G.a tree forest but alas did not see any goats trees but we did buy a lot of argon oil products at the cooperative.
We checked into the beautiful hotel Heure Bleue Palais and we met by the owner of the bike rental store who walked us through town to his shop where we were able to rent bikes and ride along the coast past the Jimi Hendrix village, and into the dunes. We had a tour the next morning with our guide we heard much about the Portuguese history, the Barber Jewish legacy and other aspects of this really cool city. Tab took us to the fish market and then to a restaurant where they grilled our seven types of fish where we ate on the rooftop overlooking the Medina. Since Ramadan was over, Talia was able to join us for a wonderful lunch.
We traveled back to Marrakech for one last afternoon and ended our trip with a fascinating food tour by our guide Abdul where we were surprised by an unexpected thunderstorm. We were able to try some treats we had not had had on our whirlwind tour of Morocco, which was a perfect way to end the trip.
Hotel Reviews
Heure Bleue Palais - Relais & Châteaux
Essaouira
A charming and lovely hotel in a charming and lovely town. We loved our room overlooking the courtyard, which had all of the amenities and was beautifully appointed.
Authenticity & Character
It felt like a perfect blend of coastal, French, and Moroccan.
Location
Right at the beginning of the Medina and it made everything very walkable.
It was wonderful to stay at this historical and grand Hotel. The public areas were beautiful and our room was lovely overlooking at the garden. Everything felt gracious and generous from the way the water was poured for us to the complementary flip-flops to take home. Special man must be made of the spectacular breakfast buffet, which felt like we were dining at a breakfast in Paris.
Location
The location was great and that we were able to have a nice walk from the hotel into the main area of Medina, which we did several times during our stay.
Cleanliness & Comfort
We were treated like the royalties in the celebrities that have a state there in the past what a great stay
Really cool hotel, so unique in its location and its authenticity. It was unfortunate that we had a power outage the afternoon and evening of our day, but we ended up having a lovely candle at dinner and talked to some lovely people from England.
Location
On a top of the hill with a spectacular view of the valley below and the mountains above
Le Berbere Palace
Ouarzazate
This hotel was a little bit too large for our particular taste. The reception when we arrived was a little bit Kurt because they seemed to have just taken care of a big group and didn’t seem interested in just the two of us. We tried to have a drink in the bar and were somewhat ignored so we finally left. Our dinner in the Italian restaurant was awkward at best. Not our best hotel experience in the trip.
Authenticity & Character
When we walked in, we felt a bit like we were in a Las Vegas hotel, pretending to be Moroccan. Not our vibe.
Staff
Both perception and in the restaurant, the staff is not very helpful helpful
Tiziri Luxury Camp
Merzouga
Riad Fes - Relais & Châteaux
Fes
This was an amazing hotel experience. The public areas were beautiful, the restaurant area overlooking the pool was magnificent and our room suite was large and spectacular.
Authenticity & Character
For our greeting to the time we left this was an authentic Moroccan experience and positively luxurious in all aspects.
Location
Great location right in the middle of the Medina. A bit of a challenge to find on your own, but luckily we didn’t have to do that.
Lina Ryad & Spa
Chefchaouen
We found this hotel to be good, not great. Probably the best you’re going to do in the city, but not up to some of the other places we stayed.
Staff
The staff at this hotel was just OK. We never got maid service
We were greeted with a welcome cocktail while we relaxed overlooking the water and the beautiful ground. Our room was a lovely standalone cottage. We had a lovely dinner in the dining room where the service was probably the best service we had at a restaurant in the trip.
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful location, beautiful grounds, beautiful staff.
Location
Beautiful location up on the hill overlooking the Mediterranean. Wow.
Hôtel & Spa Le Doge
Casablanca
This was a lovely hotel where we completely enjoyed our Lempika suite. There was a lovely breakfast on the roof.
Authenticity & Character
Each room has his own individual character from Art Deco influence.
Staff
We’ve thought the front desk staff were particularly good.
Activity Reviews
Marrakech Evening Food Tour
Marrakesh
We traveled back to Marrakech for one last afternoon and ended our trip with a fascinating food tour by our guide Abdul where we were surprised by an unexpected thunderstorm. We were able to try some treats we had not had had on our whirlwind tour of Morocco, which was a perfect way to end the trip.
Guided Tour of Essaouira
Essaouira
We had a tour with our guide we heard much about the Portuguese history, the Barber Jewish legacy and other aspects of this really cool city. Our guide Tayeb took us to the fish market and then to a restaurant where they grilled our seven types of fish where we ate on the rooftop overlooking the Medina. Since Ramadan was over, Tayeb was able to join us for a wonderful lunch.
Visit Majorelle Gardens
Morocco
What is spectacular experience the colors and the gardens were so unique and beautiful.
Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech
Marrakesh
We did a walking tour of the Medina with our great guide Said, who gave us much inside into the Bahia, Palace and Islamic culture as well as the Jewish heritage of Marrakesh.
Immerse Yourself in Authentic Berber Life
Morocco
we took a hike through the mountains with our guide in Mohammed, and also paid a visit to his brother‘s family, where a wonderful lunch served by the Berber locals.
A Private Transfer from Merzouga to Ouarzazate
Morocco
On our scenic drive the next day we got to visit a beautiful gorge and the land of 1000 Kasbahs. We had a guided tour of the ancient Jewish area of the town, and we were given a private tour of a synagogue museum by a man of Berber Jewish Heritage
Guides, Drivers and Staff
ATV Ride in the Dunes of Merzouga
Merzouga
This was a very cool experience. We really enjoyed seeing the dunes from a different speed and a different perspective.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sand-Boarding in Erg Chebbi (Free of Charge)
Merzouga
We did not get to do the sand boarding as it was not really offered to us.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Morocco Last Nomads Experience: Tea, Tales & Desert Adventures
Merzouga
Fes to Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride via Midelt & Erfoud
Morocco
We had a long drive this day on our way from F.S.. We stopped along the way at the plates. He called little Switzerland and stop the play and feed and be harassed by the monkeys in the cedar forest. When we arrive in the debt, we got a once in a lifetime experience of writing the dromedaries on a sunset ride on the dunes, quite spectacular.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fez: Exploring the Ancient Medina and Jewish Mellah
Fes
We took a walking tour with our guide Mohammad. The tour was amazing and took us from the royal Palace into the Jewish Quarter and a tour of the labyrinth of the Mellah, which included stops at the mosaic workshop, the ancient tannery the carpet coooeeative the Weavers
Guides, Drivers and Staff
A Drive from Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes
Morocco
We really enjoyed our tour of the ruins with a local guide.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Tour of Chefchaoeun
Chefchaouen
We enjoyed our time wandering the street with our guide Abdul See the sunset we visited the Spanish mask to see the sunset took lots of pictures of blue things.
Guided Tour of Tangier
Morocco
we had a tour of the city with our guide Mustafa who was quite the character. He took us on a great tour of the Medina with a special stop at the Jewish cemetery, where the caretaker was his friend.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Quick Tour of Casablanca with your Driver-Guide
Morocco
It was not a ton to do in Casablanca. We went to a Jewish museum and to lunch.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
This is as good as any place to cover it but first and foremost the trip was made special by the great driver we had with us throughout the entire trip. Tayeb was a delight to be with and informed us along the many long drives of the history and culture of Morocco. He also let us know about his family and his Berber heritage. We also got to meet his wife and 18 month old child which was a special treat. he went above and beyond to create a seamless trip that was both structured and flexible as our needs dictated.
Visit the Hassan II Mosque & Museum of Moroccan Judaism
Casablanca
A very interesting experience to tour this mosque and hear about all of the modern technological innovations that enhance the experience. We were with a big group, so our guide did the best we could do to communicate with us.
Guides, Drivers and Staff