I asked the 22 year old young man, fluent in at least four languages in spite of no formal schooling, as he drove across the dunes to our bivouac in the Sahara, ” What is best in Morocco, to be a man or a woman?” “A man,” he said with no hesitation, “a woman has no choices.” A telling comment. Depending on where they live, entirely true. Although life for …
After each solo adventure I catalog the great tips, new ideas and helpful suggestions that I’ve picked up or been gifted with from other travelers. So here are a few from my most recent Moroccan adventure: Don’t Overthink it. Solo travel is not a rite of passage. You can’t fail it. Some trips are better than others. Understand that once you’ve done your planning, booked your flights and hotels and …
It started long before Rick’s Place made Casablanca a movie legend. Morocco has an enviable reputation for magical movie and TV series locations. In fact, during my recent trip I visited at least three: Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and Essaouira. There were also a few abandoned sets in the midst of Saharan sands where Jewel of the Nile was shot. Game of Thrones Game of Thrones looms large in Essaouira …
Come with me to the gardens of Yves and Pierre… The Garden, located in the city of Marrakech and restored by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Berge in 1922, is one of the most enchanting and mystical gardens in Morocco. Created in the space of forty years, it is surrounded by walls and is a labyrinth of intersecting alleys. Gorgeous. Intertwining levels and Moorish Art Deco style buildings in …
This is a “must” in Morocco. It’s sheer bliss, inexpensive compared to any spa experience in the US and an utterly amazing sensual delight. First, what is a hammam? “For every tourist coming to Morocco, visiting a traditional Moroccan hammam and experiencing the wide range of benefits is undoubtedly on their bucket list. Moroccan hammams take their inspiration from the first original bathhouses created by the Roman empire more than 2000 years ago, …
One of the best ways to learn the intimacies of foreign cuisines (and sample the goods!) is to take a cooking class when you travel. I had this amazing experience at Dar Rhizlane Palais and Table D’Hotes one recent morning in Marrakech. The word tajine refers to both the conical-shaped dish and the food that’s cooked inside it, which is usually a blend of delicious sweet and savoury flavours. Traditionally …