What’s my favorite travel destination?
Basically, I’m always looking for new fascinating places on this beautiful earth. But when it comes to point out my all-time favorites, it comes to – the North African Country Morocco. Perhaps because I have just returned from a two week trip to Morocco.
What’s so fascinating about Morocco?
In addition to the hospitality of moroccan people, it is the variety that the country has to offer, which made me excited again and again. Vibrant cities like Marrakech, the oases in southern Morocco, the sand dunes of the Sahara, the small villages on the Atlantic coast, where surfers from around the world meet up and the very modern Agadir, where tourists are spending their All-Inclusice-Holidays.
How to travel around Morocco?
We decided to book a round trip with Morocco Tours & Excursions for our Tour to Southern Morocco and then spend a few days of swimming in Agadir, which we organized on our own. With the privately organized tour of Morocco Tours & Excursions we have chosen in advance those cities and towns that we wanted to see. Based on that information and on our budget, we wanted to spend Achraf had put together an individual journey with overnight stays, sightseeing, etc. especially for us. I can highly recommend that!
Our Morocco Tour: The route through Southern Morocco
We were picked up in Agadir and then started eastward over Zagora to N’Kob, where we spent our first night at a cosy Auberge. The next day we went through Erfoud continue to Merzouga, where we pitched our camp on the edge of the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. About Gorges de Toudra we went on to Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa – until we arrived finally at the red city of Marrakech. From there, we went back again to Agadir.
During our stay in Morocco and on the return trip to Austria we talked with other people who also booked a Morocco Round Trip, but with as a Tour Package with those big travel agencies, which I do not have to point out here, i guess.
We were very happy with our decision, that we booked a private tour with Morocco Tours & Excursions, since we heard that those flat-rate tours often ended in sales events and there also were less time for individual sightseeing.
Just breathe – In the oases
If you leave the bustling Agadir and immersed in the vastness of the country, somehow your heartbeat slows down. Passing the Atlas Mountains, some Argantree plantations and all those beautiful Kasbahs you will be surprised how often goats will cross your way. And that moment, when in the middle of nowhere you get faced to your first oasis – then you realize the miracle water can cause in nature. The towns there look like painted with the earthy colors of nature.
We had a wonderful hostel in N’Kob, where we spent the first night. A big mud house, built in the traditional architectural style of Morocco with a courtyard and a large terrace with swimming pool, which opened towards the oasis. Two large tents with cushioned benches invite you to relax.
Imagine: While a hint of patchouli blowing you in your face, in the background the Berber blues softly sounds and you suddenly feel like being in another time. Hippie-feeling! As the sun disappeared behind N’Kob and opened the starry sky, I thought: Here, I want to be a week all by myself. Here your deepest thoughts have space to unfold.
Camel Trek in the dunes of Erg Chebbi
The desert has a special attraction to me. It is quiet there, anyway, but the sand swallows every noise. The silence is beguiling. We slept in the Auberge Yasmina and at sunset we took our Camel trek to the dunes. A unique experience, that should not be missed during your trip to Morocco. Back at the Auberge, we were surprised with a wonderful tagine that we let us taste under the starry sky of the Sahara. The only, but not important minus: This evening we fancied a glass of fresh beer, but the Auberges don’t serve alcohol.
Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou
Ouarzazate is known as the Hollywood of Africa. There are some film studios and because of the unique nature and the traditional Moroccan buildings and Kasbahs, filmmakers can find countless magical places, which are suitable as movie-locations.
Ait Ben Haddou is located at the foot of the High Atlas and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortified town is also popular as a film set, here they shot e.g. Gladiator or Asterix and Cleopatra. A few families still live on the pristine city and must conduct their business there. We hiked in the early morning on the castle hill from where we enjoyed a wonderful view over the valley.
Shopping & Wellness in Marrakech
The most beautiful in the end? So I thought, at least in the planning of our trip, because I previously been to Marrakech years before. After our tour of the many quiet places and landscapes, it was honestly first a huge shock when we arrived in the bustling Marrakech.
Traffic chaos, honking, noise – and then the way to our riad through the narrow streets of the Medina has brought us return to the city life. But it was a relief, that a Hammam unit waiting for us immediately after checking in. An absolute must if you’re in Morocco – then you feel like a new born person. In the evening we went to dinner, then to the Djemaa el Fna and the next day we made an extensive sightseeing and shopping tour through the Medina and the Souk of Marrakech. The last sightseeing stop in the red city was in the blue garden – the Jardin de Majorelle.
Beach holiday in Agadir
After our Morocco roundtrip, we spent a few days beach holiday in Agadir. We enjoyed our time at the sea, and I was surprised how much the city has changed for the better, since my last trip to Morocco about 12 years ago. The modern Marina invites you to relax, and a lot of really good restaurant are located along the long beach promenade.
The beach in Agadir is spacious and very clean. I felt June for a very pleasant travel time. Both for the tour, as well as for swimming. What should also be mentioned yet, in all the restaurants you have free wifi access, I realize that, since the wifi at the hotel many times was not that good.
If the ingredients for your perfect travel consist of beautiful beaches, green oases and breathtaking landscapes, then you will find your little paradise in the south of Morocco.
