Morocco
Enchanting. Diverse. Exotic. If only you could bottle the African-Occidental eclecticism.
Morocco’s vast deserts and mountains stretch and roll silently, saving the hubbub for Marrakech, Fez, and Essaouira, where labyrinthine dusty, ochre walled alleys open to cool courtyards, elaborate gardens are hidden in unassuming squares, and minarets and haunting calls to prayer remind of the past. Arabian, African, and European influences collide to create a chaotic ambience. From its architecture to its snake charmers, shisha cafés to sophisticated riads, indigenous Berber camps to cool palm oases, Morocco is beautifully bohemian.
Experiences
Explore the desert by 4x4, camels, quad bikes and dune buggies; sip cool sundowners as the sun sets the red city of Marrakech aflame; arrive at dusk to discover luxurious desert camps deep in the dunes; encounter nomads; arrive by helicopter to the oases of The Draa Valley; discover the gorges of Dades and Todra; swim in the waterfalls of Ouzoud; wander among the intact Roman ruins of Volubilis; trail the wild Atlantic coast on horseback; sleep in customised Berber tents, complete with private chefs and butlers; dance to traditional music by the campfire, and try exotic belly dancing; sit under a blanket of stars with an astrologer; soar above the Sahara in a hot-air balloon; hone your haggling skills in the bazaar.
Where to Stay
Lickety-split yacht clubs; rustic mountain retreats; Lavishly appointed palaces; authentic kasbahs; luxury desert camps; characterful riads; charming boutique hotels; or a combination of all.
When to Go
If you can’t take the heat stick to mid-March to May, or September and October, perhaps combining with some time in southern Europe.