TRAVEL - MOROCCO

from IAA - Street Art Meets Fashion

by IAmAshanti

Street Art Meets Fashion

REDISCOVER Morroco

Written by Mélanie Yasfi

Images by Mélanie Yasfi

If you ask me what the most beautiful country to visit is, I’d say it’s Morocco. I may be biased because I am half Moroccan! In all seriousness, this country has everything from the warm welcome, beautiful people to the scenery… the vibrant cities, the colorful art & culture and the scrumptious food! Anybody could have a great time in this very diverse and iconic country.

Growing up, I would travel to Morocco every few years to visit my family, however, I’ve never had the chance to spend more than two weeks there. Now that I am on a sabbatical between jobs, I have decided to go on a one-month solo trip to explore my homeland.

I kept my itinerary short and sweet, and hopefully it’ll convince you to see Morocco for yourself and not just through my eyes.

1. Marrakech 2. The Atlas mountain 3. Drive through the Atlas to the Sahara Desert 4. The old city of Fes 5. The capital city of Rabat 6. The wild coast from Tangier to Essaouira, passing through the surf towns of Taghazout and Imsouane

THE BEAUTY OF Marrackech

First, I landed in the heart of Marrakech. This is the famous and touristic city, known for its souk (market), Riads (typical Moroccan houses with a garden in the middle of the house) and rooftops. This city is not famous for nothing; the ambiance is exceptional. The town is buzzing day and night, and you have a place for all kinds of tastes.

What I would suggest when it comes to the souks is to shop in other parts of Morocco. Not only will it be cheaper, but also the shop owners are less pushy in other towns. You can head to the Jemaa el-Fna square, located in Medina (old town). You can visit the different riads, shops and restaurants, especially at night. The whole square becomes a huge food market where people can grab a bite to eat at various food stalls.

The Atlas

The good thing about Marrakech is that many tours depart from there, which led me to a day tour in Imlil city; located in The Atlas which I conveniently found on Airbnb Experience. I like the Airbnb Experience, at least in Morocco, because they are created mainly by locals who want to show you the best of their hometown. The Airbnb Experience host grew up in Imlil, a Berber city in the Atlas, with beautiful hiking spots and views. We hiked through the town and the rocky mountain and then ended up at a local host’s house for a homemade tagine on their rooftop (a tagine is a coneshaped clay cooking vessel for the slowly simmered and generously spiced dishes). Did you know you can go skiing in Morocco, and you can see snow on the highest point of the Atlas for majority of the year? Its highest peak, Toubkal, is at 4167m! I am definitely saving that trek for my next visit. The best time to visit the Atlas is around April and May, as it is spring, full of flowers, and the rivers are flowing, but you can still see the snowy part of the mountain.

As if it was still not enough, the tour included a stop by the Desert of Agafay, with a camel ride. I am not a fan of camel riding as it is too touristy for me, but it was actually so much fun. Just before the ride we were given the typical clothes that the people of the desert wear, with the very distinct blue scarfs covering your head.

THE DRIVE TO THE Sahara

I decided to rent a car for the rest of the trip to travel to the Sahara. Over the years during my family visits, I never had the opportunity to visit the Sahara as it was too far from Rabat, where my family stay, and the visits were always short. So, this time I was excited for the road trip. I wouldn’t advise doing it alone as I did, especially in June, when this part of the country is so hot and dry, with temperatures as high as 45°C! Even with the air condition on full blast, driving 5 hours a day was tough, and you won’t enjoy most of the daytime. The drive through the mountains made the journey bearable, the desert roses within the gorges, made the landscape even more breathtaking.

If you decide to explore this part of the country, it’s best to drive through the Tizi n’Tichka route which goes through the Atlas where you will come across the red and orange mountain cities and oasis. If you stay on track you will pass through the famous Ait Benhaddou city where many movies are set (hello Game of Thrones fans), the Valley of the Roses, the Dades Valley, the Todra Gorges. Your journey will be complete once you arrive in either Merzouga or Erford, fondly known as the entrance of the desert.

The highlight of my trip was a night in the Sahara desert. You can not beat that, and it’s a must-do when you go to Morocco. There are various options for every budget. It usually includes a bumpy 4x4 ride to the camp, your own tent, food and drinks.

THE SURF COAST Taghazout and Imsoune

After a week with family, eating every two hours and napping twice a day (yes, that’s what happens when you stay with a Moroccan family), I met up with a cousin. We drove down the Atlantic coast towards Tangier where we came across numerous beautiful small towns.

Tangier is a culturally rich resort town also known as a gateway between Africa and Europe. Unless you want to stay in a nice hotel and chill by the pool and miss out on more cultural experiences, I would advise that you to drive up the coast to the cutest and smallest surf towns with a more laid-back vibe. The most famous town along the coast is Taghazout, internationally renowned for surf and yoga camps, healthy cafes and cozy restaurants. To avoid any disappoint or a drive back to Tangier, it’s wise to book your accommodation well in advance.

After a few days of amazing food, relaxing and surfing we drove to Imsouane which I would say is my favourite town so far. Imsouane is a small fishing town surrounded by mountains and everything is within walking distance (you will not find an uber). The atmosphere is one of a kind, known for its breathtaking scenes, calmness, tranquility and perfect waves. We rented a house on top of the cliff with some of the best views I have ever seen. If you love your fish freshly cooked with the ocean sounds still humming, then this town has that covered.

LAST STOP Essaouira

Whenever I am in Morocco, I always try to make time to visit this city and the novelty never wears off. I believe this is mainly because of the calm atmosphere, the history and the people that bring me back time and time again. Everyone is so friendly and living in the moment and most of the time I always end up meeting the most interesting people, talking for hours about our different experiences.

Essaouira is full of charming and quirky bars and restaurants. This magically city is considered to be one of the few cities in the country to truly experience Moroccan culture and history.

The old town is very authentic, as well as the ramparts of the ports you can visit. I also find that the people are stylish, without trying to be too classy like you may experience in Marrakech or Casablanca. It is in Essaouira that I usually do my shopping, mainly for the beautiful carpets!

As I head back home, I am full of gratitude and memories. I am already planning my next trip to Morocco, and I hope I’ve convinced you to do so too!