An Insider’s Look: Morocco

IN A NUTSHELL

- 7-12 days is the best length of time for a visit
- The best times to go are September to December and April to June
- Avoid the summer months of July and August unless you love the heat!

FES 

Fes is referred to as the country’s cultural capital. Known for its Fes El Bali walled medina, medieval architecture, vibrant souks, and old-world atmosphere, it is also home to religious schools such as the 14th-century Bou Inania and Al Attarine – decorated with elaborate cedar carvings and ornate tile work.

- Discover life in the medina, where veiled women hurry along the narrow cobbled pathways, while donkeys, laden with their wares, take their time.
- In the colorful souk, bargain with merchants for spices, carpets, jewelry, enamel, copper, brass, and cedar and watch artisans craft objects, just as their forefathers did centuries ago.
- Stay 2 nights in a traditional luxury Riad hotel,  Riad Fes, located within the medina.
- Visit ancient mosques, the Royal Palace, and the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter.

 A NIGHT IN THE DESERT  

- Experience the magic of a desert sunset and sunrise, a camel ride, a special dinner under the stars, and a Berber breakfast.
- Enjoy a comfortable night in your luxury desert tent, which even has a shower!
 
OUARZAZATE  

Ouarzazate is a city south of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains, known as the gateway to the Sahara Desert. Its huge Taourirt Kasbah, home to a 19th-century palace, has views over the rugged local landscape, which features in several movies such as Lawrence of Arabia.

- Relax for two nights in a luxurious oasis kasbah.
- Visit the UNESCO-restored 11th-century Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.

HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS 

The High Atlas rises in the west at the Atlantic Ocean and stretches in an eastern direction to the Moroccan-Algerian border.

- Luxuriate for two nights at the incomparable Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard Branson’s mountain retreat.
- Visit Berber Villages on either a guided hike or a 4 x 4 tour.

MARRAKESH

Marrakesh, is a fascinating home to mosques, palaces, and gardens. The medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating to the Berber Empire, with mazelike alleys where thriving souks (marketplaces) sell traditional textiles, pottery, and jewelry. A symbol of the city, and visible for miles, is the Moorish minaret of the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque.

- Visit the opulent Saadian Tombs, the colorful souks, the beautiful Medersa Ben Youssef, a medieval Koranic university, and the tropical Majorelle Gardens.
- Experience sunset in the Djemaâ el Fnaâ Square, alive with storytellers, healers, snake charmers, acrobats, and countless food stalls.
- Navigate the narrow pathways of the bustling souks, where your senses are stimulated by a kaleidoscope of colors, smells, and sounds.
- Learn how to make the perfect tagine at a cooking class led by one of the city’s top chefs.
- Spend three nights in a luxury boutique Riad or a legendary hotel.

– The Tully Team