Marrakech, Morocco
I have an old friend from Morocco whom I’ve known for over 20 years—handsome, kind, and effortlessly multilingual (he speaks at least five languages). I’d always been intrigued by his stories of home, and recently, I finally indulged that curiosity with a trip to Morocco.
I spent nearly two weeks in Marrakech. I flew in solo but met up with my daughter, who was visiting her fiancé—he’s Moroccan as well. While this trip was centered around spending time with them and experiencing the magic of Marrakech, I already know that when I return (and I absolutely will), I’ll expand my itinerary. Next time, I plan to hop through cities like Casablanca, Chefchaouen (the dreamy blue one), Fez, Essaouira, Rabat, Tangier, and Agadir. So many places, so little time.
We stayed at the Four Seasons in Marrakech, and wow—it was stunning. Beyond the beautiful property and impeccable service, its location was ideal: super close to the city center by car and literally right next to M Avenue (could just walk over), where the nights come alive with food, dancing, and energy.
While we had the privilege of a local guide (thanks to my daughter’s fiancé), I also made sure to book a few excursions so we could experience the city from a tourist’s lens too. It was the best of both worlds. One highlight was a guided group tour of the Medina Souks—highly recommend! It took us to hidden corners of the city that even some locals might not know. We also did a city tour that included stops at local mosques and a private tour of the YSL Museum (yes, please!).
We balanced cultural excursions with relaxation—plenty of poolside time at the Four Seasons (a girl’s gotta unwind), but also high-adrenaline fun with an ATV quad tour through the desert. We zipped through dusty trails, jumped dunes, passed camels, and stopped for fresh bread and mint tea served by local villagers.
Speaking of tea—we drank a lot of it. But we didn’t skip the coffee, either. In fact, we waited nearly three hours to get into Bacha Coffee (yes, really). Founded in 1910 and located in the historic Dar el Bacha Palace, it’s not just a café—it’s an experience. While we waited, we wandered the palace and admired its artwork. The café itself has hosted icons like Colette, Maurice Ravel, Charlie Chaplin, Josephine Baker, Franklin Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill. Worth the wait? Absolutely.
Our days were full: dinners in the city, live music, dancing, and one unforgettable day trip to the Atlas Mountains. There, Berber locals welcomed us with fresh bread, honey, and—you guessed it—tea. We watched Berber women hand-grind argan seeds to make oil, rode through winding mountain roads, sipped coffee by a river, hiked through hillside villages, and indulged in a traditional Berber tagine lunch that was as warm as the hospitality.
Marrakech had a vibe I fell in love with—vivid colors, joyful people, rhythmic music, glowing lanterns, and energy that feels both ancient and alive. I adored it. I will definitely be back.
-Carrie H.
