Morocco, my first time to Africa and first time doing a group tour! It was hosted by the incredibly talented Meagan Morrison of Travel Write Draw in collaboration with Modern Adventure. Over 9 days, we immersed ourselves in Morocco’s vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and rich artistic traditions.
Marrakech
We began our adventure in Marrakech, a city bursting with color, history, and sensory overload in the best way possible.
Day 1: Arrived in Marrakech and checked into the stunning Almaha Marrakech. We took a walking tour of the Djemaa el Fna square and markets, stopping for traditional Moroccan tea before our welcome dinner.
Day 2: Explored the city on a walking tour, stopping at the Koutoubia Mosque and the Palais Bahia, a gorgeous 19th-century palace with intricate tilework. Had lunch in the medina before a design-focused tour of the souks and markets, taking in all the handmade textiles, jewelry, and pottery.
Day 3: Visited the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, followed by a stop at the dreamy Jardin Majorelle, where Meagan did a live illustration demonstration. Had lunch at +61 restaurant, then attended a Mushmina pop-up with designer Katie O’Neill. Ended the day with dinner at Dar Yacout, a magical setting for a meal.
Day 4: Explored the Gueliz art galleries, followed by a creative session at Riad Yima, where Meagan led us in an illustration workshop. Later, we attended a zellige tile workshop, where we made our own Moroccan tiles using traditional methods.
The Atlas Mountains
We left the energy of Marrakech behind and drove into the breathtaking Atlas Mountains, where we experienced the Amazigh (Berber) culture firsthand.
Day 5: After a scenic drive, we arrived at Kasbah Bab Ourika, our serene home in the mountains. We had a warm Amazigh welcome lunch and visited traditional village weavers, who create stunning textiles using age-old techniques.
Day 6: Went on a light hike through the landscape and visited a salt field which eventually lead us to an Amazigh family home, where we shared tea and a traditional lunch. That afternoon, we had another creative session with Meagan, capturing the beauty of our surroundings through illustration.
Essaouira
Next, we made our way to the charming coastal town of Essaouira, a laid-back city known for its whitewashed buildings, blue doors, and artistic energy. It felt like a Greek island!
Day 7: On the way to Essaouira, we stopped at an Argan oil cooperative, where we met the craftswomen behind this famous Moroccan oil. Later, we had an incredible lunch and wine tasting at a family-run vineyard, where I tried grey wine for the first time! That evening, we checked into the beautiful Villa de l’Ô.
Day 8: Explored Essaouira’s charming streets on a city tour, had lunch along the harbor, and visited a Thuya wood workshop, where artisans carve intricate pieces from locally sourced wood. We ended the trip with a farewell dinner at Caravane Café, a perfect final celebration of an unforgettable journey.
Day 9: Homebound. After a whirlwind adventure, I had a super early morning departure, with a three-hour drive to the airport before flying home. If you’re going to be touring to multiple cities, don’t be like me and decline researching how far away your outbound airport is because roundtrip tickets are cheaper.
Morocco was an explosion of creativity, culture, and inspiration. From painting tiles in Marrakech to hiking through the Atlas Mountains and sipping grey wine in Essaouira, every moment felt like a work of art come to life. As someone who comes from an Arab background, this country definitely felt like “home”.
Samantha Shammas, Author
A true travel enthusiast, Samantha has been going around the globe her entire life and has visited over 35 countries and counting. With a lust to wander, she’s always excited to visit new places and soak in inspiration for her artwork.
