Overall, it’s a mix of crowded markets, delicious meals, and exotic activities.
Where I went:
Marrakech (Riad Star, La Mamounia, Savoy Le Grand)
What I wore:
Marrakech is a desert metropolis that hums with vibrant colors. And while it’s a cosmopolitan city that attracts international visitors, Morocco is still a Muslim country. When visiting crowded areas or religious sites, make sure to remain covered to avoid unwanted attention.
Many of my photos were taken at hotels, tourist sites or remote areas so I had a bit more freedom with my wardrobe (or I removed my scarves before the shots). I’m always careful to respect the cultural and religious norms of the countries I visit.
The vibrant colors of Marrakech beg for statement pieces. I knew I would be visiting La Mamounia and Jardin Majorelles so I brought a mix of dramatic black & white pieces, which I combined with a yellow theme.
Luckily, I was able to source most of the clothing from my existing wardrobe, but I filled in with a few bargain pieces that I purchased at South Moon Under and Forever 21. Bold earrings and a few bright tops completed the look.
What I did:
By the time I visited Morocco, I had already camped in the desert, ridden camels, and surfed sand dunes in other parts of Northern Africa and the Middle East so I opted out of them on this trip. That being said, I HIGHLY recommend any or all of these activities, if it fits your travel schedule and budget.
You can get lost shopping the souks (markets) of the Medina (the main outdoor shopping quarter) for days! Besides roaming the maze of shops, I signed up for a cooking class through Moroccan Food Tours. It was authentic, educational and delicious!
We shopped for our ingredients in the Medina and then prepared our delicious meal at Riad Star, which was the former home of jazz great Josephine Baker. As a musician, I was in awe of the glamour and jazz era memorabilia.
In addition to pool time and some quad bike racing, I also worked up a sweat by hiking in the Atlas Mountains.
Absolutely breathtaking scenery, and the monkeys at Ouzoud Falls were adorable!
And to glam things up a bit, I visited Le Bar Churchill at La Mamounia for pre-dinner drinks and appetizers. The grounds of the hotel are stunning, and the day spa is a social media lover’s dream. The bar itself is famous, as many celebrities have frequented it throughout the decades (Churchill, Hitchcock, Hepburn, Bacall and even the Rolling Stones).
But my favorite destination was Jardin Majorelle & Yves Saint Laurent’s Galerie Love! It’s blend of natural beauty and high fashion style was sheer perfection. Not only did I plan my outfit for the visit, I was asked to pose for a 20-minute photography session by some lovely Japanese tourists. So fun—I felt like a 1970s era supermodel!
What I ate/drank:
For our cooking class, we learned how to serve mint tea, and we prepared briouates (puff pastry), chicken tangine with olives and preserved lemon, rice, and amlou (almond/honey dip) from ingredients we purchased from the souks. My younger brother was not happy to purchase a live chicken!
Morocco is a Muslim country, but the legal drinking age is 18. According to most sources, the drinking age is not generally enforced (within reason). The local beer is Casablanca, and La Mamounia is known for its specialty cocktails, but it feels like a place to splurge on French Champagne!
Social media musts:
You cannot get a bad photo in Marrakech—the architecture is stunning! That being said, definitely visit La Mamounia for some glam shots, a riad (B&B with an interior garden/pool courtyard) for some colorful tile and interior design backdrops, Jardin Majorelle for some vibrant garden scenes, and the desert or Atlas Mountains for some dramatic outdoor photos.
A Few Songs From My Travel Playlist From Morocco
3005 - Childish Gambino
Shakedown Street - Grateful Dead
Marrakesh Express - Crosby, Stills & Nash
(You Drive Me) Crazy - Britney Spears
Fool In The Rain - Led Zeppelin
Stash - Phish
Breakfast In America - Supertramp
Edge Of Seventeen - Stevie Nicks
Killer Queen - Queen
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