Morocco’s beauty and exotic flair have made it a popular setting for films—think Babel, Gladiator, and more recently, the Sex and the City sequel. As I watched my favorite foursome seek female liberation in the most unlikely place and fashionably trek Morocco in stilettos, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my own Moroccan getaway (albeit a third wheel with my brother and his girlfriend) some year-and-a-half ago. It’s one of my favorite places to travel to date and would consider it a great honeymoon spot.
Something old, something new: While Marrakech is made up of an “old city” and a more modern one beside it, I’d highly suggest choosing a hotel in the former so you can experience the richness of its old-world culture. I was very happy with the service and aesthetic of our hotel, Riad Amir Victoria. With enclaves for two sprinkled throughout the first floor, suites with an indoor balcony overlooking a mosaic of Arabic décor from the second floor, and relaxing rooftop seating among the endless sky, this hotel is a paradise in itself.
A look inside our hotel, the Riad Amir Victoria
Outside our hotel
The perfect place to relax: the rooftop
Souks: Also known as night markets, souks are the perfect place to shop for one-of-a-kind clothes, silverware, souvenirs and artifacts you would never find back home. (One tip: Everything is negotiable.) One vendor I found intriguing hand carves original designs (or designs by request or photographs) onto tiles, which takes hours if not days to create.
The souk
A vendor carving a design
Djemaa el Fna: At the edge of the souk is a vibrant square where you can watch natives perform. I even saw one playing a clarinet-like instrument, tempting and teasing the snake in front of him. You can have a romantic dinner under the stars at one of the many open restaurants with outdoor seating. The staple foods are chicken tajine, couscous and tea, but it was there where I also tried raw snails—something I discovered was not receptive to my palate!
Performers in the square
So much amazing food
The square at night
In the Desert: Some people dream of climbing Mount Everest. I prefer riding a camel and spending the night in the Sahara Desert. So if you have the time and opportunity, I’d highly recommend it. It’s about a two-day scenic drive through the Atlas Mountains with pit stops between villages for more shopping, and an additional one- to two-hour camel ride taking you deeper into the desert to your campsite. Just enjoy the ride and panoramic views; your driver and guide prepare the rest. The service we used was Auberge Ali, which we found on Google.
Winding road through the Atlas Mountains
The Sahara
Watching the beautiful sunrise with our camels
While the guide made a campfire and dinner (more tajine and couscous!), we met other travelers who were staying on the same grounds. And we slept the old-fashioned way—on the ground in tents. Although I didn’t see any during my stay, I was told that you could sometimes see shooting stars from our site. I think the best part about spending the night in the Sahara was relishing in the kind of peace that you’d rarely find anywhere else.
My Moroccan adventure was an amazing experience, and part of me wanted to stay, but I settled for the next best thing—I took some Sahara sand back home so I’d (literally!) always have a piece of Morocco with me.
Posted by Celeste Lim, Bridal Guide Intern
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