Field Guide
Marrakech, Morocco
A city awash in color, texture, and sound, where handmade rugs hang lazily and abundantly from the rooftops; the souks glisten with silver teapots and brass lanterns; the streets constantly buzz with the sound of hundreds of motorcyclists cruising by; and the voices of the vendors sing a cacophony of requests as you make your way through the maze of the medina.
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All photos by Anna Meyer Photography
Trip Overview
I can’t talk about Morocco without first admitting that I’ve only ever travelled to Europe, so my world-view is somewhat narrow, and Morocco was a step or three outside of my comfort zone. I love traveling by myself and cherish my independence, but for this trip, I chose to travel with Arrow Retreats because I wanted to share the experience with other ladies and travel safely with a group.
Arrow is based out of Baltimore, MD, and the owner - Dani - is truly a ray of sunshine. It was honestly such a relief to not have to spend so much time planning out an itinerary or worrying about how to get around town - best of all, all Arrow trips focus on supporting women-owned businesses!
Trip Snapshot
The energy of NYC has nothing on Marrakech. This city is a cacophony of color and sound, woven together with the shouts of street vendors hard at work, motorcyclists skirting around the walls of the Medina, and donkeys trodding on the cobblestone weighed down with the day’s goods. It will take your breath away in an instant, making moments of downtime in your peaceful Riad all the more surreal.
Trip Duration & Currency
We spent 7 days in Marrakech. You’ll need dirham to shop in the souks, but most restaurants accept credit cards. I used my Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which has no international fees!
Travel Partners
Arrow Retreats, which include our fearless leader Dani, our trip photographer Anna, and 12 other ladies (and one husband - Hi Christian!). We stayed at Le Riad Yasmine in Marrakech for 4 nights and Scarabeo Camp in the desert for 3 nights (desert guide is forthcoming).
Stay
Riads are traditional Moroccan homes with less than 10 rooms, and many have been converted into unique, boutique hotel experiences.
Our Riad, Le Riad Yasmine, is hands down the most beautiful place I’ve ever stayed, and the essence of hospitality is threaded throughout every textile and interaction. We lived like queens, enjoying breakfast on the rooftop each morning, curling up for a catnap with the house casts on the lounge beds by the pool, and sipping on Moroccan mint tea at every opportunity. It is a beautiful, serene place to return to after an afternoon spent shopping in the souks.
I recommend looking at Le Petit Yasmine (the sister property to where we stayed), Riad Jardin Secret, or Riad 42 - most can be rented by the room or for the entire place if you are traveling with a group.
Walk & Wander
We spent most of our time wandering through this labyrinth - the experience was unlike anything I could have ever dreamed, and it’s hard to not be enchanted by the abundance of colorful spices, the sounds of prayer echoing through the alleys, or the sun setting the colorful walls ablaze with sparkle.
Just when you thought you knew exactly where you were going, a donkey cart loaded with chickens will trample on by, and suddenly you are face to face with the most perfect pair of slippers that you would have missed had you only kept your eyes on the cobblestone.
Eat
Tajine is a traditional Moroccan dish that is both a cooking vessel and a serving dish; we enjoyed tajine each day, usually for dinner. The tajine is a terracotta pot used to cook couscous, vegetables, and proteins over a fire. Expect spices like ginger, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, saffron, and paprika, and many times, multiple different types of tajine on the table. These are usually enjoyed family style!
When we were walking around in the city, we ate lunch at Le Jardin and Nomad; we also enjoyed a delicious meal at Plus 61, and I’m still thinking about the Salt & Pepper fish from that evening.
Other Recommendations
Visit a Hammam Spa
What an experience, y’all. I could spend an entire post talking about the Hammam. This is a traditional bath experience, and one that you definitely need to try out at least once in your lifetime - it involves being completely naked and scrubbed down, from head to toe, but afterward your skin is soooo soft and glistening. Shoutout to Blair for braving those marble slabs with me!
Go Rug Shopping
Rugs are in abundance in Marrakech, just be ready to name your price! Rugs can be shipped home for you or wrapped up snugly to bring as a carry-on. I did not purchase a rug - at the time, I was saving for a trip to London, so spent my budget on a new pair of shoes and a wide-brimmed hat, instead!
Visit a Berber Village
Dani connected us with Saida in the High Atlas Mountains for a hike to an old Berber Village. This was a great way to learn more about the Berber culture, as well as the choices that women in Morocco must make between having a family and career. Saida chose to own a tour group company over having a family, and you could see the joy emanating from every step she took. More information on her company can be found here!
