A Relaxing Getaway to Morocco

Arriving in Marrakech in the early evening offers a calm transition into the bustling city with a relaxing dinner and drinks at the hotel before the next day’s exploration. I recommend staying at Riad Monceau, a lovely hotel with warm and welcoming staff. Spend your first evening unwinding from the flight at the hotel’s restaurant that overlooks the pool and the central courtyard.

Marrakech has an array of available lodgings for everyone's taste and pocket. If Riad Monceau is not to your taste, I would be happy to offer up and discuss other options.

Start your day with a tour of the city and its outskirts by way of vintage motorcycles and sidecars. This is a highlighly enjoyable treat, especially when your driver and guide is a knowledgeable local. Whirling around the city is then followed by lunch at the Royal Mansour hotel within its magnificent gardens, a must for the afternoon. 

Head out to Medina for some artisanal shopping before heading to dinner on the rooftop of NOMAD, a great restaurant serving up dishes with locally sourced ingredients.

Start the day off with breakfast at the Riad before taking a car to the Atlas Mountains. I recommend booking your transportation through the concierge at your hotel, Kasbah Bab Ourika. The Atlas Mountains are a unique destination in Morocco with buttressed mountain gardens and rolling valleys. Spend your evening relaxing and taking in the views before a day off venturing into the hills the next day.

The Atlas Mountain range is the land where the Berber culture is strong, and luxury takes on a new meaning. It isn’t a land of sites, but one of views. While you have the option to spend time relaxing and unwinding at the hotel, the region also offers innumerable activities to get involved in. These range from easy hikes to horseback riding and scaling the heights of the surrounding hills.

Explore the famous Ourika, Oukaimeden, Asni, Sidi Fares and Tahniyat valleys with an expert guide. Make sure to stop by the villages and immerse yourself in the unique culture of the region; it is much quieter than Marrakech. 

Here you will also see Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Depending on the season, the magnificent waterfalls of Ourika Valley could be another key stop during your trip. 

Consider horseback riding to access the most picturesque vistas, and get lost in the majestic nature of the Atlas Mountains.

Spend your last day in a swanky Marrakech resort, check out the local hammam for a proper steam and prepare yourself for your flight back home. This guide to Morocco will prove that it can be a place to recharge and reconnect even amidst the hustle and bustle of this culturally rich country.