Tour of 15 days around Marocco
From the 26th September to the 10th of October 2018
I actually booked this trip while I was on my exchange in Riga with my friend Perla. At first, we planned to go together, but in the end she couldn’t come. I still decided to go by myself.
I booked a 10-day tour through TourRadar with Travel Talk called Exotic Morocco. After the tour finished, I stayed a few extra days in Marrakech on my own to explore the city a bit more.
Day 1: Wednesday 26.09.18
Night at: Riad Kenzo, Marrakech )
” Maroccan tea at Riad Kenzo “
My mum first took me to the train station in Vercelli. From there I started my journey by train to Milan Central Station, and then I took the bus to Milan Bergamo Airport. I caught the last bus at midnight and spent the night at the airport. I tried to sleep, but in the end I only managed a short nap of about two or three hours.
My flight was at 6:35 in the morning and I arrived in Marrakech at 8:40. The flight was around three hours, and there is also one hour of time difference with Italy.
After arriving, I went through passport control and then looked for my taxi to Riad Kenzo. The airport is quite close to the city, so the ride took about half an hour.
When I got out of the taxi, a man came and took my backpack in a small cart and told me to follow him. I felt a bit scared because the streets were full of people, cars, motorbikes, bicycles, donkeys, and horses. Everyone seemed to be shouting and moving quickly. I just followed him through the busy streets until we reached the riad.
The riad was beautiful and very comfortable. The manager welcomed me with Moroccan tea and some delicious biscuits. I was very tired though, so I waited a bit for my room and then slept until around 3 pm.
Later in the afternoon I went out for a small snack and a glass of wine at Café des Épices, one of the most famous places in the Medina of Marrakech. After that I returned to the riad and spent some time on the rooftop enjoying the sunset, which was amazing.
At 8 pm I had dinner at the riad. It was very quiet and relaxing, just next to the pool. I ate two types of Moroccan salad, then meatballs with eggs on top, and a vegetable tajine.
After dinner I went to sleep.
Day 2: Thursday 27.09.18- Riad Kenzo – Marrakech
” Majorelle garden “
I woke up around 9 and had breakfast at the riad. After that I spent the morning walking around the Medina of Marrakech, exploring the small streets and shops.
In the afternoon I visited the Majorelle Garden. I ate something there and then visited the YSL Museum, which was very interesting.
Later I went back to the riad for a little rest. At 7:40 pm I went to dinner with an organized tour at Chez Ali. The place was very beautiful and typical. I ate a traditional soup, a beef tajine, and couscous with chicken. After that we had some Moroccan biscuits and of course Moroccan tea.
Then the show started with horses and dancers, which was really fun to watch.
I came back to the riad around 11 pm and went straight to sleep.
Day 3: Friday 28.09.18 – Riad Kenzo – Marrakech
” Ozouz waterfall “
Breakfast was at 8 am and at 8:30 we started the organized day tour to the Ouzoud Waterfalls. The place was very beautiful and the atmosphere was amazing. We were a small group, and everyone was Spanish. I was the only Italian in the group.
We had lunch with a great view of the waterfalls, and later we also saw some monkeys and took some pictures with them. Around 6 pm we arrived back at the riad.
For dinner I went out with three Spanish girls who were staying just in front of my room and who I met during the tour. We went to a really nice place called Kui Zin, a restaurant just next to the riad. I ate a very good chicken curry, and while we were there we also enjoyed a Moroccan show with dancers and musicians.
Day 4: Saturday 29.09.18- Hotel blue sea le printemps – Marrakech
” Secret garden “
I woke up at 9 am and had breakfast with the Spanish girls. After that, I took some pictures around Riad Kenzo, which I absolutely love it’s full of great spots for photos.
Later, I walked around and discovered Le Jardin Secret, a peaceful and beautiful garden in the heart of Marrakech. I had lunch on the terrace with a lovely view of the garden.
Afterward, I went back to the riad to grab my backpack and walked about 40 minutes to the tour meeting point, since the riad is on the newer side of the city. I checked in, got my room, and met my roommate from Australia. At 7 pm we went downstairs for the group meeting. Most of the group were Australians living in London, so I was once again the only European.
We had dinner together in the Medina of Marrakech. I tried chicken lemon tajine this time so in just four days, I had almost tried every Moroccan dish, and I was starting to feel a little bored with the food. After dinner, back to the hotel to sleep.
Day 5: Sunday 30.09.18 – Hotel Miramar – Essaouira
” Essauira sunset “
Alarm at 7:00 am, breakfast, and at 8:00 we visited the Bahia Palace and the main square of Marrakech with a tour guide who explained a bit about Morocco and the history of the city.
Later, we headed to Essaouira on our private bus. Our first stop was for lunch at a small bar along the way, where I just grabbed a quick sandwich before getting back on the bus. On the way, we made a few stops: the famous goats in the trees, an argan oil cooperative, and a viewpoint overlooking Essaouira.
When we arrived at the hotel, I checked in again with my Australian roommate. After a short hour to relax, we went to the beach since the hotel was right in front of it. I tried to swim, but the water was too cold, so I just waded in and walked along the shore a bit.
At 6 pm, we started exploring the city with a guided tour, walking through the small streets and enjoying the sunset near the fortresses. It was incredible and truly impressive.
In the evening, nine of us decided to have dinner at Taro, a lovely terrace in the main square of Essaouira. The food was typical, the atmosphere great, and there was music too. After dinner, we walked back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Day 6: Monday 01.10.18 – Ibis casa Voyageurs – Casablanca
” On the way to Casablanca “
Alarm at 7:00 am, breakfast at the hotel, and at 8:00 we left for Casablanca. The drive took about five hours with a few short stops along the way.
We had lunch in Casablanca near the ocean and then visited the Hassan II Mosque, which was impressive and grand. After that, we had about an hour to relax at the hotel and take a shower.
Later, we went on a tour of the Medina of Casablanca and had dinner at a small local restaurant in the city center. After dinner, we returned to the hotel by bus for the night.
Day 7: Tuesday 02.10.18 – Hotel Al Mandari – Tetouan
” Dar al-Makhzen, Rabat “
Alarm at 5:45 am, breakfast, and we left Casablanca at 6:30 am heading to Rabat. In Rabat, we visited the Royal Palace (Dar al-Makhzen) and explored the Medina.
On the way to Chefchaouen, we stopped for lunch somewhere along the route. We arrived in Chefchaouen around 4:30 pm and spent the next few hours walking around and taking pictures. I joined the rest of the group on a terrace in the main square to enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Afterward, we took the bus to our hotel in Tetouan for the night.
Day 8: Wednesday 03.10.18 – Hotel royal mirage – Fes
” Me in Chefchoun “
Alarm at 7:00 am with an amazing sunrise view, a quick breakfast, and then we headed into the blue city. When we arrived, we rested in the main square, enjoying the atmosphere with a cold coffee.
We visited the Alkasar of Chefchaouen, and then I spent some time wandering and taking pictures around the blue streets until 1:00 pm.
Around 1:30 pm, we left Chefchaouen and drove to Fes, arriving after about five hours. I was very tired, so I ordered dinner to my room and went straight to sleep.
Day 9: Thursday 04.10.18 – Hotel royal mirage – Fes
” Fes Medina “
Breakfast at the hotel, then at 9:15 am we left for the King’s Palace. After that, we walked through the Medina with our tour guide, learning about the city’s history and culture. We had lunch in the Medina before heading to a panoramic viewpoint to see all of Fes from above.
Next, we visited a local ceramic workshop and then stopped at a mall to buy supplies for the desert camp. Later, I had some free time and grabbed a snack by the hotel pool. After a long day, I went to sleep.
Day 10: Friday 05.10.18 – camping in the desert by Yasmina
” Merzouga desert “
Breakfast at 6:00 am and we left Fes at 6:30 am. Our first stop was a small village nicknamed the “Switzerland village,” followed by a stop to see monkeys.
We had lunch along the way and stopped at a typical Moroccan shop to buy supplies for the desert.
At Yasmina Camp, we left our big luggage on the bus and took only what we needed for the night. Before sunset, we rode camels to the tent camp in the middle of the desert. Once there, we had dinner together next to a fire while a group of African musicians played and sang. Later, we stayed outside to watch the stars. I even decided to sleep outside for a while it wasn’t too cold, and many others did the same.
Day 11: Saturday 06.10.18 – camping in the desert at the Resort Yasmina
” Travel talk tour in the desert during the 4×4 car activity “
Alarm at 6:30 am, and we all went up to a hill to enjoy the sunrise and take a few pictures. After that, we returned to the tents and rode camels at 7:40 am back to Yasmina Camp. We had breakfast together, checked into the tents, and took showers.
At 10:30 am, we started a 4×4 tour that lasted until 1:30 pm. During the tour, we made several stops: a group of musicians, a panoramic viewpoint, a nomad family, and the desert itself.
After returning to Yasmina Camp, we had lunch together. Luckily, the weather was perfect, so we spent the afternoon sunbathing and swimming in the pool. Later, we went out to enjoy the desert sunset. Dinner was at 8:30 pm, and then we went to sleep.
Day 12: Sunday 07.10.18 – Hotel blue sea le printemp – Marrakech
” On the way back to Marrakech “
Breakfast at 5:00 am and we left the desert camp at 5:30 am. The whole day was spent on the bus traveling back to Marrakech.
We arrived at the same hotel in the new area of the city. After checking in, I was happy to find I still had my own room, so I went straight to shower. Later, I had dinner by the swimming pool, saying goodbye to the rest of the group.
Day 13: Monday 08.10.18 – Riad Laarouss – Marrakech
” Ryad Larousse, Marrakech “
Breakfast at the Hotel Printemps, then I spent the morning relaxing by the swimming pool. Lunch was also at the hotel, keeping it calm and easy.
In the afternoon, I walked back to the riad in the Medina of Marrakech, not far from my first riad, and checked in. For dinner, I went to Lotus Privilege, an amazing restaurant that I highly recommend.
Day 14: Tuesday 09.10.18- Ryad Larousse – Marrakech
” View from the Nomad restaurant “
Breakfast at the riad, followed by a relaxing morning and some time taking photos around the riad. Later, I walked to the Medina and had lunch at Nomad, enjoying a peaceful meal.
In the evening, I returned to the riad to watch the sunset and unwind. After a calm and beautiful day, I went to sleep, ending my trip in Marrakech on a peaceful note.
Day 15: Wednesday 10.10.18 – back home
I woke up early in the morning since my flight was at 9:00 am. The riad called a taxi for me, and I headed to the airport about three hours before departure, just in case the lines at passport control were long.
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