Magic in Morocco: A Recap of My Most Recent Trip

If you’ve been dreaming of an epic, feast-for-all-senses vacation, consider this your sign to go to Morocco. I recently realized my own bucket-list fantasies by participating in Fora's latest FAM trip to this mesmerizing destination. Fora FAMs are scouting trips for me to gain an intimate understanding of a destination and make the best travel recs for my clients (aka you!).

And Morocco did not disappoint.  If you’re picturing colorful streets, lively souks and camel treks through the wind-swept desert, you’re exactly right. But there’s so much more to Morocco than meets the eye, especially in 2024. Read on for a recap of the trip, including details of my itinerary around the country (and hotels galore) and a few reasons you should visit, too.

Fresh off my Morocco journey, I now have alll the knowledge to plan and perfect your dream trip. If you’re ready to get started, reach out to me to book today. (And remember, I can hook you up with A+ hotel perks along the way!).

Fes

On this nine-day trip to Morocco, the FAM group – made up of myself, other Fora Advisors and two HQ members –  visited Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and Essaouira. We were able to dive deep into the destination, trying our hand at tons of local experiences and visiting different sites, restaurants, markets and — of course — hotels (more on that later). Through this exploration, I got to know the ins and outs of the destination, so I can make better & more informed decisions when planning trips.

Why Morocco, you ask? I'll break it down.

With its endless charms, Morocco has always been on the world’s stage as – yes, I’ll say it again – a bucket list-topper. But in 2024, Morocco’s travel landscape is characterized by several misconceptions. First, with the earthquake that struck the Atlas Mountains last September, many believe that the entire country and its infrastructure is less-than-intact (not exactly the case). The impacts of the earthquake were largely limited to the Atlas Mountains. And while the Atlas Mountains area is still recovering, visiting the region is very much possible (not to mention very worthwhile; see below for the details) – and our tourism dollars support its rebuilding. As our co-founder Henley Vazquez always likes to say, “to go is to give.”

Second, there are misconceptions around the country’s safety. However, with the right partners and planning, Morocco is an excellent destination that can indeed be explored & enjoyed safely. Of course, as with any destination (near or far) – it’s advised to always exercise caution when traveling.

Marrakech

My advice: if Morocco has been on your bucket list – or if you’re adding it as you’re reading this! – now is a great time to visit. This FAM trip was an important way for me and the Fora community to support & promote Morocco travel (and indulge in some life-changing travel experiences in the process…).

Another reason I'm obsessed with Morocco? At Fora, we have an incredible local partner, Experience Morocco, who brought the destination to life and made sure every element of the trip ran smoothly. Experience Morocco rolled out the proverbial red carpet, incorporating everything from hiking tours to street food tastings into our jam-packed itinerary. Their emphasis is on truly unique, educational and bespoke tourism experiences (in other words, things that I'm all about). And they certainly delivered.

Image courtesy of Riad Fes

My journey started in Fes, where visitors get the full, authentic Moroccan experience. Think labyrinthine streets, incredibly preserved architecture and mesmerizing cultural riches. Fes is also home to the enchanting Riad Fes, a hotel that wowed me with its intricate details and dreamy courtyard pool. Trust me: if you want that traditional riad experience, Riad Fes knocks it really, really far out of the park. 

Fora Perks at Four Seasons Casablanca: When you book Four Seasons with a Fora Advisor, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities.

Fora Perks at Riad Fes: Breakfast daily, VIP welcome.

Image courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Marrakech

Following Fes, we ventured to Marrakech, the country’s tourism darling (and for good reason). Vibrant, polished, trendy and ever-so-chic, the city has significantly evolved in the past few years – with more and more locals speaking English, for instance – making travel here even more accessible. 

Plus, Marrakech is a luxury hotel mecca, if you will, with numerous five-star palaces & boutique hideaways that consistently rank among the best hotels in the world. I visited five properties in Marrakech (spoiler alert: they’re all 10/10) and got a crash-course on how to matchmake each hotel to travelers' personal styles. For instance, in broad strokes… If you favor epic views, opt for the Mandarin Oriental or the Oberoi. Minimalists will love Amanjena, while the Four Seasons is a great pick for families. And those looking for a five-star Moroccan classic should opt for La Mamounia or the Royal Mansour. Of course, there are so many other important details that go into choosing the hotel that’s right for you (and booking with me is your secret weapon to making these informed decisions).

Fora Perks at the Mandarin Oriental: Breakfast daily, $100 hotel / resort credit, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Fora Perks at Amanjena: Breakfast daily, $100 hotel / resort credit, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Fora Perks at the Oberoi, Marrakech:  Breakfast daily, $100 hotel / resort credit, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible, complimentary 50-minute massage for up to two guests.

Fora Perks at the Four Seasons Resort Marrakech: When you book Four Seasons with a Fora Advisor, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities.

Fora Perks at Royal Mansour: Breakfast daily, $100 hotel / resort credit, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible, complimentary roundtrip private airport transfers.

Fora Perks at La Mamounia: Breakfast daily, $100 hotel / resort credit, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The Atlas Mountains

From Marrakech, we took a day trip to the Atlas Mountains, where I was able to immerse myself in not only the landscapes but the rich traditions of the area – from an Amazigh tea ceremony to a spectacular hike in the region of Imlil. (‘Amazigh’ is the local, Indigenous name for the people & culture often referred to as ‘Berber.’)

As the final stop in the journey, our group took to the shores of Essaouira. With its boho-chic vibe, the beachy hub of Essaouira was the perfect ending to the FAM adventure. We stayed at Heure Bleue Palais, with its colorful suites and rooftop pool.

Perks at Heure Bleue Palais: Breakfast daily, VIP welcome

Ready to travel? Connect with me to start planning your dream trip to Morocco.