I am super excited to be travelling internationally after all these years. Revenge travel is real—people are now easing up and getting ready to explore the world as more borders are opening up again.
To satisfy my wanderlust, an exotic place is a must, but where to go?
Kingdom of Morocco
Welcome to Morocco! Dubbed the gateway to Africa, Morocco is a country that is visa-free for Filipinos, and it is very accessible and hassle-free, too. As a dominantly Muslim state, visitors should observe prayer hours and dress modestly when in public areas. Morocco has plenty of interesting cities, but the most impressive one is Marrakech. Marrakech is known as the playground for the rich and famous. This bustling metropolitan oasis is home to opulent five-star hotels, luxurious spas, magnificent golf courses and Michelin-starred restaurants.
On this epic trip, I was with my sister and her friend. We opted to stay in palatial riads because they rendered an incomparable experience than typical hotels. Riads are traditional mansions or small palaces of sultans and royalty before, but now most are converted into luxury accommodations.
The medina is a place where an ancient city meets the modern world. Inside, there are dizzying arrays of souks, open-air markets with a myriad of stalls that sell everything from spices, leather, ceramics, and beauty products. The labyrinth of passageways was chaotic and overwhelming for an introvert like me. In every souk you enter, shop owners will offer you mint tea as a symbol of hospitality. Met with occasional “ni haos” or “ahn yeongs,” Moroccan people are friendly, kind, and helpful, the total opposite of what I have read or heard. Since we were all girls, we were constantly warned to take precautions.
Most of the tourist spots in Marrakech involve a lot of gardens. Perhaps the most famed one is Jardin Majorelle, a beautifully curated garden with a wide variety of cacti and photogenic mosaic fountains against a backdrop of cobalt blue and yellow walls. It was originally constructed by French artist Jacques Majorelle, and later bought and restored by the famous fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent. A combined itinerary also includes a visit to the Yves Saint Laurent museum, a dedicated space to showcase his collection of works and life.
Sahara Desert luxury
Glamping
Like in movies, the Sahara desert is often depicted as very hot and dry, where you will likely be thirsty all the time or experience hallucinations due to dehydration. However, for us, the desert was close to freezing, but that didn’t stop us from glamping at the largest desert in the world. It has always been a fantasy of mine to ride a camel, trekking the vast expanse of golden sand dunes before sunrise, and experience the adrenaline rush of maneuvering a quad bike. Well, guess what? It all came true because these are ways to get to our luxury camp.
Passing through palm groves and sweeping deserts, I’ve never seen so much sand in my life! Revving up my buggy, setting off to heaps of sand dunes is one for the books! A magical overnight stay at the desert is not complete without a scrumptious Moroccan feast, live music and dancing around the bonfire, star-gazing, sleeping in cozy heated yurt tents powered by solar energy and an early sunrise camel trek.
Atlas studios, Ait Ben Haddou
Atlas Studios is the largest production studio in the city of Ouarzazate, which is often referred to as the Hollywood of Africa due to its popularity among filmmakers. The studio is home to hundreds of cinematic sets, and one of the most impressive ones is the “Gladiator” crypt, where the slaves were kept waiting for the emperor’s decision to free or dispose of them. Walking through the set made me feel like I had travelled back in time. We had so much fun posing in the different sets and imagining ourselves as the main characters in a movie.
Not far from Atlas Studios is Ait Ben Haddou, a Unesco heritage site located at the foothills of the Atlas mountains. The Ksar, which has been around for centuries, served as the backdrop for numerous cinematic films and TV shows. Fans of “The Game of Thrones” may recognize it as the yellow city of Yunkai. Climbing through the mud brick fortified village was challenging, but reaching the top was worth it. The panoramic scenery was breathtaking, with earthen rockscapes and snow-capped mountains in the background. It was an unforgettable sight.
On our way back to the city, we visited a local Berber home, where we learned about the Berbers’ way of life and tasted their mint tea, also known as “Berber whisky.” We discovered that the Berbers’ main livelihood is producing argan oil and olive oil. Argan oil is a popular ingredient in shampoo and other hair products, known for making hair smooth, bouncy, and healthy. Olive oil, on the other hand, is used in cooking and is known for its premium quality, unique taste and extraordinary health benefits. No wonder it is also called liquid gold.
In the heart of Marrakech lies the Royal Mansour, one of the most luxurious properties in Morocco. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary terracotta walled estate, but as you enter, you are greeted by an enormous gate leading to whimsical gardens and a regal entrance to the hotel. The Royal Mansour has been awarded numerous times, marking its supremacy in luxury hospitality. We were fortunate enough to have an exclusive tour of the grounds, and our young guide informed us that the hotel is the palace of King Mohammed VI. He gathered all the finest artisans and craftsmen to revive this spectacular premise.
The Royal Mansour spa is an enchanting mecca of wellness that mimics a bird aviary, adorned with all-white intricate interiors and Moorish designs. The purity and brightness of the spa gave us a sense of calm and renewed energy. Affluent travelers hail the Royal Mansour’s hammam as the finest in the land. We decided to splurge on a hammam session, which is an ancient cleansing ritual for the body and soul. It involves a hot steam bath, followed by an exfoliating scrub and a marble stone massage. The goal is to rid the body of unwanted negativities, purify the soul and boost immunity. After the session, we felt clean and refreshed.
Morocco is a country rich in diversity, offering a complete sensory experience. Whether you’re interested in sampling tagines and getting high on Moroccan mint tea, exploring the winding souks, or sandboarding on endless sand dunes, Morocco has something to offer for every age.