Africa - Travel Blogs & Travel Guides: 2024

Exploring Agadir and Essaouira (Not Forgetting The Goats In Trees and Jimi Hendrix!)

From the vibrant city of Agadir to the white and blue of Essaouira, find out the best things to do if you’re visiting Morocco soon.

Ready to travel around the Sahara Desert with me?

So far on my Adventure Morocco tour I’ve haggled in the medina in Marrakech, reached the top of the world in the Atlas Mountains, explored a real life movie set, and drunk more mint tea than I can keep track of. This stop however, was the one I’d been looking forward to the most!

Check out the videos of my trip now, and scroll down to read about my adventures in Morocco.

Oh the Sahara Desert! Would it be like in films? Dunes for miles? The softest of sand? Stars illuminating the entire sky?

Leaving from Ouarzazate, we had some incredible scenery to check out. First up, the incredible red rock Moroccan canyon. It was spectacular, and worth the trek over uneven rocks to the top!

As we zigzagged along the mountain roads, the landscape changed from colourful rocks, to beige desert dotted with perfectly formed acacia trees.

Saying goodbye to the coach, it was time to hop in some 4x4s, perfect for navigating the dunes. As we continued, the dry, arid landscape, transformed… what was this? Palm trees as far as the eye could see! The Draa Valley Oasis sits along the Draa River (Morocco’s longest river) and is a haven of date-bearing palm trees, with a red rock backdrop (like a mini Ayres Rock!) A real life oasis…

Fountain at the Jardin Majorelle Marrakech

From the Jardin Majorelle to Koutoubia Mosque and the historic Medina, there’s plenty to see and do in Marrakech.

I’ve just returned from an incredible 10 days in Morocco. I’m busy editing videos of my trip which I’ll be sharing with you very soon. While many visit Morocco for the beautiful beaches, especially when looking for some winter sun, but for an authentic taste of the country, the cities are where it’s at! The historic city of Marrakech was one of my favourite places on this trip. It’s a feast for the senses with plenty of jaw dropping architecture and cultural sights to explore. If it’s your first visit, it may seem overwhelming… so here are 5 beautiful places to add to your Marrakech bucket list.

Jardin Majorelle

As mentioned briefly in my first blog about Marrakech, this urban oasis is the perfect spot to escape the crowds of tourists and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. The twelve acre gardens were designed by French artist James Majorelle, and now boast more than 300 plant species from five continents. My favourite were the impressive cactii! You may have heard it referred to as the Yves Saint Laurent gardens as they were bought by the legendary designer. Standing out in its Majorelle blue is the Berber Art Museum, which showcases an array of cultural artifacts, from carpets and clothing to musical instruments. There’s also a lovely starry ceiling which got me transfixed! Entry costs around 100 dhms, and it’s definitely worth spending an hour wandering the grounds.

Ready to travel around Ouarzazate with me?

My Adventure Morocco tour with Travel Talk Tours got off to an exciting start in Marrakech. I haggled in the medina, visited the beautiful Jardin Majorelle, ate a traditional tagine and watched one of my new friends be henna’ed!

Check out the videos of my trip now, and scroll down to read about my adventures in Morocco.

From Marrakech it was time to make our way towards the ‘Hollywood of Morocco’ – Ouarzazate. Lawrence of Arabia, The Living Daylights, The Mummy and Gladiator were shot in the area, along with Game of Thrones. With tour guide Abdoul a massive movie fan, we’d never be short of anecdotes!

Time to check out Es Saadi Gardens and Resort in Marrakech.

After an adventurous week stargazing in the Sahara, riding camels and exploring kasbahs (check out the videos), I was ready for a few days of relaxation in Marrakech. I checked into a plush suite at Es Saadi Gardens & Resort in the upmarket Hivernage neighbourhood, and enjoyed a taste of the five star lifestyle.

With huge gates, flags blowing in the wind and elaborate fountains at the entrance, this resort certainly had something to shout about! Every December, stars of the big screen descend on Marrakech for the city’s prestigious film festival, and this is one of the resorts they return to time and time again.

Over the next 48 hours I wandered the pristine gardens, basked in the Moroccan sunshine by the pool, perused the impressive art collection and was thoroughly pampered in the spa.