Morocco — Eco Akamai

Hello Africa! My 7th Contintent.

Travel Day: We landed in Casablanca in the late afternoon and arrived to the beachside Four Seasons Resort. We spent a relaxing afternoon at the pool and had a delicious dinner at the pool bar (funny that they call it a bar as the property is dry due to their location to the nearest mosque. A new travel experience for us!). It was te perfect start to a fun adventure vacation!

Day #1: Our reunion adventure started this morning over breakfast! We met on an 2019 AVD trip in Japan and we planned this trip as a fun reunion. It is so much fun to meet friends when we travel and even more fun to travel with them again!

After a beyond delicious breakfast, we went swimming again. Then it was time for lunch at the pool before our official tour started.

Our adventure began with a visit to the massive Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco and the 2nd largest in all of Africa. The Hassan II Mosque is 1 of 2 Moroccan mosques open to non-Muslims. We admired the traditional Moroccan art that adorns the mosque and its outbuildings in awe.

My favorite photo of the day … if you look closely on the right, you will see a woman’s head.

Sunset over Casablanca with a horse on the beach!

Day #2: We said goodbye to Casablanca and drove through the lower Atlas Mountains while en route to Volubilis Archaeological Site. We spotted camels along the way and drove by the Historic City of Meknes.

Upon arrival, we stepped back centuries in time as we walked amongst the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our guide was amazing, and very well dressed, and we learned about the history and innovation that the Romans brought with them to the region as we marveled at the stunning mosaic tiles and walked down the ancient dirt and stone paths.

Then we stopped for an amazing lunch at Walila Farm—an early 20th-century farmhouse that is owned and operated by a renowned chef—where wel enjoyed a private meal of local dishes made with fresh ingredients.

Our last stop was to the walled city of Fez at the Palais Faraj Suites & Spa where we had a rooftop dinner.

Mosaic of Bacchus, the Roman Roman god of agriculture, wine and fertility.

Taken during the evening call for prayer.

Day #3: We took in the breathtaking views from Borj Sud (South Fortress) a fort located high on a hilltop overlooking all of Fes spread out below, including its sister fort, Borj Nord (North Fortress), located on a hill across the valley.

The we began our tour of Fes Medina which has 14 gates … 7 big and 7 small. The squares on the outside walls are for ventilation … and now great place for birds to nest. We explored the world’s largest and oldest medina—the old part of a town or city throughout North Africa. We walked the brick alleyways and took in the splendor of this UNESCO World Heritage Site along with our local guide Mohammed. We visited a local tannery, whose owner/designer’s family has been part of the tannery community for over 750 years. While in the medina, we got an overview and lesson on “bargaining” when the boys decided they MUST have leathers jackets. I was totally unprepared for the experience and probably over paid, but the quality is stunning and I told them they have to keep them forever.

For lunch in the Fes Medina, we ate lentils, eggplant, and delicious kabobs with Kefta Mkaouara

In the evening, we did Fez Cooking Class at Palais Amani with an amazing female chef .. and happily said Yes Chef! all night long. We learned about traditional Moroccan cooking and took part in a hands-on cooking class. While the adults were busy preparing one part of the meal, the Junior Adventurers had a cooking class of their own, where they get to prepare a traditional Moroccan bread to accompany the meal. After all the food was prepared, we savored the dishes we created, along with other local dishes, at a private, family-style meal hosted in an authentic riad.

Day #4: We enjoyed a leisurely morning on a walking tour of the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) of Fes, that included a stop at the Royal Palace Gate for a photo op. Then, to see several locations that served as inspirations for EPCOT, including Bab Boujilioud (Blue Gate), Nejjarine Fountain and Abu Inania Medersa Water Clock.

Then we headed to Café Clock, converted from a riad—an extraordinary medieval house—where we enjoyed a delicious meal, which included a camel burger for those with an adventurous appetite.

Next, it was to learn the story of the art scene in the medina on this visit to the Ceramic Cooperative. Then, we were invited to be a part of the story with a hands-on experience with the pottery-making and painting process where you’ll work with a pottery wheel, paint or assemble mosaics.

Dinner was back at the hotel. An adult dinner for me and and the boys, along with the Adventure Guides, Junior Adventurers enjoyed playing games and watching a Disney movie in a private room while enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by the chef.

Day #5: It is time to ride camels in the Sahara Desert!

Barbary Macaque Monkeys in the Atlas Mountains!

Day #6:

We Opted for a Sunrise Dune Walk and then enjoyed a filling meal featuring a wide variety of jams, cheeses, oils, yogurts and different types of Moroccan pancakes, eggs and more, prior to heading out for a day of desert-to-oasis adventure.

Then we headed to Erfoud for a visit to a fossil workshop where we learned how the Sahara was once an ocean, which explains why so many fossils have been found in the area. While at the workshop, we had the opportunity to see the showcase of fossils found, as well as to learn about the ways in which these unique pieces of history are converted into works of art.

We stopped for a delicious lunch in an Oasis Village along the journey from the desert to Skoura.

Upon arrival, we relaxed and dined at leisure while soaking up the hotel’s oasis vibe. Built on the site of a historic kasbah (fortress), which is still visible on the grounds, the hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens that help create a serene environment.

Day #7:

Today we rode bikes in the Oasis. We started our day pedaling through the unpaved roads of the oasis on a morning bike ride. We discovered this truly authentic place, whose community welcomes visitors with open arms. The bike ride took place in a local neighborhood with stops for storytelling.

Then we had tea with a local family. We were welcomed into the home of a local family who introduced us to life in Skoura as we joined them in partaking of the Moroccan mint tea tradition.

Next it was a riverside grilled lunch. We arrived in all-wheel drive vehicles, similar to the desert vehicles, and dug into a delicious lunch featuring a fusion of Moroccan meats and American-style grill with kefta kabobs as burgers and merguez sausages as hot dogs.

For our afternoon adventure we visited Kasbah Amridil. We explored this historic kasbah, considered one of the most impressive kasbahs of its kind in Morocco, located in the oasis of Skoura. Kasbah Amridil was previously featured on the Moroccan 50 dirham note.

We ejnoyed some pool time in the afternoon before our group dinner & wine reception. Sam enjoyed another

Junior Adventurer Movie Night. Along with the Adventure Guides, Junior Adventurers will enjoy playing games and watching a Disney movie in a private room while enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by the chef.

Day #8:

We enjoyed a self-guided exploration of Ksar Ait Benhaddou an amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site. And if it looks familiar, you may recognize it as part of the façade of EPCOT’s Marrakech Restaurant in the EPCOT Morocco Pavilion.

We stopped off at a local spot for a lunch of pizza and traditional Moroccan options on the way to Marrakech and we saw a sheppard heading goats. Then we drove over the High Atlas Mountain pass and through Tichka Pass with an elevation of 7,415 feet.

We arrived to Marrakech and toured the stunning Bahia Palace. The Bahia Palace, which began as a home for the grand vizier and was expanded to become a stunning example of Moroccan architecture and design. We marveled at its gardens, courtyards and rooms filled with intricate details and brilliant uses of color.

For dinner, we choose to dine at one of the hotel’s dinner options, Sofetil’s SoLo Lounge.

Day #9:

On our last day , we toured the Majorelle Garden & Berber Museum Visit. Saved from destruction and restored by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, the gorgeous Majorelle Garden now serves as a sanctuary and botanical “laboratory” with exotic botanical species from around the world. We also visited the Berber Museum, which is home to a collection of more than 600 pieces of historical and creative works from the Berbers, the most ancient people of North Africa.

Then we were off to a Marrakech Medina Walking Tour. We strolled through the cobblestone lanes lined with stalls featuring spices, foods and artisan crafts. We enjoyed our Artisan Hands-On Experience. We headed into the medina’s fondouk district where we saw rows of skilled artisans plying their crafts. Then, we took part in some hands-on activities guided by an artisan, including brass making and wood painting.

After lunch at a local Medina restaurant we went shopping … and I finally bought a rug!

Then it was time for our Farewell Reception & Dinner. We stepped back in time as we entered a 16th-century palace for an exclusive dining experience featuring family-style dining, henna artists, musicians, dancing and plenty of surprises to make this final night of your amazing Moroccan adventure truly magical.