I was recently lucky enough to spend a few days in Morocco with Intrepid Travel, sampling one of their immersive tours and experiencing first-hand what makes travelling with Intrepid so special.
I felt very blessed to have been chosen for the trip and very excited to visit Marrakech and Essaouira, accompanied by a local guide who could help us experience the real Morocco.
From food tours and rooftop restaurants to vineyards, local communities and the Atlantic coast, it turned into a trip packed with incredible experiences.
Arriving in Marrakech
We arrived in Marrakech and checked into our beautiful riad in the Medina before heading out with our Intrepid Travel guide to a traditional rooftop restaurant for a fabulous lunch.
We enjoyed prawn and avocado salad, chicken tagine, couscous and chicken skewers before having time for a little nap after our very early start.
Later, we headed out on a guided food tour of Marrakech, where we sampled traditional sweet tea, the local delicacy sfenj, a delicious Moroccan doughnut, msemmen with onion and paprika, and freshly squeezed juice from a local stall.
The evening was spent on another rooftop overlooking the city, taking in the sights and sounds of Marrakech as the sun went down.
It was a brilliant introduction to the city.
Why Travel with Intrepid in Morocco?
One of the reasons to choose to travel with Intrepid is that you get to experience a destination with the knowledge and insight of a local guide.
They take care of the logistics, introduce you to places and experiences you might otherwise miss, and give you the confidence to explore beyond the obvious tourist spots.
Add in the small-group experience and the opportunity to meet like-minded travellers, and it makes discovering somewhere like Morocco so much more enjoyable.
The following morning, we were up bright and early for our journey to Essaouira, around three hours from Marrakech.
From Marrakech to Essaouira
We left Marrakech behind and headed west towards the Atlantic coast, making the roughly three-hour journey to Essaouira.
Along the way, we stopped by an Argan tree, where the famous Argan oil comes from. These trees are found in Morocco and are an important part of the landscape and local culture.
But this was no ordinary road trip.
Halfway through our journey, we stopped at Domaine du Val d’Argan, an organic vineyard set in the Moroccan countryside.
We were warmly welcomed with a tour of the vineyard, followed by a delicious lunch and, of course, a wine tasting. The setting was beautiful, and the food was every bit as memorable as the wine.
Visiting Domaine du Val d’Argan
What makes Val d’Argan particularly fascinating is its French connection.
The vineyard was founded by Charles Mélia, a winemaker from the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape region of the Rhône Valley in France.
Rather remarkably, he left France and moved to Morocco, spending years preparing the land before planting the vineyard in 1994.
He introduced traditional Rhône grape varieties including Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, creating one of Morocco’s pioneering organic vineyards.
It was fascinating to hear how French winemaking traditions have been adapted to Morocco’s very different climate and landscape.
After lunch, wine tasting and a little time to take in the surroundings, we continued our journey towards Essaouira.
Exploring Essaouira
On arrival, we checked into our beautiful riad before heading out on a guided tour of the city and its impressive ramparts.
Essaouira is a wonderfully atmospheric place, steeped in history, full of character and with a vibrant energy that feels completely different from Marrakech.
The old medina, fortified walls and views across the Atlantic make it easy to understand why Essaouira makes such an impact.
The sea air, blue-and-white architecture and winding streets give the city a relaxed but unmistakably Moroccan feel.
In the evening, we enjoyed a spectacular seafood feast on a rooftop overlooking the ocean, accompanied by traditional Moroccan live music.
Fresh seafood, the sound of the music and the Atlantic stretching out in front of us made for a pretty perfect way to spend our first evening in Essaouira.
And the night wasn’t quite over.
A few of us decided to make a final stop on the way back to the riad at Dar Baba, a hidden little bar and restaurant tucked away from the main streets.
From the outside, you would never guess what was inside. Once through the door, we discovered a cosy, atmospheric space that felt like a secret tucked away in the heart of the city.
It was the perfect place for a final drink before calling it a night.
Wine, history, incredible food, music and the Atlantic. Essaouira certainly made an impression.
Discovering Responsible Travel with Intrepid
Bright and early the following morning, we were up and on the road, making our way back to Marrakech from Essaouira.
This was one of those days that really reminded me why I love what Intrepid Travel does and why responsible travel is so important.
We were incredibly privileged to be invited to visit the Amal Association, where we met its founder, Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen.
Nora told us the story of how Amal began and the amazing work they do supporting disadvantaged women in Morocco.
Amal provides women with professional culinary training, helping them gain practical skills, confidence and, most importantly, opportunities to become financially independent.
Cooking and hospitality are at the heart of what they do, and it was so lovely to hear about the women who have gone through the programme and gone on to employment and a brighter future.
And, of course, whilst we were there, we were treated to a fabulous Moroccan feast.
It was a delicious spread of beautifully prepared dishes and a wonderful opportunity to experience the incredible cooking skills at the heart of what Amal teaches.
They’ve also continued to grow and now have their own restaurant in Marrakech, as well as Sign Cafe, which provides employment opportunities for deaf women who might otherwise find it much harder to access work.
You can find out more about the incredible work they do through the Amal Association website.
Putting Tourism Back Into Local Communities
The visit really brought home to me what makes travelling with Intrepid so special.
When you book an Intrepid holiday, you’re not simply visiting a destination, spending your money and then going home.
Intrepid works with local people, guides, businesses and organisations like Amal, helping to put tourism money back into the communities we visit.
You get to experience the destination, but you also give something back.
I think that’s what travel should be about.
Is There an Intrepid Trip for Everyone?
The afternoon was spent learning even more about the huge range of Intrepid trips available, and I have to say, there really is something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for something more basic and budget-friendly, a little more comfort, a premium experience or even a completely tailor-made adventure, Intrepid has you covered.
Fancy a backpacking-style adventure but would prefer to travel in a group with a local guide who can show you the places you might never find on your own?
Want a premium family adventure where the planning is taken care of for you?
Fancy exploring Morocco? Sailing around the Greek Islands? Or heading somewhere completely different?
Whether you’re young or old, travelling solo, as a couple, with friends or as a family, Intrepid really does offer a different way to see the world.
Our Final Night in Marrakech
Then came the perfect end to our final evening together, a gala night at the Intrepid riad.
There was music, dancing, amazing Moroccan hospitality, incredible food and lots of laughter as travel agents and the Intrepid team came together to celebrate the last few days.
I came away from the trip with so many memories, but more than anything, it reinforced what I already believe travel should be about: the experiences you have, the people you meet and the positive difference you can make along the way.
A Relaxing Final Day in Marrakech
Our final day in Marrakech began with a leisurely breakfast before making the most of the riad’s pool and spa.
I treated myself to a facial and pedicure and, if you like a little bit of pampering, Marrakech is definitely the place to go.
Hammams are also available and are very popular, so they are definitely worth adding to your list if you visit.
After a little more time relaxing by the pool, we enjoyed our final lunch before heading out to the airport for our flight home.
And just like that, what a trip.
Experience Morocco with Intrepid Travel
If Morocco sounds like somewhere you’d love to experience, an Intrepid Travel tour is a brilliant way to discover more than just the main sights.
From exploring Marrakech with a local guide to discovering Essaouira, visiting local businesses and learning more about the communities behind the destination, this trip showed just how much more there can be to a holiday when you travel a little differently.
If you would like to find out more about Intrepid Travel holidays to Morocco, get in touch and we can help you start planning your own adventure.