If those teasing rays of spring over the weekend have triggered your melatonin, it’s the perfect time to book yourself some last-minute winter sun. This month, our Globetrotting tips come from Morocco, a place with the clash of colour, cuisine and culture that we love at Kalinko. And with flights in short-haul territory from the UK, you don’t have to go too far to top up your vitamin D.
Sleep out under the stars between days of 4x4 rides and camel treks. This one is organised by the gorgeous Dar Ahlam at their camp in the dunes, but there are lots to choose from.
If you’re basing yourself in Marrakech, must-sees are Yves Saint Laurent’s stunning Jardin Marjorelle (take an empty memory card in your camera!), and the gorgeous Beldi Country Club, a beautiful spot for a massage and a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Medina. Or for something really special, see the city from the sky and join a sunrise hot air balloon trip over the Medina.
These traditional Moroccan houses surrounding gorgeous interior gardens are the best places to stay to get a real feel of Moroccan family hospitality. We love the Riad Jardin Secret, with it's pink rooftop and incredible breakfasts in the dappled sun. They also have an artist's residency if you fall in love with the place and want something more permanent.
Or try a few nights at Riad Cinnamon – a stunning 4-star riad hotel. With its central location, you can get to the main square and different souks very easily. They also have a snazzy app with an offline map of the city so you won’t get lost (or burn through too much data). And if you can’t decide where to eat one night, the app also has a list of restaurant recommendations. Handy!
Dar Cherifa is an incredible place to start – a cultural centre and café in a 16th Century Riad. It’s certainly not the easiest of places to find and you’ll have to ring the bell to be let in, but once you’re in, you’re in for a treat.
And make sure you have at least one meal at one of the food stalls on Jemaa El Fnaa, the Old City’s main square, and watch the mad world of the night market go by.
Just like the Burmese, the Moroccans are world-class crafters. So if you're a shopper, roll up your sleeves and head to the Souk. From handcrafted tea sets, baskets, gorgeous ceramics and lamps, to those Beni Ourain Rugs which are all over your Instagram feed, you’ll find enough stuff to fill up at least one extra suitcase. There’s no point us recommending particular shops to you, as you’ll never find them! Just dive in, haggle like you’ve never haggled before, and if you see something you like, get it… you’ll struggle to find it again!
More from our Globetrotting Series
