🍵 Grab a mint tea, here's your postcard from Morocco
Get comfy and put the kettle on for part one!
Remember when I mentioned I was heading to Morocco? Well, I'm back and ready to share the adventure with you. Grab some mint tea, because this will be a two-part email!
Picture this: Fifteen days, a group of 8 chic world-traveling women, and a comfortable van with AC and WiFi (thank goodness). It was the equivalent of driving through Northern and Southern California in 2.5 weeks.
A shit ton of driving.
First stop: Marrakech. Jet lag hit me like a ton of bricks, and while most of our group dove headfirst into the chaos of the medina, I needed a different kind of immersion. My friend Andrea and I ditched the haggling for a Moroccan Hammam at our hotel spa, La Maison Arabe.
We left our friends at the medina and hopped in a tuk-tuk to take us back to the hotel.
Fun fact: all tuk-tuk drivers in the Marrakech medina are disabled - it’s a way to ensure work for people with disabilities. Our driver was hilarious. He whisked us off while we bounced in the back seat watching the crowded and vibrant medina fade into the distance.
The Hammam is Morocco’s take on the Turkish bath with a sandpaper-like twist. There are two kinds of Hammams: private and public.
They’re basically bathhouses where people get a vigorous scrub down by a friend/stranger in public or an attendant in private. The typical bath consists of a steam room, hot water, an argon oil soap mix called Savon Beldi, and a rough hand mitt known as a kessa glove.
Let me tell you, reader, this wasn't your average spa day. Picture a steamy room, stone slabs, and friendly women ready to scrub away every trace of airplane grime. They slathered us with the olive oil and Argan concoction Savon Beldi, then went to town with these sandpaper-like mitts. I was so exhausted, but I definitely dozed off during the scrubbing!
After being rinsed, clay-masked, and massaged, Andrea and I collapsed on two chaise lounges in the dark, cave-like chill-out area. Then, stumbled out to the hotel courtyard, wrapped in fluffy robes, for mint tea and cookies. I felt like I was drunk.
So, everyone recommended La Bains de Orient spa, and we went there as a group the next day. But honestly? I preferred our hotel's intimate setting. Sometimes, smaller is just right.
We also took a fantastic cooking class through our hotel where we made one of my favorite chicken tagines. (And believe me, I ate a lot of tagine.) The women who ran the cooking school were warm, and funny, and helped everyone make a delicious tagine and salad. We all had a lovely lunch on the terrace outside.
Highly recommend La Maison Arabe in Marrakech.
After we hit the Hammans, cooked a tagine, and walked in the medina, we hit the road towards the desert. (We squeezed in a few other sights but with jet lag, those were the highlights!)
On the way, we stopped at Ait-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site that'll make you feel like you’ve been transported to Essos in Game of Thrones. Imagine an ancient city made entirely of rammed earth, adobe, and clay bricks, perched on a hill like something out of a movie.
In fact, it is something out of a movie – Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones (Season 3, Episode 10) were filmed there!
But the highlight for me was Abdul's studio inside Ait-Ben-Haddou. This Berber craftsman uses an ancient fire painting technique that's mesmerizing. I took this 2-minute video to show you– words simply can't capture the magic of it.
Needless to say, we all bought something. The one he’s making in the video is mine. But here are a few more of his studio space. I felt transported to another world that was both touristy and culturally cool at the same time.
Speaking of Hollywood, we drove by Atlas Film Studio. It's surreal– this massive movie set just sitting in the middle of the desert.
Next up was Essaouira, the windy city, where we spent two nights. It's got a laid-back vibe and a serious sea breeze that was a welcome change.
Now, I know what you're thinking – "Jen, what about the Sahara?" Don't worry, I'm saving the best for last. Our glamping experience in the desert deserves its own email. Trust me, it involves camels, stargazing, and more sand than you can shake out of your sandals.
Oh, and get this – I extended my stay for an extra five days after everyone left. Spent two nights in Chefchaouen (that blue city you've probably seen on Instagram) and two in Rabat, the capital. Both were incredible in their own ways and I'm so glad I didn't miss them. (Look for those photos in part two.)
Before I end this, I've got some travel wisdom to share. When you're wandering Morocco with seven stylish women, you pick up a few wardrobe tips.
Here are a few of our ride-or-die items:
✔️ Athleta Transcend V-neck Crop Bra: (At least 2 of us had these and they’re so great for layering in the heat
✔️ Athleta Retreat Linen Top: Perfect top to layer over a crop top bra in the heat. Limited Sizes left, but I found this nice one at J Crew Wren Slim Shirt in Irish Linen on sale. And one at Uniqlo Premium Linen Long Sleeved Shirt, I know people who are Uniqlo fans (who aren’t millennials:) and you can’t beat the price.
✔️ Athleta Brooklyn Mid Rise Utility Pant: One of my favorite items the whole trip, especially camel riding in the desert - and they’re on sale now so I couldn’t resist
✔️ The Travel Scarf: My friend Katie had one and I’m getting one for my next trip. They are so versatile. Amazon has plenty at the right price. But I found this one from Zestt Organics that looks sooo soft, lightweight and comes in dreamy colors.
✔️ Beeks Sandals: I’ve heard such good things about these shoes and my friend Katie had the Finch sandal in black. She wore them through Morocco, cobblestone streets in Italy and Greece, and the roads of Croatia. Loved them. I’ve had my eye on the Gallito leather slide at Nordstrom since last summer and the gold/eggshell is on sale via their website!
✔️ Cut Loose Rayon Pants: Lightweight and in cool colors, they’re a great find. If you live in SF or you can find a store near you, my friends Marci and Alexis love these. (San Francisco brand)
Alright, I'm cutting myself off before this turns into a novel. Stay tuned for part two, where I'll tell you tales of desert glamping adventures and camel shenanigans.
Jen
P.S. If you're itching for more details on our must-have items, I've got links. Just say the word!
Sounds like an incredible trip! Amazing photos!
Ah, these photos are incredible! Great read with my morning coffee. ☕️ I’m ready to go to that spa. Calgon, take me away!