Morocco is a land of many contrasts. There is a wide range of beauty from the luxurious resorts in Marrakech to the Bedouin camps in the Sahara Desert. I was grateful to be once again invited to this annual Ensemble Elite top producers trip around Morocco. I was lucky enough to be joined by my sister Cathy and many other members of top producing agencies from all over North America.
We started our journey in Marrakech at the Club Med Village. The Club Med was a lovely property with everything you could ask for in a resort. There were beautiful pool areas, good food, plenty of activities and excellent evening entertainment. We spent our next day exploring the Marrakech Medina which is a world unto itself. It is a maze of shops selling everything from Moroccan spices to hand made leather goods. Unless you have a full day here, it is best to go with a guide! The Medina is massive and can be difficult to find your way out of when you’re on a tight schedule!
The following day, we had the most amazing desert experience on the outskirts of Marrakech. Our driver drove us deep into the Sahara desert where there was nothing to be seen but sand in all directions. We waited in anticipation to see where we were headed when all of a sudden we came upon an oasis of white tents dotted in contrast with the red sand. At the camp we were greeted with music, dancers and refreshments which was a pleasant surprise!
Our tents in the desert were absolutely gorgeous and a stark contrast from the busy medina and luxurious hotel in Marrakech. Deep in the Sahara, the night sky is incredible. There is a sea of stars with no light to spoil your view. We were also able to take a once in a lifetime camel ride into the dunes to experience a desert sunset, kicking of the start of a spectacular night under the stars – something I won’t soon forget.
The next day we were treated to tea at a lovely Bedouin family home. It is so hard to imagine their daily life living in the harsh Sahara desert, still having to walk many miles to get water everyday. The contrast of life from the Bedouin people to the bustling city only a few hours away is extreme, yet they still continue to roam. The people were not only very happy, but they were also very hospitable to welcome us into their homes.
From the harsh Sahara desert we drove 10 hours into the heart of the beautiful and lush Atlas mountains to Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot Retreat. This resort is situated high up in the mountains and has spectacular views looking down into the surrounding valleys. They have spared no expense here. The rooms were absolutely gorgeous and no two are the same – all sporting amazing views! Ours was a luxurious villa overlooking the valley with spacious living room and a massive bathroom. The resort had several beautiful pools, two grass tennis courts and plenty of games around the resort. Not to mention the food and service were impeccable!
Our final stop was in Casablanca, a port city on the Atlantic coast. I was only here for a short period but Casablanca is a bustling city with many beaches. I found it to be more of an industrial metropolis without the same charm as the rest of the places we visited. While it wasn’t my favourite part of Morocco, I think it was still interesting to see and worthwhile for a quick stop!
I wasn’t able to see all of Morocco on this trip but I found I was charmed to the mystical call of the country. It is so diverse from the desert, to the mountains to beaches to bustling cities. As a travel agent, I am always interested in seeing the unique types of accommodations in different places that are available for my clients who want to do something similarly amazing off the beaten path. Morocco is full of wonderful hotel prospects to fit every budget. It would definitely be a destination I would recommend to clients. I loved the culture, the history and the beauty of the country that is Morocco.
By Sheila Kemp
The Kemp Travel Group is a privately owned and operated full-service travel agency. We have over 35 years of experience offering professional, world-wide travel experiences! Our agents have extensive knowledge in the travel industry, specializing in leisure travel, destination weddings, honeymoons, group travel and corporate meetings & incentives. We have 3 conveniently located offices in the Durham Region – Bowmanville, Oshawa and Whitby. If you would like more information on Sheila’s time or would like to request a quote, please fill out our contact form here
