As a graduation gift my sister and I went to Morocco for two weeks this March. Morocco has been on my travel bucket list for a while and I could not be happier to finally go. We fly into Fez and immediately get lost in the labyrinthine medina. Strolling through the different parts of the old town becomes our favourite thing to do. There are so many small shops and workspaces. Some areas are dedicated to carpets, copper, food, leather and many things more.

The tanneries are famous here. A nice gentleman shows us around and explains the different processes involved. We get some fresh mint branches against the strong smell.  Later we hide in a doorway from a sudden downpour and the caretaker of one of the old caravanserai shows us around the different workshops. Our final stop is on the rooftop and we get to admire the view over the medina.

From Fez we take the bus to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains. The blue houses are so beautiful. I cannot get enough of the town and we walk and walk. The weather is a bit cold and rainy, but that does not keep us from exploring the different parts of the town. The Kasbah, the palace in the town square offers us a dry space and we learn a bit more about the area here.

I know I repeat myself, but the blue is just so beautiful. Cats are the real owners of the streets. There are only few people about, maybe that is due to the weather, maybe because it is only the beginning of March.

The drive to Meknès turns into quite an adventure as the road is flooded and our bus stops halfway. We end up sharing a taxi with a group of Moroccans whose destination is also Meknès. Because we speak both French communicating is easier than I expected. Meknès fascinates us as much as our previous stops. Every medina is a bit similar and a bit different at the same time. Every town specialises in their particular handicraft. We love getting lost in the small alleyways. And best of all it is warmer and the sun shines so our shoes can dry again.

A day-trip to the Roman ruins of Volubilis is our next adventure. The number of the bus has changed since the publication of our guide book but with the help of the friendly bus drivers and people that wait along with us, we wait for the number 29 and even get seats on the crowded bus. Shortly before Moulay Idriss we can already spot the ruins from afar. It is market day in the small town and we have a look around and buy some lunch before we head out to Volubilis. The 5 kilometre hike follows the small road amidst olive trees. The flowers between the ruins are in full bloom. On top of the pillars a couple of storks have their nests. The ruins are immersed in nature. I especially love the floor mosaics.

Rabat is the next stop on our journey through Morocco. We feel like we have really arrived in the South. The sun is stronger now and we leave our jackets behind in our accommodation. The Atlantic, the seagulls, the wind… With the Kasbah of Rabat behind us we look out onto Salé. The medina of Rabat is busy today. Lots of people are doing their shopping and we just follow along and take everything in.

We spend two relaxing days here with visits to the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum, neighbouring Salé and the Necropolis. One thing we should add about Salé. Because of the rain we bought a big umbrella in Chefchaouen. It has served us well ever since. I already mentioned the warmer weather here now and in Salé we stopped at a market stall and bought two scarves. Well, and we forgot our umbrella there because we did not really have it on our mind anymore with all the sunshine and warmth. One of my favourite places was the Necropolis. Outside of the city walls it is a pretty quiet place. Nature has reclaimed a bit of the ruins and storks are nesting on the walls. It is serene.

Casablanca is a stop on our way to Marrakesh. A guided tour through the big Hassan II Mosque is our first item on today’s agenda. It is the third largest mosque in the world and simply beautiful. We learn lots of interesting facts about the mosque, the building process, the vision and the religious use.

Marrakesh is much busier with tourists than the North. Some shopkeepers told us that it is still “saison mort”, the “dead season”, but not here in Marrakesh. Getting lost in the many different souqs is our favourite pastime. At some point we magically end up back at the central Jemma el-Fna place. It is busy with snake charmers, food stalls, souvenir sellers, restaurants and cafés. In the evening, as the lights come on the spectacle gets even wilder on the big place.

Sometimes it pays to listen to other people’s conversation. Two Argentinian girls talk to our hostel manager about their trip to the desert and so we jump at the chance to join them. The long drive over the Atlas Mountains is already the first highlight of our trip. The snow-covered mountains shine in front of us and seem to guide our way over to the other side.

Ait Ben Haddu is a small picturesque town which is has been used as a film set for several Hollywood productions. The mud-covered houses stand close together and the view from the Kasbah on the hill is spectacular. The oasis lies in front of us; our gaze travels over the stony desert to the snow-covered Atlas Mountains. Driving through the desert makes you lose all sense of time. Also, we do not have an exact itinerary and love the surprise of where we are going exactly. We sleep in the Dadès Valley tonight. The red clay rocks contrast beautifully with the green of the trees that grow along the river. A hike through the Todra Valley is really beautiful. Spring has fully arrived here and the fruit trees are in full bloom.

The valleys contrast starkly with the desert out in the plains. We drive for quite a while before we finally see sand dunes in the distance. As we get closer to Merzouga they get larger and larger. It is hot here. We had to stop several times along the road because our car thought it was too hot as well.  But finally we make it and cannot wait to switch to camels and ride into the Sahara desert.

I quickly get lost in the movement and the views from my camel. The colours of the sand dunes change with every corner we take. It gets slowly darker and by the time we arrive in our camp the sun has fully set. Sitting around the fire, sipping min tea, looking at the stars overhead and listening to the music of our guides… It feels wonderfully perfect.

What better way than to greet the new day, the sunrise from the backs of our camels. I get lost in thoughts of just continuing on. How must it have felt like to have been part of a caravan and ride through the desert to Timbuktu? Our way leads us back to the farm where we started. And then back to Marrakesh. It is a long drive, but looking out of the window and observing the landscape as is whizzes past never gets old.

Our last days in Marrakesh we spend visiting the Bahía Palaca, the Saardite graves and the Medersa. The mosaics of the buildings are spectacular. In the gardens the orange trees are blooming and the sweet smell of the fleurs d’oranger hangs in the air. The tranquillity of the gardens is a welcome break from the hectic life outside in the streets. The tinkling sound of a water fountain drowns out the street noise.

A stop at the spice souq is essential before we head home and it smells heavenly. I should add that we have eaten such wonderful food over the last two weeks, Tajines, pastillas, delicious fruits and so much more. We return home with the fondest memories and a deep wish to return to Morocco one day. Whenever I wrap myself in my blue blanket from Chefchaouen, light my lantern from Marrakesh and close my eyes I am back there and smile.