We loved Morocco… and especially the people!

Earlier this month we hosted our first group for a new trip, The Morocco Experience, definitely our most unique Experience trip! The trip was designed, organized and led by Jennifer Dugdale, who joined our European Experiences team in 2020.

Our 16 intrepid travelers and leaders Jennifer and Charlotte met first for two nights in Paris, where everyone got acquainted and enjoyed a full day of cultural training at the Arab World Institute and Paris Grande Mosque. We learned all about the history, religion, politics and lifestyle of our main destination, Morocco.

Our group at the Arab World Institute in Paris

The next morning we flew together to Marrakesh to begin our nine day adventure in Morocco. The flight from Paris to Marrakesh is less than 3-1/2 hours, but we walked out of the airport to a very different culture and environment. We definitely appreciated the cultural training we had before we arrived!

We spent three nights each in the busy city of Marrakesh, the port city of Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast, and the breathtaking Atlas Mountains. Each base offered very different experiences.

It was an incredible adventure in so many ways: the landscape, the architecture, the traditions, and of course, the food! We rode camels along the beach, hiked in the Atlas Mountains, and shopped at busy marketplaces.

Riding camels on the beach in Essaouira

But what always makes all our European Experiences trips so magical are the special people we meet along the way. We loved so much about Morocco… and especially the people! The local people we met were definitely a highlight.

Our group received a truly warm welcome from guides, drivers, restaurant and hotel staff, and shopkeepers. But most of all, we were touched by the Moroccans who opened their homes to us and made us feel like exceptional guests.

Such a warm welcome from everyone we met!

Our last day in Marrakesh was spent in the company of the High Atlas Foundation, a non-profit charity that supports community development at a grass roots level. We visited their headquarters outside the city, then traveled to a tree nursery on the site of land donated by a 700 year old Jewish cemetery.

We were also invited to visit the Tameslouht village Women’s Carpet Cooperative. Here, we were treated to a copious homemade lunch and learned about the craft of carpet weaving. Some of us got to try our hand at this meticulous work.

Learning about carpet weaving from an expert

Ahead of time, we planned to bring gifts for these families in need. It was such a reward to see the villagers’ total delight when many of our travelers handed out coloring pens and pencils and books to the women and children. We all felt much warmth when we said farewell to each other. It was such a lovely exchange of cultures and sharing on both sides, despite language barriers!

We loved the personal connection with these women and children

Another very memorable interaction was our lunch at the Berber village home of Mohammed and his wife. Most of us arrived on foot, as this was the destination for our hike.

A memorable lunch at Mohammed’s village home

The family’s clay house had a colorful, rustic terrace, which had been completely fitted out to receive our group of 18 Westerners. In addition to several rugs, the family had installed stools and tables for our comfort—since normally they sit on the ground. They created a shady cover and even bought new glassware for our Moroccan mint tea. The women of the village worked together to cook us memorable dishes normally only destined for weddings. Our visit was clearly a very special occasion!

There was homemade flat bread, baked in the outdoor clay oven. Then, after a starter of Moroccan Salad, presented family style, we were served two different steaming tajines. The balanced flavors of meat, vegetables and spices were exquisite and fresh. The lamb and quince combination was outstanding and worthy of the finest restaurant. Finally, dessert was simply the freshest fruit available, which our Berber mountain guides helped deliver to the table.

A simple dessert of wonderful fresh fruit, served by our Berber mountain guides

We all felt humbled by this incredible welcome, by a family and in a village that had suffered earthquake damage back in September. They were outwardly grateful for our presence.

We showed our own gratitude with donations of warm clothing, and soccer balls for the children.

“It is an amazingly welcoming country. The people are extremely kind and generous. We ate in families’ homes and were encouraged to learn and use Arabic, French and Berber words to connect with our hosts. I have already started planning my next adventure to Morocco. I love the country.” (Group member Kesslyn from Alaska)

We loved Morocco… and especially the people. We’ll never forget this very personal and generous experience offered to us by the Berber community of Morocco. We came to understand that this was the Moroccan way. The country has long been a melting pot, hosting people from far away lands and from all religions. We were educated on the Berber open mind, people whose roots are nomadic.

Meeting local children at a market in the Atlas Mountains

We’d made a long journey to come visit them. And we were embraced by families of all generations, by their smiles, their laughter, their generosity and sincere welcome. Yes, we loved Morocco… and especially the people!

With a spice merchant

It was a trip on a very human scale, of personal exchange, that we will never forget.

We’ll always remember the hospitality… and the food!

Thanks so much to our adventurous and enthusiastic travelers, our leaders Jennifer and Charlotte, our local partners Lucas and Amina, and all the welcoming and wonderful Moroccan people! (And special thanks to Jennifer Dugdale for her thoughtful Facebook posts and photos, the inspiration for this blog post! She has designed a wonderful Morocco Experience!)

Near the end of our trip – in the Atlas Mountains

We’re looking forward to returning to Morocco in February 2025. Learn more about The Morocco Experience here. Please contact us to ask questions and to book your spot. We’d love to have you join us… you’ll love Morocco, and especially the people!

Read blog posts about our connections with local people on other European Experiences trips:

A Chianti Experience: Our Friend Francesco

A Chianti Experience: Lunch with Janet and Stefano

Cotswolds Experiences: Our Evenings at the Fleece Inn

Travel Tips: Making Personal Connections

Along with her husband Charley, Kathy Wood founded European Experiences in 2006, offering week-long “slow tours” in some of the most beautiful areas of Europe. European Experiences' trips include The Luberon Experience in Provence, France, named one of the top 50 tours in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine. Kathy has personally organized and hosted over 170 Experience groups. She hosts Experience weeks in the Luberon, the Chianti region of Tuscany, Puglia, Alsace, the Dordogne, Normandy, Cornwall, and the Cotswolds, Charley is now retired but will continue to occasionally be a "special guest" on trips with Kathy Kathy has been traveling in Europe for 30+ years and loves sharing her special places in Europe with other travelers. The Woods have a second home in their beloved village of Bonnieux in the Luberon. Read more about Kathy here. Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.