Reasons Why I Loved Morocco

I went to Morocco in October 2019. It's a destination that had only recently caught my attention. I know it's a bit under the radar for most people but I absolutely loved my trip, so I think it's important to share why it was such a nice destination!

I will also be sharing blog posts on the cities I visited with more details on where I stayed and what I saw since posts like that were very helpful for me when I was planning my trip.

Beautiful Sights and Architecture

Hassan II Mosque (Casablanca)

Erg Chigaga (Sahara Desert)

Chefchaouen

Atlas Mountains

Those who know me well are aware that taking photos is one of my favourite things to do while traveling. So having a destination with gorgeous scenery and landscapes is so important. The country has a lot of variety; from the Atlas and Rif mountains to the Atlantic coast to the sand dunes of the Sahara. Not to mention the gorgeous architecture. It really did not disappoint and the country is a treasure for anyone who is into photography.

Delicious Food

Tea time at Bogato (Marrakesh)

It did not take me long to start missing Moroccan cuisine when I got back home. There were so many great dishes, my personal favourite definitely being the lamb tagine with prunes and apricots! The breakfasts were also amazing. I really miss having the msemmen (Moroccan crepe) with freshly squeezed orange juice and mint tea in the mornings.

Moroccan Hospitality

Nomadic woman preparing mint tea (Sahara Desert).

,Perhaps the biggest reason why people hesitate about Morocco is not knowing enough about its people or culture. Of course, I found the culture different from back home in Canada but that is also part of traveling. It's good to see what else is out there, to have conversations with people who live somewhere else and learn.

One thing that exceeded my expectations was the friendliness and hospitality of the locals. Even though I don't speak any Arabic (aside from a couple of words I managed to learn), I would walk the streets and be greeted by "Welcome!" or "Welcome to Morocco!". Everywhere I stayed, my hosts were kind and attentive, often saying that their guests were like family. They wanted to help make my experience a good one and were available to help out or offer any advice. Not to mention that I would often be welcomed with some traditional mint tea!

People prepared food for me with love and care, they organized amazing tours based on what I wanted to learn and see about the place and they were proud of their country. Morocco felt very open and accepting. I remember being impressed when visiting sites and learning that you could find symbolism from three different religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. People should really be more aware of Morocco's religious tolerance. It is so worth keeping an open mind!

It's humbling to see people who show such hospitality; whether it's the owner of the riad where you are staying or a nomadic family offering you mint tea as you visit.