Marrakech
In January 2019, our Creative Director, Rhodri Jones, set himself the goal of reaching 50 countries before turning 30 (in Jan 2020).
This month he achieved that goal. Morocco was the milestone. With his parents in tow as travel partners, they embarked on a modest, but memorable adventure.
Get your walking boots on
On our first day we headed straight for the souks of Medina. I was worried we would be hounded, but I’m lucky to have parents who have lived all over the world, and are by now used to the hustle and bustle.
So we marched through, three Joneses inline. Before we knew it, we found ourselves taking a tour around a leather tannery.
Dar Manebhi Palace
The stylish Palace of Medi Menebhi, a defence minister in the early 1900s, was cursed. When he went to England to get a medal from Queen Victoria, his palace was looted and North Africa subsequently colonised.
The beautiful courtyard was once an orchard. Plant motifs were used to decorate the walls and columns, representing the natural order of growth.
El Badii Palace
A ruined palace located in southern Marrakech, commissioned by the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of the Saadian dynasty sometime shortly after his accession in 1578. The palace was designed to impress, with vast pools taking up the majority of the courtyard. Interestingly, the palace's construction was funded by a substantial ransom paid by the Portuguese after the Battle of the Three Kings.
Today it’s home to a number Storks, who nest on the thick outer walls.
Wondering the streets between palaces
I decided to take my parents the back route, ignoring locals who constantly give directions. It opened us to up to some stunning streets, barely populated with an array of statement doors along the way.
Bahia Palace
Built in the late 19th century, it was intended to be the greatest palace of its time. Unfortunately, we missed the main courtyard… but the rest was beautiful.
Atlas Mountains
Separating the ocean from the Sahara Desert, the Atlas Mountains have that majestic feeling in the air which is only found in monumental landscapes throughout our planet.
While we didn’t have a chance to sleep here, it’s a must do for anyone visiting Morocco, and a great way to breakup the journey to the desert.
Aït Benhaddou
Once you get over the Atlas Mountains, the road starts to wind down towards the desert. The first stop on the tourist route is Aït Benhaddou, the location for movies like Gladiator, and TV shows such as Game of Thrones.
A must do for anyone looking for a one day trip out of Marrakech. I do however advise skipping the neighbouring town of Ouarzazate which is home to the famous film studios, but you’ll likely be taken for a bit of a barren walk through the town which is being reconstructed, without much to see.
