A City of Color

I could have spent hours simply wandering through the souks (local markets), but the spice market was one of the places that really captured Marrakesh for me. Everywhere I looked there was an explosion of color. Sacks overflowed with dried herbs, flowers and spices, while bowls were filled with brilliant pigments in shades of yellow, red, blue, green and pink.

The aromas were just as memorable as the colors. Cumin, cinnamon, saffron, dried mint and countless other scents seemed to mingle in the air. Shopkeepers invited you to smell unfamiliar spices and explained how different ingredients were used in Moroccan cooking, traditional remedies and everyday life. It was fascinating to see how important these ingredients are: not just to the food, but to the culture itself.

What I especially loved was that it did not feel like simply walking into a store. It was an experience. You wanted to stop, ask questions, smell things and learn what everything was. That kind of interaction is one of my favorite parts of traveling.

This is the Marrakesh I remember most vividly. It was not one particular sight. It was the experience of walking, looking, smelling, tasting and wondering what I would discover around the next corner.

Finding Calm at Riad L’Orangerie

While in Marrakesh, I stayed at Riad L’Orangerie, and the experience of staying in a typical Moroccan hotel, “riad” became an important part of my time in the city.

After the activity and sensory overload of the streets, stepping inside the riad felt like entering another world. White walls, graceful arches, a quiet courtyard, water and beautiful Moroccan details created a wonderful sense of calm.

That contrast is part of the magic of Marrakesh. One moment you can be surrounded by the energy of the medina and shortly afterward you can be sitting quietly in a peaceful courtyard.

Beauty in the Details

Marrakesh constantly rewards you for paying attention.

I loved the architecture, but I was just as fascinated by the details. An old painted wooden door, tile work, carved wood, textiles and everyday objects can be every bit as beautiful as the city’s grander landmarks.

There is history everywhere, and much of it is found in things you might walk past if you are only focused on getting to the next attraction.

The architecture throughout the city provides another reminder that Marrakesh has a character entirely its own. Buildings such as the mosque tower I encountered while exploring are part of a cityscape that feels unmistakably Moroccan.

And Then There Is the Food

Food is always an important part of travel for me, and Marrakesh certainly did not disappoint.

Some of my favorite meals were also some of the simplest. Fresh bread, grilled meats, Moroccan salads, spices and small dishes served together allowed me to experience the flavors of the city without any unnecessary fuss

I love fine dining, but I also believe some of the best meals when traveling are the ones that connect you directly to where you are. Sometimes a simple plate of food enjoyed in the right place tells you more about a destination than an elaborate meal ever could.

A Camel, a Desert and a Great Memory

Of course, not every travel experience needs to be serious.

Getting outside the city and riding a camel was one of those moments that was simply fun. I am not sure my camel was quite as excited about it as I was, but the photograph of me sitting there with my arms stretched into the air probably tells you everything you need to know.

I loved it.

Why Marrakesh Stayed With Me

What I remember most about Marrakesh is not one hotel, meal, market or monument. It is how all those experiences came together.

It was the excitement of the souks followed by the tranquility of the riad. The brilliant colors of the markets contrasted with the warm earth tones of the landscape. It was eating something simple and delicious, noticing the craftsmanship of an old door, laughing on top of a camel and meeting people whose lives were very different from my own.

That is what I want travel to be about.

Not simply checking another destination off a list, but slowing down enough to experience the people, flavors, traditions and unexpected moments that give a place its character.

Marrakesh reminded me that some of the best journeys are the ones that awaken your senses, challenge your expectations and leave you seeing the world just a little differently.

Brian Marcus
Founder, Orchestrated Journeys