Kelaat M’Gouna or Valley of Roses is beautiful with very unique exposed geologic layering and uplifting.We enjoyed a day exploring the valley and hanging out by the M’Goun river.Valley of Roses does have rose colored rocks but it is really named for growing the Damask Roses. This is an interesting article about their Rose Festival.This rock outcropping looks like a rose.There is intensive agriculture in the irrigated valley in addition to growing the profitable roses. Our riad — Dar Timitar — is visible in the background on the top of the hill.That is our Dar Timitar balcony below the roof terrace as we view the Full Moon setting from yet another roof terrace.We also enjoyed a few spectacular sunsets from the roof terraces as well as some wonderful home cooking. A very enjoyable family to stay with.We took a day trip to nearby Dadès Gorges, where the river was running pretty full — from the snow-melt coming off the High Atlas mountains.There are some very interesting geological formations here like these the locals call ‘Monkey Fingers’ – Dadès Gorges.Another view of the massive eroding ‘Monkey Fingers’ in Dadès Gorges.As we climbed further up the valley, it was interesting looking back on the dry topography. Dadès GorgesThere are so many special places — and roads — in the High Atlas Mountains that we have enjoyed exploring!
We left the Atlantic coast and headed through the Saffron growing valley and to the dry leeward side of the High Atlas Mountains.The Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou — Listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987 — is an iconic Pisé (adobe and raw brick) pre-Saharan architecture village. This view is famous for the many movies it has been used as an iconic backdrop. Link for more architectural details.Lawrence of Arabia’s camels? Aït Ben Haddou is located in the Ounila Valley and was on the caravan route connecting the Sahara to Marrakech.We enjoyed staying three nights at the peaceful and comfortable Riad – Paradise of Silence! We savored the spectacular sunrises before breakfast!A drive to nearby Ouarzazate is the African movie film capital – nicknamed “OUARZAWOOD”! ‘The Jewel of the Nile’ — with Michael Douglas — was first film made here at Atlas Studios in 1985.Morocco can also be filmed to look like Egypt, like in the 1999 movie ‘The Mummy’… Atlas Studios filmography.Our entertaining Moroccan guide received his technical film degree, and has worked as a movie technician on several films at Atlas Studios……He was very helpful explaining how all the productions worked, with different camera angles, when blue green screens were used, how the sets changed for different movies — really a good dose of movie magic!The palm tree on wheels and various other props — some are just profiles. ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’ set is in the background. We would recommend Nicole Kidman’s 2015 ‘Queen of the Desert’ filmed here — based on the real story of Gertrude Bell.A short drive is the Fint (hidden) Oasis with another old village. Its picturesque landscape has made it popular for film makers.We hired a local guide to show us around the village and take us to this relaxing spot — above the green Palmeraie — to enjoy a wonderful tagine lunch.
We followed the ‘101’ south along the west coast of Africa. Before arriving in Agadir we stopped to explore some Jurassic limestone caverns carved by the sea — Caves of Cape Ghir.There were a few petroglyphs visible — the Caves of Cape Ghir are known for the discovery of neolithic flint and other evidence of ancient people.We are staying in a condo at the marina in Agadir — excellent location, a pleasant harbor, good restaurants and a 3-mile long paved beach promenade, ‘The Corniche’.Paradise Valley was a day trip into the nearby foothills of the Atlas Mountains.Pink sandstone and sloped rocks make Paradise Valley a popular recreation area.It seems semester break starts today at the university so students are celebrating with a relaxing day in Paradise Valley!Swimming, diving, hollering — we are experiencing a local holiday. Paradise ValleyMeanwhile back to the long sandy beach of Agadir for another sunset on the Atlantic coast.Souss Massa National Park is very large and protects many local fauna and flora. It stretches along the coast from the Souss River valley in the north to the Massa River Valley in the south (picture – near Sidi Binzarne). Beautiful fields of wildflowers, flamingos and spoonbills in the river delta.Our NP guide, Mohammad, showed us the argan trees and how to harvest and crush the seeds for oil. In Souss Massa NP – Rokein StationHe also guided us around a driving loop where we saw numerous ostriches. This is a female and we saw her 5 offspring as well as the darker colored male. Souss Massa NP – Rokein Station.We saw several of this beautifully horned antelope species called Addax. This is a male with a dark patch of hair between his horns — females are light colored. Souss Massa NP – Rokein Station.The Dorcas Gazelle is small — more skittish. This is an endangered species that is protected but poachers are still a problem out side the park. Souss Massa NP – Rokein Station.…and yes we made it back to walk the beach in Agadir for another Sunset.We enjoyed Mama Caterina twice – a local Italian restaurant on the marina for……the gift of good coffee! also good food. Mama CaterinaShopping for souvenirs at the Carrefour – ha ha ha – very Moroccan!We joined many on the beach for our last night in Agadir. A very pleasant week here.
Camels! Beach! Sunset! Life on the Atlantic Coast of Africa in EssaouiraThe Camels came every day to sit on the beach hoping tourists would want to go for a ride, or have their picture taken, or maybe they were enjoying being at home on the sand. EssaouiraWhen we walked to the south end of the beach we liked viewing this rock out cropping we called Camel Rock. This is where the river outflow is mixing with the sea. EssaouiraOn the north end of Essaouira beach is the Port with Morocco’s largest Fishing Fleet. And lots of gulls looking for an easy meal!Near sunset, some of the fishing boats at the Port Bastion — you can see the canons on the top of the Scala, dating back to the Portuguese Era. This area has been in use since the Phoenicians — pre-Roman times. EssaouiraLooking towards the North Bastion and the Medina Skala. A lively square in the foreground before you dive into the maze of alleys of the souks. EssaouiraBut of course some are ‘Too Busy Saving The World’!!!Enjoying the sunset from the North Bastion with the soaring gulls. EssaouiraAFCON-25 has Fan Zones set up around the country to watch the African Football Championships. EssaouiraMorocco made it to the Finals! The Essaouira JumboTron showing all the action — AFCON-25. Afterwards the fans drove around in cars and motorcycles tooting their horns for an hour and a half. (But alas they did not cinch the title in the last game and it was quiet.)Spices are everywhere even in the grocery store. EssaouiraWe had a good chicken tagine and couscous lunch at Riad Mimouna overlooking the sea. EssaouiraWalking through the tide pools — at the north beach — during low tide. EssaouiraCan you have too many sunsets??? And with a horse riding on the beach in Essaouira! They liked to gallop the length of the beach which was fun to watch.Watching the Sun another evening melt into the Atlantic with the gulls. Essaouira.
An hour drive south from Marrakech into the foothills brought us to the village of Amizmiz and the precious Maroc Lodge Atlas Mountain Retreat.The peaceful boutique hotel’s restaurant is where we had our breakfast and dinners — many birds singing to us in the courtyard. Maroc Lodge.A warm fire, candlelight and a good home cooked meal was a nice way to end a tranquil gentle rainy day. Maroc LodgeThe lodge’s owner Bruno Dubois-Roquebert — standing under his father’s portrait. His father — a surgeon for King Mohammed V in Rabat — bought this property in 1939. Bruno regaled us with stories after dinner from his background transporting artworks — to his meeting Pierre Bergé and assisting with the Berber Museum at Majorelle Gardens. Bruno is presently on their Board of Directors!Amizmiz suffered a devastating earthquake in 2023 which is now mostly all recovered — Maroc Lodge luckily did not have damage. Due to the rains we unfortunately did not explore the surrounding area.The garden pathways are softly lit at night with lovely lanterns. Only a third of the property is developed– leaving the rest natural for future walking paths. Maroc LodgeOur large villa under huge olive trees — aptly called ‘Serenity’ by previous guests — furnished with family furniture and Berber artifacts. Architect Claire Patteet was hired to make this vision a reality to honor Bruno’s father. Maroc LodgeAnother wander through the gardens by a wonderful stone wall. We can appreciate why Bruno is a natural fit for the Marjorelle Gardens Foundation. It was our privilege to have time here and a visit with him.The gorgeous infinity pool! We would love to come back and enjoy it on a warmer day. This is a special mountain retreat — consider making some time in your life to be here. Maroc Lodge Atlas Mountain Retreat.
Musée de la Palmeraie was a treasure! We were fortunate to have it all to ourselves one peaceful Saturday morning. The owner — Abderrazzak Benchaâbane — was entrusted by Yves Saint Laurent in 1998 with rescuing and returning the Marjorelle Gardens to its former glory.The botanist’s residence houses his Moroccan modern art collection — this striking untitled piece spoke ‘Marrakech’ to us. Musée de la PalmeraieA meditation pergola in the serene water garden — looking back at the Andalusian style home. The gardens clearly reflect his passion for creating beautiful spaces. Musée de la PalmeraieBenchaâbane is also known for creating perfumes that are lavish and entirely unique. One exhibit was on the complexity of perfumes — like explaining how some of the fragrants were distilled. Musée de la PalmeraieThis is not a painting, but it sure looks like one! The entry to the cactus garden……A fabulous density of cacti. We appreciated seeing a lesser known but exquisite garden — that was an inspiration for YSL and revitalizing Majorelle Gardens. A great article on the owner.An oasis of tranquility. We enjoyed our visit to Musée de la Palmeraie.Wow! A most fabulous 2 January sunrise from our condo overlooking Marrakech.Marrakech also has the Musée Mohammed VI Civilization of Water in Morrocco. This is a comprehensive explanation of the country’s water resource — how it was distributed in ancient times as well as today. The displays and scale models were amazingly educational and fascinating — we discovered so much about water usage in the dry desert climate of Northern Africa.We learned all about how Morocco conserves water during drought, its water storage, desalination facilities, and how it is moving into the future — making sure water is available to all. It is a leading nation setting new precedents.
A perfect day to head into the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains! Gorgeous snow capped views along the route.We navigate the mountain roads — above the Ait Mizane Valley — to the village of Imlil.We find a rooftop cafe in Imlil for some coffee before beginning our hike up to the snowy High Atlas Mountains.We trek – climbing the cascading waterfalls for about an hour to the traditional Amazigh (Berber) village of Aroumd — on a tourist office postcard perfect day. (this is our photo!)A herder follows his sheep to the valley floor through Aroumd, with Mount Toubkal presiding — North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 m (13,671 ft).A panoramic photo of Mount Toubkal. That is ‘panoramic’ indeed! The local children have rounded up some downhill skis and found an area to have snow-play fun in the high altitude sunshine.We caught up with the sheep grazing peacefully on a freshly watered green meadow.Enjoying the sunshine on the last day of 2025……And appreciating we’ve explored another corner of the world near Toubkal National Park.We found a great spot for having a picnic lunch and savored the view — near Aroumd with majestic Mount Toubkal as a backdrop.Back at our condo’s balcony in Marrakech with its view of the snow capped range — we will remember our fabulous journey to the High Atlas Mountains!
‘Koutoubia Minaret’ is the center of Marrakech and visible throughout the city. The 12th-century, 250ft-high minaret with it’s Amazigh square design — it’s the prototype for the Giralda tower in Seville, Spain and Le Tour Hassan in Rabat (Morocco’s capital).Within the Medina — the old historic walled town — are the Souks (marketplace) with their labyrinth of narrow streets. Every step brought us face-to-face with colorful handicrafts and bazaars. Every craft has its own special zone — a souk within the souk — each selling specific types of wares.We discovered ‘Le Jardin Secret’ — created when several courtyard mansions (riads) from the 16th-century were combined. There were exhibits explaining the complexity of the water distribution system and its extensive restoration.We browsed this alluring Souk — one of many specializing in spices! And wandered through endless souks — metalworkers, carpenters, tailors, cobblers, and Imazighen carpets — on our meandering way to……Ben Youssef Madrasa, a school established in the 1500’s for Koronic scholars. The restored building is beautiful, with carved stucco plasterwork (gibs), carved cedar, and the special Zellinger mosaic tile artwork. The large main courtyard — framed by two columned arcades — opens into a prayer hall.All the intricate carving — with Andulusian inspired details — are to assist the scholars in paying attention to the details of their studies. The details are elaborately decorated with rare palm motifs as well as more customary Islamic calligraphy. Ben Youssef MadrasaEach of the up to 900 scholars had a room — resembling monk’s cells — which would be furnished with some of these useful items to further their studies. Ben Youssef MadrasaWe found the ‘Le Mart’ rooftop restaurant for a tasty lunch of Meat Balls with egg (Kefta) Tagine and a fall-off-the-bone Chicken with fluffy Couscous Tagine. It’s as yummy as it looks!The 19-century ‘Bahia Palace’ was our outing for another day. Once the home to a harem, it’s a marvelous display of painted wood, ceramics, and symmetrical gardens.Looking up at the carved archway in the middle separating two intricate carved-cedar painted ceilings with gibs cornices. Each room in Bahia Palace varies in size according to the importance of each wife or concubine.There was an exhibit by artist Aicha Aherdane whose work was as detailed as the ceilings.Stunning painting by Aicha AherdaneExiting the garden at the Bahia Palace through an intricately decorated gate, we head back to the Medina…… And a rooftop lunch at Kasbah Andalussiya of a Fish Tagine and a burger (not a tagine!) while enjoying this minaret next door……And the local stained glass lanterns above sparkling in the sunshine at Kasbah Andalussiya.Our fabulous Z condo just south of the Medina feels a world away from the old walled town and we appreciate the tranquility. Prestigia Jade at Montgomerie Golf Course.
