Visit Morocco’s contrasting cities of Fes, Casablanca and Marrakech – from the Hassan II Mosque to Unesco-approved medinas and the Majorelle Garden’s must-see Yves Saint Laurent Museum

I dream of Morocco. Of its colours, sand dune orange and cobalt blue. Of the spice-laden air of the medina. Of long-lashed camels and the kindness of strangers. Sifting through those memories now, masked and sanitised in an air-conditioned office in Hong Kong, it all seems very, very far away.

It has been more than a year since my last work trip took me to the North African country. The near-total shutdown in international travel was imposed and weeks turned into months as the epidemic became a pandemic. It never seemed appropriate to write about my last great travel experience. But things seem different now. The coronavirus is still a constant presence in our lives, but there’s a growing resilience – almost defiance – in our will to look forward to when we can dust off our suitcases again. 

With that hope firmly in mind, it seems the right time to recount my adventure in what was known in medieval times as “The Western Kingdom”, to hopefully inspire some to visit when the world is open again. 

We set off in October, which is autumn in Morocco and one of the best times to visit the country. With six destinations over eight days, ranging from bustling cities to sacred mosques, lush vineyards to sandy dunes, it was going to be a packed trip. 

The tour was run by Luxury Escapes, which provided a useful guide on what to expect from each city, particularly with regards to religion and modesty. The best packing advice I can give is to pack more scarves than you think you’ll need – they come in handy when covering bare skin, adjusting to the colder nights, and of course, fashion accessorising. 

Versatility is key for a trip to Morocco, particularly if you plan on touring the country like we did. There’s something for everyone, and our first few days were remarkable in their variety.