The Pursuit Of Morocco moves from Marrakech to the Agafay Desert in the deep Berber south, then up to Fez—the beating heart of Moroccan culture—before finishing by the sea in cosmopolitan Tangier. You’ll experience the rich culture of its ancient cities and the vast beauty of the desert, bed down in gorgeous guesthouses and discover fabulous Moroccan cuisine. With two to five nights in each destination and a relaxed pace throughout, there’s plenty of time to lose yourself in the rhythms of this unique and mesmerising land.

The Pursuit Of Morocco 2025

11-25 November, 14 nights

A$17,900 double occupancy A$21,800 single

Fully inclusive: accommodation, transport, experiences and meals, including alcoholic beverages

50% deposit to confirm with balance due 90 days prior to departure

Day 1-6: Marrakech

I met Elsa on my third trip to Marrakech and her home, Riad UP, has been my own home there ever since. For anyone yet to experience the joy of staying in a riad, the term refers to a traditional Moroccan home built around a courtyard garden. Inward looking, with walls of thick rammed earth and few external windows, the design allows for both privacy and protection from the weather. Marrakech is home to thousands of riads, many of which are now guesthouses.

Riad UP is at the minimalist end of the spectrum, although therein lies its charm. After a day of sensory overload in the souk, the white walls and sparse, rustic chic of Elsa’s place is like being thirsty and happening upon an oasis in the desert. There’s also its stellar location, close but not too close to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square. Elsa’s staff are as delightful as she is and include one of the best cooks in all of Marrakech.

For all its laid-back simplicity, Riad UP—Urban Paradise—tops a lot of lists, with the New York Times, The Telegraph and Vogue Living ranking it amongst the best riads in Marrakech.

Our eyes and souls rested, we’ll dive into the pink city’s delights, from market stalls in the souk to atmospheric house museums such as Dar El Bacha and Maison de la Photographie, and rooftop terraces as the sun sets, sipping on a chilled glass of Moroccan vin gris before stepping out into the night, working our way though the city’s hottest restaurants.

Day 6-8 Agafay Desert.

If Marrakech has you spinning, La Pause is the antidote—a sumptuous eco camp sans electricity in the moon-like terrain of the Agafay Desert. Accommodation comprises individual Berber lodges constructed in pise (mud and straw), decked out with large beds, Berber rugs, open fires and private en-suite bathrooms. (Yes, there’s hot water.) Lighting comes in the form of candles and oil lanterns, making for magical nights. La Pause features two swimming pools, one shaded by olive trees and another capping a hill with panoramic views. There’s quad biking in the desert and camel riding at sunset—and Bedouin tents making for perfect spots to enjoy mint tea, a glass of wine and candlelit suppers, gazing up at the stars.

Day 8-12: Fez.

Get ready for a triple dose of history, culture and epic architecture. From La Pause we travel north to Fez, Morocco’s ancient capital and the most complete medieval city of the Arab world. The Fez Medina is enormous, home to around 800 acres of mosques, madrasas, tanneries, foundouks, hammams, riads and historic mansions. One such mansion, the 600-year-old Dar Seffarine, is our home in Fez.

Dar Seffarine belongs to Alaa, an Iraqi architect, and Kate, a Norwegian graphic and fashion designer, who together share a passion for the preservation and renovation of historic architecture. Through their mutual love of ancient medinas, medieval buildings and Islamic art, they found the perfect project, built centuries ago according to Kate, as a family home in the ‘posh’ part of Fez, close to the Al-Qarawiyyin mosque and university. Even against the city’s wealth of superb architecture, Dar Seffarine’s grandeur is impressive, with four-metre-high cedar doors, soaring columns, exquisite carved plasterwork and zellij tiles.

We’ll visit the city’s big-ticket items, such as  the 9th-century University Al-Qarawiyyin and the 11th-century Chouara Tannery—each the oldest of their kind in the world—and magnificent madrasas (religious schools) such as Al-Attarine and Bou Inania. But we’ll also discover a more intimate side to Fes, touring private houses in residential areas with Alaa, who will talk us through the challenges—and delights—of restoring historic residential buildings.

Day 12-15: Tangier.

The storied port city played muse to the post-war demimonde, from Tennessee Williams to Barbara Hutton and the Rolling Stones. According to the American writer William S. Burroughs, who settled in the city for a few years in the late 1950’s: “Tangier is one of the few places left in the world where, so long as you don’t proceed to robbery, violence, or some form of crude, antisocial behaviour, you can do exactly what you want.”

There is, however, a lot more to Tangier than infamous repute. Today, at the juncture of Europe and Africa, a new generation of creative Tanjawis are redefining the city.

Built in the 18th century for a high-ranking pasha, our hotel, the Nord Pinus, is positioned at the highest point of the kasbah. With a lavish restaurant and fabulous rooftop bar, it’s one of the most sought after spots in town, sensational views across the Straight of Gibraltar through keyhole-arched windows. 

For me the Nord Pinus Tangier is one of the loveliest hotels in the world. Owner Anne Igou did such a fabulous job that when it opened in 2006, it was the first hotel in Morocco to steal the limelight from Marrakech. Expect antique Indian beds, Chinese lacquer cabinets, vintage chairs by Jacques Adnet, photography by Igou’s ex, Peter Lindbergh, and superb textiles from across the globe.

We’ll wander the kasbah and visit the just-opened Museum of Contemporary Art as well as the wonderful American Legation. Drive to the Atlantic for lunch at a fabulously old-school restaurant and depending on what’s on, catch a movie at Cinéma Rif, the 1930’s picture house made over as North Africa’s first art-house cinema. Sundowners later on the terrace, gazing across to Spain, before supper at Villa Mabrouka, the former home of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé.

Rug and textile shopping in the Marrakech Medina; a digital detox in the Agafay Desert; touring hidden Fez with a local architect; and following in the footsteps of the great 20th-century hedonists in Tangier.

The Pursuit Of Morocco

11-25 November 2025

A$17,900 double A$21,800 single

Fully inclusive (more information below)

50% deposit with balance due 90 days prior to departure