Whilst living in London, we were able to take a quick trip to Marrakesh, Morocco.

It was emotional for me, as it was my first time visiting Africa. Though I don’t know exactly which country or countries my ancestors hailed from, simply stepping foot onto the continent was a powerful feeling. Trips from the US to the continent are long and expensive, and I had not yet had the opportunity to visit (Q had been to a few cities in Morocco and also Tanzania). It was originally our plan to visit a few countries in Africa for our honeymoon, but we got a flight deal to Abu Dhabi and changed course. From London, Marrakesh is just a short three-hour flight, and we simply could not pass up the opportunity to go!

We stayed for five days and had quite an enjoyable time. Though one can certainly splurge on fancy hotels and expensive meals at nearly any destination, Marrakesh is a place where one can still have a nice time without spending an arm and a leg. We were on a student budget, but because it was so affordable, it didn’t feel like it!

December was a fantastic time to visit because it was much warmer than London, but not too hot. Nights were cool. We were told while there that temperatures can regularly rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer, which is less than desirable for us. Many accommodations lack air conditioning, or only have a wall unit - so, for us, December was an ideal time to visit. Additionally, though there were still a good number of tourists, we did not have to fight insane crowds like one would during high season. I ALWAYS recommend traveling during shoulder or low season to fully enjoy a trip to a major tourist destination. The only exception would be places you are traveling to for partying - like Ibiza and Mykonos. Then you might want to be there when everyone else is, for the full ambiance.

We stayed in a Riad, which is the very typical Moroccan experience. They are Moroccan mansions, essentially, that are converted into mini hotels. The vibe is very similar to a bed and breakfast. There are hundreds to choose from, with varying price ranges.

Our bedroom at our Riad - we stayed at Riad Dar One. Morocco is a place where you cannot drink the tap water - and that includes brushing your teeth! So beware.

Most, if not all, Riads have an atrium, many have plunge pools in the atrium. It was never warm enough to get in (if even allowed), but they are beautiful to look at!

As we visited just before Christmas, there were the most subtle yet adorable Christmas decorations sprinkled throughout the city.

The rooftop at our Riad. We never saw anyone else up there - benefits of traveling during low season.

Our first meal was at Nomad, a very insta-famous rooftop restaurant nestled within the medina and with an excellent view of the expansive souk.

The most romantic dinner at the truly breathtaking Dar Cherifa.

We really enjoyed cooking class at La Maison Arabe.

The warm weather was a nice change of pace.

Our Riad was extremely close to Bahia Palace, so we popped in one day for a quick visit.

The Marrakesh architecture was so dreamy - it’s easy to see why Moroccan-inspired architecture and design are ubiquitous.

It truly pains me to admit that my favorite meal in Marrakesh (food-wise) was at an Italian restaurant called Limone!

A hamman experience is a must while visiting Morocco

We did a tour through the Atlas Mountains that included a hike, a visit to a beautiful resort, a traditional lunch, and camel rides. Quite the number of activities to fit in one day!

To be perfectly honest, the camel ride was quite uncomfortable!

I did not bring proper hiking shoes and thoroughly regretted it.

The resort we visited - Kasbah Tamadot - was beyond gorgeous, and if you have the opportunity to stay there, I don’t think you’d regret it.

No trip to Morocco is complete without a shopping trip in the souk! And don’t forget - you must haggle (in a respectful way). — No trip to Morocco is complete without a shopping trip in the souk! And don’t forget - you **must** haggle (in a respectful way).

Marrakesh was an unforgettable introduction to Africa, and I can’t wait to get back to the motherland to explore more. If you ever have the opportunity to visit, I highly recommend doing so! It could be combined with a trip to Europe, to break up the flights. Our flight from London was only $150 roundtrip on Ryan Air, which is much more affordable than booking a flight from the States with a layover. I would love to go back and bring baby girl - on the plane, we met a couple with FIVE children and they had a great time, so I know we could make it work.

Honestly, I could go on and on about this trip, but if you have specific questions, leave a comment and I’m happy to answer them!