10 days in Marrakesh: the adventure of a lifetime 

Posted on 28 September, 2019

Marrakesh has long been revered as a doorway to the exotic—but a new wave of luxe offerings is giving travellers even more reason to visit.

Think of Morocco and you might picture actress Ingrid Bergman strolling into Rick’s Café Américain in Casablanca or glamorous Talitha Getty crouched on a rooftop with views afar of the Marrakesh skyline with its enchanting mosques. 

However, while travellers have been making the pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Morocco to explore, indulge and find inspiration for decades, there is one city enjoying a serious tourism renaissance. 

Marrakesh’s bustling laneways and markets are still bursting with colour, the food is still rich and the mint tea is still waiting. But beyond the Marrakesh of postcards, an influx of the world’s most stylish minds has created a new side to the ancient city, quietly waiting to be discovered by the discerning traveller. 

Credit: Kim Hocking.

It’s this melting pot that Canberra’s Kim Hocking of Maroc Instyle Adventures (aka M.I.A) can’t wait to dive into when she takes a tour group there next year from 15-24 April 2020. 

Having fallen for Marrakesh’s charms initially after joining a tour there herself, Kim says that an all-inclusive* structured itinerary is the best way to immerse yourself in this wondrous city. But you won’t find any whistles or clunky buses on this tour. 

Instead, Kim has organised this tour meticulously to allow for both exploration and relaxation across three locations— in the heart of the medieval souk, a desert glamping experience, and a boutique country oasis. 

While Kim encourages a diversity of travellers to join her, she says that modern-day Marrakesh shouldn’t be seen through the lens of trips past. Though Kim’s archaeological background is one of the reasons she fell in love with Morocco, the Marrakesh of today is a city where traditional Moroccan Riad’s offer a stylish retreat from the heat, restaurants serve up fine dining to rival Europe’s best, and the shopping has never been so vast nor more affordable.

“Marrakesh appeals to me for so many reasons,” she explains. “It’s ancient, it’s cultural, it’s not beige. The first time I went there, I was so blown away—the restaurants and shopping are amazing and it’s such a sensory experience.” 

Guests can start their journey clearing Australian customs here in Canberra then fly direct to Marrakesh via Doha with Qatar Airways. A private driver will meet them at the local airport on arrival to whisk them away to the luxe Riad Mena & Beyond, considered one of the best Riads in Marrakesh. 

Riad Mena & Beyond. Credit: Kim Hocking.

Riad Mena & Beyond, with its 17th-century architecture is as Kim says a haven of serenity. With limestone walls, a combination of mid-century minimalist design & Moroccan craftsmanship, an understated luxury and multiple rooftop terraces, this Riad will act as the base for the majority of your trip—no stop-start travelling and living out of a suitcase here. 

“I want people to have a combination of a restful holiday and a complete travel experience—it needs to be both. If you’re living out of a suitcase, you’re not really immersing yourself in the lifestyle and culture,” says Kim. 

Nomad Restaurant. Credit: Kim Hocking.

Over the next six days, guests will explore the city with guided tours through Marrakesh’s iconic Medina (where Kim notes fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent would find inspiration for his couture collections), dine at El Fenn, Vanessa Branson’s (yes, the sister of Sir Richard) five star hotel, explore Yves Saint Laurent’s Museum and Jardin Majorelle Gardens, wander through the Jewish Sector where the subtle aromas of the spice market entices the senses and enjoy plenty of downtime in Riad Mena’s traditional hammam spa–and that’s just the beginning. 

Jardin Majorelle. Credit: Kim Hocking.

As a professional interior designer, Kim says Marrakesh is a design-lovers’ dream, with lush interior wares, unique fashion offerings like handmade leather shoes and accessories and boundless visual inspiration.

But Kim also sees this trip as a chance for women to dig deep and rediscover themselves, something that Kim herself experienced in Marrakesh.

“Especially as women, we still have inner strengths that we’ve pushed aside because we may have taken on caring responsibilities. When you’re on a tour, you’re opening yourself up to new people, endless possibilities and to the world.” 

La Mamounia. Credit: instagram.com/lamamouniamarrakech

After six days in Marrakesh, the group will venture into the desert for a one-night glamping experience in the Atlas Mountains where they will embark on a camel ride, dine in a candlelit tent and sleep under the stars (in luxurious individual tents, of course). 

From there, the tour will move to the renown Beldi Country Club, an oasis of calm on the outskirts of Marrakesh, where guests will have the final two days of the tour to fully recharge and relax in Beldi’s Moroccan-French gardens, swimming pools, restaurants and spa facilities.

Beldi Country Club. Credit: instagram.com/beldicountryclub

Kim says that Beldi is the perfect spot for serious downtime before returning to Australia, however, for those who would prefer to spend their last moments in the bustle of Marrakesh, the city is a mere 20 minutes away.

While this tour will run from 15-24 April 2020, Kim says more tours are planned for next year, and she is open to discussing opportunities for further tours of smaller groups if requested.

Credit: Kim Hocking.

While the tour does not include flights, Kim says this is so guests can be flexible with their stay, choosing to add more travel at the start or the end of the tour. For solo travellers flying over alone, Kim encourages them to book the same flight as her. 

“If there’s a woman out there wanting to go to Marrakesh but is without a travel partner— I want them to know they can travel with me.” 

El Fenn. Credit: instagram.com/elfennmarrakech

Ready for your Marrakesh adventure? Call Kim on 043 882 8939 or via email info@marocinstyleadventures.com.au to enquire about costs and obtain a copy of the tour itinerary for M.I.A.

Kim Hocking.

*Tour is all-inclusive of accommodation, dining costs, private drivers, attraction entry costs and activities with the exception of flights and alcohol.

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Feature: facebook.com/BeldiCountryClub