I think it’s safe to say that Marrakech was one of the most exotic places I’ve been to. I could hardly close my eyes, I didn’t want to miss a thing. So much to see and so much to take in, every moment was a wonder and I consider myself super fortunate to have been able to visit the Red City the way we did.

Love Shack Fancy dress from TNT, Chloe purse, Miu Miu shoes.

People have been travelling the Middle East for centuries to take in the sites, the souks and the scents, but what a privilege it was to discover Marrakech with our own personal guide. Our guided tours were all part of a package we got with our hotel stay at La Mamounia, which by the way was outstanding and I’ll get to in a moment. But first, back to the guide: he was sensational. Being taken in and out of different areas and weaving through streets like a well-navigated local, we were able to stay away from dangerous areas while also taking advantage of the city’s hidden gems. The service was out of this world – so much so that our guide has received medals for helping people explore Morocco.

La Mamounia is historical hotel, it’s been around for over 100 years and even though it’s had its share of renovations, it still holds all of its charm and authenticity. In fact, it belongs to the King and has won awards as the best hotel in the world! I think it goes without saying that the amenities and services basically set an unbeatable standard. There is an aroma that permeates the terrain and you can smell it from all corners. Dates, the city’s symbolic fruit, were everywhere. There are a few other incredible hotels, like the Royal Mansour, Palais Ronsard, the Selman, and many more, but I can personally vouch for La Mamounia.

The Hamman Spa was probably the best spa experience I’ve ever had. First of all, the wet areas and steams felt like I was being transported to a new land. Black soaps, orange blossom masks and white clay with rose for the face, I felt like a princess! My skin was rejuvenated ten times over. Between the exfoliation, cleanse, mint tea relaxation break (a break from my spa treatment, lol!), and a one-hour argan oil massage, I mean honestly, this is what dreams are made of. All of that, plus, the décor of the space was serene and just so special.

Speaking of the décor – Morocco is basically decked out in diamond mosaic as far as the eye can see. At first, I noticed it and just fell in love with the hypnotic tiling, but then I was told that the motif was symbolic of the evil eye. Moroccan culture is known to be highly superstitious. So much so, that they’ve incorporated the evil eye into their design!

The architecture picks up on these playful elements both in colour and in material. Mixing several unassuming patterns together to create some of the most ornate, yet symbiotic architectural structures. Every site was created to be gawked at… I swear!

We visited the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, because, I mean, it’s Yves Saint Laurent! We also went to the Majorelle Garden – you might not know the garden, but you most certainly know the colour the garden made famous: indigo blue! The artist Majorelle found this chalky blue that comes from the desert, and to this day, the Berberes use the blue powder to protect their skin from the sun.

Jumpsuit: One Teaspoon, from How International; Purse: Chloe; Shoes: Miumiu

So much about visiting Marrakech was a cultural lesson for me. I mean, at home, we cook Moroccan cuisine all the time, we drink the traditional tea, we know the songs and speak the language, but there’s nothing like being in Morocco to see where it all comes from. Part of me felt right at home, another part made me nostalgic for home.

We walked through the souks and shopped in some of the better areas to get a real Moroccan experience. We ate at incredible restaurants with live shows and both traditional and international cuisine (check out my post about the top places to visit in Marrakech).

Last but certainly not least, if and when you get to travel to Morocco, you have to, absolutely must, spend a day or a night in the desert. We rode dromedaries and went on ATV rides, which was so much fun! We went to the Desert Agafay at the Camp Inara, and it was beautiful, such an amazing experience. You can’t replicate this sort of thing – the sunsets, the unobstructed views, the smell, the everything!!! I would recommend trying any of the following desert tours: Scarabeo, Agafay, or Terre des étoiles.

There is so much more to say but I’ll stop here for now. Stay tuned for my eating and shopping guide! Trust me, with a magical place like Marrakech, you don’t want to waste your time trying to figure out what and where you’ll go. It’s best to go with a plan – I had input from 5 friends before I put my itinerary together!