The Magic and Mystery of Morocco

Interested? Waitlist is open!

Author

Jeannie Ralston
June 12, 2024

❝

“Come with me to the Kasbah. We will make beautiful music together.”

Pepe Le Pew

For the intrepid female traveler, few spots on the globe seem out of bounds. A river full of white water? Check. A narrow path on the Inca trail, or downtown NYC after midnight? No problem. Sleeping under the stars in the Sahara? Morocco was definitely one of my bucket list countries, and I’ve checked it off. Twice!

Now I want to go back and take you with me, and so many of you have responded that the trip sold out in a week! We’re thinking of adding another departure in 2025. Here’s why.

Mid-day at the Oa-sis..Send your camel to bed…Shadows painting our face-es, trace-es, of romance in our heads! Lyrics: Maria Muldaur

What Makes Morocco so Magical

  • Marrakech is so well preserved, it feels like stepping back in time

  • The souks, where you’ll find spices and ceramics, scarves, lamps, leather goods, rugs, slippers, and more!

  • The slow-cooked, aromatic cuisine

  • The interior of the homes–which you will see on this tour

  • Musicians playing exotic instruments and haunting vocal melodies passed down through generations

  • Cobblestone streets, steep, stone stairways and rooftop bars and restaurants   

  • The adventurous, windy road into the Atlas Mountains, and the clear air

  • Hiking and exploring a tiny village

  • A desert oasis, followed by an overnight in the Sahara, sleeping under the stars.

  • The friendliness of the local women, eager to share their stories and to learn about our lives. 

In North Africa, the older Arab parts of the cities, which were usually fortified by a citadel or castle, are called Kasbahs. The Kasbah of Marrakech was founded in the 12th century, and it contains the royal palace and gardens.

***

NextTribe’s Morocco Connection

Picture yourself doing this. OK, maybe you’ll be safer than I was and you’ll hang on with both hands!

I first went to Morocco in 1989 to write about Malcom Forbes’ birthday (he owned a palace in Tangier, which is now a museum.) I returned several years later with my former husband, who was on assignment for National Geographic.

I always wanted to go back and take a group of women, but I wanted to make sure we designed a trip that NextTribers would enjoy.

I like to think of our trips as a tagine (the famous Moroccan stews slow cooked in clay pots). They are lovingly prepared with a balance of busy-ness and free time, good local cuisine with sprinkles of culture, art, music, and history, some time in nature, some great views, and, most important, connections with local women and with each other.

Louise traveled from Scotland to Morocco and fell in love…literally!

I’ve finally found a woman our age who is married to a Moroccan and has lived there for 15 years. Louise helped me design a memorable itinerary and is so excited about NextTribe that she’s now our first member from Morocco!

***

Safety and Splendor

Don’t try this at home! Photo: Raul Cacho

Keep your wits about you in Marrakech and you’ll be fine. Morocco is considered a safe country even for solo women travelers, but traveling together with a local guide who speaks English makes it so much more comfortable, at least for me. For example, I might want to ask, “How far away should I stand when I try to take this picture?”

It may look like a small country on the map, but Morocco is about the size of California. For a first-time visitor, Louise and I felt that Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and the desert were all not-to-be-missed, and those are the areas we’re exploring on this first NextTribe trip.

We always leave time in the itinerary for some shopping. Photo: Zachariah Daoui

So Popular It Sold Out to NextTribe Members!

We still have Cuba, San Miguel de Allende, Santa Fe, and one spot left for Vietnam. Hope to see you on the road in one of these fabulous destinations!

Jeannie - Sign

Jeannie Ralston, CEO and Co-Founder