Which tour did you take? Morocco 15 day tour, half-board itinerary, February 2026, begin and end in Marrakech (balloon ride) through Skoura, Merzouga, Sahara Desert, Fez, Chefchaouen, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira (cooking class)
What was the highlight(s) of your trip? Without exaggeration, every day in Morocco was a highlight because it brought new vistas, interactions with charming people, opportunities for deep learning about cultures and regional history, exploration of stunning architectural and archaeological sites, and experiences with new way of preparing foods. But if I step back and think about my overall experience, I’d say several things really stand out:
* The outstanding quality of my guides. Starting with my driver, Oussama, translator, cultural guide, and fun companion throughout my journey. And including every one of the guides who led me through the medinas and souks of Marrakech, Fez, Essaouira, Chefchaouen, etc., and the Roman site of Volubilis. Every guide was friendly, spoke excellent English, and could easily share their expert knowledge. I came away from each guided experience with the sense that I had learned aspects of the place, people, culture that would have eluded me had I explored on my own.
* Getting to know the Moroccan people who were consistently kind, warm, welcoming, and who enjoyed a fun sense of humor.
* My cooking class with Latifa in Essaouira. Experiencing the markets, Halal butcher, and hands on preparing a multi-course meal of salads, Royal Couscous, semolina crepes with honey for dessert. Latifa welcomed us into her home and with a grace and expert knowledge that only comes from many years of training and experience guided us through ever step of preparing each dish. I thought I knew some things about cooking; I learned a lot that day and made new friends in the process.
* Learning a deep appreciation for Morocco, its diverse landscapes, fascinating culture and complex history, realizing the abiding relationship between Arabs and Jews in Morocco, understanding the legacy and proud heritage of the Amazigh (Berber) people in Morocco. Having my breath stolen when confronted with the exquisite detail and artistry expressed in Moroccan tile work.
* Learning to feel at ease moving though traffic in the medinas and cities. Though seemingly crazed and out of control on the surface, once you let go and realize that there’s a sense of rhythm and shared space that everyone is tuned into, it all flows.
* Oh, and the balloon ride is awesome!
Are there any places/activities that you’d advise leaving out in the future? Why? I enjoyed all aspects of my tour. The only adjustment I would advise concerns timing of the tour on the first day in-country. My driver picked me up at the airport shortly after my 6:55am landing. We went directly to meet the Marrakech tour guide and begin the full-day tour. This was an exhausting schedule. I would have appreciated a short block of down time to collect myself after a full day of travel from the States before launching into the tour.
Would you recommend Experience It Tours? Absolutely! Without any hesitation.
Any other comments about your driver: My driver, Oussama, was one of the highlights of my time in Morocco. From our first linking up at the airport upon my arrival to his dropping me at the airport on my last morning for a very early flight, I could count on Oussama to be there for me. He was always punctual and everything was consistently handled with a smoothness and aplomb that was both remarkable and effortless. Oussama is a skilled driver and I had ever confidence in his ability navigate terrain, conditions, etc.; if fact we found that we both had a love of driving and of German performance cars – good times! Oussama was always attentive and anticipated my needs as well as my interests in learning about Morocco. Communication was effortless and we shared a sense of humor that kept things fun on the sometimes long drives; we quickly became friends. Oussama was generous in sharing his knowledge of Morocco, its history and culture, I learned a lot. When we got to Fez, Oussama invited me to join him and his family one evening for iftar, breaking the fast at sunset during Ramadan. It was a completely delightful experience and I felt honored to be included at his family’s table. I was one of the highlights of my time in Morocco. Even after my trip, Oussama and I continue to be in touch via Whatsapp, sharing humor, greetings, and world commentary.
Please list your favourite accommodations on the trip. Truly, I enjoyed all the accommodations on my trip. EIT worked with me on criteria for, and selection of, the accommodations, so all were in my range of expectations. That said, there were several memorable venues:
Marrakech Riad Palais Tara & Spa – lovely serene setting and refreshing hammam experience
Skoura L’Ma Lodge – One of my two favorite accommodations of the journey. The setting, rustic chic aesthetic, and the superb quality of the meal combined to create an enchanting experience.
Fez Riad Myra – One of the most sumptuous riads with exquisite tile work and water feature in the courtyard, retractable roof, canopied bed, spacious bathroom with top tier amenities, and comfortable sitting area. Again, excellently prepared meals with accommodating staff. The breakfasts were outstanding, the table groaned under the weight of all the dishes: pastries, salads, fruits, fresh juice, homemade yogurt, mix of olives. Lovely hammam experience.
Chefchaouen Riad Nila – Another great riad, not for standout cuisine or accommodations, both of which were quite good, but for the awesome view from my room at the top of the riad. The warning about steps in Chefchaouen is one to be taken seriously, it was 66 steps up from reception to my room.
Essaouira Riad Mimouna – The second of my two favorite accommodations because of its setting against the Atlantic coast with dramatic views of the ocean and windows to let in the breeze and sound of the crashing waves. The room was nicely appointed and included a table and chairs next to the windows for ocean viewing. The excellent restaurant was set at the top of the riad and featured picture windows with commanding views of the ocean and skyline. Meals included many seafood dishes and breakfast was a large and diverse buffet serving all tastes.
Marrakech Riad Kniza – My only 5-star experience did not disappoint. Riad Knizza presented the most exquisite accommodations and a gourmet level dinner, accompanied by live music.
Please specify if there were some hotels/riads you were not happy with and why: I was happy with all accommodations.
Any other comments you want to share: I commend Experience It Tours for creating for me a unique, diverse, exhilarating, informative, and fun tour across Morocco. My typical MO when traveling internationally is to travel solo, make my own accommodations and set my own itinerary for broadest reach and maximum flexibility. However, because I would be in-country during Ramadan, I reached out to EIT to inquire about their ability to provide travel support, focus on cultural heritage experiences, and give me flexibility to explore. From the outset, the good people at EIT listened to my objectives, included me in the planning process, and created a tour plan that fully met my objectives at every level. My tour was experience rich and perhaps a bit ambitious, but I loved every moment. From beginning to end, every aspect of my journey unfolded seamlessly and without incident. I’m grateful for the professionalism and kindness of everyone at EIT in making my tour such a memorable success. I very highly recommend Experience It Tours for travel in Morocco.
W. Kevin Pape (February, 2026)
