Travel Counsellors get active in Morocco

On the second day of the Visit Morocco fam trip, Travel Counsellors enjoyed some of the activities and attractions on offer in and around the Red City of Marrakech.

While the ancient medina, with its bustling charm and exotic aromas, is the main draw of any visit to Marrakech, the city offers far more than just souks and shopping.

The 41 Travel Counsellors divided into two groups; one heading out to Atlas Karting for an afternoon of adrenalin-fuelled action on the track; the other opting for a more cultural experience at Hotel La Maison Arabe Marrakech, learning the art of traditional Moroccan cuisine.

About 30 minutes’ drive from central Marrakech, Atlas Karting is an outdoor go-karting track suitable for first-timers and seasoned racers alike. The track can be divided into two layouts; one shorter, tighter and suitable for quick 10-minute sprints; another longer, more technically challenging version that pushes drivers to the limit. Atlas Karting is even used by Moroccan pro racing drivers for training, meaning it’s not for the faint-hearted. For families wanting to keep older children (including husbands) entertained, or simply those seeking a break from cultural immersion, it is a great option.

Over at Hotel La Maison Arabe Marrakech, the Travel Counsellors were able to learn how to create Morocco’s national dish, the tagine, in a stylish and interactive setting. In a central kitchen, the chef demonstrates the ingredients and skills needed to create a tagine, whilst being filmed by a camera. This is then streamed live to TV monitors positioned in front of each trainee, ensuring they get the best possible view.

Cooking classes are a great cultural experience for all ages – especially families – and have the added advantage of being able to enjoy the fruits of one’s labours in the tasting session afterwards.

“The cooking class was a fantastic experience,” said Travel Counsellor Eva Adams. “The setting was really well laid out, it was a fun activity and provided something different, letting you experience the local culture through food.”

Morocco’s rich culinary heritage played a major role in the trip, and the Travel Counsellors were able to a sample some of Marrakech’s top restaurants. Nestled within the medina, just off Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, Le Salama captures the mood of Marrakech. Heading through an inviting red-carpeted doorway off the ancient alleyways, guests are escorted into a sultry, atmospheric restaurant that exudes mystery and charm.

Vast platters of grilled meats and vegetables first appear, followed by huge tagines of lamb or chicken that simply slides off the bone. During dinner, the atmosphere heats up even further as belly and candle dancers emerge from the shadows to delight diners with another aspect of Moroccan culture which is suitable for the entire family. The rooftop terrace also serves up magnificent views of the medina and provides the perfect setting for a post-dinner drink.

For a more modern taste of Marrakech’s culinary scene, Le Palace Club delivers fine dining and vivacious entertainment. Great for groups and couples seeking a livelier ambience (and, whisper it, a break from tagines), this opulent venue delivers truly exceptional contemporary cuisine with live entertainment, including classic pop songs that kept the Travel Counsellors dancing into the early hours.

Following a surprisingly prompt start the next morning, the TCs were taken up into the cool foothills of the Atlas Mountains to dust off the cobwebs and experience yet another side of this multi-faceted destination. Leaving the Red City behind, the road winds up into the hills, past dramatic gorges, rocky rivers and traditional villages, as the spectacular snow-capped Atlases loom ever larger on the approaching horizon.

At approximately 1,000 metres above sea-level the mountain scenery fans out into a beautiful plateau, where a brand new luxury boutique resort is on the verge of opening. Following the fast pace of city life in Marrakech, there can be no better place to clear the mind than at L’Amandier – a collection of charming terracotta villas nestled amidst fragrant herb gardens, citrus orchards and blooming bougainvillea. CLICK HERE to read Travel Daily’s review of the L’Amandier.

Read part three of the Travel Counsellors fam trip to Morocco in tomorrow’s edition of Travel Daily UK, as the group heads to the coastal city of Essaouira.

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The Visit Morocco fam trip took place from 22-26 March 2017, with 41 UK-based Travel Counsellors visiting Marrakech and Essaouira. To view all the photos from the trip and watch video testimonials from the TCs themselves, CLICK HERE and visit Travel Daily Media’s Facebook page.