Why it is called paradise

When travelling to Morocco, you may hear other travellers say “you must stay in a riad” instead of a hotel to get the full Moroccan experience. The word riad translates to “garden” or “paradise” in Arabic.

“Moroccan riads were meant to represent the Muslim vision of paradise,” reported Moroccan Zest.  “They were built and decorated by the best craftsmen from all over the Mediterranean area and enriched by Andalusian art to become the Moorish-style palaces we know today.”

My family and I ended up staying at a five-star hotel called El Olivar Palace in Marrakech, which offered secluded compartments that served as little riads, and it was indeed paradise. Not only was the architecture absolutely breathtaking, but the entire hotel area exuded luxury and relaxation.

This hotel offered an all-inclusive stay that included an all-you-can-eat buffet with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Despite being a Muslim country, the hotel still served alcohol in the dining room and at the outdoor bar.

This hotel has three pools, two outdoor and one indoor and was decked out in comfy sun chairs. At night, they offer entertainment in their indoor lounge, but during this off-peak season, it may be quieter, with fewer guests.

Moroccan culture emphasises kindness and hospitality. The hotel staff were exceptional, extremely welcoming, and accommodating. Most of the time, we barely lifted a finger as the staff waited on us hand and foot as if we were royalty.

Not only was our hotel incredible, but Morocco itself is like an unfamiliar paradise, everywhere you go. Despite the hectic streets in Marrakech, the city was packed with lively culture and beautiful scenery.

My favourite aspect was casually walking past orange and olive trees, and then suddenly you’ll see a truck with a herd of goats or a donkey carrying goods. There were so many horses, cats, monkeys and snake charmers just casually in the city centre while motorbikes and mopeds sped through the crowd.

Once the sun begins to set and the golden hour begins, the country is truly at its best. The sky is the most gorgeous thing to witness as the blue and orange colours melt into each other.

The cotton candy Atlas Mountains become more visible, while the large, bright moon begins to appear. Then, once dark, there are so many stars in Marrakech that it makes you feel a quiet serenity that no other place can offer.

Morocco is also called Al-Maghrib, which means the place in the West. “In its simplest definition, the Arabic word maghrib means sunset,” according to The National News – a truly fitting description of this country.

Here’s what I recommend doing in 72 hours

As with any holiday exploring a new country, you should split your time between an adventurous activity, exploring the history and culture, and a relaxing day. We spent five days in Marrakech, but we could have fit this holiday into 72 hours.

For the first day, or rather the sunniest day on your trip, I recommend doing the desert excursion. We booked this through Get Your Guide and spent as little as £15 for four activities that lasted the whole day.

Within this, we first took a trip to visit an Argan Oil Women’s Cooperative, where we enjoyed tea and bread with several delicious dips (try the peanut butter, it will change your life for the better) and then a tour and history talk of the benefits of argan oil.

Then you will head for a camel ride; this was the most surreal and thrilling experience, as you will feel like you’re sitting on a very tall horse that moves like a seesaw. I recommend paying for a headscarf, as the sand can get into your system.

Afterwards, you need to pair up for a quad biking journey, which was an incredible rush and the perfect way to make new friends. Next, you will enjoy a delicious three-course dinner of traditional Moroccan cuisine. And finally, you will enjoy a fun, magnetic fire show that I guarantee you will remember for the rest of your life.

For the next day, I recommend taking it easy. You should visit a hammam, an ancient, traditional steam bath focused on cleansing and rejuvenation.

This may sound outrageous, but you are told to strip down completely naked and given only a small cloth to cover your private area and a thick bathrobe that stays so warm it feels like it has just come out of the tumble dryer every time you put it on. You will then be bathed and scrubbed clean before relaxing in the steam room.

Then you will be given tea and a massage. I left this activity feeling completely fresh, clean and relaxed. Most locals get this done once a week, and I can see why it is a tradition. Next, head to Henna cafe for a beautiful temporary hand tattoo (don’t let anyone stop you in the street for it; go to an official shop to get organic, authentic henna).

Finally, on your last day, take a city tour and learn the fascinating history of Marrakech. My favourite place was the Bahia Palace. Then travel through the souks, but be mindful of getting overcharged; haggle hard if you want to buy anything! I paid £20 for a small bowl for my kitchen, and I am still mad at myself for not demanding a lower price.

Three words: Morocco is paradise

I have never felt so relaxed and rejuvenated before, and I returned to a rather gloomy UK glowing and refreshed. February was the perfect time to go as there weren’t too many tourists and the weather was kind to us.

There were moments of rain as expected, but it felt fresh and welcome after arriving on a hot, sunny day. According to BBC News, this week the city is feeling temperatures of 26°C and it is due to get hotter as the days go by. I do recommend bringing a jacket, as it can get chilly at night, but I mainly enjoyed wearing modest dresses and sandals.

Speaking on our experience, my cousin Keisha stated: “It was paradise, everything about it felt perfect, even the rain. Being there felt surreal and beautiful. Definitely worth another visit in the future.”