Just Back From: Magical Morocco with the Indagare Team

There's never been just one way to experience Morocco. It's a country as varied as it is rewarding, where ancient medinas, mountain retreats, desert landscapes and dazzling hotels—that are destinations in their own right—make every corner feel immensely transportive yet surprisingly approachable.

Indagare travel specialists AC Bethea, Avery Hamilton, Carey Oakes, Kat Hill, Lola Simmons and Sara Cylke are just back from a week-long Moroccan adventure, covering Casablanca, Fez and Marrakech. Read on for the places, experiences and memorable moments that stood out along the way—plus, their latest intel from the ground.

The trip kicked off in Casablanca, where the group settled in for their first night in Morocco. If the city's name first brings to mind the iconic 1942 movie–which, fun fact, was actually filmed almost entirely in Hollywood–travelers should know that the real Casablanca has much more to discover. Sitting along the Atlantic coast, it's Morocco's largest city, and among its historic architecture you'll find a more modern, cosmopolitan energy. Plus, now it's even easier to reach from the U.S. thanks to Royal Air Maroc's new nonstop service from Los Angeles, the first-ever direct connection between the two cities. And with the sophisticated city hotel Royal Mansour setting the tone from night one, the trip was off to an unforgettable start.

• Favorite Meals: La Grande Table Marocaine for fine-dining Moroccan cuisine, from traditional salads to slow-cooked tagines served with freshly baked batbout (Moroccan pita-style bread), offered à la carte or as a chef's tasting menu.
• Favorite Spot for a Cocktail with a View: Le Rooftop for sunset drinks above the city, with the Atlantic stretching out on the horizon.
• Favorite Shops: The relaxed souks of Quartier Habous, Casablanca's "New Medina," for handmade goods in a district that blends Moroccan and French Colonial design.
• A Must-Book Tour: Hassan II Mosque, one of Africa's largest mosques and among the few in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors, covered with intricate mosaic tilework and soaring cedarwood ceilings.

From there, they headed some three hours north by car to Fez, stopping along the way to explore the ancient Berber-Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the historic hilltop town of Moulay Idriss. A leisurely lunch at Scorpion House was another highlight; the address is tucked away just a short walk through the main square and up a winding set of steps that lead to a private alfresco terrace perched on the hillside, with far-reaching views overlooking both landmarks. Operating as a private residence, the quiet hideaway also welcomes overnight stays, though advance reservations are required for both dining and accommodations.

Arriving in Fez, Morocco's cultural and spiritual heart, the feeling of stepping back in time was immediate. Centuries-old traditions and craftsmanship are still woven into daily life within the UNESCO-listed medina. Hidden among its winding streets and accessible only on foot, Riad Fes served as the group's second home base, a boutique property with ornate interiors rich in traditional Moroccan details that reflect the city's distinct character. After a warm welcome with tea and cookies, the group spent the next two days uncovering the city's storied past and soaking up its vibrant present.

• Favorite Meals: Eden for a seasonally sourced lunch, served in the dining room or alfresco in the courtyard beneath a canopy of citrus trees.
• Favorite Spot for a Cocktail with a View: Jungle, about a five-minute drive from the medina, for a buzzier alternative to the traditional riad scene, with live music and rooftop views.
• Favorite Shops: Palais Quaraouiyine, for an impressive selection of traditional Moroccan rugs, and Terrasse de Tannerie in the legendary leather market for an incredible variety of quality jackets, bags, belts, shoes and home décor. (Indagare Tip: Be prepared for strong odors, though sprigs of fresh mint are provided to help make the browsing experience a little less pungent!)
• A Must-Book Tour: While getting lost in the medina can be part of Fez's magic, booking a locally guided walking tour is highly recommended to navigate its maze-like alleyways, discover hidden gems and make the most of your time shopping and exploring. Beyond the souks, you can also visit the Aben Danan Synagogue, admire the ornate gates of the Royal Palace and explore the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts and the Dar Batha Museum of Islamic Arts. For those looking to maximize their experience in the region, a Voulibis-Meknès-Moulay Idriss Day Trip is well worth adding to the itinerary.

A quick one-hour flight from Fez, and the group touched down in Marrakech for the final four days of their Moroccan adventure. With its bustling souks, lush gardens and legendary hotels, there was no better place for a grand finale. Splitting their stay between two nights at Villa des Orangers and two nights at La Mamounia, they tackled an itinerary with more cultural discoveries, shopping excursions and landmark-hopping, enjoying the energy that makes Marrakech so magnetic.

• Favorite Meals: La Grande Table Marocaine for standout elevated Moroccan cuisine, plus an incredibly tasty farm-to-table alfresco dinner at Jnane Rumi.
• Favorite Spot for a Cocktail with a View: El Fenn for rooftop drinks overlooking the medina, with views of the iconic Koutoubia Mosque and its famed 12th-century tiled minaret.
• Favorite Shops: Wandering the medina's souks for everything from leather shoes and handwoven rugs to hand-dyed fabrics and traditional spices. Stop by Topolina for colorful ready-to-wear clothing and shoes and Caftan By Mo—an Indagare favorite—for authentic caftans and contemporary jackets in a rainbow of colors. Pop into Bacha Coffee inside Dar El Bacha for an espresso break or to pick up a bag of specialty coffee to bring home. Beyond the media, head to Marrakech's new town of Gueliz for Lalla, known for its chic bags, and 33 Majorelle, for fashion-forward designers and homewares.
• Must-Book Tours: Explore Marrakech by sidecar, take a Moroccan cooking class and spend an afternoon visiting the city's cultural landmarks. Start with Jardin Majorelle, home to the Berber Museum, then visit the neighboring Yves Saint Laurent Museum before heading into the media to explore Medersa Ben Youssef, a beautifully preserved Islamic school, and Le Jardin Secret, a peaceful oasis of gardens and fountains. Continue south past the Koutoubia Mosque toward Bahia Palace, celebrated for its intricate tilework, and MAP Marrakech, a private museum in the Kasbah quarter showcasing a 3,000-piece collection of jewelry, textiles and decorative objects curated by Swiss collectors Marlène and Paolo Gallone.

If you thought you had to travel all the way to the Sahara for a classic Moroccan camel ride, we have good news—just a 45-minute drive from Marrakech, the Agafay offers a taste of the desert experience. While you won't find the Sahara's towering sand dunes, the rugged hills and rocky plains of Agafay offer an equally striking landscape, especially at sunset. And as much as the group loved exploring Marrakech's compact medina, the chance for a wide-open outdoor adventure was equally enticing.

At Inara Camp, they were welcomed with warm tea at their own private lookout before setting off on a leisurely camel ride with the Atlas Mountains in the distance. Just as the sky faded to reveal a canopy of stars, dinner was served in an open-air tent, accompanied by henna painting, traditional Moroccan music performed tableside and an evening fire show. It's a more rustic alternative to the fine-dining scene in Marrakech, with an easy drive back to the city afterward, where the medina is still buzzing for any night owls looking to make the day last a little longer.

Just an hour's drive from Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains bring another change of pace, with luxurious retreats set among the region's jagged peaks, sprawling valleys and centuries-old Berber villages. An overnight stay (at minimum) makes a worthy addition to any itinerary and a quieter alternative to the energy of the city.

At the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains sits Kasbah Tamadot, Richard Branson's Virgin Limited Edition retreat, where green gardens and courtyards surround Berber tented suites filled with antiques from around the world. The property began as the private home of an Italian antiques dealer before Branson's parents discovered it in 1998 while visiting Morocco during their son's attempt to circle the globe in a hot-air balloon. These days, it suits families particularly well, with guided mountain hikes, visits to nearby villages, tennis, poolside movie nights, traditional hammam treatments and alfresco meals on the terrace. The property's ties to the community extend through the Eve Branson Foundation, which supports local artisans. To take some of that craftsmanship home, stop by Berber Fine Art. The two-story shop was a hit with the group, who headed straight upstairs and happily lost track of time choosing their favorite rugs.

Smaller and more secluded, Olinto is a nine-suite boutique retreat nestled into the Ouirgane Valley. It's the passion project of Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa, the visionary behind Marrakech's iconic La Maison Arabe, who designed every detail himself, from the stone pathways winding through fragrant gardens to the elegant interiors. The result feels like a hidden sanctuary and is well suited for couples and travelers who want a slower pace and the feel of a private estate.

For those without a night to spare, a half or full-day excursion to the Middle Atlas still leaves plenty of time to explore local villages, hike mountain trails, enjoy lunch at a traditional guesthouse and shop for regional crafts along the way.