Beyond the beaten path

Often, when travelling, we choose to city-hop. We stop quickly at the biggest cities, taking in the most developed versions of the countries we are visiting, while surrounded by other tourists and the convenience of locally-tailored fast food chains. However, there is something to be said for moving off the beaten path and exploring the more rural and local regions of a country when abroad.

Sahara Magic Tours was the key to unlocking this experience in the limited time I had in Morocco. Starting in Marrakesh, we spent three nights and four days exploring the ins and outs of Morocco, from a local perspective. Hassan, owner and tour guide, shed such an authentic light and narrative on his country when driving through the slightly terrifying roads across the High Atlas mountains, the ancient kasbahs of Ourzazate and into the sandstorms of the Sahara desert. The best experience? Meeting with Bedouin families, including his own family in their Berber village, to have tea and homemade couscous while learning more about their culture and traditions were the moments that made the journey so memorable.