You should have Morocco on your radar – it is technically in Africa, but more often than not added to European vacations.  It has incredible diversity of people, culture, and geography.  Compared to the rest of Africa, it is also easy to travel.

We were in Morocco in 2022 for twelve days – a relatively short period of time, but in those few days saw whole bunch of things typical of a Moroccan vacation experience:

• Marrakech: The Medinas, the cosmopolitan city scape, and the cross-roads of cultures of Arab, Jewish, and French colonialism. 
• High Atlas Mountains: A walk through the snow to stay at a family-run riad.
• Ait Ben Haddou.  This UNESCO site has remained largely unchanged since the 11^th Century, and has served as the backdrop in films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and more recently Game of Thrones.  Nearby, they also operate the Moroccan equivalent of Universal Studio, if you want a peak into local movie production. 
• Carpet Making Cooperative — owned and operated by local women
• Oasis town of Zagora – Lots of places are described as an “Oasis”… Zagora IS an oasis town, and we stayed overnight here, and got a walking tour of the casbah.
• Desert Tent Camp – this is a staple of any visit to Morocco (complete with a camel ride!).  The infinite Sahara dunes possess a beauty beyond description.
• Salt Flats by 4 X 4 on the edge of the Sahara, where we met some nomadic Moroccans. 
• Essaouira – with a stunning Atlantic beach, and UNESCO World Heritage Site old town.

There are not many places where you can experience such diversity of geography, people, language, culture or activities.  

HOW to go to MOROCCO:

• Port Stop at CASABLANCA — A common stop on cruises that include the Canary Islands. 
• Port Stop at TANGIER – This city is on the Strait of Gibraltar on the Mediterranean side.  This will give you a little taste of Morocco, and is at the cross-road to Europe. 
• Land Tour — This is the best way: many worthwhile sites are away from the coast.

WHEN To Go TO MOROCCO

• When you’re in Southern Europe.  It combines well with Spain and Portugal.
• WEATHER:  Spring & Fall are the most moderate months for weather. 
• WINTER:  Far fewer crowds, but it will be colder than you think.  In Marrakech, the January temperature range is 43 to 66, but it will be MUCH colder in the Atlas Mountains and the desert. 
• SUMMER: The crowds are more moderate, but be ready for temperatures over 100.  

Morocco is a collision of cultures, language and geography.  There is much to see in a relatively small space, and it’s great for pre or post cruise when you’re visiting Spain or Portugal. 

Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED Podcast

Check out our PODCAST where Kim & Bob talk about Morocco, and Sue & Bob’s trip there a couple of years ago.  There lots of photos in this VLOG too if you want a feel for Morocco:

https://youtu.be/OTxQx-0T0u8

In Case You Missed It:

COLLETTE GUIDED VACATIONS:  If you’re looking for a LAND-CRUISE to Morocco (or anywhere else on all seven continents), then COLLETTE’s worth a look.  They’re also our vendor of the month, so we can get you an additional $100 that can be applied to pre/post tour stays, OR optional excursions. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/collette-guided-vacations/

TRAVEL APPS THAT I USE:  There’s lots of different tools out there to help you manage your travel.  Here are the ones that we use:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-websites-and-apps-that-i-use/

THE 5-YEAR TRAVEL PLAN:  If you’re anything like me, time seems to move quicker and quicker.  This is the reason we need to convert our BUCKET LIST to our NEXT LIST (or it won’t happen!)

https://pamperedcruiser.com/off-the-bucket-list-and-on-the-next-list/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

STAR BREEZE Ship Tour:  WINDSTAR has three identical motor yachts, and we were on STAR BREEZE last year.  Here’s our ship tour video (also works for STAR LEGEND and STAR PRIDE).  https://youtu.be/VSsLmFZPqdI

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there.  It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

COLLETTE GUIDED VACATIONS

MOROCCO round-trip Casablanca for 15-days

• Start in Casablanca, and then visit Rabat (for Roman ruins and the walled city), Fes (for a stay at a RIAD, and visits to a winery, the Royal Palace, and the world’s oldest University), head into the Sahara and stay at Erfoud and visit the filming sites of many famous movies.  Take a 4 X 4 into a Saharan tented desert camp at Merzouga, where you can walk across the dunes, and take a camel ride.  See the Jewish and Muslim architecture and learn about Berber culture at Boumaine du Dades.  Stop in at Ait-Ben-Haddou where Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones were filmed.  Travel through the High Atlas Mountains en route to Marrakech where you’ll spend 3 days exploring the city. 
• Departures January through May, and September through December from $4699

MOROCCO & SPAIN:  Madrid to Casablanca for 17-days

• Fly to Madrid and stay for 2 nights.  Then on to Granada where you’ll see the seamless blend or Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures.  Next spend 2 nights in Seville to visit an Olive Farm, and take in a Flamenco demonstration.  Take the high-speed ferry to Northern Africa, where you’ll land in Tangier (Morocco) that has previously been occupied by both the British and the Portuguese.  Next move on the Fes, where you’ll see the scenic Atlas Mountains, visit the Jewish Quarter, and the local Medina.  Stay in the rural hamlet of Bin El Oudaine in the Atlas Mountains.  Finish your trip with 2 nights in cosmopolitan Marrakech before moving on to Casablanca to begin your trip home. 
• Departures February through May OR October through December from $4999

COLLETTE is our Vendor of the Month for November, so we can get you an additional $100 credit that can be used for pre/post extensions or for optional tours.  

Here’s more information about COLLETTE:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/collette-guided-vacations/ 

WINDSTAR YACHTING EXPERIENCE

With a maximum of 320 guests, Windstar offers a casual, yet elegant yachting experience with a strong focus on the culinary experience.

MOROCCO, SPAIN & PORTUGAL: Barcelona to Lisbon departing May 18 for 9-days

• Visit Valencia, Cartagena, Malaga, Tangier, Seville (overnight), Lisbon (overnight)
• Fares from $5999 or depart September 3 from $4099. 

MOROCCO, SPAIN & CANARY ISLANDS: Barcelona to Tenerife depart October 30 for 19-days

• Start in Barcelona, then visit Mallorca, Valencia, Cartagena, Malaga (overnight), Tangier, Lisbon, Funchal, San Sebastian, Santa Cruz de Palma, Las Palmas, Tenerife.
• Fares from $6599

SILVERSEA Small Ship Luxury

If you prefer traditional luxury, here two cruises to MOROCCO with SILVERSEA:

MOROCCO, SPAIN & PORTUGAL: Lisbon round-trip departing March 24 for 13-days

• Visit Funchal (overnight), Casablanca, Tangier, Malaga (overnight), Gibraltar, Cadiz, 
• Veranda Fares from $5250

MOROCCO, SPAIN & PORTUGAL:  Barcelona to Lisbon depart November 30, 2026 for 9-days

• Visit Valencia, Malaga, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Casablanca (overnight). 
• Fares from $4550

AZAMARA Small Ship Destination Immersion

Azamara has a fleet of R-Class vessels carrying just 680 guests.  They offer an affordable way to get on board a smaller ship for a more intimate experience, and better destination immersion:

MOROCCO, PORTUGAL & SPAIN:  Lisbon to Rome departing November 17, 2026 for 18-nights

• Visit Portimao, Casablanca, Tangier, Cadiz, Seville (overnight), Gibraltar, Malaga, Cartagena, Valencia, Barcelona (overnight), Marseille, Nice (overnight), La Spezia, Florence (overnight). 
• Fares from $5229

Azamara also does COUNTRY INTENSIVE VOYAGES if you really want to immerse yourself in a particular place.  Here are some examples:

• Chile
• Croatia
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Norway
• Scotland
• Spain

If you’d like to see AZAMARA’s full line-up of COUNTRY INTENSIVE Itineraries:

https://www.azamara.com/cruises?keywords=country-intensive

RIVER CRUISING with TAUCK

Morocco doesn’t have any rivers large enough for overnight river boats, but Portugal is right next door, and the two countries can easily be combined for a vacation:

PORTUGAL & SPAIN on the Douro River for one-week:

• Visit Porto, Douro valley, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Mateus Palace, Guimaraes.
• See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
• Optional extensions to Madrid and/or Lisbon. 
• Departures April through October from $5790

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES

If the mountains, beaches, and deserts of MOROCCO aren’t your jam, here’s some ideas at the other ends of the earth:

GREENLAND & NEWFOUNDLAND departing September 21 for 17-nights

• Visit 4 ports in Greenland, then 4 ports in the Canadian Arctic, and then onto Newfoundland and Labrador for 6 different port stops.  You’ll then see the rarely visited French Territory of St. Pierre/Miquelon, before returning to St. John’s, Newfoundland where it’s a quick flight back to the US Northeast.
• Fares from $13,626

ANTARCTICA and the Falkland Islands departing November 12, 2026 for 16-nights

• Visit Buenos Aires, 4 stops in the Falkland Islands, and 5 days of scheduled landings in Antarctica, before finishing in Ushuaia.
• Fares from $14,823

Click here to learn more about the Atlas Ocean Voyages experience: https://inspires.to/experiences/the-atlas-ocean-voyages-experience-wx208

Fares include open bar, daily refresh of minibar in room, prepaid gratuities, specialty dining, butler service, and some shore experiences.  Here’s a few examples.  

Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?

Viking’s BON VOYAGE incentive allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:

• $100 per person on board credit
• 6-month final payment date
• $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.

We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:  

https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32

Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley