We will always be grateful to our travellers for their tremendous response to B&amp;R’s appeal for Morocco. Through the Butterfield &amp; Robinson <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/who-we-are/sustainability/the-slow-fund" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Slow Fund</a>, and the generosity of past travellers to the region, we have been working in partnership with Rachid, a longtime friend, host and mountain guide, in supporting him to rebuild some of his family’s’ homes in the village of Imlil. Many homes in his and neighbouring villages in the Atlas Mountains were severely damaged, along with the local school and clinic.Rachid has spent much of his time since the September 8, 2023 earthquake assisting rebuild operations and driving supplies to more remote villages in need of greater assistance.With an initial budget of US$50,000 (donations from B&amp;R travellers), Rachid set about navigating permits, materials, and a building crew in a race against the elements before the mountain winter set in.&nbsp;

Headline

As we write this update, mid-December, his latent project management skills continue driving building efforts as the first two homes near completion and work on a new third house commences. Rachid’s uncle Hamid and cousin, Said, both had their family homes condemned by government engineers. It is hoped that they will move into their new homes by the end of the December as the electrical wiring and plumbing works gets sign off. The third home currently under construction, will hopefully home Mustafa’s family by late January, 2024.&nbsp;Rachid hopes that he will be able to start work on his ancestral home in early spring. Their home is a heritage building, being the oldest house in Imlil and has seen several generations born here.&nbsp;Many other families who need to repair or rebuild, have moved down from the mountains for winter. They will return in spring, thus a long recovery ahead for many families still, but fortunately thanks to Rachid's timely efforts and the generosity of the B&amp;R community, many of his family have been able to stay in Imlil.

Our Regional Expert, Orsolya Kako, will be returning to Morocco in early 2024 and will connect with Rachid in Imlil to visit the new homes and discuss further needs. Following her assessment, the remainder of the relief budget will be allocated.Tourism remains a driver of the Moroccan economy. It’s essential that we continue to visit the region we love so much, supporting their economy in rebuilding all that has been lost

The Slow Fund: Morocco Earthquake Relief Update 

Hotels

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Expedition-style accommodation explained 

Notes From the Road

family

Tanzania

Different personalities thrive in such a setting: Grandma could be active or sedentary as she pleased; for her, the best part was watching her grand-kids interact with everything in their sight-line, people and lodge alike; after bonfires and sundowners with the whole family, her brother could stay up late with other guests at the lodge; parents could elect to jump on safari or not depending on energy levels, meanwhile the kids scrambled around the lodge-making friends with the kitchen staff and learning to stumble a bit. As a parent Christine felt she could be a little more hands-off in this environment allowing her daughters to feel more resilient as a result.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-45740 size-large" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/kids-w-community-900x600.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/kids-w-community.jpg 900w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/kids-w-community-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/kids-w-community-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
“Everyone gets something out of it without it being a huge orchestrated event.”
“The safari setting made everyone feel so comfortable and taken care of. It was thrilling to watch the kids be blown away by everything they love and for us, as parents, not to have to think about meals or where to eat.&#8221;
Despite usually despising car rides her children loved the freedom of the safari jeep and could spend large parcels of time out with the guides seeking out big animals, becoming versed in the craft culture of Tanzania, taking in the differently shaped trees.
The beauty of travel is that it jars us from the usual. It has the power to elevate quotidian events—so that a lingering meal becomes entirely memorable, enhanced in this case by a panorama of the Serengeti, as the sun tucks into the horizon.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-45751 size-large" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fam-on-rock_banner-1-960x600.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fam-on-rock_banner-1-960x600.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fam-on-rock_banner-1-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fam-on-rock_banner-1-480x300.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fam-on-rock_banner-1-768x480.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fam-on-rock_banner-1.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
You experience a culture by immersing yourself in the sensory milieu. Children do this intuitively. Sometimes we must remind ourselves to.
Part of the work of Trip Designers is the continued cultivation of their own awe; how that sense of earnestness and excitement toward the wonders of the world must be preserved and continually evaluated. Having kids along with you forces you to do a better job of that—in your day-to-day life and in your professional role as well.
Travelling with children, no matter the age, goes beyond showing them the world. It reminds you how to see the world too.

An American ex-pat living in Switzerland with her young family, Christine has nurtured an itinerant lifestyle most of her adult life. It seems more than likely that that will be passed onto her children; her kids have joined her on the road from a young age. At six months Remie was touring Andalucia, a moon-faced accomplice, as they vetted hotels and lunch spots.
The benefits of travelling with your children are great at any age, but as with anything child related, there must be balance.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-45743" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/feet-and-elephants-450x300.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/feet-and-elephants-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/feet-and-elephants-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/feet-and-elephants.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />
On a recent phone call with a traveller she was planning a trip for, Christine recalls trying to dissuade the traveller from changing safari lodges with her two young kids, every two nights. The traveller, understandably, was grappling with the desire to hit all the best spots in a certain amount of time. With kids on the journey as well, Christine knew that moving that frequently would likely tire them out; that the family would need to find their stride and that staying at a lodge a few more nights would help bring that out.
Why safari works so well for generational travel 
There’s the constant balance of knowing your kids (and their limits) and giving them enough room to relax around a place, taking time to flit about some morning without a hard-wired schedule. Trying to cram in too much can cause over-stimulation. In fact, Christine often advises just the opposite “don’t try to see everything, instead slow down to the rhythm of where you are.” Often just a change from your everyday life is enough to spark new associations in a child.
Keeping it simple in terms of ground covered is one of the reasons Christine loves to choose safari for family trips. It’s the format that best serves a large group of divergent ages, expectations and interests.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-45748 size-large" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pool-time-900x600.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pool-time.jpg 900w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pool-time-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pool-time-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
Last year, Christine arranged for her extended family to get together to take in the wonders of Northern Tanzania. Trying to gather and accommodate her partner (an individual with a strong desire not to be in a car for more than 5 hours at a time), her two young daughters (4 and 8), her almost eighty-year-old mother (agile, yet looking for less rigour than, say Christine) and her brother (who generally angles for trips that celebrate late nights), made it clear that the exercise was less about where to go but how to go.
Safari operates with the same underlying principle as a Butterfield &amp; Robinson trip: everything is taken care of so that you don’t have to worry about a thing. There’s a schedule, but you can scrap it or modify it as you please. There’s an emphasis on slowing down to move at a pace that allows discovery on your own time. You are there to soak it up—not cruise through.

Notes from the Road: A Generational Trip to Tanzania

Marrakech

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Marrakech&#8217;s Best Concept Shops</h2>
<h3><a href="http://www.jardinmajorelle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boutique Majorelle </a></h3>
So stunning it could serve as the main attraction, the boutique inside the Majorelle Gardens—a dreamy botanical garden and one of the most visited sites in Morocco—is immaculately curated by creative director Stephen DiRenza. 
From an in-house workshop, they create their own clothing, drawing inspiration from designs by Yves Saint Laurent (who purchased the gardens in the 1980s). 
Hand-hammered silver jewelry, chic throw pillows and clutches embroidederd with 16C Islamic art prints round-out this truly unique collection. 
<h3><a href="https://maxandjan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Max &amp; Jan</a></h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-42669 size-large" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Maxjan_002-400x600.jpg" alt="max and jan, best shops in Marrakech" width="400" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Maxjan_002-400x600.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Maxjan_002-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Maxjan_002.jpg 681w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />The self-made description of ‘glam in the Medina’ is quickly understood as you enter the eclectic and colourful store of Max &amp; Jan. 
Go either all out with an attention-grabbing print tunic or stick to something more subdued by opting for an equally beautiful colour-block dress. 
<h3><a href="https://www.33ruemajorelle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">33 Rue Majorelle</a></h3>
Take a breather from the busy souks at this airy lifestyle boutique with a Moroccan twist. 
Showcasing nearly 100 independent of the country’s designers and artisans, you’ll find an array of items for your wardrobe (think: vibrant scarves, brass jewelry and jacquard babouches) and for the home like glasses for mint tea, patterned potteries, crocheted Hamimi lanterns… and really, anything else you can think of! 
The collection changes frequently, so stop in to see what’s new.
<h3><a href="http://www.hanoutboutique.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hanout</a></h3>
Owner Meriem Rawlings mastered her talents at Saint Martin’s School of Art in London, where she lived with her British husband for several years. 
It was there she designed her first collection of kaftans which earned their way to the shelves of Selfridges. Upon returning to her native Marrakech, Hanout Boutique was born. 
This delightfully-curated shop sits beneath one of our favourite lunch spots (<a href="https://terrassedesepices.com/en/">Terrasses des Epices</a>) and is filled with contemporary pieces fused with Moroccan-inspired flavour like silk tunics, leather handbags and kilim boots. 
<h3><a href="https://el-fenn.com/boutique/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">El Fenn</a></h3>
Housed in a restaurant and bar, here you’ll find a selection of items that highlight the designers and artisans of Marrakech. 
Owned by Vanessa Branson, El Fenn is ripe with vintage clothes and bags, locally-crafted housewares, dazzling jewelry, coffee table books and more. 
Expertly edited in a stunning location, pop in if you want the vibe of the Souk without the haggling. 
<h3><a href="http://michele-baconnier.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michèle Baconnier</a></h3>
With flower-toed ballerina flats, babouches speckled with hardware, beaded necklaces and gold rings anchored by gemstones, you can immediately sense the quirk and playfulness at the core of French expat Michèle Baconnier’s shop found on a small street down in the Gueliz neighbourhood. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42673 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/michellebaconner_001.jpg" alt="michele baconner, best shops in Marrakech" width="720" height="460" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/michellebaconner_001.jpg 720w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/michellebaconner_001-470x300.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" />
Often, Baconnier will be present to assist with sizing (she also sells dresses, tunics and more) and to share the stories behind her hand-made pieces of jewelry.  
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Marrakech&#8217;s Jewelry Shop</h2>
<h3>El Abidi Nasser Eddine</h3>
A few steps away from Au Fil d’Or, this shop is brimming with one-of-a-kind items, from antique finds to semi-precious stones amidst silverware and gold. 
Their eye-catching jewelry are the ultimate statement pieces like gold bangles, colourful stringings of Moroccan coral and their collection of Berber-inspired necklaces anchored by a Hamsa, the ancient Middle Eastern talisman that protects against the evil eye. 
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">Shops for Home/Decor in Marrakech</h2>
<h3><a href="https://www.chabi-chic.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chabi Chic </a></h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-42676 size-medium" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/chabichic_002-300x300.jpg" alt="chabi chic, best shops in Marrakech" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/chabichic_002-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/chabichic_002-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/chabichic_002.jpg 376w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Pick up a special piece for your home at this trendy boutique adorned with Moroccan housewares with an updated appeal. 
A variety of hand-painted ceramics lend a Bohemian look to a cup of Moroccan mint tea; perfect to sip while perched on one of their throw pillows, each of which is uniquely hand embroidered with Berber motifs. Or pick up a handcrafted terracotta tajine to concoct Moroccan feasts back home. 
Along with your new house-enriching pieces, you can peruse their brand of Moroccan skincare essentials like argan dry oils and milk-based soaps. 
<h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mustaphablaoui/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mustapha Blaoui</a></h3>
We’re convinced the unmarked door of Mustapha Blaoui’s shop is secretly a portal to another world; an enchanting one packed with whimsical carpets, antiques hailing from different countries, tables and chests that surely come with a story, carved wooden doors, lanterns worthy of being hung in Moroccan places, art, pottery, cabinets and more. 
A real emporium of wonder, it’s worth visiting for the atmosphere alone. 
<h3><a href="http://www.almatjarmarrakech.com/en/bazar.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Al Matjar</a></h3>
A specialist in carpets, Chabi Mohamed himself is the son of a shopkeeper (Au Fil d’Or). Among his collection, you’ll find anything from antiques to Berber rugs (which can be shipped internationally). 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42680 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/almatjar-marrakech_001.jpg" alt="al matjar, best shops in Marrakech" width="720" height="460" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/almatjar-marrakech_001.jpg 720w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/almatjar-marrakech_001-470x300.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" />
Here’s a good opportunity to play the bargaining game and land on fair prices without sacrificing quality.
<h3>L’Art du Bain</h3>
If you plan to indulge in a spa treatment in Morocco, chances are you’ll cross paths with savon noir: a thick, dark-coloured soap that is used in the hammams. 
Also known as beldi, this ‘black soap’ is rich in vitamin E and made entirely of natural and organic product. 
You can stock up on jars of it in this tiny store along with other handmade, pure plant-oil soaps with scents like rose and orange blossom. 
<h3><a href="https://valeriebarkowski.com/vb-store/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">V Barkowski</a></h3>
Hailing from Belgium, Valérie Barkowski came to Marrakech some 20 years ago to open <a href="http://www.darkawa.net/">Dar Kawa</a>, a minimalist, white-washed riad (a traditional Moroccan guest house) in the heart of the Medina. 
A woman of numerous talents, her eye for design includes creating luxury home linens like hand-embroidered pillowcases and bedsheets and tasselled hand towels which you’ll find in her showroom just a few minutes away from the riad. Be sure to call ahead to make an appointment.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42682 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/vb_001_720x460.jpg" alt="best shops in Marrakech" width="720" height="460" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/vb_001_720x460.jpg 720w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/vb_001_720x460-470x300.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" />
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Footwear Shop in Marrakech</h2>
<h3>Atika</h3>
Visit Atika for a rainbow of designer-looking loafers at a fraction of the price. 
Whether you like to stand out in a crowd or simply keep your feet looking classy, chose from a spectrum of shades that range from earth tones to neon. 
Atika doesn’t have a website, but you can visit their store in the Nouvelle Ville to scope out their selection. If you want something custom, give them a call ahead of time to put in your request.

The 18 Best Shops in Marrakech

Europe

Switzerland

<h2>Sophisticated Food &amp; Wine 
</h2>
You won’t be disappointed with the culinary offerings beyond the amazing cheese and world-renowned chocolate. The food and wine is shockingly underrated, and upon arrival, you’ll discover just how sophisticated and unique Swiss gastronomical culture is. (I had no idea that Chasselas wine was so good! The Swiss sometimes keep the best things for themselves—this wine can only be enjoyed in the country of its origin).
<h2>Swiss Hospitality at its Finest 
</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41090 alignleft" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Hotel-Bellevue-Gstaad-MV-450.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="300" />On one cloudy afternoon, we descended from the mountains to end up in stylish, tiny Gstaad, where we got caught in a strong (yet refreshing!) rain shower. As we arrived, soaked, at our hotel, we were greeted (with dry, fluffy towels in hand) by the staff—a welcome that we all deeply appreciated. As you can see, the culture of hospitality runs deep here.
The Swiss people are all so warm, kind and authentic and keen to show you the best of their country. The hotels here are also worth coming for, all of them classic, grand hotels with historic charm and modern amenities (like the incredible spa at the Bellevue Palace Hotel). Classic Swiss style, giving you a sense of place and comfort. (An important tip: just don’t be late! When in Switzerland, make like these masters of efficiency—and be sure to arrive early, or on time).
<h2>Keeping Tradition Alive: Swiss Sounds &amp; Sabering Champagne 
</h2>
One evening, we visited a cheese grotto, where I tasted some of the most expensive cheeses I’ve ever had in my life. It’s here where I experienced my favourite memory of the trip: two alpenhorn players in traditional Swiss attire surprised us as we emerged from the cave. While these long wooden horns are no longer used for signaling to nearby villages, in our case, our alphorn players signaled the imminent sunset, marking the end of our day’s activities. We added our own B&amp;R tradition, taking the opportunity to saber some bubbly. Combined with the local cheese and traditional Swiss sounds in the shadow of the mountains? Perfection.
<h2>E-Bikes: Don’t Hesitate!</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41088 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ebike-swiss-450.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="300" />Now that I’ve returned from riding, I am a changed man. The Scott pedal assist e-bikes allowed our group to truly ‘slow down and see the world’, Swiss-style—but also get a great workout on those high mountain passes.
With the different levels of assist on the bikes, we had people cruising on ‘turbo’ (the highest setting) all week, while others would choose the lowest level of assist to give just a little boost on the climbs—you choose how much or how little effort you’d like to make. And the truth is, Switzerland’s remarkable and inspiring landscapes would be out of reach for most of us mere mortals, if not for the e-bikes! This trip is possible for every level of cyclist, and it’s the best way to experience the region. Everything is richer for having arrived by bike.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41095 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ernesto-960-hero.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ernesto-960-hero.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ernesto-960-hero-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ernesto-960-hero-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ernesto-960-hero-900x600.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

Notes From The Road: Swiss E-Biking

Features &amp; Stories

<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-41539 size-large" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Morocco-mid-banner-960x600.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Morocco-mid-banner-960x600.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Morocco-mid-banner-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Morocco-mid-banner-480x300.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Morocco-mid-banner-768x480.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
“A visit to Marrakech was a great shock to me,” Saint Laurent said. “This city taught me colour.”
Today, the <a href="https://www.museeyslmarrakech.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech</a> stands a shrine to the designer’s creative legacy. Having just celebrated its first anniversary, in its inaugural year the museum has refocused the world’s attention on Marrakech’s status as a hub of creativity.
In addition to the YSL museum, and the famous botanical garden of Jacques Marjorelle, a burgeoning art scene—spurred largely by the work of pop artist Hassan Hajjaj, Morocco’s answer to Andy Warhol—has sprung up within the medina, imbuing the old city with a modern vibe and refreshed artistic fervor.
<hr />
<blockquote>“A visit to Marrakech was a great shock to me,” Saint Laurent said. “This city taught me colour.”</blockquote>
<h5 style="text-align: right;">—Yves Saint Laurent</h5>
<hr />
We’ve been travelling to Marrakech for decades, and have long marvelled at the intricately patterned textiles, the unique blend of Moorish and French architecture, and the incomparable spirit of the people.
But with the new YSL museum re-entrenching the city’s status as a groundswell of artistic inspiration, our own creative trip-design juices are flowing.
And we’ve never felt more inspired to visit.
<hr />
<h3>Did You Know?</h3>
Morocco’s creative mark extends well beyond the colours Saint Laurent found in Marrakech.
Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer-prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof may have been set in the plantations of the Mississippi Delta, but it was written on a terrace in Tangiers – the same city where William S. Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch while vacationing with fellow Beat generation writers Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. Twenty years earlier, George Orwell wrote Coming Up for Air while splitting his time between Marrakech and Casablanca.
And fashion designers and literary legends aren’t the only ones to fall prey to Morocco’s charms. Jimi Hendrix visited Essaouira in 1969 and the city hasn’t stopped talking about him since, while the Rolling Stones recorded part of their 1989 album Steel Wheels in Tangiers, working with legendary tribal group the Master Musicians of JouJouka.

<h2>Soaring Mountains</h2>
Morocco&#8217;s diverse landscapes showcase the beauty of the High Atlas Mountains. Here, you’ll find remote Berber villages, exceptional walks and hiking without the press of the crowd (imagine the throng of people at the central markets!) Stretching 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi.) across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, the Atlas Mountain range serves as a natural barrier between the coast and the Sahara Desert. Morocco has the tallest two peaks in North Africa, Mount Toubkal, at 4,167 metres (13,671 ft.), and Ighil m’Goun, at 4,071 metres (13,356 ft.).
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-40329 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Atlas-Mtns-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="675" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Atlas-Mtns-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Atlas-Mtns-960px-427x300.jpg 427w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Atlas-Mtns-960px-768x540.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Atlas-Mtns-960px-853x600.jpg 853w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2>Shopping &amp; Crafts</h2>
From traditional crafts like silverwork, leatherwork, ceramics, weaving (of almost anything: textiles or baskets and leather), many of Morocco’s talented artisans are making both classic/traditional and contemporary-styled items. From soaps to homewares, jewelry or antiques of all sorts, Morocco is a true boon for fashionistas and talented decorators with a flair for the truly unique.
<h2>Desert Days &amp; Nights</h2>
The spectacular stillness, silence, and isolation of the desert is something that everyone should experience, especially when dusk shifts to the pitch black of night. Time seems to stretch on forever, and it’s something you may wish for, especially when your ‘hotel’ for the night is a luxury desert camp. From a canopy of twinkling stars on a cloud-free night to the moon shining over an endless sea of rippling sand dunes, the desert is full of mystery and wonder. During the day, there’s much to experience: joining a camel caravan, sand-surfing, dune-buggying or exploring the green miracle of an oasis.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-40330 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/camels-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/camels-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/camels-960px-480x270.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/camels-960px-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
&nbsp;

5 Reasons Why Morocco Will Captivate You

France

Burgundy

<h4><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-37254" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BRGBS_20170702_TCA_015-picnic-732px-compressed.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="263" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BRGBS_20170702_TCA_015-picnic-732px-compressed.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BRGBS_20170702_TCA_015-picnic-732px-compressed-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></h4>
<h2>Come For the Wine, Stay for the Cuisine</h2>
Let’s be honest, though: you’ve come to Burgundy for the sumptuous cuisine and the wine, right? (Or perhaps those legendary B&amp;R picnics you may have heard about?) I’ll leave the wine rhapsodizing <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2016/01/14/best-burgundy-wines/">to our experts</a>, but will add a few of my observations about some local delicacies: did you know the oh-so-French specialty, escargot, originated here? The Burgundian snail, Helix pomatia, is the most sought-after, as they’re the biggest and the sweetest-tasting variety. They’re also difficult to farm, so wild-caught snails are the ones to eat. Don&#8217;t miss out.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37256 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BRGBS_20160919_SVI_019-wines-ontable-732px-comrpessed.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="488" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BRGBS_20160919_SVI_019-wines-ontable-732px-comrpessed.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BRGBS_20160919_SVI_019-wines-ontable-732px-comrpessed-450x300.jpg 450w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h2>Pass the (Burgundian) Mustard, Please</h2>
There’s also the matter of that quintessential French condiment: mustard. While most mustard seeds are actually grown in North America and imported, this <a href="https://www.fallot.com/en/">local moutarderie’s</a> Burgundy mustard is made with local mustard seed and combined with Burgundy wine. It’s intensely flavourful and even better than anything you’ve ever tasted. (You may even ride through mustard fields depending on the season you come in). Another local delicacy that pairs nicely with mustard is the terrine known as jambon persillé (literally, ‘parsleyed ham’). A slice of it with a dab of mustard and a torn-off chunk of fresh bread? Heavenly.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37257 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BRGBS_05272013_SBO_019-MustardField-732px-compressed.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="355" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BRGBS_05272013_SBO_019-MustardField-732px-compressed.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BRGBS_05272013_SBO_019-MustardField-732px-compressed-480x233.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
I also fell in love with the charming little candy, Anis de Flavigny, another locally-made treat. At the heart of these candies lie green anise seeds, tumbled in thin layers of tumbled sugar. Originating in 1591, initially by monks, these local candies are famous countrywide, and are still being made on site at the abbey, although no longer by ascetics. The flavours and beautiful illustrations on each tin make these a sweet souvenir, too.
<h2>Another Divine Place To Rest</h2>
Speaking of monks, one of our most beloved hotels, Abbaye de la Bussière, occupies a former 12thC monastery. Run by <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2017/07/15/abbaye-de-la-bussiere-2/">our good friends Clive and Tanith</a>, this Relais &amp; Chateaux property has been beautifully restored. With a superb Michelin-starred restaurant and a secluded atmosphere with lovely grounds, it’s a place where you’ll feel welcome, and at ease.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37252 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Abbaye-Bussiere-960px-compressed.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="720" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Abbaye-Bussiere-960px-compressed.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Abbaye-Bussiere-960px-compressed-400x300.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Abbaye-Bussiere-960px-compressed-768x576.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Abbaye-Bussiere-960px-compressed-800x600.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2>Let Burgundy Cast Its Spell</h2>
All good things must come to an end, but the journey didn’t stop after I came home: I bought a touring bike to continue my own exploration of the ‘slow road’ back home in Toronto, and I can’t wait to see how far my two wheels will take me this year. Long story short: once you open your heart to Burgundy, only time will tell what magic it will work upon you, long after you’ve returned.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35331 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CTLF1_balloon-250c.png" alt="" width="250" height="373" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CTLF1_balloon-250c.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CTLF1_balloon-250c-201x300.png 201w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />Footwear 
To clip in or not to clip in? If you don’t have <a href="http://amzn.to/2oTUFOb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cycling shoes</a>, just be sure your shoes have a stiff sole to spread the pedal pressure over your whole foot.
A decent pair of tennis shoes work well (<a href="http://amzn.to/2G6leXH" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here to see women&#8217;s options</a> and <a href="http://amzn.to/2G7mda6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here for men&#8217;s</a>) but running shoes, which have flexible soles, will cause your feet to go numb. Otherwise, if you have your own clip-in cycling shoes, be sure to bring your own pedals, which your guides can mount for you.
And a quick word of advice—if you’ve only worn clip-in shoes during spin class, it’s best to try them on a real bike outdoors. You’ll be glad to have mastered the art of clipping in/out while in motion before setting out on your B&amp;R trip.
Rain/wind gear 
You never know what the weather will bring, from the odd sprinkle to a gust of wind, so I always have a light jacket on hand. I’m fond of my <a href="http://amzn.to/2trmGRE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SUGOi Zap bike jacket</a> (which is also available for <a href="http://amzn.to/2FlabfZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">women</a>), which offers wind and water resistance; plus, it really pops at night with its reflective details.
Warm layers 
Regulate your temperature with merino wool layers which are both lightweight and anti-stink&#8230;perfect for the road. I prefer the long-sleeved base layers or jackets from <a href="http://amzn.to/2FysPAq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Icebreaker</a>.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35330 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CTLBB_layers-732c.png" alt="" width="732" height="488" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CTLBB_layers-732c.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CTLBB_layers-732c-450x300.png 450w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h2>Additional gear</h2>
Sunglasses 
Cut the glare of the sun and protect your eyes from dust and dirt. We love the technical capabilities of <a href="http://amzn.to/2FlJ4BB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rudy Project sunglasses</a>, designed for the rigours of cycling. They can also do prescription lenses.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35326 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/LORBS_sunflowers-732c.png" alt="" width="732" height="488" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/LORBS_sunflowers-732c.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/LORBS_sunflowers-732c-450x300.png 450w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
Headphones 
Hitting that century ride and need a playlist to keep you going? These <a href="http://amzn.to/2FkTvFn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wireless headphones</a> won’t get in the way of your helmet, and bone conduction means you can still hear what’s going on around you.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35333 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/italia-tuscany-gloves-350c.png" alt="" width="350" height="233" />Cycling gloves 
These are optional, but consider bringing a pair of cycling gloves to protect your hands from vibration on the road. <a href="https://us-store.sugoi.com/collections/bike-accessories/type_gloves">Sugoi</a> has some great ones.
The right suitcase 
You can’t go wrong with German precision. <a href="https://www.rimowa.com/">RIMOWA</a> has been making suitcases since 1898; I’ve had mine for years, and its durability (and easy steering) has been my go-to travel hauler.

<h1>Where to Eat and Drink</h1>
Have a drink at the decadent and palatial <a href="http://www.mamounia.com/en/">La Mamounia </a>at cocktail hour. Expensive, yes&#8230;but legendary!
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35057 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/la-mamounia-732c.png" alt="" width="732" height="488" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/la-mamounia-732c.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/la-mamounia-732c-450x300.png 450w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
Walk all around the Guéliz, along the Rue de la Liberté or Rue de Yougoslavie, have a mint tea on the terrace of <a href="http://www.renaissance-hotel-marrakech.com/EN/hotel.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">La Renaissance</a>, and, why not a juicy steak for dinner at <a href="http://www.lestudiomarrakech.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Le Studio</a>?
Take a leisurely walk in the quiet neighbourhood of La Kasbah and enjoy a lunch at <a href="https://www.lasultanahotels.com/p/marrakech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">La Sultana</a>, all far from the bustle and frenzy of the rest of the medina.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35053 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/atlasmtn-350c.png" alt="" width="350" height="263" />For a taste of real Moroccan cooking just like at home, have dinner at <a href="https://alfassia.com/restaurants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Al Fassia</a>. The mostly female staff have been cooking traditional cuisine for over 25 years here, and you will not be disappointed.
Get out of the city for a bit of fresh air, and drive out to the <a href="http://kasbahtoubkal.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kasbah du Toubkal</a> for lunch with a view. Located in the foothills of the Atlas mountains, even director Martin Scorsese himself (who visited when he was shooting Kundun) considers these spectacular surroundings some of the best views in the world. 
<h1>Where to Stay</h1>
Rest your head in style at the <a href="http://www.riadfarnatchi.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Riad Farnatchi</a>. Don’t miss out on their fantastic spa, including an upscale Moroccan hammam. Head into the desert for an unforgettable experience: sleep under the stars at the <a href="http://www.scarabeocamp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scarabeo Camp</a>. It&#8217;s almost like travelling back in time, but with a luxurious feel instead of a dusty expedition.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35045 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/desert-960c.png" alt="" width="960" height="532" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/desert-960c.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/desert-960c-480x266.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/desert-960c-768x426.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

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enRoute

The Ultimate Bike Tour of Morocco

<figure id="attachment_27830" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27830" style="width: 450px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-27830" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-smoke-of-the-market-450x300.jpg" alt="The sizzle, smell and smoke of the market all come alive at night. " width="450" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-smoke-of-the-market-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-smoke-of-the-market.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27830" class="wp-caption-text">The sizzle, smell and smoke of the market all come alive at night.</figcaption></figure>
Delving deep into the souks is like a master class in Moroccan cuisine. In the shops of the spice market you can learn all about the key ingredients that form the backbone of Moroccan cooking, while sampling from the carts packed with fresh fruit and spiced olives reveals the country’s bounty. Learn about the furnatchi, the communal oven and bakery that also is used to heat the community hammam, then indulge in the warmth of its fresh fare.
Evenings in Marrakech bring a special treat, as the famous Jma El Fnaa square comes alive at dusk, an overwhelming place to feel the energy and essence of Morocco. The sights and sounds, the sizzle and smells of the food stalls, the smoke, the snake-charmers (yes, real snake charmers): it’s enough to make you feel like you’ve arrived into the most mystical place in the world.
And you just might have.

In the Markets of Marrakech, a Master Class in Moroccan Cuisine

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<img class="alignleft" src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Family-List-4.jpg" alt="" /><a title="New Zealand Family Private" href="http://www.butterfield.com/trip/new-zealand-family-private/?utm_campaign=blog_familyFamilyList_ads&amp;amp;utm_medium=web&amp;amp;utm_source=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Zealand Family Private</a> On a two-wheeled trek from Christchurch to Queenstown, your family will learn firsthand why this place calls itself the adventure capital of the world. With an activity, shop, gallery, café, adventure or winery for absolutely everyone, this is the perfect place to explore!
<img class="alignleft" src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Family-List-2.jpg" alt="" /><a title="Ireland Family Biking" href="http://www.butterfield.com/trip/ireland-family-biking/?utm_campaign=blog_familyFamilyList_ads&amp;amp;utm_medium=web&amp;amp;utm_source=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ireland Family Biking</a> Don&#8217;t let the trip name fool you. You&#8217;ll also be doing some Ireland Family Horseback Riding. And Ireland Family Cod Fishing. And while the kids try their hands at Ireland Family Archery, the parents can indulge in some Ireland Family Guinness Tasting.
<img class="alignleft" src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Family-List-1.jpg" alt="" /><a title="Iceland Family Multi-Active" href="http://www.butterfield.com/trip/iceland-family-multi-active/?utm_campaign=blog_familyFamilyList_ads&amp;amp;utm_medium=web&amp;amp;utm_source=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iceland Family Multi-Active</a> In Iceland, glaciers and volcanoes abound, hot springs run wild and distant mountain ranges beg investigation. You can tell the kids it looks like Lord of the Rings (while you revel in the fact that it&#8217;s actually where they shoot Game of Thrones).
&nbsp;

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In Deep

<h2>The Marrakech Jet Set</h2>
Forever the subject of western fantasies, Marrakech is home to all eccentricities—it is the ultimate oasis, if you like—where all lifestyles are enjoyed freely. A monthly salary of 400 dirhams (about US$50) for live-in staff is not unusual. According to the French Countess of Breteuil, doyenne of Marrakech’s ex-pat community, it is the last accessible paradise. The late Marie-Hélène de Rothschild, who for the last 20 years of her life spent her holidays in the region, said: “there are others, but they’re so much further away.” The pace of life is so slow that four days here are as relaxing as 10 anywhere else.
Jacques Grange, a French interior designer who has been coming to Marrakech for years, marvels at the fact that just a few hours from Paris you find yourself back in the heart of the Middle Ages. “Here you find an elegance, a quality of life that you find nowhere else. Everyone here is just a little bit crazy. I like this. Here you witness eccentricities and liberties unthinkable elsewhere.”
The varying eccentricities of our jet-set friends can be witnessed in the architecture of their homes—although they all claim to have remained faithful to Moroccan architectural tradition. Especially of interest are the 1001 Nights palace of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berger, and the palace harem of American interior designer Bill Willis. The Countess of Ruspoli, a recluse with 40 servants and just as many North African greyhounds, preferred a Florentine palace out in the Ourika Valley.
The sumptuous 1920s Villa Taylor, home of the Countess of Breteuil, was a wedding gift from her mother-in-law. It combines all the details of Moroccan interior design with the comforts of a British club, and has hosted, among others, Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Rita Hayworth and Charlie Chaplin.

In Deep: Marrakech

Profiles

Italy

Favourite hotel in the world? 
<a title="Six Sense Ninh Van Bay " href="http://www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ninh-van-bay/destination" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Six Sense Ninh Van Bay</a> in Vietnam is a fun one. I love the isolation, using a bike to get around on the property, the personal pools for each bungalow, the personal butlers and the beautiful scenery.
<img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-18692 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Christina_1.jpg" alt="Christina Cain" width="320" height="212" />
Favourite restaurant in the world? 
I’m a big fan of the simple, local food spots. One that comes to mind is in Nha Trang, Vietnam. They literally pull up plastic seats and a grill on the sidewalk and cook up the freshest catch right in front of you. It’s the simplest thing sitting on the sidewalk watching the world go by like the locals do, but it’s meals like this that stay in my memory.
Favourite bar/wine bar/watering hole in the world? 
I love little old enotecas (wine bars). One of my favourites is in Le Marche and is run by the local Sommelier association. It’s like stepping into a library of wine from the region. I also love the small old-style ones you find in the south of Italy where you can sit outside on the piazza and enjoy a glass of wine and people-watch.
Favourite bottle of wine? 
Depends on the season. When it’s cold outside, I love a good <a title="Vines 101: Piemonte Wine " href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/03/25/vines-101-piemonte-wine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barbaresco from Piemonte </a>. In the summer, I love a crisp white from the Südtirol and Alto Adige region in northern Italy, or a Rosato from the Salento in Puglia.
Do you have a favourite travel quote, mantra or words to live by? 
&#8220;Go with the flow&#8221; is the first. Be open, invite conversation, notice things.
Someone has just landed in a country they’ve never been to, where they don’t speak the language. What’s your number one piece of advice for them? 
Enjoy, turn off your cell phone, live in the moment.
And finally, what’s the craziest thing you’ve seen or done while on a trip? 
Ah man, you can’t ask that! You know the golden rule: what happens on a trip stays on trip. (Ed. Note: <a title="Tom Abraham" href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/09/26/experts-insiders-tom-abraham/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I get that a lot</a>, but I keep asking. Tough crowd, these guides turned Trip Designers.)

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Columnists

<h3>Vital Stats</h3>
Years in Travel Business: 15 (including a long maternity break!) 
Years with B&amp;R: 5 
Countries/Regions of Expertise: Iceland, Morocco, Japan 
Countries visited: 24 
Countries lived in: South Korea, Japan and Canada 
Trips planned (estimate):  Dozens and dozens&#8230;
<h3>Q&amp;A with Orsolya Kako</h3>
Let&#8217;s start with your name—&#8221;Orsolya Kako&#8221; must get butchered a lot. What&#8217;s the worst bastardization you&#8217;ve come across? 
Well, this is an easy one. You know everyone pronounces my name as “Ursula” and that started in kindergarten when my teacher looked at my Hungarian name and said, “Well, I can’t pronounce that, so we’ll just go with &#8216;Ursula&#8217;” and that stuck to this day&#8230;  So, to answer your question, the worst bastardization is not even trying!
What’s your preferred method for immersing yourself in a country or region? 
When arriving in a new region, I love to just hit the sidewalk, walk and take in all the sights and sounds of the location, sit at a sidewalk café and just observe.
What&#8217;s the craziest thing you&#8217;ve done on trip? 
My first time in Iceland was during the summer of 2010 and was just a few months after the big eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull that stopped flight traffic over to Europe. We stopped to have a glimpse of our first glacier and we saw people with a guided tour of hikers with crampons going for a glacier hike. It looked so cool that we arranged one for the next day. It was so fun to put on crampons and dig into the ice—the ice was totally covered in soot from the recent eruption, so it looked like we were climbing on a black-sand beach. There were little streams where the glacier was melting that revealed the bluest blue of the glacier—so beautiful! We got up close to some pretty deep crevasses that showed us how massively deep the glaciers really are—amazing!
Let&#8217;s do some favourites: what&#8217;s your favourite trip you’ve ever taken? (I know, I know, but try to narrow it down to one!) 
Chile—I loved the diversity of the geography—from the driest desert in the world to the beauty of the <a title="Torres del Paine National Park " href="http://www.conaf.cl/parques/parque-nacional-torres-del-paine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Torres del Paine National Park</a>.
Do you have a favourite hotel in the world? 
That’s as impossible as choosing my favourite child! Up there though, if pressed, are <a title="Abbaye de La Bussiere" href="http://www.abbaye-dela-bussiere.com/home.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Abbaye de la Bussiere</a> in Burgundy, <a title="Dar Ahlam" href="http://www.relaischateaux.com/en/search-book/hotel-restaurant/darahlam/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dar Ahlam</a> in Skoura and the <a title="Four Seasons Budapest " href="http://www.fourseasons.com/budapest/‎" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Four Seasons in Budapest</a>.
<figure id="attachment_51427" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51427" style="width: 454px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-51427" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DarAhlam5-454x300.jpeg" alt="Dar Ahlam" width="454" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DarAhlam5-454x300.jpeg 454w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DarAhlam5-907x600.jpeg 907w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DarAhlam5-768x508.jpeg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DarAhlam5-1536x1016.jpeg 1536w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DarAhlam5.jpeg 1772w" sizes="(max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51427" class="wp-caption-text">Dar Ahlam</figcaption></figure>
Favourite bar/wine bar/watering hole in the world? 
A little hole in the wall that&#8217;s a 10-minute walk from my house in Toronto. We can pop out any time for a drink and run into a familiar face.
How about a favourite dish or restaurant? 
I&#8217;m tempted to say Thai street food from the food carts in Bangkok, but tapas from a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Barcelona is up there, too.
Of all the trips you&#8217;ve designed, do any moments or stories really jump out at you? 
Well, I had a couple who loved their <a title="Burgundy" href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/france/burgundy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Burgundy </a>biking trip so much last year that they got engaged! So that&#8217;s high on the list.

Experts + Insiders: Orsolya Kako

Explorer's Index

<h4>Drum Workshop and Lesson</h4>
For a taste of Moroccan culture, spend a morning in a Fondouk under the watchful eye of a drumming artisan, making your own drums. You choose the sound of drum you prefer, pick out the skin, stretch and string your own instrument and finish off the morning putting your handy work to good use under the tutelage of a pro.
<h4><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-27340 size-medium alignright" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/New-Ropes-450x300.png" alt="" width="450" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/New-Ropes-450x300.png 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/New-Ropes.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />Ropes Course in Terres d&#8217;Amanar Private Park</h4>
Located at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains, this 173-acre park offers a chance to take in Morocco&#8217;s natural diversity from a unique and rapidly changing vantage point—while ziplining above it.
<h4>Jemaa el-Fnaa Square</h4>
Mythical meeting place of snake charmers, storytellers and characters as colourful as they are many, <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2014/09/01/deep-marrakech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marrakech&#8217;s </a>most famous square is not to be missed. Home to various forms of entertainment, the square also famously hosts a souk, or market, where both snacks and souvenirs can be secured on the cheap—if you know <a title="Art of Haggling at the Marrakech Market " href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/05/27/the-art-of-haggling/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how to haggle</a>.

Explorer's Index: Five Awesome Family Activities in Morocco

Eat &amp; Drink

Cuisine

Video

<h2>Serving Mate</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-14649 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/iStock_000015340038Small-212x320.jpg" alt="Gaucho pouring mate" width="199" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/iStock_000015340038Small-212x320.jpg 212w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/iStock_000015340038Small.jpg 564w" sizes="(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px" />
The uniqueness of the tea lies both in the method of serving and the conviviality that the whole process fosters. Once made, the cebador (which refers both to the gourd, and the keeper of the gourd) then passes the mate around the assembled group, fostering an atmosphere of friendship. One of the cebador’s most important tasks is keeping water in the mate, maintaining a suitable state for drinking. Note: Only say “gracias” to the cebador when you do not wish to be served anymore.
While most common in Argentina, mate remains popular in some parts of Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. There are some regional variations in how it is served—it can be taken with sugar or with lemon, for instance. In most places in the interior of Argentina, it is preferred amargo (unsweetened).
Though they later forbade its consumption, Jesuit missionaries also cultivated the tea, drank it, and tried to introduce it to Spain. Today it is worldwide (there&#8217;s even a <a title="mate toothpaste patent" href="http://www.google.com/patents/US6610277" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">mate toothpaste</a>!), but South America, and Argentina in particular, remains the Mecca of mate.

Mate: Argentina's New World Tea

Trip Tales

Wine Regions

Puglia

Yet our experience and history there speak volumes about our trip-planning philosophy. That is, we learned not to assume people will only travel to established destinations, but to take risks on new and often unlikely places. Sometimes we hit a home run, more often it’s an out, but the quest for the Next Great Trip energizes our planners and, we think, our travellers as well. When a resurrected Puglia trip finally took off at the turn of the century, that first failed attempt went from folly to visionary.
And by the way, to call that early foray a failure would be a subjective characterization. During his research, the planner of the trip, an intrepid Canadian named Matthew, met and fell in love with the daughter of the owner of the first trip hotel; to this day he lives there with her and their family.
The way he tells it, that “unsuccessful” trip was anything but, and Puglia was a winner from day one.

Puglia and B&R: From Folly to Visionary

Know Before You Go

<h2>Morocco with B&amp;R</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-50617 alignright" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Agafay-desert-biking-1-480x300.png" alt="" width="480" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Agafay-desert-biking-1-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Agafay-desert-biking-1-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Agafay-desert-biking-1-768x480.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Agafay-desert-biking-1.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" />B&amp;R&#8217;s <a title="Morocco Biking " href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/morocco-e-biking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Morocco E-Biking</a> Trip seems great. What are the highlights? 
Morocco is one of our oldest friends—the land, in fact, where the idea of a B&amp;R expedition was born. We saw a stunning country beautifully suited to our penchant for pedalling and knew we absolutely had to introduce it to our travellers. Today, we give you the very best that a luxury Morocco bike tour has to offer—magical Marrakech, Berber villages, stunning oases, fabulous food, a Kasbah hotel, the High Atlas Mountains and an absolutely unforgettable riad stay in incredible Essaouira—all combined with an electric-assist bike that makes the aforementioned pedalling a sheer pleasure.
What&#8217;s the terrain like? Is it well suited for biking? 
Biking is still one of the most popular modes of transportation in Morocco. On our trips, we use high-quality e-bikes that provide electric assistance whenever you want it. Each bike is programmed for a specific maximum speed that can be optimized while riding. Our fleet boasts sporty, road-focused bikes with skinny tires, a low-step frame and a very efficient e-system. The bike is incredibly lightweight (for an e-bike), and its clever design makes it extremely comfortable to ride. While there are a few hills along the way, the roads we use are not busy.
Are all types of dress acceptable? 
As tourists and non-Muslims, we can wear whatever we want without fear of offending anybody. Even while biking in the countryside, any kind of outfit is OK. (Of course, in the interest of respect, sometimes it’s better to be a little more covered, but there is no real dress code when biking.) At dinner in some of the nice places we stay, it’s nice maybe to have a jacket or a beautiful dress, but even their “smart casual” could sometimes be overdressed!
Will there be van support like on B&amp;R&#8217;s European trips? 
Absolutely. Our local drivers’ have been in the B&amp;R family for decades and are always a popular bunch on trip.

Know Before You Go: Morocco Travel Tips

Bargaining

Etiquette

Market

What you do need to know is that anyone who helps you buy, translates for you, or acts as an intermediary of any sort in a transaction is likely to get a commission on your purchases from the vendor. There is no way of avoiding this and it is an integral part of Moroccan commerce. Therefore you need not tip them unless you specifically requested their services and did not buy. (In this case, 20 dirhams is fine.) In terms of haggling, whether it be for rugs, clothing or jewelry, the idea is to start at a tenth of the asking price and work up, knowing what your last price will be and sticking to it.
<figure id="attachment_10868" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10868" style="width: 320px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/05/27/the-art-of-haggling/jema_el_fnaa_place_cc-by-sa/" rel="attachment wp-att-10868"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-10868" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Jema_El_Fnaa_Place_CC-BY-SA-320x212.jpg" alt="Marrakech market " width="320" height="212" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Jema_El_Fnaa_Place_CC-BY-SA-320x212.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Jema_El_Fnaa_Place_CC-BY-SA-124x82.jpg 124w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Jema_El_Fnaa_Place_CC-BY-SA.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10868" class="wp-caption-text">Bottom line: Moroccans are superb salespeople.</figcaption></figure>
You should also know that if you are in a group of several people thinking of buying, say, rugs, and the perspective buyers are slow in closing deals, the first person to close will often get a relatively low price in order to start the “buying fever.” If you reach a stalemate and don’t want to compromise, try walking away—it often works. The bottom line is that Moroccans are superb salespeople, and any transaction can be a tremendous opportunity for some fascinating cultural insights. If you do decide to brave this ancient game with the pros, remember to laugh and smile a lot—a relentless sense of humour is essential in dealings with Moroccans. It is also better never to ask the price of the object you really want—a dead giveaway. Instead, inquire about the less attractive item beside it. Never go back on a price you have already agreed to pay. This is culturally offensive. Once you shake hands, you are 100% committed. Most importantly, sit back and enjoy the haggling—and try not to think about the generous margins enjoyed by Bloomingdale’s back home.

The Art of Haggling in Morocco

Young & Restless: Great Experiences for the Whole Family

Beverages

Mint tea can be from the north and the Mediterranean coast, or from the Anti-Atlas region, where the custom is to add a pinch of saffron. But in all cases, mint tea is a demonstration of peace and hospitality.
Time is tea; tea is time. Because time for us is luxury, but in Morocco they have an abundance of time (and a lot of tea!). Drinking tea in Morocco teaches us to slow down, to look at each other.
For example, in the West, if you want something you run into a store, you pick up the item with the price clearly marked, you go to the cashier, you swipe your credit card. Done.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-35884 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/souk-1627045_1920-freestock-732px-compressed.png" alt="" width="732" height="412" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/souk-1627045_1920-freestock-732px-compressed.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/souk-1627045_1920-freestock-732px-compressed-480x270.png 480w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<img loading="lazy" class="alignleft wp-image-35887 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/MARE1_10092012_AAB_003-350px-comprsesed.png" alt="" width="350" height="197" />Well, it doesn’t work this way in Morocco. You want something? There is nothing you need. Or if you need something, then you may think twice. Slowly you enter the shop and speak to the man there. There is no desk; there is no cashier. There is a teapot and a colorful carpet. You sit, you have a tea, you discuss the price. You negotiate some new colours, some new styles. The whole thing is, between the time you enter the shop and the time you exit the shop takes…well, it doesn’t really matter.
Time, in this sense, is irrelevant here. You have a lot of it, so why hurry? I&#8217;m reminded of an old Berber proverb that says, “He who rushes is already dead.” Mint tea means time…and with it, peace.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-35879 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/MAREW_20170419_TCA_002-732px-compressed.png" alt="" width="732" height="434" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/MAREW_20170419_TCA_002-732px-compressed.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/MAREW_20170419_TCA_002-732px-compressed-480x285.png 480w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />

In Morocco, Mint Tea Means Time

Columnist Georgia Yuill: Hotels and Haute Couture

In Photos: Moroccan Nights

Bicycling.com

Insider Morocco

The Top 10 Tastes From Around the World

morocco

Blog posts for 'morocco'