Morris Murdock Escorted Tours

INTRO:  Morris Columbus and Morris Murdock Escorted Tours is lucky to be a member of the Signature Travel Network.  It connects us with preferred vendors & destination specialists all over the world.  We are never more than a call away for the most current & accurate information.  Because of our combined purchasing power, we receive preferred vendor status with all major travel providers ensuring that we always beat or match competition rates.

Ignacio Maza is a Senior Advisor to Signature Travel Network and we wanted to share his recent report of his visit to Marrakesh.  

Morocco has been a growing destination and a featured tour for us this year.  Here is why you should consider joining us to visit this capital city!

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I recently visited Morocco and the legendary city of Marrakesh.  Due to the September 2023 earthquake in Morocco's Atlas Mountains and the current conflict in the Middle East, many travelers have canceled or postponed their Marrakesh travel plans.  As a result, Marrekaesh is experiencing a wave of cancellations, and tourism in the city is down.  This is very unfortunate, for two reasons; First, the September 2023 earthquake primarily affected villages and communities in the High Atlas Mountains, not Marrakech proper.  Secondly, the Gaza Strip is 2,000 miles east of Morocco!! I am here to tell you that Marrakesh is a wonderful destination and this is a great time to visit!  Here is a list to find out why you should consider coming to Morocco THIS YEAR and experience this amazing tourism hotspot now!

#1. A Beautiful City

Marrakesh sits in a sunny and dry valley surrounded by the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Cool winters and hot summers make spring, winter, and fall ideal times to visit.

#2. A Legendary History

Marrakesh has a rich history going back over 1,000 years. Trade with sub-Saharan Africa and Europe made the city wealthy beyond measure. Marrakesh is one of Morocco’s 4 Imperial cities, along with Fez, Rabat, and Meknès.

#3. Cultural Treasures

 The city has a wealth of Palaces, beautiful Islamic architecture going back centuries, as well as new additions, like the recently opened Yves St Laurent Museum. The architecture, tilework, carved woodwork, and grand spaces of the historic landmarks will impress, no matter how well-traveled you are. A few highlights:  The Medina, Djemaa el Fna square,  Koutoubia Mosque and Minaret, Ben Youssef Madrassa, Saadian Tombs, Bahia, and Bacha Palaces, and that’s just for starters…

#4. Unique Experiences

Enjoy mountain biking, hiking, soaring through the air in a hot air balloon, riding camels or an ATV in the wilderness, spending the night in the desert, learning how to make a Moroccan meal with an expert chef, and much more. You could easily spend a week in Marrakesh and never run out of things to do. Signature Partner Destination Specialists in Morocco can make all these experiences happen.

#5. Delicious Cuisine

Morocco is justly famous for its tasty dishes – including tagines, pastillas, fish chermoula, couscous, sweets, and many more. Some of the city’s best dining in town is at La Mamounia, The Selman Hotel, The Oberoi Marrakesh, and at the Royal Mansour – all Signature partner hotels. I also loved the restaurant at Villa des Orangers, a Relais & Chateaux small hotel, and La Terrasse des Épices, above the Medina.  

#6. Excellent Shopping

Marrakesh offers North Africa’s most sophisticated shopping, whether haggling in the Medina’s many stalls, shopping in the chic boutiques of the Majorelle district, or buying from artisans in the Sidi Ghanem Industrial sector.

#7. Easy Access

Marrakesh is more accessible than ever. Fly Royal Air Maroc nonstop from New York, Washington, or Miami to Casablanca, then transfer to Marrakesh. Otherwise, fly via Lisbon, Madrid, London, Amsterdam, and Paris for the fastest connections to Marrakesh. Note: Madrid and Lisbon have a free stopover program to/from Morocco, another plus when flying Iberia and Air Portugal TAP.

#8. No Visa Required

US citizens (and citizens of many other countries) can visit Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. Simple.

#9. Memorable Hotels and Resorts

One of the best things about visiting Marrakesh is staying at exceptional five-star resorts, all very different and special in their own way. Choose from great Signature preferred partner resorts:  The serene Oberoi Marrakech (opened 2019); the palatial Royal Mansour; the newest addition to our preferred portfolio – the stylish Selman Marrakech; and Morocco’s best-known hotel, La Mamounia, celebrating its 100th anniversary.

#10. Wellness

All Signature partner resorts in Marrakesh offer superb wellness and spa facilities. And remember: no visit to Marrakesh is complete without experiencing a traditional Hammam – Morocco’s cleansing and purifying ritual.