Gourmet Journeys: Marrakech

Developed on a crossroad of culture, Morocco’s cuisine has been influenced by the Europeans, the Arabians and even the Jewish Moors, showcasing delectable combinations of sweet-savoury flavors, all washed down with a glorious refreshing mint tea. And where better to experience the best of Moroccan gastronomy than in Marrakech?

For this flavorsome six-night trip, we’ll give you a VIP pass to the top dining spots and bolthole eateries around the city and beyond. And of course, in between all of that feasting – there will be a dash of adventure. Soar above the Agafay Desert in a hot air balloon, speed through the dry landscapes in a WWII sidecar and learn to serve Moroccan dishes back at home after a private cooking masterclass.

Discover the best of Moroccan gastronomy

Arriving in Marrakech, our driver will be waiting to welcome you to this vibrant city. In the heart of the medina, the intimate Riad Antara will be your enchanting base for the first three nights. Drop your bags and grab your first taster of the area or simply enjoy the sunshine from your private roof terrace. Your gourmet getaway kicks off with dinner at Al Fassia. Along with the simply unmissable pastilla and other dishes served, this family business has been run entirely by women since its opening in the late eighties. Explore deeper into Marrakech the next morning before lunch.

Night street food tours and cooking masterclasses in Marrakech

Once the sun sets over Marrakech, an experienced food-loving guide will take you on a private street food tour. Source out the best merguez shawarma and msemmen flatbreads as you weave through the colourful stalls of Jemaa el Fna and through the labyrinth of back-alleys, discovering the hidden gems of the Marrakchi food culture.

A private morning cooking class will have you whipping up the best tagine and Moroccan delights. With the guidance of a skilled local chef, you’ll learn the ancient techniques and savour your finished masterpiece.

Hot air ballooning and stargazing in the Agafay Desert

Rising with the birds, this morning will surely be the pièce de résistance of your time away. Checking out of Riad Antara, you’ll leave the city behind, floating up into the sky in a hot air balloon, watching the world shrink below. Peacefully suspended above the Agafay desert, the panoramas appear to stretch into infinity as you experience an unforgettable breakfast picnic in the sky.

Once your feet are back on solid ground, you’ll be taken to the delicious La Pause for a spot of lunch before a unique glamping experience like no other. Staying just outside of the souks of the city, you’ll spend one night at Terre des Etoiles, an eco-lodge oasis surrounded by a lush expanse of greenery within the Agafay. The luxury tented suites are a truly captivating way to experience a desert night. You’ll visit a local Berber village by camel and cool off in a picturesque infinity pool that carves into the walls of the valley. By night, we’ll set up a private candlelit dinner that overlooks the desert landscape, before being met by an astronomer who will guide you through the depths of the universe under a star-spangled sky.

Speeding through deserts and relaxing amongst olive groves

For the final leg of your adventure, a WWII sidecar will arrive to the camp, zipping you across the desert in style, creating a whole new perspective of this intriguing, arid landscape. From here, we slow the tempo. Your final two nights will be spent at rustic-chic Berber Lodge, beautifully set in a relaxed Moroccan countryside haven, an hour away from Marrakech. Unwind among the stretch of deeply entrenched olive trees and gardens that surround the lodge and experience your final doses of classic Moroccan cuisine spiced up with a selection of cocktails, carefully shaken up with homemade syrups – it’s a truly delicious end to a mesmerising seven days in Morocco.