Morocco road trip: Souks, surf and desert glamping

Ready, set, road trip! You touch down in Marrakech, grab your hire car, press play and start your adventure straight away. Morocco's calling! You can't just arrive in Marrakech, you've got to jump right into its colours, commotion and pure energy! So you set off on a stroll through the medina while motor scooters, market sellers and sizzling street food draw you in for a real cultural overload. At the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the bazaar is in full swing with drummers, fire breathers, sausages, the smell of cinnamon and goats on mopeds all at the same time! You chill out on a rooftop, watch the hustle and bustle from above and treat yourself to your first mint tea to settle in. Marrakech overwhelms all your senses, and you can't help but love it! With a touch of chaos, loads of charm and 1,000 stimuli per second, it's the perfect way to kick off your trip. And this is just the beginning!

Today, you're taking a deep dive into the Marrakech vibes! You start the day off easy with breakfast in a riad (optional, payable on site) – cinnamon scents and sunshine included – before getting lost in the souk's labyrinth. Whether it's glittering jewellery, crazy lamps or spices that smell like a whole new world, 'wow' moments hide around every corner. And when you need a little break, you just slip into a secluded courtyard, sip a refreshing cuppa and listen to the birds chirping. In the afternoon, things get artsy! Le Jardin Majorelle is popping with rich blue tones, absolute cactus goals and swaying palm trees – super photogenic and totally calming. For even more snapshots, check out Maison de la Photographie or treat yourself to the golden hour glow on a rooftop (loads of cafés and restaurants have one). After all, Marrakech can be wild, but it's the quiet corners that are truly magical!

It's time to get the engine running! Today, you're driving out of Marrakech and leaving the hustle and bustle, honking horns and scent of spices behind you. Out in front, all you can see are country roads, olive trees and dusty expanses. As the city noise fades away, you crank up the music, and after a few hours, you hear the first murmur... Suddenly, you're standing in front of Ouzoud Falls – huge, raw and insanely loud! You hike through red earth and green gorges, spot monkeys doing gymnastics in the trees and look down at the crashing cascades and bobbing boats. At the pools below, you're ready for barefoot feels. Why not jump into the cool water, or just sit back soaked by the spray, happy and completely present! Enjoy a spot of mint tea and tajine in a café with a view (optional, payable on site), or just revel in the moment, totally contented. Then head back to base as the sun burns gold through the windscreen and the breeze smells of nature and freedom.

It's time to head out of the hustle and bustle and into the mountains. The road to Imlil is like something out of a Berber fairytale – winding, wild and full of 'wow' moments! After wending your way through valleys and past donkey carts, mud houses and olive groves, you're welcomed to Imlil and its pure mountain village vibes. There are no rooftop bars here, but the panoramic views are still set to take your breath away! You scope out your traditional Berber home in the middle of nowhere for the night – basic but cosy – and check in. Later on, try sitting out on the terrace with a sweet tea while the light dances across the peaks and a goat bleats somewhere in the distance. You'll soon realise that Imlil's the perfect mental detox – no filters, no stimuli, just clear air, nature and real life. It might be quiet, but that's exactly why it hits deep!