If Morocco isn’t on your bucket list already, it should be! From its sweeping desert landscapes and dreamy coastal towns to the bustling bazaars of Marrakesh and the dazzling blue city of Chefchaouen, Morocco is a country that enchants its visitors at every turn. Even our expert travellers, Co-Founder Jakes Martiz and Tour Leader & Brand Ambassador Luke Watson found themselves surprised and captivated by Morocco’s magic. That’s why Expat Explore decided to embark on our very first Highlights of Morocco tour! 

This is what we call a Discovery Tour. These tours offer the opportunity to visit new destinations and to try out new itineraries. Once the discovery tour has ended, our knowledgeable team perfects the itinerary. That’s exactly what we did in Morocco and now this exciting, one-of-a-kind tour is on sale for 2025.

Related: Get to know Luke, our Tour Leader of the Year 2023!

We caught up with Jakes and Luke following their Moroccan adventure to uncover their highlights, top tips and memorable moments!

Here’s what you can look forward to on the Highlights of Morocco tour:

Describe the first Expat Explore Highlights of Morocco tour in three words or one sentence. 

Jakes: Mind-blowing, exotic and life-enriching.

Luke: The beauty of the Middle East with the safety of Europe.

Why did Expat Explore choose to add Morocco as a new destination to its tour offerings? 

Jakes: True to our origins, we’re always discovering new destinations that’ll enrich people’s lives. Morocco ticks all the right boxes to do just that.

Luke: It’s a destination a lot of our passengers have been asking about for some years now and we’re all about listening to their needs. This combined with the huge tourism boom in Morocco over the last few years means there’s now enough infrastructure to support the quality Expat Explore wants for its tours to run. It’s going to be HUGE!

Related: Along with Marrakesh, these destinations topped the list for bucket-list spots in 2024.

What were your favourite destinations on the Highlights of Morocco tour and why?  

Jakes: Aït Benhaddou. It transported me back hundreds of years to a world that I’ve only ever seen in movies.

Luke: Our night in the Sahara Desert in Merzouga was by far the highlight of my experience. The rest of the tour was great but this was on another level. Riding by camel along the endless sand dunes as the sun set, taking amazing photos and videos was really a priceless experience and as magical as moments come. You truly felt that you were somewhere special and unlike anywhere else in the world.

In your opinion, what were the best included experiences on this tour? 

Jakes: Spending a night in the beautiful Chefchaouen (known as the Blue City) is certainly a highlight unique to our itinerary. 

Luke: The night in the desert is truly spectacular. The whole group was just blown away. You get to see the incredible dunes in the daylight, watch the most majestic sunset and enjoy a campfire with storytelling by night. 

Related: These are the world’s top camping destinations!

What was your favourite memory of the Highlights of Morocco tour? 

Jakes: The campfire at the desert camp. It was such a wonderful bonding experience with other travellers from all over the world.

Luke: Spending the trip with a group of like-minded travel enthusiasts all looking to explore a new destination together was definitely a highlight. The atmosphere and excitement amongst the group is what makes group travel so wonderful. In terms of the location, seeing how clean and pristine the coastal capital city of Rabat is really blew me away!

What were the top Moroccan dishes that you ate on this trip? 

Jakes: A variety of Tagine dishes. Their magical spices and flavours are genuinely out of this world. It’ll blow any foodie’s mind! 

Luke: Lamb and date Tagine, Berber Omelette and Tangia!

Can you tell us a bit about the other travellers on the tour? 

Jakes: Our group were almost all repeat Expat Explore travellers. We had quite a mix of nationalities. People from the USA, Australia (including Tasmania), New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Europe and the UK. I was fortunate to have friends I’ve made on previous tours join us on this trip. There were lots of fun moments, but outright funny… try to get a group of 30 people on camels!

Luke: So as this was a discovery or ‘disco’ tour, all of the passengers were return travellers. We only allow previous travellers onto these tours as they get a discounted rate and will be helping us iron out any problems and provide feedback on the tour’s maiden voyage!

Related: Learn more about another Discovery Tour – Japan!

Which optional activity should passengers not miss out on in Morocco? 

Jakes: Volubilis Roman Ruins & Wine Pairing lunch. It was a wonderful surprise to discover this gem that you’d typically expect to see in Italy in Morocco.

Luke: The day trip from Fes to the Roman Ruins of Volubilis and Moroccan vineyard is truly incredible. Great value for money and Volubilis almost gives Pompeii a run for its money. Finding such a beautiful part of the country full of vineyards was a big surprise for many of our travellers, me included, and really provides a unique and unexpected Moroccan experience.

What kind of traveller would a tour of Morocco appeal to? 

Jakes: There’s a bit for anyone, as with our European tours. Morocco is a very surprising destination. It perfectly combines Africa and Europe, being so close to the European border.

Luke: The tour is definitely one of the more adventurous in terms of being such a different culture and part of the world compared to where our main demographics come from. However, in terms of the physical approach to the tour, it’s very accessible. Moroccan hotels cater very well for people with mobility issues and, whilst toilets may not be as readily available as in Europe, anyone who may be intimidated to visit more off-the-beaten-track destinations can do so here with confidence.

Read on to discover Jakes’ and Luke’s top tips to explore Morocco:

Why do you feel Morocco is a must-visit destination? 

Jakes: Morocco is a surprising, wonderful, exotic new destination with the same winning Expat Explore formula as the rest of our tours. The people, food, culture and scenery are truly inspiring. There’s a reason why it’s one of the latest hot spots in travel.

Luke: Morocco is right on the edge of where Islamic culture meets the West. The architectural styles, food and people are Islamic but you’re just a stone’s throw from Spain and Portugal whose European influence can be seen in the coastal regions. It’s a unique blend of eastern and western culture that inspires and excites anyone who visits but all whilst making them feel safe and at ease.

Related: Marvel at Europe’s most stunning coastal views!

Did you have any preconceived ideas about Morocco that were challenged/changed by the trip? 

Jakes: Indeed. I thought it would be just desert, and I was surprised by the landscape. For a large part, it was more like Spain than Africa.

Luke: I did indeed! I didn’t think the cities would be as clean or pristine even as they were. When we arrived in Rabat on the first night it was cleaner and more well maintained than most major European cities I’ve been to!

What was the most surprising thing you learned about Moroccan culture? 

Jakes: Moroccan people are very proud of their African and Arabic origins but also embrace the European influences in their country.

Luke: That education is incredibly important to them. So much so that the city of Fes is home to the world’s oldest university!

Why should people choose to explore Morocco by coach and on a group tour? 

Jakes: Travelling on a group coach tour just makes the whole experience much easier and gives you that extra bit of security. Plus, you’ll be able to see so much more of the country than you would on your own. With a group of like-minded travellers, you just have so much fun.

Luke: Whilst Morocco is a lot safer than most people realise, there are still elements of danger when travelling alone, especially in more rural areas. Like with our Egypt tours, travelling as a group ensures you’re always in safe locations and being looked after by a local guide, delivering an itinerary tailored with your safety and enjoyment in mind. That, and group travel is always more fun!

Related: Explore Egypt with our expert Tour Leader Peter!

Do you have any travel tips for people visiting Morocco in the future? 

Jakes: Morocco is best visited from September to April. It may be tempting to visit during your summer vacation but the temperatures, particularly in the desert, can be extreme. Always stay hydrated (drink bottled water) and be open to new experiences.

Luke: Visit Morocco with an open mind and an empty stomach. The food portions are huge and the culture is so rich and varied that you’ll be full of love for this beautiful destination. In terms of more practical advice, always drink bottled water, wash your hands wherever you can and always carry a little bit of local currency. Some places do accept euros and even U.S. dollars but not always.

Jakes and Luke can’t wait to welcome new and return Expat Explore travellers to this exceptional destination. Discover Morocco for yourself and book our Highlights of Morocco tour now!

---

Which destination do you think Expat Explore should add to our list next? Let us know in the comments and have a look at our hot deals to book your next adventure.