Escape to Marrakech — How to Plan the Perfect Staycation
Are you ready for a getaway? Well, you don’t have to leave your home to finally get the vacation you need. You can bring new adventures home with the ultimate staycation. Today, we’re going On-Holiday-At-Home to the vivacious, sensory-overloading city of Marrakech. So whether you call Morocco home or it’s been on your list for years, here’s a roundup of what to eat, do and watch to bring Marrakech to the comfort of your own home.
Welcome to the Kasbah
Let’s start with a little bit of background on Morocco. Morocco is in North Africa right along the Atlantic ocean. The city of Marrakech is near the center of the country and is an ancient city. It was founded in 1070 by the North African Amazigh dynasty. The Amazigh, also known as Berbers, still live in Morocco to this day.
Morocco has many influences across its history, which shaped its modern culture. From the Amazigh kingdom to the Moors, Spanish and later French occupation, it has a diverse past. You’ll encounter pieces of indigineous, Islamic and European cultures. And, you’ll hear a flurry of languages, including Berber, Arabic and French.
In Marrakech, old and new are suspended in balance. Together they create a unique and antique cosmopolitan. The city is one of Morocco’s most enticing destinations.
Transform Your Home into a Riad
Marrakech is known for its stunning architecture, design and the remnants of its ancient kingdoms. You may even alerady be familiar with Moroccan elements of design and architecture. Think beautiful tiles, archways, pillows, poufs and woven rugs.
Start your staycation by recreating a Moroccan riad with these design flourishes. The riad is a traditional home with a courtyard centered around a water feature, like a pool or fountain. While you may not be able to plug a pool or fountain into your courtyard a.k.a. your front garden, you can still bring elements home.
First, choose a spot in your home to transform. It could be a whole room, a corner, closet or even an outdoor tent. Next, gather together Moroccan-inspired items. Here’s a few elements to look for that reflect Marrakech style:
- Mosaic products
- Vibrant colors — rich reds, oranges, greens and blues
- Intricately designed wood
- Terra cotta, mother of pearl and wrought iron
- Luscious fabrics
- Large plants
- Geometric designs
- Exotic spiced scents
The sky is the limit on what sorts of items you select. And you can use items you have at home already or buy ones to add to your decor. They’ll definitely do double duty for both a staycation and decorating after.
- Tasseled pillows
- Lanterns
- Woven rugs
- Tiles to use as coasters
- Silver tea pot
- Leather poufs
Recreate a Relaxing Hammam
This next idea is one of my favorites. If you’ve been stressed and need some pampering — recreate a Moroccan Hammam experience at home. Hammam is a thermal spa that uses hot steam to encourage a deep and invigorating cleanse. It’s the ultimate exfoliation and relaxation experience. So if you’ve got dry skin, achy muscles or crusty feet, this is for you!
The steps for doing the hammam are super simple, you can create it in your own bathroom. Or if you want to, and are able, you can visit a sauna and then complete the exfoliation steps after. I recommend getting a hammam kit that includes all the supplies. You can order one online like this or this one.
Instructions
- Start by covering any cracks to windows and doors with towels. Run your shower at its hottest temperature to allow steam to rise and fill the shower.
- Then lower the temperature to a heat you can tolerate. Steam yourself for 5 to 10 minutes so your skin is warm and softened. This allows your pores to open.
- Turn the water off and cover your body with Moroccan black soap. Rub it in with small circular movements. Work it into a slight lather and allow it to penetrate your skin for 3 to 10 minutes. You can also apply a hair or face mask while you wait for the soap to penetrate.
- Finally, use an exfoliating mitt and scrub deeply in a circular motion. You may see dead skin rolling off.
- Rinse well, massaging all the soap and dead skin cells off your body.
- After drying, hydrate your body with a luxurious organic body oil.
This spa experience is a great couples activity. You can relax together and then give each other massages with argan oil. (But it’s also great if you’re solo!) The argan oil comes from a tree that is native to Morocco. It’s a rich source of vitamin E and has antioxidants. It offers tons of benefits for your skin and hair, so make sure you rub it ALL OVER *wink wink*.
The scent of the argan oil is rich and lovely. One of the unique things about Marrakech is the wealth of scents and smells you encounter from oils and spices to leather and mint. Scents have the amazing ability to whisk you right off to new places. You can bring the smell of Marrakech to your staycation with a saffron scented candle. Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, is a prized ingredient in Morocco. And, this luxurious spice fits perfectly with a hammam experience.
Enjoy a Glass of Mint Tea
Once you’re relaxed, follow up your hammam experience with a Moroccan staple — mint tea.
Everywhere you go in Morocco you will encounter a warm glass of sweet mint tea. It’s a symbol of Moroccan hospitality. Whether you’re visiting a friend at home or stopping into a local shop, you’re bound to be offered a glass!
The tea service includes a Moroccan teapot (berrad), tea glasses, and serving tray. Moroccan teapots can be placed directly over heat, an essential step in the tea-making process. If you don’t have a Moroccan teapot, you can buy one online or look for another style of a stovetop-safe teapot.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon loose Chinese gunpowder green tea
- 5 cups boiling water
- 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
- 1 large bunch fresh mint (1 ounce)
Special Equipment
- a 1- to 1 1/2-quart teapot
Directions
- Rinse the tea pot with boiling water. Pour the tea and half a cup of the boiled water into the teapot. Let the tea simmer for a minute and pour the water in a separate cup. If using a stovetop kettle, strain the water to keep the tea leaves inside the pot. Set this cup aside as it contains the essence of the tea. Don’t discard it.
- Repeat the process, pouring half a cup of boiled water in the same teapot. This time, swirl the teapot a couple of times to rinse the tea leaves. If using a stovetop kettle, strain the water to keep the tea leaves inside the pot. Pour out the water and discard it.
- Now, add the fresh mint, sugar and first cup of water you set aside to the pot. Fill the teapot with the remaining boiled water. Let it simmer over medium-low heat until it comes to a boil. It’s important to let the tea slowly come to a boil to enable the gunpowder tea and fresh mint to steep. If you use a Moroccan teapot, you will see steam coming from the teapot when it’s boiling.
- When it comes to a boil, open the teapot and with a large spoon, stir the tea to make sure that the sugar is well-dissolved. Serve hot. if using a stovetop kettle, strain the tea to keep the tea leaves inside the pot when pouring into each glass.
- Place some fresh mint in each tea glass. This gives each a stronger fresh mint aroma and decorates your tea glasses.
Besides brewing the tea, an important step is the mixing and aeration that’s done by pouring. Instead of stirring, Moroccan tea is mixed by pouring tea into a glass and then pouring the tea back into the pot. Repeat this process four or five times. This mixing can be done in the kitchen or in front of guests.
Once the tea is mixed, it’s ready to be served. Try to pour from an arm’s length above each glass to get that nice foamy head. It creates quite the show, just make sure your aim is on point!
Eat up Marrakech Style
Speaking of food, you’ll want to bring home some of the delicious foods of Morocco for your staycation. I recommend trying couscous, a North African dish made from tiny steamed balls of semolina flour. It’s an easy, fast and versatile side dish. Couscous is especially wonderful with stews and saucy dishes, like a Moroccan tajine.
Ingredients
- 1 cup instant couscous
- 1-2 tablespoons butter or olive oil (optional)
- 1 cup water or broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Bring the Water to a Boil — Pour the water and butter (if using) into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat.
- Stir in the Couscous — Remove the pan from heat and pour in the couscous and salt. Stir to moisten the couscous.
- Wait 10 Minutes — Cover the pan and let it sit for 10 minutes. If the couscous hasn’t absorbed the water or still tastes crunchy after this time, cover and let it sit for a few more minutes.
- Fluff with a Fork — Gently break apart and fluff the cooked couscous with a fork before serving. If the rest of dinner isn’t quite done, re-cover the pan after fluffing to keep the couscous warm.
A traditional way to serve couscous is on a large platter then cover it with stewed meat and vegetables. It also goes well paired with vegetables like carrots, aubergine, and squash. Here’s a few recipes you can try as part of your Moroccan staycation:
- Couscous with Seven Vegetables
- Lamb tajine
- Moroccan Tomato and Cucumber Salad
- Pastilla
- Harira
- Moroccan Roasted Carrots
The couscous is eaten communal style from a low table, like a coffee table. Everyone sits on a carpet or mat on the floor around the table and serves themselves from the platter. Make sure to only eat with your right hand!
Listen to Moroccan Pop Music
To set the mood for dinner I suggest turning on some Moroccan Chaabi music. This style blends Arab traditions with African and Western rhythms. The verses are poetic and cover anything from religion to love to tea. Chaabi is performed on stringed instruments such as the mandol (ancestor of the mandolin) and the tambour. It also includes percussion, the qanun or zither.
The music is mesmerizing. Those who play must learn how to pull the dancers and audience into a trance-like state. It’s believed to heal the soul.
Explore the Souks and Moroccan Cinema
To cap off your staycation, let’s talk about what to watch to bring Marrakech to life. I recommend doing a virtual tour of the Moroccan souks. Souks are a traditional North African marketplace. These bazaars sells everything from food to rugs to spices and leather goods.
And for a movie, I enjoyed Atlantic. It’s available on Amazon Prime to rent. It is the story of a Moroccan young man who decides to leave his life behind to journey to Europe. He packs a backpack and takes his windsurf board to Europe. It’s really astounding.
