Day 6: Marrakech on your own

Today is your day to get up close and personal with the city.  After breakfast at your accommodations, the rest of the day is yours.  Head back into the souks for some shopping adventures, or take a break at the Garden Majorelle.

If spending too much time in one place isn't your style, then we offer day trips outside of Marrakech.  One of our favorite day trips from Marrakech is into the Ourika Valley of the High Atlas Mountains.  Even though you'll be traveling over the High Atlas tomorrow on your trip south to the Sahara, the Ourika Valley with its breathtaking vistas makes for a memorable experience at a more relaxed pace.

Essaouira is a walled city perched on the rocky shores of the Atlantic.  Designed by a European hired by the Sultan, it was once a major trading port, but with its sheltered long sand beach, quaint fishing harbor, and excellent seafood, it's now known as a tourist destination.  With its bright, airy, narrow streets with whitewashed buildings and blue doors, Essaouira seems strangely out of place.  Its laid back atmosphere is a stark contrast to other historical cities in Morocco, making it a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. If you'd like, we can even arrange for an overnight in Essaouira at the Dar Al Bahar.

Shopping Hints: Essaouira is the only city in Morocco filled with painters producing original art.  Also Tula wood objects, with its rich and beautiful grain, are everywhere at a pretty much uniform price and well worth a look.

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