Fez + High Atlas Mountains

The High Atlas mountains and Fez were my two favorite places in Morocco. The High Atlas mountains were a short day trip away from Marrakech, so we hired a local driver who took us up the winding road of the mountains and through some serious hairpin turns, stopping along the way at a traditional Berber household for a Moroccan mint tea service, an organic argan oil farm (don't even get me started on how obsessed I am with this stuff), and finally, to Richard Branson's Kasbah Tamadot, where the views were stunning, and the lunch on the terrace by the infinity pool even better. It was an incredibly perfect, peaceful afternoon.

We then took a 7 hour high-speed train through the country and arrived in Fez, which was a riotous blur of colors, animals, amazing food, one very special riad, and amazing craftsmanship (check out the last picture--that little old man makes beautiful hair combs by hand out of cow horns). We were so enthralled by all the handmade wares in the souk, that we ended up hauling home two teapots, a silver carved tray, three(!) Moroccan rugs/blankets, several bottles of argan oil, an antique vase, shells, etc, etc, etc. And I would definitely go back for even more (and I plan to!). Morocco's got a special magic, and I'm determined to visit again and again through the years. xo