By Julie Fratarcangeli, Senior Trip Consultant

Hello from Morocco! The sun is setting on the last day of my family’s Morocco adventure, and I’m on my hotel veranda over Casablanca’s blue Atlantic coast, searching for the words to capture my gratitude.

This was my family’s first international trip post-pandemic, and it definitely felt like it. Morocco completely blew us away. The culture was so different from anything I’ve ever seen–more importantly, different from anything my kids had ever seen. They’re twelve and ten, and they were practically sprinting through Marrakesh, trying to take everything in.

We spent hours in the souks and medinas, among fragrant spice stalls and vibrant rug shops, silversmiths hammering away and palaces with dazzling geometric mosaics. I learned Morocco’s allure was its constant flow of beauty and excitement. Part of the fun was moving through the bustle.

We were in good hands with our guide, Ali. He led the way through Marrakesh’s busy streets; because of him, we parents could fully engage, turn on our fun brains and really enjoy traveling as a family.

Sensory excitement enveloped us the moment we emerged in Djemma el-Fna Square. The place was brimming with street artists, fiddlers, dancing troupes, lanterns lighting up hundreds of stalls, just constant stimulation everywhere. It was a step out of our comfort zone in the best way. My kids were obsessed with this small carnival set up in the middle. My son played the games over and over, bantering lightheartedly with the carnival owner, until he won a bottle of Fanta in ring toss.

“Can I get money instead?” my son asked with a coy smile.

“No,” the carnival owner said. “Nice try, kid.” Everyone laughed. It was a small moment, but such an awesome one to witness as a parent. Morocco offered so many opportunities to interact meaningfully with the people who live there.

My daughter had a similar moment at a Marrakesh leather tannery, where workers were tanning and dyeing the skins. She wanted to buy a wallet for my son and a purse for herself, but, in the spirit of Moroccan culture, she had to barter. And it was a challenge. She only had a little cash, and she struggled to get a good price. This embarrassed her so much, but we encouraged her not to give up.

In the end, I threw in five bucks to help her close the deal. She was still extremely embarrassed. But as we were leaving, the shop owner approached her, knelt at her side and gave her a small bracelet as a gift. She lit up with the widest smile.

It was one of those powerful international moments that couldn’t have happened back home. Through difficult situations like bartering, we broaden our children’s horizons. That exposure is what Thomson believes in–and frankly, what I believe in, too. That’s why we do what we do.

“At home, if you have a price, you have a price,” my daughter said when I asked her about that moment. “Not at the tannery! It was super different from normal for me, but not actually in a bad way.”

Even though the rest of our trip was thrilling–we hiked and biked in the High Atlas Mountains and rode dune-buggies in the Sahara–it is the memories we forged in Marrakesh that resonate most deeply in my heart.

Soon, we’ll say goodbye to Morocco and fly home. But right now, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the transformative moments this country gave us. My children may not have mountains of things, but they have these stamps on their passport. They have these memories that will never collect dust in a box.

Morocco gets my approval for families that want active adventure, cultural adventure and anything in between. If you want to hear more about my time there, or just want to talk travel, give me a call at 800-262-6255. I’d love to chat!

Bisalama,
Julie Fratarcangeli