“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

From camel rides on the beach to learning how to make argan oil, greeting locals with a ‘salaam’ to thanking them with a ‘shukran’, colourful Marrakech and the coastal bohemian town of Essaouira offer vivid cultural learning experiences even for the youngest of tots. Six months after our trip, our toddler frequently talks about the locals we met along the way – Ibrahim with his camel Timbuktu; Rashid, our driver for a day; Sala, a friendly worker at the riad in Marrakech; and Kabira, Latifa, and Khadijah – the lovely ladies at the bed and breakfast in Essaouira. 

MARRAKECH

Starting in Marrakech, our experience started in the Souk of Mellah, the Jewish Quarter in the Old Medina, staying at Riad Azoulay, a traditional riad owned originally by a family from the 1800s. We visited the Bahia Palace, Djemma El Fna square, ate delicious apricot-infused cous cous and chicken and lamb tagines at atmospheric rooftop cafes, like Nomad and Café Des Epices, while listening to the call to prayer, and captured our experiences and memories with a family photoshoot, walking through the Medina and a secret garden. The locals were friendly and playful with our toddler, making her smile. Every day she would hear us say “Salaam” and “Shukran”; quickly picking up on how to say hello and thank you in Arabic. 

Marrakech, although, more overwhelming, loud, crowded and not as kid-friendly as Essaouira, felt authentic and was the first to give us a glimpse into Moroccan culture. Entering the bustling Medina, a labyrinth of lanes, felt like taking a step back in time; the aroma of spices, the fresh delicacies, Moroccan mint tea, hand-crafted shoes, carpets, jewellery and paintings lined the narrow, winding paths. As an avid traveller, I rarely have culture shock and this time I did, a beautiful feeling I welcomed and was excited by.

With loud scooters driving by, and throngs of crowds, it was difficult to navigate Marrakech with a stroller. However, Marrakech is filled with gardens, courtyards, pools and plenty of rooftop cafes to tuck into when feeling overwhelmed, giving our toddler a chance to wander and explore safely. Another option for families is to get a day pass at a luxury hotel, such as the Sofitel Marrakech. For $55 Canadian per person, we were able to stay and use the pool for the day. Great way to end our last day in Marrakech.

ESSAOUIRA

In Essaouira, this relaxed coastal, bohemian and family-friendly destination included playgrounds on the beach, camel rides, colourful boats by the port, opportunities to learn how locals make argan oil, watching bands at sunset on rooftop cafes overlooking the Atlantic (Salut Maroc), and dancing to drumming on the beach promenade. 

We stayed at a B&B within the UNESCO-protected fortified Medina (Riad Lunetoile) for the first part of our stay before ending our trip with a couple of relaxed days at a resort with a pool and kids club (Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa). 

Walking through the streets of the Medina in Essaouira, we noticed local women grinding nuts to make argan oil; our daughter wanted to try how to make it and the locals were very receptive. At Riad Lunetoile where we stayed for our first part of the trip, our toddler remembers all the lovely ladies in the kitchen who helped make our breakfast. Essaouira was a wonderful treat after a few hectic days in Marrakech.

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Colourful Marrakech and Essaouira offer cultural learning experiences for all ages. It’s not always easy travelling with a toddler, but it’s worth it. Go on…I encourage you to try it!