I’ve just returned from a lovely stay in Morocco, and whilst it’s a land bustling with activity, there is peace to be found. Morocco is fast becoming known as a wellness destination, with a strong tradition relating to wellness and self-care. There are now numerous retreats around the country and it’s never difficult to find a local spa. And the most typical wellness therapy of them all – Hammam (or steam bath). Hammams are an ancient and integral part of Moroccan life and are considered a purification of body and soul.
This is what I loved most about wellness is Morocco – it felt like I was experiencing a slice of their wonderful culture at the same time. Each treatment or experience had a cultural or local element and didn’t just feel like a replica of a western spa. I also loved the fact that most Moroccan wellness therapies make use of organic, native ingredients which are only mined in the country. Argan oil is everywhere, including in our almond butter at breakfast! I also noticed rose oil is popular (and one of my personal favourite plants for female health).
Hammams
I didn’t know what to expect when I went in for my first Hammam, so I’ll quickly summarise for you.
You’re stripped naked apart from a little baggy paper thong (forget your inhibitions).
Don’t expect to be given any warning about what’s about to happen next – you’re just moved around like a doll and the therapists are unlikely to speak much English so you have to just kind of go with it.
They start by washing you down with soap and then you're left in the hot hammam to sweat it out and let the steam to do its thing.
Expect to be left to your own devices for long periods of time. At one point I was wondering whether we were meant to be scrubbing ourselves as we were left for so long. I was starting to feel really hot and my bum was burning on the seat.
The therapists eventually came back in and then started to rigorously scrub us, to the point where you’ll see layers of skin falling off you. There’s also no boundaries – my boobs have never been massaged so much.
You’re then left again until they come back in to rub the clay. I also had my hair washed which made me feel like I was a little girl again (and also pointless as I went in for a massage after the hammam where they put oil in my hair).
They finish off by hosing you down and then take you to a relaxation room to enjoy some mint tea (a staple of Moroccon culture) and cool down.
I probably didn’t make that sound very relaxing, because quite honestly it wasn’t. But I do think it has a lot of benefits, and now I know what to expect I think I’d relax into it a lot more the second time.
Steam is used to encourage a deep and invigorating cleanse
Clays and vitamin rich soaps are used to remove toxins and impurities from the body
As well as skin softening and natural exfoliating benefits it also helps to boost the immune system by increasing circulation in the body and opening pores so toxins can be released.
Find your peaceful oasis
Morocco is busy, especially in the souks. Whist it is incredible to experience this crazy daily life it can become overwhelming after a while. But you’re never too far from a peaceful oasis. Whether it’s in the stunning riads (there are around 1500 of them!) or the many rooftop bars, it’s not hard to escape the hustle and bustle of the medina. And as soon as you step behind the Riad door, or observe the city from above, you’ll feel a sense of calm. We stayed in Riad Dyor which I’d highly recommend (but by no means am saying it’s the best one because they all look amazing). Our two favourite rooftop bars were Kabana and El Fenn, and for a beautiful healthy lunch spot surrounded by greenery try Le Jardin. All these spots are located in the Medina, but feel a world away from the craziness.
The food
I was really impressed with the food. I was expecting tagines to be the dominant menu choice, and whilst it tends to be on most menus, I feel like I got to experience a real variety of healthy food. There are a lot of delicious salads on the menus for a nutritious lunch, and then we opted for tapas style meals for dinners – think middle eastern dips, falafels, grilled meat, breads, halloumi…. Azar was my tapas dream.
Also don’t get me started on all the fresh herbs, spics and natural remedies they sell in the souks! I was probably in one store for about 30 minutes talking to one of the locals as he explained all the uses of the natural products. Although I would have loved to have come back with everything, I settled on a couple of teas - a berber tea and another high energy blend with super herbs like ginseng. I can’t wait to pop these in my teapot now I’m home.
Get out of the city into the mountains
I don’t think any trip to Morocco is complete without visiting the Atlas mountains. We spent our last 2 nights at Kasbah Bab Ourika – a beautiful shabby-chic hotel perched on a hill above Ourika valley. The views are spectacular and it was lovely to breathe in the fresh mountain air for a few days. Bab Ourika is a place to relax, and that’s exactly what we did. We spent our days reading books in one of the many beautiful nooks around the hotel, drinking tea, beer and wine on the sun drenched terrace, relaxing with a massage in the spa or exploring the mountains on a local hike. It really is a place to switch off and the perfect contrast to the busy medina in Marrakech. The hotel also has its own vegetable patch which provides high quality ingredients for the tasty, unfussy menu. Every day the food was delicious. I loved this hotel, and the only thing I’m gutted about is that we went in January when it was a little too cold to enjoy the pool and really make the most of all the stunning outdoor areas. If you want to switch off and enjoy some downtime, then this is the ideal place to do it! Below are a few snaps from around the property.
Morocco is an incredible country, and although it’s a little rough around the edges in places, and some of the locals can be a little pushier than you’d like, I think it’s somewhere everyone should visit. And if you’re looking for a wellness destination, this is a place like no other.
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