We were utterly overwhelmed by Morocco; it has the most spectacular scenery, vastly changing as you move through the country. The landscapes were mesmerising; one day, you would be surrounded by snow-capped mountains next, in the Sahara desert, and then the beautiful surf coastal towns. The food made leaving it hard; we loved the tajines and local wines. The Moroccan people, even more, are the kindest, happiest and friendliest souls. Lifelong friendships were made, and memories will last a lifetime. We like to treat ourselves to a certain level of luxury as we travel, as it is all part of the experience. We thoroughly researched all areas and found the best budget options (AUD 100 per night), primarily through Airbnb and hotels.com. Here is a selection of our preferred stays in Morocco. Morocco Casablanca Tamaris El Jadida Oualidia Safi Essaouira Ait Ben Haddou Dades Gorges Sahara Desert Meknes Rabat We are foodies and wine/cocktail lovers, so the first thing we do when we arrive at a new destination is Google the best restaurants and bars. We enjoy long, lazy lunches with a fun atmosphere, great staff and, of course, food and wine. We have been fortunate to dine in some fabulous establishments, and here is a list of our favourites in Morocco.

Riad d'Or - Seven Nights Riad d'Or is the most adorable Riad. It is spacious and has the most enormous terrace we have yet to experience in Morocco. It is the perfect spot to chill out, with 360-degree views designed for comfort and soaking in this beautiful country's everlasting sun (even a rooftop pool). Sunsets and sunrises are incredible, and listening to the call to prayer from the 28 nearby mosques is magical! The rooms are unique and spacious, and the beds are heavenly. The bathrooms have a nice hot shower and excellent water pressure. The team makes you feel at home. They are accommodating and friendly, and nothing is too much. You leave feeling like part of the family. Breakfast is an abundance of pastries, fruit, fresh orange juice and Moroccan omelette. Coffee is excellent, too! Dinners are delightful, and the food is delicious. The restaurant is a great space overlooking a beautiful courtyard. There are many hideouts throughout the Riad. To find some quiet time to chill out and relax over some local tea with a great book, you feel like you have booked the entire Riad. The location is perfect. Everything is a short walk away. You are in the Medina, so all conveniences are on your doorstep or a 6-dirham taxi ride away. This is a fantastic recommendation from their sister hotel in Dades Valley, Auberge Chez Pierre . Both run from the same family, and the quality of both is exceptional. The staff is consistent throughout both hotels, and the cleanliness is as good as any hospital. The staff is diligent in cleaning from top to bottom each day. Thank you so much for welcoming us into your Riad for one week; it has been the perfect place to spend our last week in Morocco after three months of travelling to your most beautiful country. We hope to see you all again someday soon.

Relais de Paris - Three visits This a beautiful recommendation from the team at Relais de Paris. It is a perfect restaurant to satisfy our appetites while enjoying fine local wines at affordable prices. The restaurant has a warm atmosphere with charming and welcoming staff. The food was a delight, and they also do excellent value set menus for only 149 Dirham. We enjoyed a great starter of soup followed by Entrecote Beef, which was both delicious. We couldn't help but try the desserts, and we're thankful we did. The Apple Pie was the best; think of apples surrounded by crepes; you can't go wrong! There is also a lounge club downstairs open late, should you wish to have an after-dinner drink and enjoy the music they offer. Thank you for having us, and we hope to be able to join you again one day soon. We came back the next night!

Zaki Suites Hotel & Spa - One Visit The bar and restaurant at Zaki Suites Hotel & Spa in Meknes offer a delightful dining experience in a sophisticated setting. The restaurant serves a fusion of Moroccan and international cuisines, with flavorful and beautifully presented dishes. The ambience is elegant yet relaxed, making it suitable for casual dining and special occasions. The bar offers a variety of cocktails and beverages, perfect for enjoying before or after your meal. The attentive and professional staff ensure excellent service throughout your dining experience. Spirits are expensive unless you do bottle service.

Sahara Atlas Tours What a fabulous tour company Sahara Atlas Tours is. They have a wealth of local knowledge about all parts of Morocco, and you leave them feeling part of the family. Nothing is too much, and they will accommodate all your needs, design your tours the way you want, and are very flexible to fit your style. We loved the personal nature of the trips and being able to take everything at our own pace. Inspiring experiences while travelling through Morocco with them, comfortable cars and very safe driving, along with a bit of fun along the way. There is nothing like singing and dancing to local tunes to break up the long drives. Thank you to Ismail for taking extra special care of my husband and me; we were very grateful to continue exploring your beautiful country, and meeting you and your team made it even harder to leave. I recommend Sahara Atlas Tours and look forward to returning to Morocco shortly to experience more adventures together.

Tirizi Camp - Four Nights The best way to arrive at Tirizi Camp . Camels in Morocco are known as Dromedaries, which are a part of the camel family. Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries) are rarely found in the wild, and most seen walking around the landscape have owners.

Tiziri Camp - Four Nights Luxury at its best. We started with a two-night stay at Tiziri and finished with four nights! It was a perfect oasis to enjoy downtime and completely disconnect from life for a few days. We arrived by camels at the camp , and it was the perfect way to start our stay, riding camels through the Sahara desert at sunset. The camels are well cared for; surprisingly, the ride was very comfortable, and the views were incredible. The colours of the desert were mesmerising. Upon arriving at Tiziri Camp, your mind is blown; it is a luxury camp in the desert, with only six very intimate tents, and the atmosphere is instant serenity. Upon arriving at Tiziri Camp, your mind is blown; it is a luxury camp in the desert, with only six very intimate tents, and the atmosphere is instant serenity. Our tent was beautiful, with the most comfortable, cosy, and warm bed. The tents have everything you need. You are spoilt with lovely electric blankets and a hot water bottle to keep you warm. A nice warm shower, as it does get cold overnight, but once the sun rises, you enjoy terrific blue sky days and endless sunshine. The camp is so peaceful during the day; you welcome relaxation and take in the views, and the dunes are so picturesque. You can even enjoy afternoon wine in the desert! Sunrises and sunsets go without saying; they are magical. As a bonus, the sun rises at 7:30 a.m. in Morocco, so you can even sleep in. The food was fabulous, and you didn't go hungry; breakfast is a beautiful spread of everything you can think of, and dinner is a three-course dinner. We even skipped lunch to try and squeeze in dinner. In the evenings, the staff gathers around a beautiful, warm fire after dinner. You enjoy local music and learn about Berber life; it was genuinely magical, including the stargazing. The team at Tiziri were beautiful, and nothing was too much; they were always available to satisfy your requests and continually surprised you with tea and Moroccan treats throughout the day. We were even fortunate to experience making (and eating) Berber pizza in a neighbouring camp, and it was a beautiful experience.  Tiziri was also more in-depth in the desert and much more remote than other camps; you felt like the desert was all yours. We loved the camp so much we would book again in a heartbeat. All staff warmly welcomed you, and it's great to see they are taking an eco-friendly approach and doing their best to keep the deserts in their pristine state. Thank you so much for having us, and don't think twice; if you are considering Tiziri, you won't be disappointed.

Berber Pizza - Merzouga Sahara Desert While staying at Tirizi Camp , they kindly showed us how to make Berber Pizza. Within 30 minutes, we ate a beautiful-tasting pizza cooked in the sand of the Sahara desert. No, there was no sand or dirt on our Berber pizza.

The Fourteen Hotel Casablanca , a city where the charm of Morocco meets the rhythm of modern life, boasts a hidden gem ideal for casual explorers— The Fourteen Hotel . Nestled within the vibrant heart of Casablanca, The Fourteen Hotel presents an unparalleled advantage for those looking to immerse themselves in the bustle of the city. This prime location is not just a base but a gateway to discovering Casablanca's endless wonders, all within arm's reach. The rooms at The Fourteen Hotel redefine the meaning of a comfortable stay. Spacious and immaculately clean, each room is designed to be a home away from home, with large windows that bathe the space in natural light. Basic cooking facilities add personal convenience, perfect for when you crave a homemade meal. And speaking of meals, with a supermarket conveniently located at the end of the street, we indulged in the joy of cooking breakfast just how we liked it. The restaurant/bar Chez John  is attached to the hotel.

I do wonder if we dance like no one is watching. I see this sign everywhere, but do we stop and take notice? Dance like no one is watching means putting yourself out there; people will judge your sexuality, looks, style, sanity, and the list goes on forever. I'm not a great dancer. I have had a motto of first on the dance floor. Putting yourself out there for others to judge leaves you open. As you age, you realise it's not about material items; they will not bring you happiness. As I travel, I realise those magical moments—dancing on the street in Koh Samui with a beautiful soul closer to ninety than she would like to admit. Every night, she would walk past the jazz restaurant opposite our place, Red Moon . With her husband by her side, she would stand swaying to the music. Damn it if I didn't get up from my seat and ask her to dance. That moment will be etched into our memories more than any trinket we purchase. The moment of being the only male in a room in Morocco dancing to celebrate a wedding. Another Koh Samui moment was dancing with Audhild from Oslo, who has her own unique set of dancing wheels (a wheelchair). I cannot wait to see you, Audhild, in Norway as soon as our travels take us there. A shout-out to our favourite Legend Band in Kusadasi , Turkey. Let's all try to dance like no one is watching.