By Ayo Lawal
I’ve always dreamt of visiting Morocco—always! So you can imagine my excitement when I learned I’d be embarking on an all-expenses-paid journey not just to one city but four Moroccan cities. Heading into this adventure, I had no idea what to expect, but the luxury we experienced exceeded all my expectations. Don’t believe me? Read on and discover for yourself!
Day One: Journey from Lagos to Casablanca, Wellness Session and Welcome Cocktail
Our journey commenced with an exhilarating flight from Lagos to Casablanca. The landing at 11:30 am was met with a warm reception, setting the tone for an extraordinary experience ahead. When you have officials from the government with you, of course, everything goes on smoothly! This might be a great time to mention that I wasn’t on this journey alone. I was part of an 8-man team carefully selected from Nigeria. If I didn’t feel special before, I definitely feel special now!



By 1 pm, we were settling into our first lodge. The first order of business? Food! Of course, this was an eagerly anticipated affair after our morning’s travels. As dusk settled, we ascended to the 24th floor for a cocktail dinner in our honour. We were welcomed to the tunes of Nigerian songs bursting from the speakers. It provided the perfect backdrop for mingling with both Moroccan and Nigerian counterparts. We ended the night playing games and knowing each other better. It was time to say goodnight!
Day Two: Casablanca to Tangier, Guided tour of the City and Dinner (That included a lot of dancing and singing)
So here’s the thing about travelling for work with a full itinerary: you can’t really sleep in! Day two began early with preparations for our train journey to Tangier. Upon arriving in Tangier, you just get the sense that this city is vibrant. Exiting the train station, we could already see our Hotel staring at us. Renowned for its hospitality, we were treated to tea and snacks at the hotel entrance before we indulged in a sumptuous lunch. After that, we embarked on a guided city tour, immersing ourselves in its culture and discovering its intriguing landmarks. Our evening tour commenced with a visit to Cape Spartel, a popular vantage point offering stunning views where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. Situated in northern Morocco, Tangier occupies a pivotal position at the intersection of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, enriched by its multicultural heritage.

We also explored the Tangier Medina, a bustling market labyrinth lined with narrow streets, vibrant souks, and a myriad of local crafts, spices, and traditional wares.
Day 3: Tangier to Chefchaouen, Guided tour of “The Blue City/Pearl”, and attending a Moroccan-themed wedding!
On Day Three, we departed for our next destination: Chefchaouen; you might know it as the Blue Pearl or the Blue City. The road trip from Tangier was a few hours long, but all the fun we were having in sprinter singing and dancing, plus the breathtaking views, made the journey even sweeter. It’s 6:06 pm, and we just arrived at our next hotel. All I wanted to do was jump in the pool, which I did! I only had the time to do so because the ladies on the team were getting ready for their special roles as Moroccan bridesmaids for the wedding later in the evening.

Traditional Moroccan music, dance, and cuisine all came together for truly an unforgettable cultural experience.
If you like Nigerian weddings, you definitely love traditional Moroccan weddings. Brides typically change outfits multiple times throughout the celebration. It usually ranges from 3 to 7 or more outfits, depending on regional and family customs. Our bride wore three stunning outfits!
The Groom was undoubtedly not left out! It’s his day, too, I mean. The groom adorns attires that reflect elegance and sophistication.
It’s 11:49 pm now. The whole team was understandably tired, but we gathered for dinner before going to bed—a ritual that lasted throughout the trip!
Day Four: Welcome to Marrakech!

Marrakech is the tourist capital of Morocco. Naturally, I was particularly excited about our journey to Marrakech.
Walking into our hotel felt like I had entered paradise, and we’d soon realised this was just the beginning of Marrakech’s lavish offerings for the team. Our individual villas (which had their private pools) felt like a palace room. Welcomed by a handwritten note from the general manager and some delightful sweets and fruits native to Morocco to enjoy. But the real gem? Two framed images of myself in the room!
Day Five: Hot Air Balloon, Musee Des Confluence and Tour of the Marrakech Medina
It’s 5:10 am, and the group is together waiting to be transported to our destination for the Hot Air Balloon ride. Why do we have to leave so early? You may ask. Catching the sunrise from a hot air balloon is such a beautiful scene. That’s why! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience; to top it off, we even received certificates for our flight. It was interesting to see how “Ayo” is written in Arabic.
Our day in Marrakech continued at the Musée des Confluences. This museum is renowned for its extensive collection of artefacts that offer a glimpse into Morocco’s rich and diverse cultural history. Formally a palace Built in the 1910s by the Pacha of Marrakech at the time;
Thami El Glaoui. This was a typical example of a riad: small on the outside, but when you enter, you are more than surprised. Immediately, I was blown away by the stunning and honestly “ahead of its time” architecture. Fun fact: everything was hand-carved!
From there, we proceeded to the bustling Jamaa El Fna Square. With the help of yet another funny tour guide (who kept calling me Michael Jackson), we walked through the streets of the Marrakech Medina, a vibrant market filled with spices, textiles, and finely crafted goods, from leather bags to shoes to accessories to even ceramic products. As we navigated the market, we were warmly greeted by the locals, who could tell we were tourists.
As the tour came to an end, we were treated to an extravagant lunch at an upscale rooftop restaurant.
After lunch, we headed back to the villa to unwind and prepare for the exciting Marrakech nightlife we were going to experience later that night. Dressed in my traditional Yoruba native, fully repping Nigeria, the evening was unforgettable. It featured a mouth-watering dinner and captivating performances at one of Marrakech’s finest nightlife venues. The night ended with us singing our theme song again: “Morocco, Morocco, Moroooccoooo.”
Day Six: Quad Biking, Camel Ride, and Goodbyes
I hate goodbyes. However, it was time to say goodbye to such a wonderful experience. Our hosts, however, were determined to ensure we experienced all Marrakech had to offer. They had one last thing in store for us: quad-biking and camel riding! As we embarked on our journey back to the airport to fly home to Nigeria, a blend of sadness, happiness and fulfilment followed us. I will definitely be visiting Morocco again, this time spending more time in the cities to fully appreciate and digest all its offerings.