DEAR DIARY / Holly Byrne in Morocco

DEAR DIARY / by freelance life style journalist Holly Byrne

I woke up at:

Sunrise, it was the coolest and the quietest time of the day in every city I visited. A calm before the chaos (and the summer heat) kicked off felt like such a treat.

My favourite breakfast spot was:

Any street vendor with fresh-from-the-oven Khobz, (Moroccan round bread).

I ate too many:

I enjoyed more vegetable tagines than I can count, but surely there’s no such thing as too many vegetables?! I did, however, completely over indulge in coffee – Nos Nos is the Moroccan caffeine staple and literally translates to ‘half, half’ so it’s half espresso, half milk.

I stayed at:

Riad Due in the Marrakech Medina, a small but stunning four-room boutique hotel with the most exquisite service I have ever experienced. And a rooftop to die for!

My Morocco pinch me moment was:

Wandering through the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and Jardin Majorelle. It’s been on my travel bucket list for as long as I can remember and it was so surreal to finally be there.

My favourite spot to visit is:

LRNCE Studio for the most incredible ceramics, textiles and art – I really needed a bigger suitcase… or Morocco’s picturesque ‘Blue City’ Chefchaouen

I wrote in my Travel Journal at:

Fes after feeling wildly inspired by the artisans who hand-craft Moroccan zellige tiles and mosaics. I’d mentally designed my dream bathroom while learning and watching how these beautiful tiles are made.

My favourite dinner spot was:

Nomad in the Marrakech Medina – the most delicious lamb!

I will always remember:

Watching the sunset over the Sahara Desert in Merzouga after a short camel ride through the dunes.

My Travel Journal came in handy for:

Keeping track of my expenses, especially for tracking any work-related costs that I’d need to claim later.

My number one travel hack is:

Paying a little bit more for flexible bookings is worth it. The less concrete your plans are, the more exciting your trip will be.