Patterns of Morocco

Dave and Anna Paul, father- and- daughter duo and talented photographers, traveled to Morocco with Audley

By Audley Travel

April 1^st, 2019

Two photographers. Two experienced travelers. Dave and his daughter Anna have traveled extensively as a family, along with mother and wife Janis, for many years. Last October they decided to set out for an 11- day trip somewhere a bit more off the beaten path in order to capture the local color and patterns that seem to cover every inch of Morocco.

Anna, a fashion designer and painter, tends to capture landscapes, textiles, and architecture, while Dave focuses on daily life, people, and street photography. Together they created a collection of images that speak to their most recent adventure together.

"We had done a fair amount of research, we knew where we wanted to go, but we didn't know how to make it all work. That is where Audley, and our specialist Talia, came in to the picture. Talia suggested am itinerary that started in Marrakesh and ended in Fez, the complete opposite of what we had thought we would do. Her routing ended up being brilliant, Fez is a more congested city so starting in Marrakesh let us ease into the experience without getting overwhelmed."

"Staying at the riads was a completely unique experience and one that added depth to our trip. Riads are typical Moroccan houses or palaces that are configured around a central courtyard. Each room is completely different and filled with character. The ornate details, the beautiful tile work and patterns, and the hospitality that we found meant that the places we stayed became a very memorable part of our trip."

"Traveling to the Atlas Mountains was incredible. We had seen so much culture in the cities, but the Berber people who live in the mountains showed us a much different side to the country. Staying at Kasbah Bab-Ourika (picture above) was truly special. Located high up in the mountains, the property took over 10 years to build. Staying in such a remote location gave us access to distant villages and untrodden hiking trails that we wouldn't have found on our own."

"Morocco is the perfect place to explore for people who are particularly interested in culture — art design, food, language. Each day we found that all of our sense were delighted. From the soothing taste of mint tea, the bright golden yellow of the numerous doorways, the warmth of the argan oil for sale in the Ourika Valley, to the spearmint leaves that we held close to our noses in order to mask the strong smells of the tannery."

"We are already hoping to go back, we want to see more cities. The coastal city of Essaouira and the blue city of Chefchaouen are both calling our names."