Inner courtyard of a home in Essaouira, Morocco

My photo journal of a wonderful week spent with my daughter in Morocco over school break, with stops in Essaouira and Marrakesh, And, of course, our pick for the versatile Spring styles that took us from the beach to the market, and beyond.

Come away with me!

-Sandra, Coclico Founder

on the left, the kai sneaker on a rug and the word "come," on the left kai leaning on a terracotta pot

on the left a woven, flat sandal in front of a door, on the right a woven, cork wedge sandal on stairs, center-top the word "away"

Arch passage in a anceint wall in Morocco

cactus on the right, a slide sandal sitting on a garden wall on the right, the words "with me"

I have always wanted to travel to Morocco. And this year, my daughter and I decided that it would be the best destination during her school break.

We planned only two destinations for the trip: Essaouira and Marrakesh.

Our first stop was the laid-back, ocean front city of Essaouira also called "The Windy City"

The town is made of whitewashed, blue-shuttered houses, encircled by honey-colored ramparts, all bordered by golden sand pounded by Atlantic rollers.

Blue doors on buildings in Essaouira, Morocco

We were extremely lucky in booking the lovely "Dar Beida" villa in the center of the ancient medina. Our home for the week was a 200-year-old former Jewish merchant's house that had been given a thorough makeover. Beida means "white" and the house lives up to its name.

We loved the eclectic mix of furniture in the house fusing together retro design, Moroccan minimalism, and a touch of African art.

You enter through the original wooden door into a quiet courtyard, flanked by stone-rimmed arches leading to a small library. The ground floor houses the kitchen and dining area, and a cozy living space replete with a wall of animal skulls and egg-shaped log fireplaces for chilly evenings.

two views of a livingroom in a home in Essaouira, Morocco showing a fireplace and stone door

Dinning room of a home in Essaouira, Morocco

Make your way up the stairs to discover its charming bedrooms and multiple terraces revealing a city view. In the mornings, we were woken up by the sound of roosters, seagulls, and the local Mosque's call to prayer. What a wonderful way to start the day.

View from a terrace in Essaouira, Morocco of other rooftops and the start of sunset

A bedroom with a colorful chair on the left, the kai sneaker on a Moroccan rug on the right

Wedges on stairs on the left, stairs going up to a terrace on the right

The Solomiya gladiator sandal on a garden ledge

In the evening we were treated to a homemade feast and the sights of the town by moonlight.

a Moroccan mean on a table on the left, on the right - a street after dark in Essaouira

During the day we ventured through the narrow streets of the medina and enjoyed the rhythm of the city, with the food markets, the souk, and the beautiful Moroccan artisans. Not counting the many cats that roam around the city and sometimes end up in baskets.

Rugs hanging at a market stall in Essaouira on the left, on the right cats sleeping in a basket

Our host, Emma, tells us about a magic spot about 40 minutes south of Essaouira and we decide to head there for a day trip. Ultimately that day would be the highlight of our stay in Morocco.

A little Berber stone house awaited us in a seemingly deserted area. Mo’s place is a wild, quirky, and bohemian venue where we enjoyed the most delicious feast (sea bass caught the same morning) and ate overlooking the Atlantic ocean.

Later we rode camels along the beach. This magical untamed and wonderfully undiscovered spot of Morocco’s Jurassic coastline was occupied only by us for a few hours. A warm thank you to the family that prepared this wonderful BBQ and shared a day of their lives with us.

on the left - foot steps in the sand. On the right - riding camels on the beach

From this little piece of paradise, we head out to one of the most famous cities in Morocco: Marrakesh. Here, the tempo is a bit different, busier city, miles of Souk... fascinating and a bit overwhelming at the same time. If you are in the mood for shopping, this is the place to find treasures of this country. With all the action going on around us, the arched entryways kept stopping me in my tracks and reminded me to take in the beauty of our surroundings.

Two photos side-by-side of arches in Morocco

A stone and tile doorway, with a carved wood door

The "Jardins Majorelle" was an oasis in the busy city. The Botanical Garden created in the 30s showcases the flora of the region and is juxtaposed with the house of the painter, well known for its bright blue walls.

A blue fountain in the Jardins Majorelle

A slide sandal on a garden wall on the left, a espadrille style sneaker leaning on a plant on the right

I was left wanting more time. Happily, Morocco is only a short trip from Coclico's Spanish production facility and I will be able to sneak back for more adventures.

Thanks for traveling along with me! Please click here to peruse the selection of Spring styles that made the trip to Morroco with me and my daughter.

Moroccan Dreamscape

Studio Notes