A golf trip to Morocco's Big Five - Part 1
What began with the tagline "IGTM Marrakech" ultimately turned out to be a golf trip to the four royal cities of Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes and Fez with the addition of Essaouira, the enchanting insider tip by the sea. My verdict: A fairytale Orient, fantastic cultural sites, royal golf, enchanting riads and indulging in oriental delicacies.
"First Exit Marrakech" and Essaouira
I thought it would be far too good to visit the IGTM (International Golf Travel Market) in Marrakech for just 4 days and found the ideal partner for a side trip to Essaouira in "niche destinations". It's a two-hour drive away and the world changes completely. Picturesquely situated on a peninsula, a white city lights up by the sea - not to be compared with the rather dark Marrakech. According to history, culture and beauty have made the city famous. First in the 7th century BC when the Phoenicians landed here and in the 16th century when the Portuguese founded the old "Mogador". Under Sultan Mohamed ben Abdalah, the fortress city gained immense importance in the 18th century thanks to the trading port, which was Morocco's largest seaport and an important hub for trade between Europe, Africa and America. Today, you can buy fresh fish here, which many tourists enjoy. The interior of the UNESCO World Heritage Medina is teeming with galleries and art workshops, cafés and boutiques. I wander through the symmetrically laid out streets, where Cat Stevens and Frank Zappa spent some time in the 70s. The Rolling Stones are also said to have immortalized themselves here with their "Peace, Love and Rock 'n' Roll" - a little "hippie vibe" with music and a hint of hashish scent in the air still remains. No wonder the city was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones. I experience the full range of Moroccan artistic diversity over dinner at the Caravane Café and in the La Kasbah gallery, where I can't decide between paintings and objects by local artists over a cup of mint tea. Anyone staying at the Heure Bleue Palais, one of the most beautiful riads in the middle of the medina, has hit the jackpot. My hotel, the "Coté Ocèan Mogador", is located directly on a beach several kilometers long, flanked by dunes to the south, and is one of the more modern hotels outside the old town. Despite the very cool Atlantic Ocean, I find the water extremely refreshing at a sunny 30 degrees and the surfers on their favorite beaches obviously appreciate this too.
Gary Players Mogador playground
Once again, he's picked a great spot, I think as I reach the Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa Resort after a 10-minute drive. In the middle of a 600-hectare park with palm trees, bougainvilleas and cedar forest lie the 18 holes of the North Course and the 12 holes of the South Course, which have so far been completed. Scattered in between are the resort's 26 villas with unobstructed views of the ocean. I am told to stop at two holes on the North Course in particular: : Hole 15 offers views of Jimmy Hendrix's famous café and hole 17 is right on the ocean. Yes, and then there's the South Course with slightly wider fairways surrounded by mangroves and wild plants. If you're on your own here, you'll enjoy a peaceful silence in the middle of unspoiled nature, especially early in the morning.
Argan oil & wine
On the drive back to Marrakech, I have to make two more stops: the Marjana Argan Oil Cooperative and the Val d'Argan organic winery. I learn that the argan fruits are collected and processed by a handful of Berber women. After drying in the sun, the pulp is removed, the hard kernels are cracked open with a stone and then the argan almonds inside are removed and lightly roasted over an open fire. The oil is produced by long pressing and grinding by hand with a stone mill. 100 kilos of argan nuts yield only 5 kilos of almonds, from which a maximum of 2.4 kilos of oil can be extracted. This is what makes the oil so valuable and expensive. I buy it anyway, because then the souvenir is already in my suitcase. Just opposite, I find the small winery of the Mélia family, who have been producing some of the best wines in Morocco since 1994. This is because they also own the "Château de la Font du Loup" vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Here they have planted 30 hectares of vines and olive trees. That's why I not only taste the white, rosé and red wines here, but also excellent olive oil. Incidentally, the "Orients Blanc" is said to be one of the best Moroccan white wines. It is also served here in the Riad Monceau restaurant, where there are also guest rooms.
And the winner is...
Back in Marrakech, where golf tour operators from 65 countries meet at the IGTM for a get-together with 400 buyers and exhibitors, where parties are held in various golf clubs in the evenings and unfortunately there is little time for golfing. Because there are currently 13 golf courses around Marrakech vying for guests. I only manage 9 holes on the "Atlas Course", which is one of the most beautiful 9-hole courses here. My trade fair hotel, the Iberostar Club Palmeraie Marrakech, has 10 courses all around it. A huge palm garden with pool and lots of sports facilities attract families in particular.
Of course, the award-giving ceremony is the highlight of every trade fair. And of course, the Algarve is once again the golf destination of the year. Surprisingly, Cambodia made it to "undiscovered golf destination" and Cyprus received the sustainability award. The highlight of my trip here - the Riyad El Cadi in the old town, just a few minutes away from Jemaa el Fna. Julia Bartels from Berlin manages seven houses there, which are connected by courtyards, corridors and staircases. The meeting point for all guests is the roof terrace with small oases of retreat with sun loungers, blooming burgainvilleas and tables for breakfast or dinner. My own riyad is right in the middle - with an inner courtyard, bedrooms and living rooms, kitchen and its own terrace high up on the roof. I feel like an oriental princess.
Further information:
www.visitmorocco.com www.marketing-deluxe.at www.golf-mogador-essaouira.com www.riad-monceau.com/the-val-dargan-vineyards
www.igtmarket.com
www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/marrakech www.riyadelcadi.com
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