From Solo to Soulful: Julia’s Memorable Morocco Trip with OWR Travel

Julia was searching for more than just a vacation—she needed a reset. After navigating major life changes and the stresses of work, she was craving adventure, connection, and something to look forward to.

That’s when she booked OWR Morocco. What followed was a life-changing journey—one that brought new friendships, memorable experiences, and a deep sense of fulfillment.

I was desperately yearning for a big international trip since going through a divorce, two moves and working through the pandemic as a nurse.  I experienced violence at work that summer which took a toll on my mental health.  I knew I needed to treat myself and give myself something to look forward to.

Being single in my mid-30s, finding travel buddies is not easy.  Many friends are busy with families, they travel with their partner etc.  I searched for a travel group for my age versus a party trip for people in their 20s.  After looking at a few sites and many reviews, I settled on Other Way Round and an incredible 9-day trip all over Morocco.

I booked the March 2024 trip in August of 2023.  Other Way Round was very communicative and helpful in booking my flights, as I had not booked international flights for some time. As the date approached, I was beyond ecstatic. 

I was so excited to have that many days off work and could not wait to experience somewhere new and meet new people.  When we arrived, despite the fatigue from a long flight, I was excited, nervous and couldn’t wait to meet everyone.  

“OUR TOUR LEADER MUSTAPHA WAS INCREDIBLE, KNOWLEDGEABLE, FUNNY, AND CALM”

Our group was made up of myself, my boyfriend at the time, three Americans, two Australians and one English person. 

We were all between the ages of 30’s to early 40’s.  We all became close, ate every dinner together even when given the option to pair off and we still keep in touch over a year later. 

Our tour leader Mustapha was incredible, knowledgeable, funny and calm.  

Each hotel seemed to be better than the last, they truly felt top notch, relaxing and beautiful.  The accommodations were comfortable, the hotels were stylish and artsy, modern feeling.  I still cannot get over the glamping tents in the Sahara Dessert. 

Never in my life did I think I would sleep in a beautiful Moroccan tent in the Sahara Dessert after riding a camel at sunset! The food was a mix between hotel breakfasts (breads, meats, eggs, fruit, yogurt etc), some planned meals and some free time to have our own meals. 

“MOROCCAN FOOD IS INCREDIBLE”

Moroccan food is incredible, we ate lots of tajine, middle eastern dishes, lots of different breads, hand poured mint tea, we even had camel tajine one day. 

I grew up eating dates, but the medjool dates in Morocco were exquisite. The plumpest, softest, sweetest dates I have ever eaten.  Not one meal consumed was bad, it felt nutritious too, lots of stewed meats, veggies, fruits, handmade breads. 

“IT WAS EXTREMELY WELL ORGANIZED, UNLIKE ANYTHING I COULD HAVE PLANNED MYSELF”

We traveled all over Morocco from Casablanca, to the forest, dessert, the capital and to Marrakesh. 

It was extremely well organized, unlike anything I could have planned myself.  In my current life I feel I would never have time to thoughtfully curate a trip like this so booking through a company saved me so much time and thought.  

Along the way, there were so many memorable moments.

Visiting a traditional Berber family in their mud straw home and experiencing how simply they live.  Driving along the forest seeing snow and monkeys on the side of the road.  Learning that the first university in the whole world was founded in Morocco by a woman.

Taking a camel ride at sunset in the Sahara dessert after a 6+ hour ride to reach the dessert.  Watching and smelling the processing of lamb skins in the leather market in Marrakesh.

Yes, I had to buy a leather coat while I was there.  I love it every time I put it on and think of this incredible trip.

One of the trip members ordered a coat and the sizing needed to be adjusted. They delivered the finished coat to her that evening at our hotel!

“THE ABSOLUTE HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP WAS A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER MARRAKESH AT SUNRISE”

The absolute highlight of the trip was a hot air balloon ride over Marrakesh at sunrise.  I am not always one to book a lot of excursions on trips or do not always have the budget to do so.  This was extra but everyone in the group decided to book it. 

We arrived, still in the dark, to tea, coffee and baked goods around a bonfire and inside another beautiful green, gold and red Moroccan tent. 

All around us, they began to inflate the hot air balloons.  I have never seen one in person, they were gigantic.  

They divided us into groups, and we stepped into the baskets attached to each balloon.  We slowly ascended and then soared over Marrakesh, the mountains and the landscape just as the sun began to rise in the distance.

It was absolutely breathtaking.  The beauty of this hot air balloon ride brought me to literal tears.

I had experienced so many personal ups and downs the last four years, I did not know when I could afford to travel again, and at the moment, I felt like it was truly deserved and everything would be ok. 

“AS A GROUP, WE BONDED, BEGINNING THE TRIP AS TOTAL STRANGERS AND ENDING FEELING LIKE LIFELONG FRIENDS”

As a group, we bonded, beginning the trip as total strangers and ending feeling like lifelong friends.  We all came with a different purpose, from different circumstances, experiences and expectations.  We left feeling full and as if we had been put into each other’s lives for a reason.

I highly recommend booking one of these trips.  It was easy to book, well organized, and thoughtfully curated. 

Everything one would be nervous about, the distance, the money, the strangers, is valid.  I can guarantee you it is all worth it, and you will experience a trip of a lifetime! You can book well in advance or closer to the date, you can pay up front or in increments. 

Read about where you’re thinking of going and then book one of these trips. The itinerary is so detailed and makes for an incredible trip.  

The staff at Other Way Round is very communicative and answered all of my questions. 

I have been eyeing their other trips since I got back and am really looking forward to my next one!