Reflections from Our First JAN Voyage: Discovery
Morocco, 2025.
There are some places in the world that hum with a kind of energy you can feel the moment you arrive. Morocco is one of them. From the moment we stepped off the plane, the air was alive, a blend of spice and sunlight, sound and spirit. The country’s vibrancy seeps into everything; the colours, the food, the people, even the air seems to pulse with rhythm.
Motorbikes weave deftly through narrow pathways in the medinas, always appearing when you least expect them. Morocco moves at its own pace, inviting you to slow down, look closer, and listen.
Each morning began in stillness, with a sunrise wellness session on the rooftop led by our Voyage partner and pilates experts Core Concepts, overlooking a city just beginning to stir. The call to prayer echoed softly in the distance, the air cool and perfumed with mint tea and fresh bread. It was a moment of grounding, a way to set the tone for the discoveries that awaited us each day.
Then we would set off the explore the location of the day. One of the most captivating experiences was watching artisans at work, particularly those crafting Morocco’s famed mosaics and tiles. The intricate process, shaped by centuries of tradition, was mesmerising. Hands moved with effortless precision, cutting and fitting tiny pieces of coloured tile into elaborate patterns. It looked deceptively simple, but beneath that ease lay a lifetime of practice, patience, and devotion to craft.
In Fez, as our Group Culinary and Operations Executive Andrea described so perfectly, “there’s a lot going on, but in the best possible way.” The city is a living museum, a maze of history, architecture, and energy. Light filters through the wooden lattice of the markets, scattering into golden threads that dance across piles of spices, dates, and handwoven baskets. The food markets hum with life, the aroma of grilled meats, the sweetness of figs, the tang of preserved lemons. Every turn reveals something new: a burst of colour, a hidden doorway, a story whispered through centuries.
Of course, no Moroccan journey would be complete without a few stories to tell, and the traditional Hammam massage provided just that. It’s an experience none of us will forget soon, and one that will certainly resurface around many dinner tables for years to come.
Cooking together became one of the highlights of the voyage. As the sun set behind the ochre rooftops of Fez, we gathered for a traditional cooking class, learning the art of the perfect chicken tajine, fragrant with saffron, lemon, and olives.
There’s something deeply grounding about preparing food in such a timeless place, where recipes are passed from one generation to the next like treasured heirlooms.
From the lively chaos of the medinas, we journeyed into the stillness of the desert, an otherworldly landscape of silence and light. At night, we dined under a sky dense with stars, each one reflected in the gentle flicker of lanterns. The next morning, as the first light brushed across the dunes, we rode camels through the soft golden sands, a moment of pure calm, where time itself seemed to pause.
Our final days took us to Marrakech, a world within a world, colourful, noisy, and endlessly fascinating. Narrow alleyways led to serene riads draped in jasmine, while vibrant stalls spilled over with spices, carpets, and the freshest pomegranate juice imaginable. The city buzzed with energy, and yet, just behind a carved wooden door, you could find a pocket of stillness and beauty.
We tasted our way through Marrakech, discovering the many shades of harissa, learning that breakfast here is delightfully savoury, and that the best meals are those shared family-style, platters passed around the table, conversation flowing as freely as the mint tea.
JAN Voyage: Discovery was just that, it was a journey of senses, stories, and connection. Morocco taught us that discovery isn’t only about finding new places; it’s about rediscovering wonder, curiosity, and the joy of shared experience.
As the sun set on our final evening, we left with full hearts, grateful for the beauty, generosity, and warmth that Morocco offered so freely. This first JAN Voyage: Discovery set the tone for many more to come, each one a reminder that travel, at its best, is a celebration of life itself.