Moroccan Memories – Ouarzazate & Dades Valley

On the way from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert, make sure to stop at Ouarzazate, a desert city in central-south Morocco. 🏜️ This Game of Thrones filming location is a must-visit for fans—its hilltop fortress takes just 30 minutes to climb! 🏆 Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and named one of the world’s most beautiful villages by Lonely Planet, this ancient ksar has also starred in Hollywood blockbusters like Cleopatra, Gladiator, Mission: Impossible, and Operation Red Sea. After snapping some pics, we continued our journey toward the Sahara Desert (🐫🌵). Our stay for the night? A charming guesthouse in Kelaat M’Gouna, near the Valley of Roses! 🌹 (Did you know Morocco grows Damascus roses? Every May, the town celebrates the Rose Festival, where streets are covered in petals—absolutely magical!) ✨ Maison d'hôtes IZZA was a hidden gem! With only us as guests, hosts Isabelle & Mohammed made us feel at home. Nestled away from the city, this peaceful retreat overlooks the valley, offering stunning sunrise/sunset views from the backyard. The decor was beautiful, the bed super comfy, and breakfast delicious—a true slow-living experience. Mohammed even gave us tips for exploring Dades Valley—so helpful! 🚗 The next day, we drove through the winding "9 curves & 18 bends" of Dades Valley—breathtaking views from above! ⛰️ Sadly, we skipped Todra Gorge (next time!) because our hearts were set on the Sahara. 💡 Fun fact: Along the way, Morocco’s landscapes constantly shift in color and terrain—I even experienced rain in the desert for the first time! 🌧️❤️ #MoroccoTravel #Ouarzazate #DadesValley #SaharaBound #GameOfThrones #HiddenGems #ValleyOfRoses #TravelDiaries 🌍✨🏜️🌹