escape | moroccan mirage
Surrounded by an extraordinary ecosystem, this coastal village offers a discreet getaway for an adventurous twosome.
Moroccan mirage By A L S I O N R O T H
Need-to-Know Info Getting There: Royal Air Maroc, Morocco’s flagship airline, has direct flights from New York to Casablanca. As of press time, they will begin direct flights from Washington D.C. to Casablanca in early 2013. royalairmaroc.com Languages: Arabic (Moroccan dialect), French Weather: Oualidia is a temperate climate with pleasant weather year-round. The city and surrounding area experience about 320 days of sunshine per year. Recommended Sites: lasultanaoualidia.com, visitmorocco.com, morocco.com
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escape | moroccan mirage Forego Caribbean beaches and European B&Bs
for a honeymoon twist that you and your newlywed will always remember. Wave goodbye to your wedding guests and hop on a flight to Morocco—a cultural blend of African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences. Wind-down in the quiet charm of Oualidia (pronounced “Walidia”), a tiny seaside village on the Atlantic Ocean tucked between El Jadida and Safi. La Sultana Oualidia, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, borders a rare, fragile lagoon of sandbanks and oyster beds. The property’s limestone cliffs, golden wheat fields and saltwater marshes are accented by distant calls of flamingos; their pink feathers dotting the lagoon’s quiet waters. The 11 suites, named after traditional Moorish boats, are designed with natural materials—carved tadelakt walls, oleander branch ceilings and marble floors—and richly colored with hand-woven rugs and textured furnishings. The private terrace greets guests with flowering plants, a flowing water-channel and total privacy. Oualidia’s unhurried pace is reflected in the tranquil 147-foot infinity pool, which seemingly blends into the lagoon’s cerulean waters. Spend your time reading by the fishpond, sipping mint tea in the lush garden or reclining on the lagoon’s crescent beach under a straw parasol. La Sultana’s alfresco dining area is veiled in ivory calico and serves fresh lobsters, crayfish, spider crabs, clams and oysters. With a breakfast fit for a king (His Majesty, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco recently accommodated his family at La Sultana), savor Moroccan crepes, homemade yogurt, cumin-topped eggs, rustic bread and more. Enjoy cocktails in the rotunda bar or arrange a private picnic for two on a nearby hideaway beach. Devote an afternoon to La Sultana’s spa, in the heart of the hotel, with a heated indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and aromatherapy area, surrounded by intricate masonry, pools of sunlight and shimmering lamps. Receive massage treatments or rest in the hammam (steam room) after a cinnamon body scrub and Argan oil wrap. After you’ve indulged in La Sultana’s solitude, the staff will gladly set you and your hubby up with popular local activities, such as wind surfing, kayaking, boating and surfing. Quad-bike to El Jadida, the home of an old Portuguese fort, and sample fresh bread still warm from the local bakers’ stone ovens, or drive to Marrakech for a day of shopping and sightseeing in the largest market in Morocco. For a classic aphrodisiac, visit the nearby world-class oyster beds (specifically Oyster Farm #7, one of the oldest and best-known in the area). Morocco’s rich history, sun-drenched sights, intricate designs and aromatic dishes provide a sensory experience that is irresistible to romance especially in a place like Oualidia. , 111 .
denver life weddings
escape | moroccan mirage 1 2
By A lison R oth
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Packing for a Moroccan getaway can be tricky. Some areas of the country are very modest while anything goes in others. Play it stylishly safe and breezy with maxi dresses and caftans in colorful prints. Of course, swimsuits and resort wear are the norm at La Sultana. Dress for all occasions with day-to-night accessories. 1. Claudia E Lucia Dress, $125. At Gracie’s (1511 S. Pearl St., Denver) and claudiae.com 2. Moscot Isobel Sunglasses, $275. At Barton Perreira (525 E Copper Ave., Aspen) and moscot.com 3. Verano High Nantucket Retro Maillot, $230. At veranohigh.com 4. Fodor’s Morocco, 5th Edition, $22.99. At Barnes & Noble (500 16th St., Denver.) and fodors.com 5. Dooney & Bourke Tri-Bangle Bracelet, $65. At Dillard’s (1 W Flatiron Crossing Dr., Broomfield.) and dooney.com 6. OSEA Normal to Dry Skin Travel Kit, $44. At oseamalibu.com
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