Bright smells and shades of red, yellow, blue, and orange mingle with the sounds of vendors shouting their wares in the markets of Marrakech. Casablanca lies on the Atlantic coast waiting for lovers to stroll through its cosmopolitan streets quoting lines from the classic film. Inspiration to the likes of Twain, Matisse, and Hendrix, Tangier is a mix of European and African cultures located just twenty miles from Spain via the Strait of Gibraltar. Locals and visitors stroll through the ancient walled city of Fez, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Arab world. Haggle at the market in a mix of Arabic, French, and, in rare cases, a touch of English to get just the right price for those spices or that rug you’re after. Morocco is a large, vibrant country with delights for travelers in every corner.

Moroccan food is an adventure for the palate with careful but liberal use of spices such as cumin, turmeric, saffron, and cinnamon. Tagine is a spice-filled stew cooked in a special clay pot that the name of the meal comes from. Tagine stews vary greatly in flavor and ingredients used from hearty tomato-based meat stews to lighter chicken and lemon stews served over couscous.

Grains, soups, and stews are the heart and soul of Moroccan cuisine. Soup is even served at breakfast. At morning markets, you can find bissara, a thick pea soup, available for immediate consumption.

Spice up your relationship with a sojourn in Morocco, a peaceful, beautiful land filled with mystery. Stroll the tiny streets and exploring the souks of Marrakech hand in hand while beginning to fathom the new country lain out before you. Giggle over cultural differences over cups of Moroccan mint tea. Morocco is a great place to challenge your cultural boundaries and find comfort in the familiarity of your relationship.

Stay in a riad, a Moroccan home turned into a small hotel, and enjoy the unique luxuries of the one you choose. Riads often offer guests a homemade breakfast, a sauna, and a private garden courtyard.

For a once-in-a-lifetime sunrise, travel into the Sahara Desert and climb up a sand dune to watch the sky and sands change color. Bask in the tranquil beauty of a long stretch of sand and sky. And then, perhaps you’ll feel compelled to break each other’s reverie with a little tussle trying to push each other down the sand dune to work up an appetite for breakfast.

All images are used via Creative Commons Attribution rights. View the original images on Flickr at: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4