Helen planned my trip to a tent camp in the Sahara and lovely riad in Marrakesh. Our trip was SPECTACULAR—Helen’s arrangements were flawless and her guidance fabulous. I travelled with my three daughters—two of whom require strict gluten free dining—and Helen went out of her way to confirm that the kitchens along the way would be both safe and delicious. Helen listened carefully to what I wanted to experience and she planned the perfect set of activities that were enjoyable and interesting for my 13, 17, and 21 year old girls as well as for me —everything from a sidecar ride to a hammam experience and a morning at a local-only antiques market as well as a true highlight— making our own perfumes. I HIGHLY recommend Helen to all Perrin travelers!

Traveler Stephen Monahan enjoys a celebratory dinner in the Agafay desert. Photo: Traveler Joe McBrine

My boyfriend and I were in Marrakesh, Morocco (November 17-23 ) enjoying a trip put together by Helen and her team. If you’re wondering whether Morocco is a good place to go in November, it is! The weather is manageable (temps on average 58-80F) and the crowds are noticeably thinner than high season. This was my second trip organized by this amazing team of travel specialists, as they put together a wonderful trip for us to Egypt in 2021. This time around I had perhaps an unusual request—this was to be a birthday trip for both of us (I was turning 50)—and we wanted a trip that was a bit slower paced than what we were normally used to. BUT—we still wanted to see everything that we could fit into our time there.

I really connected with Helen—(and turns out she was celebrating her 50th the same week!)—who put great thought into our trip. We stayed at the beautiful Amanjena in Marrakech for the first part of our trip followed by a stay at the gorgeous and private Olinto Resort in the Atlas Mountain region for the latter portion. Simo our guide and Tuareg our driver were phenomenal.

In our short time in Morocco we enjoyed a private sunrise balloon ride over Marrakesh, took a motorcycle/side car tour of the city which included a private tour of a beautiful art deco home—its owner was both lovely and gracious. We had a spa day with a traditional hammam experience along with a relaxing massage afterwards. The highlight however was a wonderful WOW Moment put together by Wendy and her team. We enjoyed a sunset camel ride in the nearby Agafay desert followed by an exquisite dinner in the desert, complete with live Moroccan musicians playing traditional music, as well as an after dinner astronomy lesson from a local expert. It was truly beyond from start to finish and we were very grateful for the experience.

The last portion of our trip in the Atlas Mountains was also memorable and included a guided private hike with a professional mountain climber as well as relaxing times in our private heated pool at the Olinto Resort. 5 stars to Helen and her team!

Our family’s recent trip to Morocco was an absolute delight, expertly crafted by Helen, an expat whose deep knowledge of the country shines through in every aspect of the journey she planned for us. As a family of four with two daughters in their 20s, each with distinct interests, we were impressed by Helen’s ability to create an itinerary that captivated everyone.

The journey took us through three magnificent cities—Chefchaouen, Fez, and Marrakech. While there was considerable driving between destinations, our exceptional guide Saaid and skilled driver made these necessary transitions very manageable. Saaid proved to be an invaluable companion throughout our journey, demonstrating remarkable flexibility in accommodating our varying preferences while maintaining our schedule without any sense of rushing. His extensive knowledge, warm personality, and strong connections with locals enriched our experience immensely.

Our accommodations were consistently outstanding, with carefully selected riads in each city providing a perfect blend of luxury, authenticity, and comfort. These beautiful traditional houses offered peaceful sanctuaries after our daily explorations.

The itinerary masterfully balanced cultural immersion, historical discovery, and hands-on experiences. We explored ancient Roman ruins, witnessed traditional craftsmanship at a tile-making cooperative in Fez, and learned about leather-making and weaving traditions that have been passed down through generations. The diversity of activities continued with a refreshing half-day hike in view of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains and an indulgent afternoon at a traditional hammam.

A particular highlight was creating our own perfumes at the Marrakech Museum of Perfume—an experience that delighted everyone in our group. We also deeply appreciated the cultural richness of visiting synagogues in the Jewish quarters, exploring magnificent palaces and madrasas, and wandering through the vibrant markets. Even the omnipresent cats of Morocco’s cities added charm to our urban adventures.
Helen’s expert planning, combined with Saaids exceptional guiding, created an unforgettable family experience that perfectly balanced our diverse interests. while showcasing the best of Morocco’s rich cultural heritage.

My name is T. S. Bunton. My wife and I traveled in Morocco for two weeks from December 1 through 13, 2024, with our arrangements made by Helen, a travel specialist recommended by Wendy Perrin. This was our second trip to the country (following our first trip nine years ago).

After arriving at the Casablanca Airport, we drove to and stayed in Marrakesh, then Essaouira, and finally Olinto Mountain Retreat in the Ouirgane Valley. The timing of our trip enabled us to be in Morocco when the climate typically is most comfortable, avoiding the very hot summer and times when the greatest numbers of tourists are present.

The trip was thoroughly enjoyable and the arrangements enabled us to do and see all we had hoped to do and see on this trip. We communicated our wishes and preferences to Helen both in an initial phone conversation and in multiple subsequent emails, and she assembled an itinerary and arrangements that were extremely well-matched to our criteria.

Some of the specifics of her arrangements for us:

– We stayed in a riad in Marrakesh, La Maison Arabe, that had 29 rooms and was within easy walking distance of the medina/main souk. It was lovely in every way: its decor and furnishings; its architecture; the quality and setting of its restaurant; and the helpfulness and friendliness of its staff. Its scale permitted us to enjoy our stay without being overwhelmed or feeling like just one of many customers as sometimes can occur with very large hotels. If we visit Marrakesh again, we fully expect to return to La Maison Arabe.

– In the Atlantic coastal town of Essaouira, Helen arranged for us to stay in the nicest hotel in town, the boutique L’Heure Bleue Palais that is a part of the Relaix & Chateau association. The town offers enticing scenery including the Atlantic Ocean coast with an expansive beach, a blue-and-white small boat fishing fleet, former coastal fortifications, and traces of the Portuguese occupation that ended in the 1500s.

– In the High Atlas Mountains south of Marrakesh, we stayed in the Olinto Atlas Mountain Retreat that has nine “pavilions” (or free-standing suites) located in the middle of a lush and tranquil grove of olive trees and gardens in the Ouirgane Valley. The retreat, created by an Italian prince who maintains a home on the premises, is a beautiful and luxurious escape in every way, with round-the-clock personal service and an excellent restaurant that relies on produce grown in on-site gardens.

– We had the services of an experienced and capable guide for our days in Marrakesh who was able to take us to the best of its historical and cultural exhibits and buildings and to the most reliable shops and merchants offering the types of Moroccan products and handicrafts we wanted to see and purchase. We highly recommend using a guide of this caliber when visiting Marrakesh’s medina and souks.

– For transfers between the Casablanca Airport where we arrived and departed and the three locations in Morocco where we stayed during our visit, Helen arranged for a new, comfortable van with a friendly, competent, English-speaking driver.

– Helen gave us recommendations for sight-seeing, restaurants, shopping, and historical, architectural, and cultural attractions. Among our favorites in Marrakesh: The Secret Garden, and the Dar el Bacha palace.

– Helen made appointments for spa and hammam treatments.

After we agreed on an initial itinerary and the services we would receive, Helen remained in contact with us, especially in the month preceding our departure for Morocco, and responded quickly to our requests to fine-tune some of the arrangements. She also was accessible to respond to questions and requests during the time we were there, and stopped by the riad in Marrakesh to say hello to us.

We are unequivocal in highly recommending Helen as a travel professional to arrange trips to Morocco. She is friendly and personable, knows Morocco and what it has to offer, has a network of reliable and capable travel service providers to use in making travel arrangements for clients, makes dependable arrangements, and carefully crafts arrangements that are responsive to her clients’ wishes and preferences.

If you believe you may wish to obtain Helen’s services in planning a trip to Morocco, you should carefully follow Wendy Perrin’s basic guidelines for communicating with travel professionals, and ensure you are letting Helen know your preferences, what you want to avoid, and what would “ring your chimes” to make your trip extraordinary. Stay in contact with her from the time of your initial conversation until you depart on your journey and, if your desires metamorphose over time, be sure to let her know. Don’t set yourself up for a disappointment she will have no ability or opportunity to work with you to avoid by failing to clearly convey to her the kind of trip you want (this applies to your interactions with all travel professionals with whom you work).