Australian travel specialist Active Travel has created a new and unique tour to Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, discovering and exploring the exotic world of perfume.
Set to take place in May 2017, the multi-sensory, immersive tour will be hosted by Australian perfume enthusiast Moira Mevissen, who is experienced in matching scents with people and places, for a truly bespoke and personal experience.
“A scent is a powerful expression of who you are and can evoke memories which allow you to travel through time, and while a lot of us focus on what we see and eat on our travels, what we smell can have a powerful effect on us,” Moira says.
Commencing with a three-night stay in Marrakech, the tour will take in the aromas of Morocco’s famous rose valleys, spice markets and scented gardens, including a visit to the famed Majorelle Botanic Gardens which were gifted to the city by Yves Saint Laurent, who saved them from destruction. The renowned French designer and perfumer’s fragrance creations were inspired by his love of Morocco, and it is this very garden in which his ashes were scattered after his passing in 2008.
The tour then continues over Morocco’s highest pass on the edge of the Sahara Desert to the historic, hilltop village of Ait Ben Haddou for an overnight stay before heading to the M’goun Valley to learn about centuries-old customs, visiting vast rose fields harvested to make rose water used by Moroccan women for their anti-ageing and moisturising properties.
The kasbahs of Skoura are also visited en-route back to Marrakech where guests will see and smell an argan oil factory and join a traditional local cooking class, harvesting aromatic Moroccan herbs from the organic kitchen garden.
The tour will then continue onto Dubai to explore the spice and perfume souks, where traditional perfume makers will create a bespoke perfume for each guest, gifting them with the ultimate souvenir.
The final three days will take place in Muscat, Oman, where guests will visit the Amouge perfume factory which sources rare and precious ingredients such as myrrh to create luxurious, finely-blended fragrances.
The 18-day Perfume Tour includes return flights, 25 meals, and all touring and sightseeing.
activetravel.com.au
