Meghan’s group visited the Palais Royale in Fez during Immersion in Morocco: Rabat to Marrakesh.
This fall, Meghan Stanton, Senior Vice President of Creative, led a group of associates to experience our 11-day Immersion in Morocco: Rabat to Marrakesh itinerary—one of our new, shorter adventures for active travelers. We sat down to hear an insider’s perspective.
Our new Immersions itineraries feature both celebrated highlights, like a Sahara camel trek, and authentic connections with local culture.
The Inside Scoop: Can you share a few ways in which these trips help associates serve our travelers better when they return the office?
Meghan Stanton: These trips are more than just experiencing the destination and the itinerary. They help each associate better understand how their specific jobs or roles play into the bigger picture: changing our travelers’ lives through their trip experiences. Once they experience these trips for themselves, the wheels start turning on how they can bring what they have learned back into their day-to-day jobs.
I.S.: Why was it important for associates to experience an inaugural O.A.T. Immersions departure firsthand?
M.S.: Since these Immersions itineraries are new for us, there is a lot of opportunity to improve the experience and how we market them. By traveling on the very first departure, we were able to see what works, what doesn’t work, and how we can make improvements quickly. The first departure for our travelers occurred one week after our departure started, and we were able to quickly implement small itinerary changes—without losing any included features—to improve the overall experience. Many of the more strategic recommendations will be implemented for 2026 and beyond.
I.S.: How many traditional O.A.T. adventures have you taken, and what were the primary differences?
M.S.: Prior to this trip, I have been on 11 trips total—7 traditional O.A.T. adventures and 4 Grand Circle River Cruises and Land Tours. People always ask me what trip was my favorite, and it’s an impossible ask. It’s like asking me which of my two children are my favorite! I have loved these trips for different reasons. Some have been more focused on the culture and people like Southeast Asia and Egypt, while others are focused on the beauty and natural wonders of the destination like Tanzania and the Arctic—and others bring history to life, like Egypt and our Adriatic adventure to Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. What remained the same across all of them was the balance of visiting the iconic, well-known sites of the country or destination, while also getting off the beaten path to the lesser-known locales to truly experience the heart of the destination: its people.
I.S.: Did the shorter itinerary still allow for meaningful cultural experiences?
Interacting with children is always a highlight of A Day in the Life.
M.S.: 100%. The Morocco itinerary is filled with opportunities to meet the locals, from market visits in Fez and Marrakesh and a Home-Hosted Dinner in Fez, to a stop for a chat with a semi-nomadic family in the Sahara, and meeting with a date palm farmer on our way to our camp in the middle of the desert. We also spent A Day in the Life of a brick maker in Asfalou, a village near the historic Aït Benhaddou. Although this was a shorter itinerary, we didn’t rush through these experiences. This itinerary is focused on these cultural experiences.
I.S.: Did you meet O.A.T. travelers in Morocco? If so, what were their impressions?
M.S.: We had an opportunity to meet with a group of travelers who were experiencing our traditional Morocco itinerary—Morocco Sahara Odyssey. Although they didn’t experience our new Immersions itinerary, they shared what they enjoyed about their Morocco trip (and other trips they have been on), and provided our team with recommendations on different areas to improve. They also had many questions for us about the Immersions itinerary!
I.S.: What were your personal highlights of Morocco?
Meghan shared a special bond with the matriarch of her host family in Asfalou.
M.S.: There were so many moments that I will treasure. One of the top highlights was our camel ride to the dunes in the Sahara, where we enjoyed happy hour at sunset, sitting in the quiet of the Sahara, taking in all of its beauty. Coming from the chaos and excitement of Fez, this moment to take in the vastness of this place was truly an incredible moment. My other top highlight was our Day in the Life experience in Asfalou. We met a brick maker, his wife, and little boy—along with many of the immediate family and those who help in the fields. During our time in their home and asking questions, I formed a special connection with the real boss of the home: the mom and wife—but she was so much more than that. It was a reminder that no matter where you live, and what your circumstances are, we are more alike than we are different. I will leave a piece of my heart in that village.
I.S.: Do you have advice for travelers considering an Immersions itinerary?
M.S.: My advice is not to let the idea of a shorter itinerary imply that you are losing what makes our traditional O.A.T. adventures so incredible. Our Immersions itineraries are still taking you to the iconic sites—which are normally the reasons why you choose a specific destination—along with including the cultural, off-the-beaten path experiences that make O.A.T. adventures so powerful. You may get a little less free time, but you will still leave with that full-picture view of your destination.
Take Meghan’s advice and immerse yourself in Morocco during our 11-day New! Immersion in Morocco: Rabat to Marrakesh adventure.
