Profile photo for Maryem Kouna
564 messages
active 5 hours ago

Maryem Kouna

I was born and raised in a small village in Draa valley and grew up in a family that valued education and hard work. I had a strong interest in learning a new language and following my baccalaureate, I moved to Marrakech to continue my education, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in English literature.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"My other passion is cooking (and eating) Moroccan cuisine, so I enjoy sharing our local specialty of couscous with our guests along with other off-the-beaten path locations and cultural experiences. But no matter what you choose to do or what style of vacation you wish to have, I can help you develop a trip plan and itinerary that matches your interests."

How did you get involved in travel?

"My passion towards the tourism field began when I was a kid. Since I am from a region known for its historic kasbahs, I often encountered tourists and dreamed of one day working within the industry. As luck would have it, I met the owners of Morocco Immersion Tours & Adventures through a mutual friend and was hired by them as a sales assistant which was my first step in making that dream a reality.
"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One of the finest and most satisfying trips that I’ve had so far was the time I visited Essaouira. It was an amazing place for quiet wanderings and strolling alongside the city’s high battlements and its calm tight-fitting alleys in the old medina while also discovering its historical and cultural background. Essaouira is still one of my favorite destinations in Morocco even though it is always windy there!"

Maryem is part of the following groups: Morocco Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Highlights of Morocco: Fes, Atlas Mountains, Dades Valley, Marrakech & Essaouira - 14 Days
See some of Morocco's best sights on this two-week itinerary. You'll wander the streets of artsy seaside Asilah, then head to the sandier seas of the Atlas Mountains and Erg...
A Taste of Morocco: Casablanca to Marrakech - 7 Days
Discover Morocco's highlights with this fast-paced one-week trip beginning in Casablanca and ending in Marrakesh. Visit the four imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and...

Recent trip reviews for Maryem

A Fantastic Tour of Morocco
Morocco | May 1 - May 10, 2024

Melanie
Melanie W.
Kearny, NJ | Reviewed on May 13, 2024
From the beginning of planning with Mayrem to the find drop off at the airport with Omar - the trip met all expectations. Yes, there were a couple of hiccups but that is to be expected with any foreign travel.
Fes: Omar quickly introduced himself and was extremely pleasant and accommodating. He provided many resources to us for our stay in Fes. Said was OUTSTANDING as a guide. He not only told us about the history of the country but also oriented us to life in Morocco and how Morocco... Read more

From the beginning of planning with Mayrem to the find drop off at the airport with Omar - the trip met all expectations. Yes, there were a couple of hiccups but that is to be expected with any foreign travel.
Fes: Omar quickly introduced himself and was extremely pleasant and accommodating. He provided many resources to us for our stay in Fes. Said was OUTSTANDING as a guide. He not only told us about the history of the country but also oriented us to life in Morocco and how Morocco was accepting of all people. His tour through the Medina and Mellah was complete! The accommodation here was tops!
Sefrou: Unfortunately the guide was just ok - he didn't take us to the places listed on our itinerary and that was what we really wanted to see. He did take us into a cave house which was cool but not what we wanted. His commentary was just average.
Casablanca: The drive to Casablanca with the stop in Volubis (sp?) was fabulous. The guide provided a lot of detail but was difficult at times to understand if he was not looking directly at us. In Casablanca the drive tour provided us an overview of the city. We asked Omar if we could add the Jewish museum and he agreed. He even went with us and provided some details about how the Jews and Berber traditions overlap. It was informative for all.
Marakkesh: Our guide, Mohammed was almost as good as Said. He provided enormous details about the history, culture and government like Said. The tour the first day through the gardens and YSL and Berber museums were wonderful. The tour through the Medina was carefully planned by Mohammed!

The tour wouldn't not have been as wonderful with Omar - I cannot say enough about how he made us at ease in each of the cities knowing he was right there. My SIL had left her ring in Fes and he coordinated having it delivered back to her in Marrakesh. He made recommendations for dinners and was agreeable to anything we asked. His driving was superb!

This was a vacation of a lifetime and I know I will use and recommend kim kim as a travel agent to anyone who asks for a recommendation. Morocco Immersion is a top notch agency and would recommend them as well.

Let me know if you have any follow-up questions or would like me to further comment.
Sincerely and warmly,
Melanie Wolf-Greenber and David Greenberg

Local specialist: Maryem Kouna
Maryem
Maryem Kouna
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on May 14, 2024

Hi Melanie, Thanks so much for the amazing review! We are so happy to hear that you had a wonderful experience in Morocco from the start (planning with me) until the end with Omar! We hope that this will be the first trip of many, as there is so much more to explore, and we, of course, look forward to working with any of your friends and family who decide to visit us. 
Thanks for trusting us with your trip!
Maryem, Omar, and the rest of the Morocco Immersion family!
 

Marvellous Morocco
Morocco | Apr 27 - May 5, 2024

Chris
Chris M.
Canada | Reviewed on May 09, 2024
Sallam was great and so helpful and fun. He shared his love and passion of the Berbers and Morocco. He was punctual and alw Amy’s willing tp please. We learned so much about Islam,the Berbers,Moroccan history and we had many discussions on many topics. He became like a good friend and made our trip to Morocco one of a lifetime.
The desert camp and journey there and back gave us a fabulous taste of the desert. All of our Riads and hotels were clean and the staff friendly and helpful. There... Read more

Sallam was great and so helpful and fun. He shared his love and passion of the Berbers and Morocco. He was punctual and alw Amy’s willing tp please. We learned so much about Islam,the Berbers,Moroccan history and we had many discussions on many topics. He became like a good friend and made our trip to Morocco one of a lifetime.
The desert camp and journey there and back gave us a fabulous taste of the desert. All of our Riads and hotels were clean and the staff friendly and helpful. There were two special stays. The first Maison dHotes La Vallee des Figues in the Dades valley was a unique and comfortable place made especially so by Bob. He always had a smile and treated us like old friends. The second exceptional spot was the Tim Joseph hotel in Ouarzazate. The owner greeted us so warmly and showed us all around the hotel which was funky and eclectic. He was very interesting to talk to and showed such pride in the operation and decor of his hotel.
The hike to the Monkey Fingers was great and we were very happy to meet a nomad and see how he lived. Bob arranged this. The vehicle was clean and reliable. Sallam introduced us to great Moroccan music. We would highly recommend Sallam and the Kim Kim team.

Hotel Reviews
Riad Challa Hotel & Spa
Marrakech
Authenticity & Character
Very young and helpful staff
Location
Close walking to medina
Staff
Young fun honest
Cleanliness & Comfort
Small very basic room
Tin Joseph
Ouarzazate

Kind owner and very proud of his facilities. Amazing decor and his invention of an elevator was amazing

Authenticity & Character
Decorations and pictures and history
Location
Walking distance to Medina
Staff
Very kind
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean. Lots of hot water
Atta Desert Camp
Erg Chegaga

Loved this experience so much. Tents were wonderful and tea and cookies were nice touch. All staff humble and very helpful

Authenticity & Character
Tents staff
Location
Right in the dune and very quiet, stars,dromedaries
Staff
Friendly and happy
Cleanliness & Comfort
I was not expecting showers
Kasbah Sirocco
Zagora

Clean but pool cold staff very pleasant.

Authenticity & Character
Staff very friendly
Location
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maison d'Hôtes La Vallée des Figues
Boumalne

Bob was so welcoming and treated us with such love.

Authenticity & Character
Bob
Location
Hiking and the decor was fabulous, very good food and organization. Loved not having locks on the door.
Staff
Bob
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lots of fun and great hiking
Riad Al Riad
Marrakech

Clean and very helpful ..Delicious cooking by two ladies and two young men were very helpful with directions on our first two days getting oriented.

Authenticity & Character
The staff
Location
Nothing
Staff
Helpful,kind
Cleanliness & Comfort
Breakfast and Tajine made by the staff were great
Activity Reviews
Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou
Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou
Morocco

Interesting history and handy crafts

Quality of Experience
People and guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Explanation about painting
Transport
Erg Chegaga to Ouarzazate
Erg Chegaga to Ouarzazate
Morocco

Drove long route on rough road which was a step back in time and very authentic. Seeing nomads and camels

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zagora to Erg Chegaga - Camel Trek to Desert Camp
Zagora to Erg Chegaga - Camel Trek to Desert Camp
Morocco

More time riding the dromedary

Quality of Experience
Lunch at oasis was fun
Food
Tea on arrival
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hiking the Road of 1000 Kasbahs
Hiking the Road of 1000 Kasbahs
Boumalne Dades

Loved the Monkey Fingers hike and visit to Nomad

Quality of Experience
Sharing tea with nomad
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Great to talk with nomad and share pictures of our home
Transport
Marrakech to Dades Valley via Ouarzazate
Marrakech to Dades Valley via Ouarzazate
Morocco

Amazing drive chose kasbah over movie studio

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Taste your way through Marrakech ( Guided tour)
Taste your way through Marrakech ( Guided tour)
Marrakesh

Sallam explained all the history and sites. Maybe more tastes and explanation of the food

Quality of Experience
Guide was exceptional
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Passion,honesty willingness to share culture
Transport
Four wheel driving in desert was great
Local specialist: Maryem Kouna
Photo taken by Chris M
Photo taken by Chris M
Photo taken by Chris M
Maryem
Maryem Kouna
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on May 13, 2024

Hi Chris,
Thank you for the fabulous review. We are happy to hear that your trip to Morocco beat your expectations and that you had an amazing time with Sellam. We hope that this will be the first trip of many, as there is so much more to explore, and we, of course, look forward to working with any of your friends and family who decide to visit us.
Thanks for trusting us with your trip!
Maryem, Sharon, Sellam, and the rest of the Morocco Immersion family.

Morocco …..an amazing country of great contrasts
Morocco | Mar 10 - Mar 20, 2024

Suzanne
Suzanne S.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024
Salem was an informative & organized guide.We really enjoyed our time with him.He gave us lots of insight into Moroccan culture & various historic sites.Kimkim was very helpful in coming up with an itinerary & providing accomodation in the Medinas of each location. Read more

Salem was an informative & organized guide.We really enjoyed our time with him.He gave us lots of insight into Moroccan culture & various historic sites.Kimkim was very helpful in coming up with an itinerary & providing accomodation in the Medinas of each location.

Hotel Reviews
Riad Nesma Suites & SPA
Medina, Marrakech

Overall a good hotel but the rooms were quite small.

Authenticity & Character
I liked the rooftop eating area & pool.
Location
Easy to access everything in the old part of the city.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Kalaa
Rabat
Riad Farouzi Fes
Fes

This hotel was absolutely beautiful!! From the moment we arrived until the minute we left our experience was fantastic.The staff were amazing & the breakfasts were excellent with so much selection.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful hotel with so much detail in the decoration.
Location
Very central for walking around main center of Fes.
Staff
Super friendly….sadly I don’t remember any names.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were very clean & super spacious.
Riad El Palacio
Chefchaouen

Beautiful spacious rooms in a great location.We could walk everywhere in the town.The staff were friendly & helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kasbah Rose
Tangier

Beautiful little place with a fantastic view of the city.Breakfast was delicious & Lorraine was a very welcoming host.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Tour of Fes
Guided Tour of Fes
Fes

Fes is an absolutely amazing place!! We were astounded by all the artisans & loved our visits to the tiling,pottery & leather workshops/stores.The markets were utterly mind boggling as well as the maze of streets!

Quality of Experience
Visit to the Jewish quarter & cemetery were interesting.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Salam was an excellent guide for the day.
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Volubilis and Meknes
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Volubilis and Meknes
Morocco

Beautiful drive & we really enjoyed our tour of Volubilis.The site was amazing & the guide was very knowledgeable.Disappointing that Meknes was all under renovation so we really didn’t see much, but we enjoyed a nice lunch there.

Afternoon Exploration of Morocco's Blue Pearl
Afternoon Exploration of Morocco's Blue Pearl
Chefchaouen

Salam gave us a good restaurant recommendation ……Triana that we ended up going to twice!!! Love this small town,it was really fun to explore on our own.

Guided Tour of Tangier (upon arrival)
Guided Tour of Tangier (upon arrival)
Tangier

Tour never happened because our ferry arrived very late due to circumstances beyond our control.We were disappointed that we would have to pay $100 US to reschedule for the next day considering we paid $2600 US each. It wasn’t the greatest way to start the tour.

Quality of Experience
Rebook to the next morning
Guides, Drivers and Staff
We have enough notice that we would be delayed for the tour to be rescheduled.
Transport
Weren’t given all the info we needed to make a choice
Local specialist: Maryem Kouna
Photo taken by Suzanne S
Maryem
Maryem Kouna
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Mar 22, 2024

Hi Suzanne!
Thank you so much for the great review! We are so happy to hear that you had an amazing time in Morocco and enjoyed your time with Sellam. So great to hear that we were able to help you plan an itinerary that exactly suited your interests!
Thanks again for the review and for trusting us with your trip!
Maryem, Sellam, and the rest of the Morocco Immersion family.