Who welcomes you to Ranch de Diabat?

Article by Milena Marchioni, journalist and family travel blogger, founder of the blog www.bimbieviaggi.it and the Facebook community "Globetrotter Families", specializing in travel for children and women.

Why Visit Essaouira?

There are many reasons to plan a trip to Morocco and choose to visit Essaouira.

We've already shared some on the Ranch's blog, and today we'd like to tell you another: at the Ranch de Diabat in Essaouira, alongside Omar and Mohamed, Erika awaits you. In 2006, she decided to leave Italy to live in Morocco.

Erika combines traditional Moroccan hospitality with a deep understanding of Western tourists' needs—a perfect blend to create travel experiences in Morocco tailored to travelers' desires, aiming to provide unforgettable emotions to those who decide to organize their holiday in Essaouira, including a visit to the Ranch de Diabat.

Who Welcomes You in Essaouira? 6 Questions for Erika

When did you take your first trip to Morocco, and how did you organize it?

The first time was in 2006: backpacking, I left alone to spend 25 days traveling in Morocco, studying the route with my beloved Lonely Planet and using public transport to move from one place to another. During those weeks, I spent a lot of time with myself, my thoughts, and my travel diary... but I never felt alone, because I met many people, travelers and locals, whose language I didn't yet know but with whom I always established pleasant exchanges.

Then you decided to change your life: when did it happen? How did you feel? What prejudices did you have to fight against?

I decided to change my life as soon as I met Omar, without thinking twice: initially, I simply wanted to extend my first trip to Morocco, but I didn't have enough money in my account to reschedule the flight. So I returned home, resigned from my job, and told my parents that I wanted to try living in Morocco for a while. I hadn't told them about Omar, but I think they understood.

At first, they were definitely shaken by this decision: the only one who always supported me was my maternal grandmother.

Among the things I was most sorry to leave behind was certainly sports: I was a men's football referee, a field in which I had carved out an important role by fighting against rampant chauvinism. I was sorry to abruptly end this chapter of my life, but Morocco helped me achieve great satisfaction: for a period, I also refereed here in the men's local football championship, obtaining significant professional rewards and properly saying goodbye to this passion that had accompanied me for many years.

Unfortunately, I also left many friends in Italy: it wasn't easy to gain their understanding, and I had to fight against the prejudices of those who imagined me wearing a veil, confined at home.

And yet... in 18 years, I can guarantee you that I have not had to wear the veil, nor stop doing what I loved (sports, friends, traveling).

Of course, Omar and I had to compromise on some things, like any couple, but my freedom was never questioned.

Were there any difficulties at the beginning? Is it better now?

I have never been scared of the language, religion, or the need to adapt to a culture different from my own.

Initially, the biggest difficulties were gaining understanding from my parents and finding something to do to support myself. Both issues have been largely resolved and overcome: not only because my parents understood that this was the right path for me, but especially because Omar and I have established a well-structured business and also a family.

Like all families, there continue to be difficulties: managing children, marriage, work issues... But cultural differences have never been a problem: I have always approached them with respect and have always felt integrated with the local people.

What do you miss the most, and what makes you say, "I made the right choice"?

I cannot deny that I miss my homeland, my family, and also my close friends...

Sometimes I need to return to Italy or take a trip somewhere to breathe "European air" and recharge after periods of intense work.

However, there are several reasons why I am convinced I made the right choice: the smiles and warmth with which I was welcomed from the beginning, even though I come from a different country, with a different culture and religion; the professional stimulus of undertaking this path in a country where there is still much to build and where, among other things, bureaucracy is not as complex as in Italy.

I also believe that the quality of my life is very high: my family and I work with animals, we live immersed in nature, in an environment that provides serenity and well-being. The greatest joy is hearing our children tell their Italian friends about their life in Essaouira and the pride of having received a dromedary as a birthday present!

What exactly do you do at the Ranch?

At the Ranch, I take care of many things: initially, I opened the office, handling administrative tasks, commercial activities, staff management, and company expenses.

Over the years, we've built a team, so I can share the management work with others and also dedicate myself to the more "hands-on" part: not only planning, marketing, and contacts with agencies and tour operators but especially fieldwork with my beloved horses. Living with them, taking care of them, and being guided by the wind during rides are priceless emotions that I love to share with the people who travel with us.

Is being Italian an added value for Western tourists who come on holiday to Morocco?

Yes, I believe that being Italian is an added value because they see in me organizational skills and seriousness, and therefore the possibility of trusting without hesitation. However, I want to emphasize that these characteristics can also be found in many Moroccan colleagues: I am an atypical expatriate; I came here for love, not to "exploit" the resources of this country or do things that I wouldn't have been able to do in Italy due to bureaucratic difficulties.

I've certainly learned the concept of "WELCOME" perfectly from the local community: "stop here, let's sit down and talk a bit, with words, gestures, smiles".

This is how it works here, even in the most touristy places, where the desire to sell something never separates from the desire to give a small gift to the customer. The desire to sit around a table and spend time together is always a priority, so know that if you come to Ranch de Diabat, we will welcome you with open arms and make you feel at home.

Milena Marchioni