Close enough for a long weekend, but so utterly different from the usual
short-break destinations, Morocco proved ideal for a break. I returned home
wanting far more after my brief, but packed visit.
STAYING IN MARRAKESH
My introduction to Morocco was warm and welcoming. Tucked in the back streets
of Marrakesh is Les Borjs de la
Kasbah, one of the city's riad hotels.
Riads are smaller and more intimate than ordinary hotels and enclose cool and
peaceful courtyards where guests can escape from the heat and noise of the
city. Les Borjs was built recently but manages to look old and authentic,
with distressed tiles on the floors and traditional Moroccan shutters on the
windows.
The staff were never less than friendly and charming and one waiter even got
up at 4.30am to make sure we were fed and watered before one of our
early-morning excursions.
More Online:
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to hold a big party in Morocco
Marrakesh:
hip v traditional
Get
a room in Marrakesh
HAGGLING
The souks of Marrakech are, of course, a must. Separated into different areas
selling antiques, carpets, spices, leather goods, as well as herbs,
hand-woven baskets and so much more, they're huge and a little daunting to
the uninitiated. The best place to start is at the alley opposite Café de
France on Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech's main square and the heart of the city.
I tried out my haggling skills, but it was obvious from the start that I'm not
that good and the stall-holders knew it - thankfully our guide was skilled
at fending off over-enthusiastic traders. The marketplace is a riot of
colour, smells and noise and it's difficult not to succumb to its
temptations - especially the potions found at the herbalist, or the
brightly-coloured carpets, leather slippers and bags.
Tips:
The souk is open every day, 9am to 7 or 8pm, or 11am to 4pm on a Friday (when
some stalls are closed all day). They're at their liveliest from 4 to 5pm as
the day cools and Marrakchis go for their early evening stroll. While guides
are good to fend off unwanted attention, bear in mind that when you do buy
someting, the price will be a little higher to include the guide's
commission.
A guided tour and a lesson in the art of haggling costs £20 per person through Cadogan
Holidays, based on two people, including transport and guide. A longer
tour, taking in the Koutoubia mosque, Menara gardens, Saadian tombs and the
Bahia Palace cost from £85 per person with CityDiscovery.com
Marrakech is truly stunning in every way,we took a guided tour to Berber home and ate couscous and argan oil with a family of seven and despite being poor,their hospitality was lovely.Essouira ,half-way between Marrakech and Agadir is a really cool place to visit hippie-land!!!!!!!!!!!!
paula galvin, leixlip,co.kildare, ireland
magnificent trip I had in April in Atlas Mountain. I totally agree with your article and can confirm it is heaven on earth. Quiet, peaceful and fantastic sightseing. I loved evrey minute of this trip and decided to go again in next may
joseph, tel aviv, israel
As a solo women traveller, such countries are best not to visit alone unless you don't wonder of the tourist resorts.
I was starred everywhere i went, and i was dressed according to their rules as not to 'offend'.
Dee, London, England
fantastic travel, i'll travel to morocco soon, i love this country and more the people they are really friendly (really) not like other countries southern europe or north africa, in morocco you can feel a thousend and half of history of the same civilisation,
aidan, dublin, ireland
don't miss to visit the southern moroccan cities Laayoune, Dakhla, etc.. real cities in the heart of the desert.
aidan, dublin, ireland
Marrakech is too hot at this time of the year, better to go down to Essaouira about £40 by taxi from Menara or £10 by bus. Buses, taxies to the mountains from Bab er Rob, try Seti Fatima
Despite what the video says, Morocco is hot, dusty and can be smelly. Remember it's the third world
John McMahon, Glasgow, Scotland