My husband and I decided to make Marrakesh, Morocco our full time place of residence having lived in London for a long time and the South of France for a short time.

I have visited Marrakesh many many times in my life and have always admired its beauty and extremes. My blog is about lifestyle, travel, interiors, food and how to become a true Marrackchi.

Online Marrakech

Morocco is an Arabic/French speaking country with very few local websites offering information in English. A few of the most helpful are:

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Julie Daniels takes a three-day break to Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains - and left wanting far more

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A reliable review of the best restaurants in Marrakech and all over Morocco. Updated every year, you can pick up a copy of their printed version in most of the restaurants they feature - www.bestrestaurantsmaroc.com

Riads are traditional Moroccan houses in the old city districts and the Marrakech Medina, which make for charmingly authentic places to stay. This site has reviews, extensive photos and contact details of the best ones available for rent - www.31best-riad-marrakesh.com

The British Consulate in Marrakech website features events in the city with cultural information and interviews with special visitors to Marrakech - www.yacout.info

Originally a French website but recently produced in English, with a useful guide to Marrakech Shopping, maps and fun things to do as well as concise and handy guide to the top site seeing attractions in the city - www.ilove-marrakesh.com

Things to do and Places to Visit

* Marrakech always conjures up pictures of snake charmers and the labyrinthine souks set against a desert backdrop, but looming in the background, less than an hour’s drive from the city you will find yourself at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains for a completely different type of adventure. Trek around the Toubkal national park, discover lakes and waterfalls and be welcomed into Berber villages.

Oukaimeden offers skiing in the winter and Terres d’Amanar offers some of the longest zip lines in Africa, where one can whizz across ravines and treetops in their super safe acro park.

In the Atlas mountains a less obvious but great fun option is go karting. Atlas Karting can be found just north of the city. Here you can hire quad bikes for some off road adventures or practice your boy racer go-karting skills, with speeds up to 90km an hour. You can rip through the beautiful Moroccan countryside on their 1330m circuit. Prices are 350dhs Adults and 250dhs for kids per 30mins - Atlas Karting Km9, Route de Safi, Marrakech:

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