Moroccan Magic

I recently spent five days in Morocco. The country has a lot to offer: an amazing mix of culture, mountains and beaches as well as the smells and the colours of all the spices. The Riad Aladdin in Marrakech was our home for the first couple of nights. It is in a great location and is a very quaint hotel. We enjoyed a tasty tagine on the roof top terrace and watched the storks nestling in their huge nests whilst the sun set.

Marrakech is a fascinating city; busy and bustling. Make sure you visit the El Bahia Palace - imagine yourself being whisked back to the 19th century as you hear the stories about the noblemen of Morocco. In the evening, head for the Souks; an Aladdin’s cave of goodies to be discovered. From the Souks wonder around the nearby famous square, Djemaa El Fna, and watch in amazement as the street performers, snake charmers and dancers perform.

I would strongly recommend a few nights up in the Atlas Mountains, only 90 minutes from Marrakech and great to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Home was the village of Tamatert and a chance to experience the Berber life. Douar Samra is a wonderful guest house. The staff looked after us and we were made to feel very welcome. Sipping mint tea on the roof tops while admiring the view was heaven. We were escorted down into the village by the local donkeys that helped carry our luggage (please don’t be alarmed they were very well looked after). If you’re feeling energetic you can climb mount Toubkal. Unfortunately we only had time for the foothills, but it was still absolutely stunning.

On the move again and this time we went to the coastal resort of Essaouira, with fantastic sea food available from this small fishing village. We stayed at the Riad al Medina in a great location within the city walls so you can wander around the souks and enjoy the sea views from the fort. Essaouira has a very relaxed atmosphere; locals are very friendly and the whole place has a certain charm.

During our visit, we also spent time at Palais Sebban, a small boutique Riad in Marrakech with a French feel. It is a fantastic place to stay; very relaxed, quiet and calm. We were also fortunate to visit the Riad Elfenn (also in Marrakech) and the Kasbah Tamadot close to the Atlas Mountains, both of which are owned by Sir Richard Branson. Very individual in style and unique, Kasbah Tamadot was being set up for an exclusive wedding. It was a beautiful setting for one very lucky bride and groom!

If you have time, I would also recommend a trip to a Moroccan Hammam which is a very relaxing experience. Also, don’t leave Morocco without some Argan Oil, fantastic for your skin and makes your hair lovely and shiny! Morocco is a stunning place to visit with some lovely, and very unique, hotels. There are also a vast option of tours to suit every traveller.