Mystical Marrakesch!

I have to report that Morocco is one destination that has truly taken me by surprise and exceeded my expectations in every way possible. It truly is a destination to stimulate all senses and interests. The sights, smells & tastes cannot be described in words or shown well enough in a picture to really do it justice, but I will try! I spent 3 nights at the beautiful Movenpick Manour Eddhabi a superb 5* Hotel is only 4km from the airport, designed to create an authentic but contemporary, refreshing oasis, right in the centre of Marrakesh. Just a few minutes away from the bustling Medina in the central L'Hivernage district it's the perfect location to explore the captivating Red City. Exploring the famous Djemaa El-Fnar Square & Souk in Marrakech was truly incredible, something that has been on my bucket list for many, many years and it did not disappoint. With the help of a local guide, without whom I think I would still be wandering around the maze of alleys & stalls, I was able to comfortably explore and watch in awe as the incredibly skilled craftsmen & women create everything from rugs to shoes, bags to dresses and stunning ironwork lamps from their tiny, tiny workshops barely big enough stand in never mind create such intricate pieces of artwork and finery! Not once did I feel unsafe or nervous whilst exploring even when I did lose sight of my guide for 15 minutes or so - I found the Moroccan locals extremely friendly & helpful. No pressure to buy, a simple "no thank you" was sufficient enough to allow you to wander on in peace and soak up the "Arabian Night" atmosphere. Whilst listening to the prayer calls in the air, you are able to sample the local spices and tagine cooked Moroccan style "tapas" but be careful to keep your wits about you as you will inevitably have to dodge a bike or scooter in the tiny maze-like alleyways as the locals dash about on their day-to-day business! After a couple of hours in the Souk, we stopped at the rooftop terrace at Café de France - the perfect pit stop to watch the sunset over the UNESCO Heritage Site that is the famous Djemaa El-Fnar Square. A glass of the warm sugary mint tea was exactly what I needed to warm myself from the cool breeze and enjoy watching the famous snake charmers entertain the crowds of tourist and local children who were gathering for a bit of night shopping As Morocco’s rich culinary heritage is a major attraction to foodies, I thought I should sample some of Marrakech’s top restaurants. The first night was "the place to be" on a night out in Marrakesh... Le Palace Marrakesh. A restaurant/club with resident DJ and fine dining with cocktail bar for partying into the small hours. The buzzing atmosphere is created by sounds of an eclectic mixture of music, belly dancers & very cool waiters singing along and even stopping for a little dance every now and then if a tune takes their fancy. Ladies dancing with trays of lit candles on their heads (known as Raks al shamadan) You are encouraged to sing along or even get up and participate if you can tear yourself away from the vast platters of grilled meats and vegetables and huge tagines of mouth-watering lamb or chicken. Night two, and just off one of the many ancient alleyways off Djmaa El-Fnaa Square, you will also find a red-carpet entrance to Le Salama restaurant where guests are escorted into a Colonial Style restaurant, full of mystery and charm which almost makes you feel like you have stepped into the film set of “Casablanca.” A little more laid-back than Le Palace and suitable for the whole family, top service and hospitality the menu offers classics Marrakchi dishes and a panoramic terrace overlooking the Atlas Mountains where you can enjoy desert or a tea after dinner. All in all, a great destination for a short break or longer if you plan to explore a little further afield than the central sights & attractions. Have a look at my further blogs to read about my time spend in the Atlas Mountains and the Beach Resort of Essaouira.....