Marrakech Holiday
Spicy, sexy and sun-soaked, Marrakech is an irresistible mix of dusty souks, snake charmers and slick bars.
Great food, excellent shopping and pleasant weather are the essential ingredients of any city break and Marrakech has each in abundance.
Steeped in ancient tradition and mystery, Morocco's capital makes the city a tantalising combination of old and new.
Mornings in Marrakech should begin with some delicious and refreshing mint tea and perhaps a stroll in one of its many walled gardens like the Le Jardin Majorelle, owned by designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Quench your thirst with some freshly-squeezed orange juice from a roadside peddler and then head to the Place de Djemaa el Fna to enjoy the entertainment and see the awe-inspiring 12th century Koutoubia Mosque. Even though non-Muslims cannot enter, it is worth seeing.
The Saadian tombs should also be on every visitor's agenda. Morocco was ruled by the Saadian dynasty during the 16th and 17th century and Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour created the tombs for himself and his family. The tombs were sealed in the 17th century and were only re-discovered in 1917.
They are beautifully preserved and the intricate mosaic-work is quite amazing. The tombs are in the hectic heart of Medina, but are surrounded by some pleasantly tranquil gardens - the ideal place to take a breather before you head out onto the streets.
By lunch-time, when the sun is high in the Moroccan sky, duck into any one of Morocco's street cafes to enjoy traditional delicacies lamb tagine, grilled fish, couscous, and pastillas. More refreshing, sweet, mint tea or rich Moroccan coffer may be in order before you delve into the bustling souks to pick up some bargains.
The craft souks just off the Djemaa el Fna are the best places to find spices, silver, leather and intricately detailed carpets.
After trawling the city, the best place to relax and wash off Marrakech's red dust is any one of the city's Hamman steam baths, which can be found across the city.
By night, Marrakech comes alive and travellers who can't resist some belly dancer entertainment should head to Le Comptoir where diners can sit in its outdoor restaurant or in its plush lounge bars. Belly dancers sashay around the dining area scattering rose petals over customers' heads.
Every Friday night celebrities and trendy revellers head to Le Comptoir to enjoy the drinks and the music.
The pace of life in Marrakech can be pretty fast and days seem to pass in a whirl. As a result, tired travellers need good accommodation where they can kick back and relax after a hard day's bargaining at the souks.
Riads are very popular as accommodation can be expensive for travellers trying not to spend too many dirhams.
Lying innocently at the foot of the enormous Atlas mountains, Marrakech can be noisy, smelly and polluted, but it can also be beautiful, fun and welcoming.
Most travellers will need around three days to fully explore the city, while others, seduced by Marrakech's bustle and beauty, may need much longer.
