- Morocco
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The train journey from Tangier to Marrakech is one of the best I've been on. You can't purchase tickets outside Morocco, but we had no problem buying them on the day. The trains are comfortable and spacious and very cheap (the 10 hour trip cost about £20, imagine that in the UK!?)
We met some interesting characters on the train, who were eager to talk to us and help us when it came to switching trains. Perhaps the best thing though is that you get to see the countryside and small towns along the way that you would normally be flying over! Well worth the slight more effort involved!
Beautiful gorge that cuts through the hills around Tinerhir. In the area you can find deserted kasbahs, mud-brick villages and palmerias. All of which are truly inspiring as I am a keen photographer. I had a great time trekking there on a recent holiday. It certainly rivals the Grand Canyon in terms of beauty.
www.adventurecompany.co.uk/country-overview.aspx?productid=34913
A wonderful Berber house located in a remarkable location. Driving from Marrakech (just over an hour), you turn off the highway and begin to ascend a mountain road. Every bend and corner opens up a new vista and for a moment you wonder if it is even possible that there is a refuge in such a magnificently wild environment.
Another corner and there in front of you is the village of Tassa Ouirgane (1300 m) nestled into the mountainside above a wild river that tumbles from the heights above you. Through the village the road climbs again and then you arrive to where, perched on the mountainside, Dar Tassa awaits you.
At the door, Fatima and Hafida greeted us with the traditional dates and milk (and what sweet milk it was!). From the moment we entered the house we felt not like guests, but members of the family.
Walking, cycling, trekking and climbing are among the highlights, but also simply resting amidst the tranquillity and eating... Did we mention food? Fatima cooks up a storm and her skills mean that you don't simply end up with yet another tagine! The local honey is an absolute must!
www.dartassa.com
Tel +212 524484312
Marigha between Asni & Ouirgane
If fighting your way through the car crazy streets, being shouted at, pulled and pushed in every direction at the night market and then getting completely lost in in the heady, noisy souks of the medina leaves you overwhelmed and a little stressed, then this holistic sanctuary, slap bang in the middle of the throng will be an absolute life saver. The old town of Marrakesh is not only exciting and inspirational, it is also frenetic and exhausting, so visit the Mille et Une Nights for some well needed R&R - whether you go for a heavenly Argan oil massage or sumptuous seaweed wrap you'll leave feeling carefree and revitalised. For the braver souls who desire a more 'intense' experience than the traditional hammam is the only way to relax. Get steamed, scrubbed, drenched, scraped and steamed again - yes its an experience for sure, but you'll come out feeling newborn, with baby soft skin. What's more with their incredibly reasonable rates and the traditional decor and sensuous atmosphere, you'll be as fresh and vibrant as a Moroccan mint tea in minutes - definitely not one to miss.
In the Medina, just off the main square - Place Jemaa El Fna along Derb Dabachi N°58. Visit www.spa-hammam1001nuits.com
I was there with a friend in April and we had the best holidays ever. The place is really fantastic, the location, the food, the service over the top. An unique place where we will be back soon.
www.riyad-al-moussika.com/
contact@riyad-al-moussika.ma
Phone : 00212 (0) 524 389067
Essaouira is full of riads and hotels catering to the large number of visitors that make their way here each year. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay though, you can’t do much better that this cute little traditional guesthouse in a great location near the harbour and beach.
Like everywhere in the Medina itself, it can be a bit tricky to find so arm yourself with a decent map before you start looking (note: Lonely Planet’s offering doesn’t begin to cover it...). It’s small enough to feel like a house rather than a hotel and the French-style breakfasts on the roof terrace are a great way to start a lazy day in the sunshine.
This sweet little shop is just past the tanneries and run by a laid back individual who applies no sales pressure at all. Fixed prices, and not bad ones, and some nice work in cotton and agave fabrics. If you are hustled and hassled out of recognition, drop by here instead.
1 Bis Hay Lablida, Derb el Alami, Fes medina
Fes Youth Hostel is in the Ville Nouvelle, on a leafy back street. Its green courtyard is quiet, occupied by a cuddly black and white cat and some cynical tortoises. Book a twin room here and chill out - we found that though it's half an hour's walk from the medina, the change of atmosphere and the chance to relax were well worth it. And at 135 dirhams a night for the two of us, this is real budget accommodation, and very much better than any hotel we could find for the price. You don't need to be a YHA member either.
18 Rue Abdessalam Sergini, Fes - the back street near the Ville Nouvelle MacDonald's.
This is a lovely little guest house, in a traditional mud brick house about half a kilometre from the centre of Skoura. At 80 dirhams a night (eight quid) for two of us, it was amazing value. We were offered mint tea on the roof, watched the sun set over the palmeraie. Our host recommended us some marvellous places to visit and helped us rent bikes to tour the oasis. The warmest welcome in Morocco.
Gite d'etape la Palmeraie, Skoura - 0662 15 30 49. If you're getting off the bus you may meet 'our man on the scooter' - who will direct you (and took my partner on the back of the bike).
Dar Najat is the coolest riad in Marrakech!
This is not just a place to stay. I was treated like a princess. It felt like being in a friend's house. I need to return soon. I miss my chair on the terrace. I miss my breakfast late in the morning under the warm sun of Marrakech. I miss the wonderful music. I miss them all!
N° 18 DERB LALLA CHACHA
DOUAR GRAOUA KENNARIA
40000 MARRAKECH MEDINA MAROC
Tél: 00212524375085
Fax: 00212524384699
MP:00212661439221
www.dar-najat.com
e-mail:black_zitoun@yahoo.fr
I found the hotel Riad Al Mousska fabulous from the moment I walked in. They sent a car to pick me up from the airport and immedietly I felt very special. The food was superb. beautifully presented and served. In fact, the service was wonderful - the staff being friendly and obliging. They arranged everything I needed and made quiet suggestions to make my stay in the city more enjoyable. It has its own hamman, and I had an excellent massage while I was there. It is central - only minutes from the main square and in the centre of the souks and close to the Square Jemaa El Fna, but very quiet and peaceful. I relaxed and enjoyed the whole experience from beginning to end. How wonderful to be woken each morning with the sound of doves.Thoroughly recomend - five star treatment.
www.riyad-al-moussika.com
contact@riyad-al-moussika.ma
phone 00212 524 389067
Dar Darma is a small and very exclusive palace situated in the Old Medina with few rooms preciously decorated. Our Suite Patio was really comfortable and spacious. The palace also has beautiful terraces, with a swimming pool, where you can relax drinking the traditional mint tea. Also the cuisine is very good. We asked for typical dishes, and the cook prepared us cous cous, brochette and tajine: all was very very good! Dar Darma is also near to the most important places of interest. From the hotel we walked to visit the Medersa, the Museum of Marrakech and vibrant Square Jemaa El-Fna. We have really appreciate our stay at Dar Darma: a wonderful experience indeed!
Dar Darma
11/12, Trik (rue) Sidi Bohuarba
40000 Marrakech – Marocco
www.dardarma.com
Got to Casablanca by train - first class from Marrakesh cost a couple of quid more than second and is well worth it. Stayed at Hotel Galia, great spacious rooms, clean, cheap and the hotel manager is lovely and really tries to help you. Computer with internet free to use downstairs too. Went to Rick's, food fantastic though not the cheapest! Hassan II Mosque very very impressive!
My husband and I just returned from another trip to Marrakesh . Incredible city with a special attraction! We stayed this time at Riyad Al Moussika. ( www.riyad-al-moussika.com ), and our sojourn there, was fantastic. There are riads with cheaper fares, but if you consider that lunches are included, it is not. In addition to that its location is very closed to the square Jemaa El Fna, the main square of the Medina, but you can reach it as well by taxi. Our room had a loggia and a private terrace on the roof both overlooking the swimming pool which is so well conceived that looks like an old Andalusia basin as in the Medersa Ben Youssef. Remarkable job as it is the rest of the Riad that has been restored with a strict respect of the Moorish architecture without any concession to the present widespread Disneyland-like way of restoration I saw in the others riads where we stayed in our previous visits to the red city: A mix and match of pseudo oriental styles, more a movie set, than real places. At Riad Al Moussika it’s possible to feel the presence of the past and the authenticity of the place embrace pleasantly its guests: A timeless spot with a genius loci!. All of the staff speak good English, thing not very common in Morocco , and they were all exceptional, but Badreddine deserves a special mention. He was unbeatably helpful and all the times with a smile. The exceptional quality of the breakfast and lunches is certainly the best we had in Marrakech so far, although the fact that those are included in the rates like all non alcoholic beverages, refreshments and the delicious Moroccan patisserie served at the tea-times. If you want to have more sybarite pleasures, spoil yourself in the hammam : Unforgettable relaxing experience. In conclusion, Riyad Al Moussika is a spectacular place where we will stay in our future visits to Marrakech, and worth every cents, (I mean dirham)!
- Audrey
Marrakech, 62 derb Boutouil-Kennaria
00212 524 389067
contact@riyad-al-moussika.ma
Riad Maizie is a friendly, relaxed and comfortable place to stay. Although it's only a few minutes walk from all the bustle it's beautiful, calm and quiet. We were made so welcome by James, Abdulillah and Amal and would love to go back.
Riad Maizie
95 Derb al Kadi
Azbezt
www.riadmaizie.eu
This is the real thing - an authentic traditional riyad beautifully presented with courtyards orange trees fountains and tiling and best of all tranquil even though it is in the heart of the old city. The staff were the most attentive and friendly we have ever encountered and nothing was too much trouble and their advice on trips was excellent. The breakfast and lunch were unmissable and yes they really were included in the price as was the afternoon tea properly made in a china pot. Try the mint tea.
This is definitely a memorable place to stay.
This was a wonderful place to stay, it was somewhere we stubbled upon when scouring the web frantically looking for somewhere in the mountains.
Its in a wonderful spot, right on the edge of the mountains, with amazing views. The staff were so lovely and it was nice to be cooked for every night after a long day of walking. With no electricity, the place turns into a candle lit palace at night, where you can relax and take in everything. Its really felt like you were in the middle of nowhere, living like a local. I couldnt recommend it enough.
When shopping or booking a trip, discounts and special offers are always welcome, especially nowadays. This summer the coolest travel deal seems to come from Marrakech, Morocco where Riad Kniza, a high end boutique hotel, is proposing to its guests a “Pay What You Feel Fair” offer. It’s very simple: at the end of your stay you decide how much you wish to pay depending on your level of satisfaction. As advertised in Riad Kniza’s website “can’t get fairer than that”.
Spending a few impromptu September days in this relatively remote surf spot has to be one of my most memorable travel experiences.
Precariously strapping two surfboards to the roof of a taxi, driving some distance south of Essaouira and asking the driver to pick us up in a couple of days (and he showed up on time!) was a true adventure.
The surf was choppy with strong undercurrents, but we had the beach and dunes literally to ourselves. Keep a keen eye out for each other if you attempt this because there are no lifeguards!
We stayed on the "campsite" - a patch of stony ground with trees for cover and a tap. Sidi Kauki doesn't have much by way of facilities, but eating delicious tagine in a hut by the beach was a simple pleasure.
20km south of Essaouira
A great oasis in the busy and fascinating medina, roof terrace with views over Bou Inania, great selection of snacks, meals, teas and coffees, cakes, and excellent lamb patties etc. Cheerful young local staff and an enthusiastic English patron. Restored courtyard house up a tiny alley by the waterclock, close to Bab Bou Jeloud Gate. Given the lack of eating places to occupy the gap between very cheap traditional cafes, and upmarket gourmet restaurants, this is a very welcome place any time of day. But the best thing is that the owner is determined to run a rare local cultural programme of arts and music with something on several evenings a week. And then there are the camel burgers, fresh from the camel butcher over the street...
off Tala Kebira under the water clock opposite the Bou Inania Medersa(a must visit)
www.cafeclock.com/home.html
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