Thursday, February 26, 2015
HORNS beeping, goats bleating, scooters weaving in and out of donkey-drawn carriages.
For those not accustomed to travelling on roads without rules, a ride through the bustling streets of Marrakesh can be eye-opening.
On our way to Jemaa el-Fna square we rather enjoyed soaking up the sights, sounds and smells of Morocco’s Red City, which gets its nickname from the blush-coloured walls constructed of tabia, a mix of red mud and water from the Hazou plains.
But in reality, Marrakesh is a kaleidoscope of colours – from the vivid rust and amber spices piled up in pyramids on street stalls, to the rainbow bright dresses of women going about their daily chores.
Having finally arrived at the square, it was another feast for the senses. The place was positively alive with snake charmers, fortune tellers and trinket sellers.
And the air was hot, humid and filled with the aromas of spiced dishes sizzling in huge pans. Locals touted for business and tourists lapped up the craziness.
Hopping from one mini showpiece to the next, we watched a performing monkey followed by a man doing tricks, before sampling some super spicy lamb from a stall and enjoying a few beers in a rooftop bar.
It was a lively evening, full of surprises, animated conversations, sometimes disbelief, but memorable.
“Marrakesh is a kaleidoscope of colours – from the vivid rust and amber spices piled up in pyramids on street stalls, to the rainbow bright dresses of women going about their daily chores”
Buzzing from a full-on night in the square, we headed back to our base for the trip, the Tigmiza Suites & Pavilions, a 20-minute car ride away in the old town area known as the Palmeraie.
This haven of peace provides the perfect escape from the madness of Marrakesh. It is essentially a boutique hotel with 27 suites and villas, some with their own private pools.
Check-in included mint tea and Moroccan pastries served in a beautifully decorated lounge, before we were shown to our suite, the Oriental.
Decked out in ruby reds, deep pinks and mahogany, it was set over two floors with a downstairs living room and upstairs bedroom and bathroom.
Two large pools, one heated, glistened in the lush green grounds of the hotel. Comfy sun loungers and a bar for cocktails and snacks added to the luxury feel.
Morocco is an all-year-round destination with temperatures range from 15 degrees in winter to 29 degrees in the summer months.
If you feel the need to escape from the heat, venture down to the spa on the lower ground floor for a facial or a massage.
Or if you fancy freshening up, Moroccan-style, try the hotel’s traditional hammam, where, after sweating it out in the steam room, staff will give you an all-over polish so thorough, you will come out glowing.
Tigmiza also has its own cinema where guests can choose a film from the library and watch it on a huge screen in private. A slightly cheaper alternative is the Caravanserai Hotel.
Designed around a traditional “Dar” (Arabic House) with the red walls, ornate lamps and Jacaranda trees, it has an inviting pool surrounded by loungers, as well as a spa with hammam and steam room.
We enjoyed a traditional Moroccan feast there one night with flavoured meats, cous cous, dips and flatbreads. Next morning, we caught the bus to the Medina, where there is a photo opportunity at every turn.
There are snake charmers, women offering henna tattoos, as well as local people dressed in traditional Berber outfits who are keen to pose for a snap with tourists – only to thrust out their palms for coins afterwards while flashing a cheeky grin!
We finally found the entrance to the souk which led us into warren of alleys and passageways.
With plenty of bartering and buying going on, it was fascinating to watch the sometimes, rather intense, exchanges. But whatever the price starts at, you usually end up paying less than half after a good-natured battle of wits.
We enjoyed the bartering experience for a leather holdall from a bag store next to a meat stall, from which the butcher was throwing scraps of meat to stray cats.
A green oasis in the centre of Marrakesh is the Jardin Majorelle. Owned by Yves Saint Laurent until his death in 2008, this shady retreat of shiny palms and soaring cacti explodes with colour from striking lemon yellows and cobalt blue adorning the walls to intricately-designed planters.
There was just enough time to fit in a close-up look at Marrakech’s most famous symbol, the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque. Topped with four copper globes, it’s visible from most of the city. Non-Muslims may not enter, but you can walk around it.
Just three-and-a-half hours away by plane, Marrakesh is a hot and spicy weekend adventure, peppered with green and serene sanctuaries to discover.
FACT FILE
BROADWAY Travel is the UK’s leading independent travel company with more than 60 years’ experience in providing great value, hand-picked holiday deals.
Many of their holidays have value-added extras like free room upgrades, late room checkouts, free board upgrades and flights from more than 29 UK airports.
For more details visit broadwaytravel.com or call 0800 688 7806.
Four nights bed and breakfast at the five-star Tigmiza Suites and Pavilions cost from £379 per person including flights departing on selected dates in February.
Book via broadwaytravel.com/offer/tigmiza-hotel-and-pavilion
Four nights half-board at the four-star Caravanserai Hotel cost from £249 per person, including flights departing on selected dates in March and April.
Book via broadwaytravel.com/offer/caravanserai
Related articles
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Kara Scott
2nd World Rank
Final Table WSOP
World Series Of Poker
0 comments:
Post a Comment