If you’re looking for a long weekend away where you will be submerged into a different culture, enjoy some sunshine
and feel the heart of a city, then Marrakech is your destination. In just 3 hours, you can leave one continent and
set foot on another – one that welcomes you with bright colours and aromas of spices and food.
Whether you've booked into a hotel or dug a little deeper into the city and opted for a Riad buried somewhere in the
labyrinth of the Medina, the first place you HAVE to visit is Jemaa el-Fnaa. This square in the Medina has a life of
its own. During the day it's filled with orange juice sellers, snake charmers and other various stalls, but it's
when nightfall arrives that the pace really picks up.
The food stalls come to life and the entire area becomes one massive meeting ground. As the smells from the stalls
surround you, musicians, acrobats and other performers all vie for your attention and a tip in their hat. If all that
becomes too much then make for the many souks that surround the square and try your hand at bargaining. Leather goods,
clothing, spices and so much more can be found down these winding alleyways, so make sure to put aside plenty of time
to explore.
Stepping outside the square you will find Dar Si Saïd Museum which houses a range of artifacts documenting life in
Morocco. Musical instruments, wood carvings, carpets, weapons and pottery are all housed in an old palace, which
has a certain charm of its own. The 10 dirhams entry fee certainly won't have gone to waste.
If palaces are your kind of thing, just 5 minutes further down the road is El Bahia Palace. Built in the late 19th
century, it still retains much of its allure. Beautiful Moroccan tiles line the floor and walls, whilst the ceilings
are also a work of art.
Besides getting lost in the maze of the souks and the liveliness of the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, you can also find
tranquillity in the city by visiting the Majorelle Gardens. This mesmerizing garden, created by Jacques Majorelle,
son of celebrated furniture maker Louis Majorelle, captures a combination of the beauty of nature and colours.
Wander around and be intrigued by the different types of plants from five continents. The gardens also have a strong
tie to haute couture. Towards the rear, visitors will find a memorial dedicated to the late, Paris-based fashion designer,
Yves Saint Lauren, whose ashes were scattered here in 2008.
If you are feeling indulgent, pay a visit to the little boutique situated within the gardens, where you will find leather
goods, scarfs and jewellery in beautiful colours and the finest quality. If shopping is your thing, head across from the
gardens to 33 Rue Yves Saint Laurent, where you’ll find the latest trends and a unique range of gadgets.
After you have explored this buzzing city, step into the alleys that lead you to Dar Fakir. At first glance, it looks
like you’ve reached a dead-end, but you are in fact standing in front of a door that whisks you away into pure bliss.
You enter an elegantly decorated Riad, where luxury and comfort welcome you. Be warned, once you enter you might not
want to leave again! It’s hard to believe that outside, the city is fully alive, whilst inside, you’re in a cocoon of serenity.
Marrakech will amaze you with its diversity and will leave you longing for more…
Why not travel in style and fly Business with bmi. Your journey begins from the moment you walk into the bmi Premium Check-in zone.
Their friendly staff welcome and direct you to the Diamond Club Business Lounge, where you can have a relaxing drink at the bar,
read up on the latest news in one of the comfortable chairs, or grab a bite to eat. Don’t forget about the pampering you also
receive once up in the air, where you get served a three-course meal and find yourself sitting back, enjoying your flight with
extra space and privacy.
Isabelle Kenis
Isabelle is a passionate traveller and there is nothing more she loves than traveling the world, experiencing new adventures
and discovering new destinations. With
Isabelle's Travel Guide, filled with personal experiences, travel tips and information,
she hopes to be an inspiration and help others in their ventures to explore the world. Follow Isabelle on Twitter
@IsabellesTravel
Chris Richardson
Bored with his working life in Australia, Chris set of on an opened ended journey to see the world. Basing himself in
Europe he's been blogging about his experiences and offering tips to other travellers to this part of the world ever
since over on his blog –
theaussienomad.com.