“The grinning, wide eyed woman exploded into energy just barely contained by skin and a human form. Every part of her seemed to go in a different direction, flung from some central volcano of spirit. She made faces and flailed about. She shook her rear end, then drew it in and strutted in place. The […]
Bananas were introduced to Morocco as a crop in the early 1940’s, production was confined to small plantings in special micro climates along the Atlantic coast, north of Agadir, The best sites for banana cultivation are low areas along the Atlantic coast that are essentially frost-free. Sites are protected from strong winds; also, windbreaks, typically living fences of […]
The museum of Mouassine is housed in a house from the 17-18th century. The space is used to show exhibitions of the arts of Morocco.From the 15th of May until the 15th of June 2017 there will be an exhibition titled “A spring in the High Atlas.” Showcasing Precious Berber textiles from the High Atlas. […]
Josephine Baker was a vocal supporter of racial equality. There were many times during her life when she stood up for tolerance and against racism. Josephine was an extraordinary woman, and some of her life choices and ambitions were extraordinary too. Josephine was unable to have children of her own, so she undertook an unprecedented […]
Josephine Baker, one time resident of Riad Star in Marrakech is of course celebrated worldwide as an iconic Singer, dancer and actress. Her glittering career as an entertainer spanned five decades. A lesser known fact about this Jazz age icon is the amazing and brave role she played as a spy for the French resistance […]
On the 2nd April 2017 there will be a Culture, Environment and Health; Earth Day. Hosted by High Atlas Foundation at Ecole HEEC Marrakech, Avenue Allal Al Fassi, Rue Abou Oubeida, 40000 Marrakesh, Morocco This event is an amazing opportunity for people from different walks of life to come together and forge bonds. This event is […]
Transformation is a mysterious process which happens naturally when we allow ourselves time and calm to process our goals and to find our life path. The understanding each of us seeks is within our core self and this latent wisdom can; given calm and space, manifest itself and be a beacon of guidance. A holistic approach to cohesive […]
Never let it be said that Josephine Baker did not lead a varied life! On 27 June 1933, she started the cyclists on their way to a very eventful Tour de France. The French team, that had won the last three Tours de France, started well. Maurice Archambaud won the first stage, and lead the general […]
The walls of Marrakech Medina hold hidden spaces. As we walk through the sun kissed, busy, vibrant streets we are often unaware of the beauty concealed behind the doors. Your first experience as a visitor to one of our riad hotels will illustrate this, as you step through the doors for the first time, the hidden […]
Marrakech has just launched the first bike sharing system in Africa, Medina Bikes. 320 brand new bicycles are now anchored in ten key points and available 24 hours a day. The project was designed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Onudi) and supported by the Moroccan government. It was implemented by the Moroccan company […]
There are always wonderful cultural events to enjoy when visiting Morocco. This dance event fuses world dance in a contemporary context and will be held at 8.30 pm on March 2nd 2017 at Dar Atakafa in Marrakech. BLASMIA a contemporary dance group invites you to discover and interact with tribal forms of dance from all over the […]
Marrakech is a sensory delight, the city is well known for seducing it’s visitors with vivid colours, an exotic soundscape with calls to prayer, street musicians and the sounds of life within the medina and of course the tastes of exotic spices and local delicacies. One cannot fail to notice the daily rituals around food and […]
Marrakech has been chosen by National Geographic as the winner of first place in the Cities category in the 21 Best of the World Destinations 2017. This very competitive award is nominated by The National Geographic worldwide network of editors, writers and explorers. We wholeheartedly agree with this choice for the year. We fell in […]
It’s always helpful to have some local info for your holidays, so here are a few top tips to make your stay in Marrakech simple. I have been travelling in Morocco for over 16 years, and here are a few very easy things which I always do which make my trip more comfortable. Bring the name and address of […]
Jewish traders and farmers have lived in Morocco’s since the time of the Roman Empire. The largest Jewish immigration to Morocco came in 1492, when Queen Isabella I of Castille ordered them to convert to Christianity or leave Spain. Each Moroccan city had a separate Jewish quarter called a Mellah. Moroccan Jews became known for […]
Marrakech has much to offer for everyone. If you plan a relaxed break with your partner or a super-summer family holiday, rest assured that Marrakech will surprise you. The best way to experience Marrakesh hospitality is by staying in a riad, fabulous boutique hotels spread across the Medina. Here are a few tips and tricks […]
Riad Papillon will be your home for a three night culture break. Just ten minutes walk from the drama and chaos of the Jemaa al Fnaa Square you could hardly believe the oasis of calm provided by the Riad courtyard. Great Value at £199 (Euros 239) per person. Explore the fabulous souks with a personal […]
Situated close to the Royal Palace, to the southern edge of the Marrakech medina, the Agdal Gardens exists as a superb example of the architectural and landscaping skill. Covering an area of approximately 400 hectares, the garden comprises of orange, apricot, lemon, fig, and pomegranate trees in rectangular plots, all conjoined by olive-tree lined walkways. […]
Across the Marrakech Medina, almost on every derb (street), there are many small stalls selling a variety of food from home cooked bread to dried fruit. Indeed, each stall specialises in a different food-type and many sell fresh fruit sourced from the local Marrakech area. It is undoubtedly true that the summer months (July to […]
Set off the famous Jemaa el Fna Square, Passage Prince Moulay Rachid – or Le Prince Street as it is known to the locals – is one of the most popular streets in the Marrakech Medina. The street connects the main square to the south of the Medina including the long distance taxi rank, the El […]
Stretching for 16km around the medina, the extensive ramparts of Marrakech are impossible to miss; they may even be the your first sight of the red city. You may notice that the walls themselves are marked with numerous holes. Although many local Marrakchis will tell you conflicting stories as how the holes were formed, we […]
Lying to the east of Marrakech, Bab El Debbagh provides entrance to one of the oldest districts of the city, the tanneries. Of all of the 19 gates that puncture the red pisé-cement ramparts of Marrakech, Bab El Debbagh is the only one to be named after a craft, demonstrating the historic importance of the […]
Once you have followed the small sign off Rue Mouassine, worked your way through the alleyways and knocked on the almost anonymous door to be let in, you are greeted with a warm welcome and an amazing interior. Dar Cherifa can be found in one of the oldest Riads in Marrakech, dating back to the […]
Located just west of the Medina lies the Menara Gardens: a 12th Cent garden consisting of rows of olive groves, tall palm tree and beautiful flowers. These tall trees are occasionally accompanied by a modern addition to the park: the planes flying into the nearby Marrakech Menara Airport. However, far from being a disruptive distraction, […]