Guide to Marrakech
Guide to Marrakech
The Secret Garden – Marrakech
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 […]
Everyone wants to visit Marrakech!
Ryanair have just announced the launch of lots of new routes to Marrakech. These new routes link Budapest (Hungary), Cologne (Germany), Nîmes (France), Krakow (Poland), Santander (Spain), Perpignan (France) and Venice (Italy) to the red city! The whole world loves to holiday in Marrakech, and a stay historical riad is the perfect way to absorb […]
Josephine Baker : 1973 Versailles
On November 28th 1973 Josephine Baker sang at a very special event. A fashion show was organised to raise funds to restore King Louis XIV’s palace of Versaille in France. Created by Eleanor Lambert and Versailles curator Gerald Van der Kemp, the show pitted French designers (Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Emanuel Ungaro, Christian Dior, […]
Bicycle rental in Marrakech
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 […]
A Jazz lovers break in Morocco
When it comes to the age of Jazz in Europe, and the connections to the Belle Epoque in Marrakech one name is iconic : Josephine Baker. Imagine a trip to Morocco which immerses you in the world of Josephine and a festival of Jazz music! Flying to Marrakech you can book your stay Riad Star, […]
Contemporary dance event in Marrakech
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 […]
Flavours of Marrakech
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 […]
Get the star treatment at Riad Star
Feel like the star that you are, embrace luxury and relaxation at Riad Star in Marrakech. We invite you to step into the world of the superstar Josephine Baker. Relax and unwind in this stunning Art Deco house, the former Marrakech home of the iconic star Josephine Baker. Feel the glamour and luxury in every aspect of […]
Marrakech a city of contrasts.
Marrakech; one of the great Imperial Moroccan cities, the fabled red city, the destination of camel trains laden with wares from far afield for over 900 years, the place of inner discovery for the bohemian travellers of the 1960’s. This magical place with a location which is locked in on all sides by the desert once made the […]
Baltic amber in Moroccan jewels
Morocco is the furthest West of the countries of the Mahgreb, these countries which are situated along the North African coast are at the end of the long and hugely important silk routes from the East. Along this highway of commerce came caravans with exotic treasures to trade. The 10th century written accounts from those who trod this […]
Ten top useful tips for visiting Marrakech
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 […]
A history of Moroccan music.
The Music of Morocco has been influenced by many cultures and reflects the location geographically of the country. Morocco’s location has given a unique combination of musical styles, with aspects of Spanish, Sub Saharan, Middle Eastern and of course indigenous Amazigh culture all represented. Historical phases of Morocco’s history have also played a part in […]
Henna traditions in Morocco
Henna has been used since through time to dye skin, hair, and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool, and leather. A cosmetic dye ids derived from the powdered leaves of the Henna (Lawsonia inermis, also known as hina, the henna tree, the mignonette tree, and the Egyptian privet) plant. The Earliest written evidence of the use of henna is from the […]
Jewish History in Morocco
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 […]
Butterflies of Morocco
In honour of the name of Riad Papillon! We would love to share some of the species of butterflies which are found in Morocco. For those with an interest in Flora and Fauna Morocco has so much to offer. The butterfly Fauna of Morocco is particularly rich with 135 recorded species. Morocco offers the richest and […]
Historical Trade routes between Morocco and Scandinavia
The Arabian traders of the silk routes between China and Morocco carried diverse treasures. They also carried news and tales of their encounters along their way. The Arab traders of Baghdad were very accustomed to trading with many cultures and civilisations. Early written records made by Abbasid historians tell of trade with Scandinavians. This written […]
Olives in Morocco
Cured olives are ever present at the moroccan dinner table. Locally grown and picked by hand, the food miles are minimal and the taste sensation is maximum! There are wide selections on offer in the Olive Market, located close to Djema el Fna Square. Our free smartphone App the Marrakech Riad Travel Guide will guide […]
Moroccan Saffron
Saffron is a prized cookery and natural medicine ingredient. Saffron is cultivated in the Siroua Mountains of Southern Morocco. The region is prosperous and famous due to this valuable crop. With a value greater than that of gold per gram this little flower really does hold hidden treasure. Saffron is the stamens of a crocus. […]
The seven saints of Marrakech
There are seven patron saints of Marrakech. These men were Sufi mystics and Islamic Scholars. It is believed that these seven saints are only sleeping and will awaken to continue their good deeds. Their tombs are visited each year by pilgrims during the Zaira pilgrimage. A pilgrimage to the tombs offers an alternative to undertaking […]
The Jazz age in Paris
Transport yourself back to 1920’s Paris. Jazz music and the carefree style of dance which accompanied it were a boon in the French capital. Black musicians and performers arrived on the fashionable club scene and the Parisians loved them. It was this wave of acceptance and love of the genre that allowed Josephine Baker to […]
Secrets of a Tagine – Preserved lemons
A Moroccan tagine is a centrepiece of a Marrakech dining table. With layers of flavour which are a delight. Achieving some of these special culinary taste sensations is a combination of a masterly and accomplished chef and some time honoured recipes using wonderful ingredients. Ingredients which may be unfamiliar to some of us. A key […]
Two gatherings in Washington.
Diamonds, in the raw are formed by pressure and later augmented by their many facets. An analogy which could be applied to Josephine Baker. The multi faceted life of Josephine reflects the many aspects of her inner strength and determination. Bakers deeds and achievements are immense. Many of these deeds are well known and recorded: […]
Top 5 best selling rooms from Marrakech Riad in 2016
Traditionally, in the last day of the year you either think about the new years resolutions or about the achievements of the year that just passes . So here is a quick top of our top 5 best selling rooms in 2016: 1. It’s no surprise to us that this year, the romantic fez suite at […]
10 things must do and see if you are going to Marrakech for 3 nights
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 […]