King Mohammed VI inaugurated, in December 2016, the new terminal of the Marrakech-Menara airport, an additional asset to enhance the city’s attractiveness to international visitors. This large-scale project, worth 1.22 billion dirhams, is an implementation of the royal instructions seeking to offer the city of Marrakech a modern airport infrastructure meeting international standards to manage […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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; 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]