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25 May 2018
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The word “Caleche” may not be familiar to you, if you’ve never spent a week or two in Morocco before. The word itself is a french, feminine noun which found it’s way to Morocco during the French Colonisation in the 1950’s. The term Caleche is now a commonly used name for what is formally known by most as a Barouche, or horse-drawn cart.
A caleche is a type of horse-drawn carriage with a retractable cover for sun-protection. These fanciful modes of transport became popularised in 19th century France, and were mostly used for leisurely journeys in the summer.
The Caleches of Marrakech are light carriages with small wheels at the front, and two larger wheels at the rear, with inside seats for four to six passengers. The carriages are usually drawn by two medium-large horses of equal height.
In Marrakech you can take a tour of the city by Caleche, which can last from 20 minutes up to 2 hours depending on the time you have designated. There are several main pick-up points within the medina and the New City; which you can find by using our free Marrakech Riad Travel Guide App. This is a great way to explore the city if you are tired from walking, as the caleches can often reach areas of town which are not accessible by car. The open top of the carriage, and the slow moving nature of the caleche ride allows for some brilliant photo opportunities of major landmarks and historical features.
In previous years, the horses used to draw Caleches in Morocco, were not well kept. Often malnourished and dehydrated, they were thin, lame and in constant pain from untreated harness wounds; which caused an uproar amongst animal activists. Thankfully, attention around this issue caused a charitable organisation called SPANA to step in and take action.
SPANA is an international charity which supports working animals around the world, and their Morocco branch based in Doudiat is a literal life-saver for so many animals in Marrakech. SPANA’s Caleche Horse Programme has influenced major improvement in the overall care, health and wellbeing of the working horses in Marrakech. By teaming up with local authorities, SPANA created a licensing scheme whereby horses must be regularly inspected on various health factors, for their owners to be able to continue using them for work. They must be well fed, well cared for and have access to farriery, dentistry and veterinary care before the owners can obtain or maintain their Caleche license.
You might notice that many horses have a blue “SPANA” tag around their ankle, which indicates that they have been micro-chipped and are being thoroughly monitored. The charity have also installed several free-to-use water troughs around the city, to combat animal dehydration.
Bravo to SPANA for all their hard work in improving the lives of working animals around the world.
So, next time you visit Marrakech why not try out a Caleche tour for yourselves?
Contact us today to book your accommodation.
Whilst exploring all that Marrakech has to offer, it’s highly likely that you will come across the works of world renowned artist Hassan Hajjaj. His creations can be found gracing the walls of numerous venues in the red city, but his work branches out much further than Marrakech,
Hassan Hajjaj is a Moroccan born, contemporary artist – better known as “The Andy Warhol of Morocco”. Branching out from his roots, Hajjaj (born Larache), now works between the cities of Marrakech, London and New York; making a name for himself on both the underground and mainstream art worlds.
His contemporary works come in the format of film & photography, as well as a combination of mixed media pieces in a vibrant “pop art” genre. Hassan Hajjaj spoke in an interview with ArtNet News about his influences, and although naturally inspired by a range of photographers who’s images have appeared in various magazine spreads; the majority of his influence comes from music and his presence in the underground music scene over the years of his life. His photographs and films take on an aspect of story telling, documenting the present moment, or taking a look into the potential of the future, always giving the viewer an impression of the human characters involved.
As Hajjaj’s career has taken off, he has made many notable achievements as an artist. In 2009, Hajjaj was shortlisted for Victoria & Albert Museum’s Jameel prize, and in 2011, he was awarded the Sovereign Middle East and African Art Prize. In 2013, Rose Issa Projects published a monograph of the artist exploring his upbringing in Morocco and London, focusing particularly on the significance of his experiences in fashion, interior design, the music scene and his highly-acclaimed photographic creations. Recently he shot the front cover for New York magazine, featuring music artist Cardi B. He describes this type of commissioned work as being much more about meeting the brief of the client, than exploring his own creative intuition; however he remains true to his very distinctive styling, namely brightly coloured motifs and borders which pay tribute to his African, or more specifically Moroccan heritage. In fact, these pop-art style borders and motifs, particularly mimic the traditional Mosaic which is seen repeatedly in Moroccan architecture; but have evolved to often also have a similarity to the bold patterns of West African prints.
As his art career progresses, Hajjaj remains connected to Morocco and the influences which inspired him from the beginning. Largely, his personal creations (which are not commissioned by other clients) still feature characters and attributes of the Maghreb.
In fact, Hajjaj’s studio in Marrakech is open to the public and is found under the name of Riad Yima, located just behind Rahba Lakdima, more commonly known as the Place des Epices (Spice Market). The space is now a dedicated gallery for the vibrant photographic pieces, as well as a tea room and boutique. A must see for all art enthusiasts staying in Marrakech.
During the Marrakech 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, held on the last weekend of February 2018; Riad Yima housed performances by Hassan Hajjaj himself, as well as an exhibition of photographic works by Yassine Aaoui Ismaili, also known as Yoriyas. Yoriyas is an up and coming, Casablanca-based photographer. This particular exhibition focused on showcasing a more honest view of the city of Casablanca, beyond the Colonial impression which was so famously publicised in the 1942 feature length film.
Be sure to visit Riad Yima, and keep your eyes peeled for Hassan Hajjaj’s iconic works on your next visit to Marrakech. Contact us today at Marrakech Riad to plan your trip!
The 1-54 fair is a leading international art event founded by Touria El Glaoui in 2013. This dynamic and sustainable art fair celebrates contemporary art from Africa and African artists dispersed from the motherland, and has hosted events in London and New York City. The next event launches at La Mamounia, Marrakech between the 24th-25th of February 2018 and features 17 iconic galleries from Africa and worldwide. Prepare to have your senses awakened by the works of over 60 international artists in partnership with local galleries and venues.
We are very excited to see this globally recognised event brought to the city of Marrakech for the first time. On the 24th & 25th of the month; viewers are invited to experience an array of fabulous and emotive works from a variety of artists, including performances by Elisabeth Efua Sutherland and photographic works by photographic works by artists such as Ishola Akpo, Joana Choumali, Namsa Leuba, Nicola Lo Calzo, François-Xavier Gbré, Mouna Karray and Lebohang Kganye.
A multi-faceted celebration awaits us, with the international launch of The Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL), beginning with a new exhibition “Africa Is No Island” (curated by Afrique in Visu). The exhibition will open on Sunday 25th February and runs until the 24th August 2018. You will find this art venue located in the area of Sidi Youssef Ben Ali, Marrakech.
Afrique in Visu is in essence a collective photography project established in 2006, which captures a glimpse of Africa in a light which challenges and aims to shut down the misrepresentations of Africa and life within this vibrant continent. The ‘Africa Is No Island’ exhibition will be featured alongside a presentation of the project’s latest book release ‘Le Métier de Photographe en Afrique 10 ans d’Afrique in Visu’ with a view to encourage international visitors to immerse themselves in the creativity of Africa.
Follow this link to learn more about the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair Marrakech event.
This is truly an event not to miss, so why not catch your last minute flights to join us in the red city?
Contact us to book your luxury accommodation today. Our stylish riads are placed in the heart of it all, and the perfect tranquil venue to enjoy the exhibitions which will be dotted around us.
As you pass through the ancient medina, with your senses being overwhelmed by sounds, smells and colour, you might miss a few small details. A detail which is particularly worthy of noting, are the small signs which are dotted around the walls of various attractions or industrial areas which read “Initiative Nationale pour le Developpement Humain”. These signs are indicative that the project or co-operative it is mounted onto, is backed and maintained by the Moroccan Government’s National Human Development Incentive.
The incentive was launched in May 2005 by His Majesty the King Mohammed VI in an effort to reduce poverty, instability and social exclusion for Moroccans. The project aims to make steps in changing these factors by way of providing activities which aim to combat unemployment. Examples such as training programmes, job creation, sports leadership and income promotion have been cropping up all over Morocco, and are designed to spark motivation for generating income without participating in criminal activity. The programme promises to be accessible to all Moroccans, and inclusive of the most impoverished areas.
There are four programmes at play, which all strive to benefit different targets and these are as follows:
The project has a budget of 10 billion dirhams and in time, this incentive aims to lift the human development index of Morocco which has been ranked as relatively low; due to low rates of literacy, life expectancy and income.
Partially due to the Arab Spring in 2011 and the marginalisation it caused for young people from the labour market; the role of growth in reducing unemployment is key in Morocco.
Morocco is a low medium income country and the majority of income in the economy comes from services and tourist trade, followed by agriculture, industry and lastly construction.
The good news is that in the years since the project was launched in 2005, Morocco has made huge steps in addressing poverty and improving living situations for Morocco’s poorest residents. In the last decade, Moroccan economic growth patterns have been increasingly stable; and in the past 15 years the growth of Moroccan economy has been continuously positive.
In terms of statistics in the past decade, each year has recorded on average 123,000 new entrants into the labour market within Morocco and beyond this, approximately 164,000 jobs were created each year between the years 2000 and 2008. The sectors of construction and service are recorded as being the most efficient in creating jobs; but the incentives aim to increase jobs in the industrial sector too. The leather industry is one of the oldest historical industries in Morocco, but it has been shrinking since 2005 – so the government are backing training programmes which will ideally introduce young Moroccan’s to this sector and promote a sustainable career in the field.
There are also many grass roots organisations cropping up, which aim to make a change in the structure of Moroccan employment and education. Non-profit organisations such as Henna Cafe Marrakech, provide free classes to Moroccans and refugees of all ages in various subjects such as literacy, numeracy, languages, study-groups and kids club.
Your tourism has a great impact on the economy of Morocco, so contact us and plan your visit today. It’s time to see all that this diverse country has to offer…
The ancient tanneries of Marrakech are the perhaps crude, but very functional industrial areas where animal skins are put through the stages of a process called “tanning”. Essentially, it is where animal skins undergo the transformation from raw animal to workable leather.
For many years, the tanneries have been an attraction for visitors who wish to learn more about the process of creating leather; as well as the industry in Morocco. Unfortunately in more recent times, the tanneries have become the subject of several negative reviews online. A quick google search of “Marrakech tanneries”, will surely give you copious terrible accounts of the experiences other travellers have had. These experiences and reviews are undoubtedly off-putting for other’s planning to holiday in Marrakech; but we would implore people to not be afraid of venturing into the tanneries, provided they read this article first!
Throughout history, the tanneries of Marrakech have remained the same in an architectural sense, but have dramatically changed in their infrastructure. Once owned exclusively by several families; the houses surrounding the tanneries were only inhabited by the men who worked in the industry, along with their wives and children. Nowadays, many of these houses have become co-operatives and leather shops, in an effort to keep up with the tourist industry within Marrakech.
We recently visited one of these co-operatives, Chez Hassan Berbere. Hassan (known locally and by friends as Hassan Berbere) is the over-all owner of the house in which this co-operative was established. The house and the rights to the use of the tannery, were passed down to him by his father who had been a tannery worker all of his adult life. In an effort to create more income for his community, Hassan established the co-operative set up. The house comprises of two shops stocking a variety of leather goods from belts to babouche, poofes to purses, as well as two terraces with fantastic views over the tanneries and beyond (you can even see the backdrop of the Atlas mountains).
We decided to take a tour with Mohammed Al Hala, one of the members of the co-operative. He had a really relaxed and friendly approach to showing us around, as well as being very knowledgable and well versed in English. He told us that he likes to take a “no pressure” approach to showing people around, as he understands that it is very problematic for people to be hassled. He explained that for him, it is very important that the visitors first and foremost feel that they have learned something from their tour. His motto is “If someone arrives smiling, they should leave smiling”, that way when they recall the experience they will be encouraged to return and bring their friends.
To begin our tour, Mohammed guided us up to the terrace viewing point. Through a large window, we were able to get a decent birds-eye view of the tanneries; and looking out beyond the tannery we could see the beautiful red hues of Marrakech, with dotted palm trees and a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. This makes for a great photo opportunity, so be sure to bring your camera along!
Following this, we headed downstairs to the entrance of the tannery. At the door, Mohammed handed us a generous handful of mint leaves and instructed us to crush them and hold to our nose. This proved to be very effective in masking the stench coming out of the tannery pots – but we did visit on a cool day (a hot day would likely be significantly stinkier)!
Mohammed gave a clear, step-by-step description of the process of creating leather from start to finish. We saw a demonstration of the raw skins (with hair) being rubbed in sea salt to clean off any bacteria. The sodium chloride in sea salt is a powerful anti-bacterial substance and so this is a very effective, natural cleansing routine. Removing the bacteria means that the skins will not rot or go mouldy once they’re used as leather.
The skins are then coated in a thick paste made from water and powdered limestone (‘jia’ in local dialect). They sit coated in this paste for 15 days, which improves elasticity of the skin so that it can be stretched into whole pieces of leather, without tearing.
A natural ammonium chloride solution is made by a fairly unpleasant technique. Pigeon droppings are left in a vat of cold water for several days, to create a liquid solution in which the leather is soaked. We already know that pigeon droppings contain uric acid, because we can see the effect it has on our cars! This ammonium chloride solution (although stinky) is the best option in terms of not leaving a foul smell on the leather. It serves as a natural bleaching agent to take the natural colour out of the skins, in order for them to be dyed later. We found several dogs and cats were taking a rest on the edge of the large ammonia filled vats, clearly the odour wasn’t unpleasant to their senses!
The skins are then hung out to dry, before the hair and flesh is removed with a sharp scraping tool. The pieces are then stretched by hand and sold by the kilo. The leather is not dyed in the tanneries, but many pieces are taken to the dyers souk (named Bab D’bah).
After our tour, we were given a sweet Moroccan tea to enjoy and had an opportunity to browse the shops. Mohammed showed us examples of products made from different kinds of leather. It was really interesting to be able to feel the difference in quality of leather from a range of animal skins; including sheep, goat, cow and camel leather! We didn’t ever feel under pressure to make a purchase, but with so many beautiful items on offer it is difficult to resist. We even felt that we wanted to leave a tip with Mohammed, for the tour and his time.
After the tour, Hassan explained that he has a long term aim to expand the co-operative. The house next door belongs to his sister, and she would like to be able to convert her place into a business alongside her brother. Due to the large production of leather in Marrakech, it is necessary for them to also compete in the tourist industry to make a fair living wage. He hopes that visitors will be encouraged to find his place and take a tour of the tanneries, as for him it is very important that this industry is kept current and alive.
You can find Chez Hassan Berbere on the “leather route”, by using our FREE Marrakech Riad Travel Guide app.
Contact us today to book your Marrakech holiday.
For Moroccans, food is a big deal! A full belly is the key to a full and happy mind, and within the framework of this culture; a person takes immense pride in cooking delicious, fresh meals.
When in Morocco, you will find that the most accessible groceries in the local markets are the required ingredients to make a tagine. This can feel quite limiting to a Western visitor, who may be used to a wider range of options at their fingertips. Fear not, for there are many restaurants in Marrakech serving world foods from all corners of the globe. Moreover, an abundance of tagine recipes exist; and you can try them all!
“Tagine” refers to the vessel in which the meal is prepared, rather than the ingredients. The tagine is an earthenware (terracota) pot which has a conical lid to seal it when cooking. Traditionally the tagine pot would have been placed on an open fire but in the modern age they tend to be placed on a gas hob at a low heat, with a heat diffuser in between. These pots might be glazed, but often in a Moroccan household the presentation tagine pots are glazed, whilst the preferred pot for cooking is not. Over time, the non-glazed clay will absorb the spices and flavours of the meals prepared within it & this adds a beautiful depth to the flavour of the food prepared thereafter.
You might find recipes online which refer to a tagine as a “stew”, and although it is fair to draw comparisons; it is inaccurate to state that they are the same. A stew and a tagine are both slow cooked dishes, but where a stew might have a thick sauce made predominantly with water, a tagine is (in most cases) prepared solely with an oil base to the sauce.
In this post, you will find the recipe for a tagine with fish, the local Darija Arabic word for this is “mqualli”. You can use almost any type of white fish for this one, but we used shark meat! Shark is known locally as “l’kash” and is available in many of the small fish markets located within the walls of the old medina. When buying meat in Marrakech, you can always ask the fishmonger or the butcher to portion it into “tagine sized” pieces.
The ingredients (to serve 4):
Preparation:
If you are interested in Moroccan cuisine, then you should consider participating in one of our fabulous cooking classes at Riad Star. We have an abundance of delicious recipes at the ready…
Contact us to find out more.
A rare and spectacular sight is occurring in Southern Morocco right now (early February 2018), with snow falling on even the driest, lowland regions. As far south as Zagora (known as the gateway to the Sahara), residents are facing the first recorded snowfall in 50 years. Following decades of hot & dry weather, the region is at a standstill with 2 to 3 inches of snow settling on the ground.
The snow in Zagora has arrived at a time when children have a national holiday, so it has been a new and exciting experience for many of the young residents who might have never seen snow before in their lives. It is a warming sight to behold as they play with sledges in the street!
On the other hand, the homes just aren’t built for such weather conditions; meaning that the nights are dangerously cold for those living in Zagora. The palm trees are also suffering, and although it is told that many species of palm trees can survive even sub-zero temperatures; the palm trees of the Sahara Desert are not accustomed to such a climate.
This snow fall isn’t unique to Zagora. In fact; these freak snow storms have been affecting the Sahara and low lands of Morocco throughout January. The first snow in the Sahara region was recorded at the beginning of the year on the Algerian border, followed closely by Ouarzazate and Taroudant receiving their first recorded snow in 30 years. The aesthetic of these lush palmeries and dry plains covered with the white snow is really quite incredible. It is reported that the cause of this snow fall is a mass of air blowing in from Northern Europe.
Weather reports show that the current forecasted temperatures are ranging between -04 and 1°C, with a mazimum of 9°C in Ouarzazate. Despite the freezing temperatures and the damage to crops; locals are still counting their blessings and finding ways to enjoy this new climate!
If you plan on visiting Marrakech, now might be the perfect time to make an excursion to the South. You can reach Ouarzazate from Marrakech, in just 4 hours – perfect for an overnight excursion. If you’re feeling more adventurous, then why not try a Sahara desert road trip? But be quick, this weather will not last long and before you know it the snow will have melted away!
Contact us to book your Marrakech holiday today.
Looking at the topic of recycling in Marrakech, there are several ways in which the locals maintain a “waste not, want not” mentality. It is wonderful to behold the reality of a community in which people salvage what they can use again & look for practical solutions to step away from a throw-away, disposable society.
As well as the plastic bag ban, another great example of these waste combating incentives is the trading of plastic bottles in exchange for household items.
During a week, the Moroccan household is likely to accumulate an abundance of plastic bottles from various products, such as 5l water bottles or vegetable oil containers. Rather than casting away the bottles into the trash, the family have a much better solution available to them. It is possible to trade the plastic bottles for essential household cleaning products, at a variety of small outlets which are dotted around the ancient medina and surrounding suburbs.
These tiny trade spots specialise in homemade cleaning products, such as floor cleaner, bleach, dish and laundry soap. The products are very strong and often have a heavy perfume. Amongst the housewives of Morocco, they are favoured over the branded products which are also available.
The more plastic bottles you offer to the shop keeper, the more product you can take away without any monetary payment. The merchant will use these bottles for future customers or, if he has enough, will sell the excess bottles on to olive farmers who re-fill them with their olive oil .
If you’re just visiting Marrakech, you probably wont be doing much cleaning – but you certainly should be drinking plenty of bottled water! Look out for the stores selling only cleaning products or olive oil & offer them your empties. Alternatively you can always leave them with your local shop keeper or the housekeeper, as they will be ready to make the trade on your behalf.
Come and be a part of it all, contact us to book your stay today!
The end of 2017 brought us a sequel to the award winning Planet Earth; and along with this visually stunning nature series came a general mass-awakening to the human responsibility of preserving the planet we live upon.
A hot political topic in January 2018 has been the damaging effects of plastic waste on the ecology of sea life, as well as the consequential damage to all of our environments. There are several efforts being made to create change in the way that Morocco uses plastics & opportunities for people visiting Marrakech to minimise their “plastic footprint”.
Back in November 2016, Marrakech was the chosen location for Cop 22; the twenty-second session of The Conference Of Parties, in a discussion about how to move towards a multilateral co-operation about climate change. Although just a small step in the right direction, this meeting and the festivities around it have sparked a dialogue amongst residents of Morocco & created a wave of up and coming projects which focus on creating a more “green” Morocco.
One of the consequential law changes made in Morocco following Cop 22, was the national ban on disposable plastic bags. Unlike the laws in much of the EU, which allow the continuation of plastic bag production, but at the cost of the consumer; the governing body in Morocco aims to completely eradicate the presence and production of disposable bags in the entire country. This movement has been in play since early 2009, but reached a real progression point following this festival.
This legislation is known as “Zero-Mika”; mika meaning plastic in the local Arabic dialect. The implementation of this law was one of the first of it’s kind in Africa, with Rwanda being the only other African country at the time to support a blanket-ban on plastic bags.
According to a few news sources; Moroccan authorities seized in excess of 420 tonnes of plastic bags in the year after the law was implemented. To put that into some perspective, that’s around the weight equivalent of 30 double-decker buses! This fact alone is surely a testament to the time when Morocco was named the world’s second-largest consumer of plastic bags and a strong indication of the importance of this ban.
So naturally, the public of Morocco required a suitable alternative to plastic bags. There are essentially two “green” options currently available in the world and those are recyclable or biodegradable. The Moroccan parliament have moved in favour of encouraging re-usable carrier bags, rather than biodegradable. These re-usable bags are now readily available (gratuit!) from many convenience stores in Marrakech.
It is really important that these options are carefully considered when finding solutions to cut-down the use of non-recyclable materials. The steps we take now are pivotal in influencing climate change and establishing a balance between consumerism, capitalism and environmentalism! Biodegradable bags are problematic, because of the time time it takes for them to decompose, as well as where they eventually settle to begin this process. Re-usable bags are a great solution, provided we follow suit and vow to re-cycle them so that their production will be minimised.
Look out for these free re-usable carriers on your next visit to Morocco and dare to refuse disposable plastic bags when offered to you by shop keepers. The only way that these incentives can work is if we (the consumers) engage with them. If you are traveling and you find that you are left with an excess of re-usable carrier bags, consider taking them back to your local shop before you leave as they will certainly be used again. Alternatively, the large re-usable bags make ideal laundry bags for your travels.
Bravo Morocco, for taking responsible steps and leading by example!
The majestic winding streets of Marrakech and their aesthetic are only improved by the “Zero-Mika” project. Come and join us in the heart of it all and contact us to book your trip today…
Marrakech is an ever popular destination for celebrities, and as the popularity of this fabled red city grows year on year it is becoming the choice of destination for important celebrations.
This year was no exception. Ronaldo was just one of a host of celebrities who chose to see in the New Year in the red city.
Star footballer Christiano Ronaldo was spotted in Marrakech with his family in April and has invested in property in Morocco . Popular Instagram blogger Maria Dolores snapped a photo of Ronaldo’s family enjoying a caleche ride around the city of Marrakech.
Marrakech is easily accessible from Europe with many flight options and the popularity of the city continues to rise.
If you would like to experience the star treatment in Marrakech contact us to arrange a stay at one of our boutique riads where you will find an oasis of calm and relaxation.
Just relax and let us arrange Spa treatments, caleche rides, romantic dinners and perfect hospitality.
The 29th edition of the Marrakech marathon will take place on the 28 th January 2018.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI is the patron of this event, where more than 8000 runners from all around the world will take part in a most prestigious marathon. The stunning circuit in Marrakech is considered to be one of the fastest in the world, and the mild January climate makes it an exceptional setting.
Accommodation will be at a premium during true event, so please contact us to discuss availability.
Participants can register to take part in the event via the Marrakech Marathon website.
The awards ceremony will take place on 29 th January, where medals will be awarded to participants.
Marrakech Riad wish all participants a wonderful event, and great finishing times!
Moroccan pastry chef, Said Lâouaouda, could enter the Guinness World Records thanks to the gigantic 140-kilogram pie.
The young Chef from Morocco has created a vast Panettone; a traditional Italian cake made with candied fruits and pearl sugar.
The mammoth task took four days of work by four people. The recipe required 69 kilograms of flour, 27 kilograms of butter, 18 kilograms of sugar, 15 kilograms of egg yolks, 18 kilograms of raisins and 11 kilograms of candied orange
The Panettone weighs 140 kilos, and is 2 meters high and 1 meter and a half wide.
The initiative hopes to raise funds for charity as well as hitting the history books by being entered into the Guinness Book of records.
Everyone at Marrakech Riad Cookery school wishes Said Lâouaouda and his team the very best of luck with this project. Always aim for the stars!
If you love cooking and learning new recipes from other parts of the world, contact us to arrange a cookery lesson while you are visiting beautiful Marrakech.
Fodor’s Travel Guide is the world’s largest and professional travel guide book.
Marrakech has been placed at the top of its “Travel Go List for 2018.” beating 51 other renowned world holiday destinations to top the 2018 list.
“This romantic desert oasis is set to be one of 2018’s most fashionable vacations,” Fodor’s said.
“Marrakech really is a magical world that deserves to be explored,” said Jeremy Tarr, the editorial director of Fodors.com.
“Marrakesh is a dreamy maze of spice-scented streets filled with vendors, cafes, and hidden palaces.”
Given its alleyways and winding labyrinths full of home-made crafts, Marrakech is a city full of secrets and the best way to explore it is by getting lost. We at Marrakech riads have developed the free Marrakech Riad Travel app which will help you to ‘get lost’ but to safely find your way back to your Riad home.
Marrakech is a famous city, both within Morocco and worldwide, it holds peoples hearts and captures a deep sense of historical and cultural wealth and many great tourist attractions.
Fodor’s website suggest some must-see places in the ochre city, including “the lush Jardin Majorelle, outside the walls of the city centre, is a respite from the sensory overload of the medina” adding that “The Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Medersa are a step back in time through Marrakech’s royal past, with breathtaking architecture and attention to detail.”
For 80 years, Fodor’s Travel has been a trusted resource for travellers.
Contact us to reserve your Marrakech trip today!
Marrakech Riad are thrilled to be sponsoring TEDxMarrakesh for the third time.
This year the theme will be “Tribes & Trolls”, focusing on digitalization and how our lives are impacted by social media, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, block chain, bitcoins and psycho-graphics. Where are we standing now and even more important – where are we heading to?
The speakers will be sharing ideas about the benefits as well as the dangers of living in a digitally connected, global world. But also on how we define our world and how we ourselves are being defined. Who are our “real” friends? What do we really “like”? What it means growing up in a digital world for the next generation, etc.
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and is an organization founded 1984 in the spirit of spreading good ideas. TED later created a program called TEDx, a program of local, self-organized events that spark discussions and create new thoughts. TEDxMarrakesh mission is to bring people together to share live inspirational speakers and artistic performances mixed with TED-videos. TEDxMarrakesh has produced five successful TEDx-events since 2011 and is part of the global TEDx-conversation of powerful people who believe that spreading ideas can stimulate change!
The sixth edition of TEDxMarrakesh will take place on Saturday October 21 2017 at Es Saadi Palace.
For accommodation in Marrakech during the TEDx event please contact us.
Iftar or Ftour is the shared meal eaten at sunset during Ramadan to break the fasting of the day.
Muslims break their fast at the time of the call to prayer for the evening prayer.
Iftar is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together.
Iftar is taken around sunset. Feeding others at Iftar is a form of charity, which was first practiced by the Prophet Mohammed and is seen to be an act of good Muslim faith.
Many Muslims break their fast by eating three dates, as this is said to have been the way that the prophet began his iftar.
An Iftar meal generally includes fruit juices, harira soup, boiled eggs, dates and sweet pastries along side other favourite family dishes.
If you are interested in learning about the food of Morocco you may enjoy our Flavours of Marrakech tour.
Contact us to make your reservation, we are on hand to make your visit to Marrakech perfect for you.
Lonely Planet and the Daily Express have voted Morocco as a perfect destination for the month of May. Their Darling buds of May selections urges travellers to visit in the spring.
The Kingdom of Morocco made it to the listing thanks to its “ideal temperature”, marvelous landscapes and flower festival.
Marrakech hovers in the high 20°C perfect for wandering the souks; coastal Essaouira is a refreshing 20°C (68°F); and the Sahara is hot (30°C+; 86°F+) but still at a temperature where it is comfortable to make a visit.
Special seasonal reference was made to the Valley of the Roses, in the High Atlas Mountains for being “particularly pretty during its May flower festival.”
In addition, it highlighted Mount Toubkal which, reaching 13,671 feet high, offers an adventurous hikes for adrenaline junkies and promises an unforgettable experience to whoever visits it.
A base in Marrakech which is served by the beautiful new Menara Airport is the perfect start to your Moroccan adventure. And what better way to enjoy the authentic Morocco than a stay in a traditional riad. Experience true affordable luxury at one of our four beautiful riads.
Contact us with your wishlist, and let us make it a reality for you.
At Riad Star we have considered all of the aspects which make running a retreat simple and effective for group leaders.
We offer:
If you are a yoga group leader and would like to discuss the requirements of your group please contact us to begin planning a Yoga trip of a lifetime for your group.
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, and Hubert de Givenchy) against American designers (Oscar de la Renta, Stephen Burrows, Halston, Bill Blass, and Anne Klein, who brought along her assistant, Donna Karan).
The guest list to this unique show was an array of the social elite such as Princess Grace, Marie-Hélène de Rothschild, Jacqueline de Ribes, Gloria Guinness, Andy Warhol and Liza Minnelli, the event became legendary.
Each designer was to submit eight designs for consideration. The French designers viewed their competition as mere sportswear designers. The American designers used ten African American models, an unprecedented number at the time. The American designers and their models stole the show.
By the end of the evening, the Americans had officially taken their place on the world’s stage, prompting a major shift in the way race, gender, sexuality, and economics would be treated in fashion for decades to come.
After the Show Josephine asked to meet model Billie Blair. Those present recall this tender moment ” Josephine Baker reached out and touched her face. She said, ‘I came to Paris in 1922. And you came to Paris tonight.’ ”
We would like to welcome you to visit the former home of Josephine Baker in Marrakech.
Riad Star is a celebration of the life of this amazing, kind and talented woman. A collection of Josephine Memorabilia is available to view. Please contact us to learn more.
Welcome to our Marrakech Riad Website. We have four fantastic riads with one standard of service, perfect for English speaking visitors to Marrakech, all provide a warm Moroccan welcome. Choose your riad above or contact us if you would like more information about Marrakech and the riads! You can contact our reservations team + 44 207 570 0336 or email contact@ marrakech-riad.co.uk and we will do our best to help you.
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 guide, visit monuments and museums, a real highlight will be the opportunity to see Marrakech from a horse and carriage.
Contact us with your preferred dates to check availability.
* Three nights sharing a double or twin bed Luxury Riad room with en suite shower.
* Private arrival and departure transfers from Marrakech Airport.
* Delicious and healthy arrival evening dinner, suggested menu: seasonal moroccan salads; lamb tagine; followed by fresh fruit.
* Your room equipped with fine cotton sheets, towels and bathrobes, room safe, hairdryer, and airconditioning.
* Fantastic Moroccan breakfasts served at the time of your choice.
* Full use of the Riad facilities including the stunning roof terrace, lounge, and traditional Riad Courtyard with dipping pool.
* Complimentary Mint tea throughout your stay.
* A morning walking tour with a registered Marrakech guide
* A morning Tour by horse and carriage, following the ramparts of the walled mediaeval city with stops at palaces and gardens.
* The loan of a local pay as you go phone for the duration of your stay (one per room).
* The support of our Riad staff providing a complete concierge service.
+ Extra night £40 (Euros 48) per person.
+ Add a one day private excursion (8 am to 7pm) to the charming fishing port of Essaouria £50 per person (Euros 60). Lunch not included.
– Flights
– Travel Insurance
– Other drinks and meals, items from the minibar etc.
Riad Star is your sanctuary for a three night pamper 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 £249 (Euros 299) per person.
Even in winter Marrakech enjoys an average of 7 hours of sunshine each day. Relax your mind and body and enjoy the fabulous roof terrace with views to the snow topped Atlas mountains on a clear day.
Contact us with your preferred dates to check availability.
* Three nights sharing a double or twin bed Luxury Riad room with en suite shower.
* Arrival and departure transfers from Marrakech Airport.
* Delicious and healthy arrival evening dinner, suggested menu: seasonal moroccan salads; chicken pastilla (a marrakech specialty filo pastry parcel); followed by fresh fruit.
* Your room equipped with fine cotton sheets, towels and bathrobes, room safe, hairdryer, and air conditioning.
* Fantastic Moroccan breakfasts served at the time of your choice.
* Full use of the Riad facilities including the stunning roof terrace, lounge, and traditional Riad Courtyard with dipping pool.
* Complimentary Mint tea throughout your stay.
* One hour private hammam in the luxurious Riad Star Hammam.
* Half hour massage, our masseuse is one of the best in North Africa, we recommend you enjoy your massage inside the hammam immediately after your hammam treatment.
* The loan of a local pay as you go phone for the duration of your stay (one per room).
* The support of our Riad staff providing a complete concierge service.
+ Extra night £56 (Euros 67) per person.
+ Add a one day private excursion (8 am to 7pm) to the charming fishing port of Essaouria £50 per person (Euros 60). Lunch not included.
– Flights
– Travel Insurance
– Other drinks and meals, items from the minibar etc.
A special break for Mum and daughter, a memorable birthday celebration with friends or a more refined hen party. Whatever the occasion our ‘Girls Weekend’ is the perfect package for groups of between 2 and 28 ladies at the fantastic price of £149 per person (Euros 175).
Our Riads have twin and triple bed rooms, all with en suite facilities so you can be sure that everyone will be comfortable and no one left on their own even if there are an odd number of people in your group.
Taking a whole Riad is a fantastic way to enjoy Marrakech. Magical Riad Papillon sleeps 11 (2+2+2+2+3); the elegant Riad Cinnamon sleeps up to 16 in five spacious suites (3+3+3+3+4); and Riad Star sleeps up to 38 and Riad Spice up to 30 guests.
After we have confirmed availability it could not be easier to arrange payment and secure your booking. Either your group leader can pay for you all or we can send each individual a personal email linking to our secure online payment gateway. Just let us have a list of email addresses and we will arrange the rest.
Contact us with your preferred dates to check availability.
* Airport transfers for you and your luggage (based on all guests arriving and departing on the same flights).
* Three nights in the Luxury Marrakech Riad most appropriate for your group.
* Dates could be at the weekend or midweek, subject to availability.
* Arrival evening banquet with a variety of Moroccan specialities usually including a traditional Marrakechi Tanjia of Lamb. Our Riads are true boutique hotels, we prepare each meal to order and cater for most dietary requirements at no extra charge.
* Complimentary entertainment for the arrival banquet when the group is six or more, this could be Simohamed the tanjia cook and charismatic gnawi musician, subject to his availability.
* Your room or suite will be equipped with fine cotton sheets, towels and bathrobes, room safe, hairdryer, and air conditioning (essential for the Marrakech summer).
* Fantastic Moroccan breakfasts served at the time of your choice
* Full use of the Riad facilities including the stunning roof terrace, lounge, and traditional Riad Courtyard with dipping pool.
* All our Riads have complimentary Wifi in the patio and shared areas. Please note that Wifi reception can be variable inside the rooms- our Riads are converted medieval buildings with walls up to four feet thick!
* Complimentary Mint tea throughout your stay.
* The loan of a local pay as you go phone for the duration of your stay (one per room).
* The support of our Riad staff providing a complete concierge service.
+ Extra nights £40 (Euros 48) per person.
+ Lunch on the day of your choice at the Henna Cafe a not for profit organisation which we are proud to support with the option of an authentic natural Henna tattoo. Lunch approx £5 per person, henna tattoos from a menu priced between £5 and £25
– Flights
– Travel Insurance
– Drinks and meals other than the arrival banquet.
– Xmas and New Year supplement 20%