Marrakech

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I liked Marrakech. We stayed over C ***** one year. We were told that no one ever goes back . I don't know how true that is. We went up into the Atlas Mountains . I think you have to get your hotel to provide good drivers if you want to make an expedition. We loved the gardens especially a French fashion designers garden. There are some lovely hotels. Ours had mosaic fountains and they floated rose petals in them. We also had log fires in the evening and good enough weather to sit by the pool. Snow in the Atlas Mountains. If you're there during Ramadan then the driving is really wild until sunset. We hired a guide with the proviso that we didnt want to go to any carpet shops but he still inveigled us into one . I told him to send several to the hotel to choose the following day as we had no hope of getting out. I'm afraid I gave the wrong hotel. There are some good restaurants. French influence.

My son went there for a few days last year and said I'd love it [he makes a piont of going to unusual places that make me wonder why he goes there and then, when he shows me the photos and tells me what he's done I realise why. I did think, though, that it was a country, not a city [my geography is not good ]. He's planning a trip to Vietnam next....

Hi, thanks. Marrakech is a city in Morocco. I realise its not everyone's cup of tea but we are looking for somewhere new and interesting with some history. Still thinking......

Have you been to Granada? The Alhambra Palace is unforgettable.
The only desert country I visit is Egypt , but that is just for the coral reefs of the Red Sea.

Marrakech is lovely - I don't know about people not going back DD and DGC have been several times and indeed DD and sil are going for Cx x st his year. When I went with her for a week we stayed in the Medina in a Rhiad run by two British men - handy for getting the low down on places - we went to the Hammam - Les Bains de Marrakech - lovely experience and about five mins from the Rhiad. We then moved to a five star hotel for the rest of the week but it was not in a good place as too far to walk into the Medina or anywhere and taxi drivers charge a lot more to tourists. If I went agin I would choose a hotel in the Palmerie area as most of them have buses taking people into town. I loved the food and the people were mainly nice. Those in the Souk were a bit persistent but we just ignored them - do not say you will go back as they remember you and come after you if you go into it again. I would certainly go back again - the big square is lovely in the evening. We went in November and could were t shirts etc in the day. We took a couple of pashmina/ stoles with us and if we went into anywhere slightly religious covered our heads.
Go for it - this time of year there is a tour bus which we found great to get a. General view of the place.

I went to Marrakech 30 years ago and was terribly upset by the state of the horses pulling the carriages around the city. It completely ruined my holiday. I think (hope) things have improved since then. Just thought I'd mention it, knowing how you feel about horses Tegan.

Went a couple of years ago. Travelled around for a week taking in the major cities and sites, with a driver and guide. Well worth it, as they took us to all the places of historical interest, explained a lot and kept the beggars and hustlers away. It is advisable to get some jabs before going, as hygiene is not very good. Especially if going off the beaten track. Spent another week in a wonderful hotel, by the sea in Essouera. We would probably not go back because we saw and understood the culture and country extensively, but also because there are many places in the world still to see. X

I used to spend weekends – lots but not every one – with a friend who lived in Marrakech many years ago. I'd fly out on Friday evening straight from work and fly back on Monday morning straight into work. He was an odd person too so this seemed a perfectly reasonable way to go on to both of us. I loved it (Marrakech) but I haven't been back for many years and have no idea where my mad friend is now.