Marrakech

The “palace of the beautiful” is a complex made up of over 150 rooms built for one of the wives of the Grand Vizier. The building was constructed in the 19th century in an Arab-Andalusian style. Courtyards, ceilings and floors are painted or covered in mosaic, making them simply divine. And surrounding the palace, there’s a very beautiful garden filled with orange trees.

In Majorelle Garden, you’ll see a successful blend of cacti, bamboo trees and a stunning fountain. Visitors flock to this lush, green urban oasis. Within the garden, you’ll also find the Berber Museum which was created by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé. The museum, which is home to a collection of creative Berber objects, is in a building painted in the famously-bright Majorelle Blue.

The Saadian tombs, just ten minutes’ walk from the stunning Koutoubia Mosque, bear witness to the Golden Age in Marrakech. The Saadian dynasty reigned over the city from the 16th to 18th centuries. The royal necropolis is an Andalusian-Moorish masterpiece. The columns, marble, cedar wood and stuccoworks have all been finely crafted. Guided tours unveil the tombs’ secrets.

The idea of visiting Marrakech without seeing the souks is simply ridiculous! The souks are the soul of the city where tons of craftsmen exhibit their work. Each souk district has its speciality: musical instruments, leather, fabric, oriental slippers, jewellery, spices and more. Stalls are lined up one after the other in a labyrinth of little streets.

This square is the beating heart of Marrakech. Jemaa el-Fnaa is like an open-air theatre and is lively day and night. If you go there in the afternoon, you’ll be able to see snake charmers and street art.   Evenings are the prime time for story-tellers. The delicious smell of cooking food emanates from some of the little stands.

You can’t go to Marrakech without eating some fabulous couscous. This dish is a Moroccan classic. Couscousmade from semolina is served with meat, vegetables and a sauce lightly seasoned with harissa. Lamb, chicken and merguez sausage are used to make royal couscous.

Tanjia Marrakchia is the ultimate dish in Marrakech. Tanjias are ceramic urns used for cooking meat. The word “tanjia” is also used to describe the meal itself. Meat (beef, chicken or lamb) is cooked in preserved lemon, saffron, cumin and turmeric and left to simmer for several hours so the meat becomes tender. A real treat!