Marrakech is perhaps the most spectacular city in Morocco. Over-flowing with life, color, the smell of pungent spices, chaotic souks, and peaceful hidden garden oases, this city will live long in your memory. 

 

The famous Jemaa-el-Fna is the heart of this great city, and is alive with activity 24 hours a day, with story-tellers, circus acts, snake charmers, fortune-tellers and a host of other indiscernible things. The early evening is when you will find the day time stalls giving way to a host of street food vendors preparing for the rush of dinner time. Delight your tastebuds with the kebabs of all kinds, fish chermoula, harira soup or a tagine rich with delicious Moroccan spices. From here, there is a labyrinth of pathways leading off into the chaotic market laneways in all directions. Artisan traditions are very strong here and if you enjoy shopping and bartering, you will find days of happiness here. Jewelry, ceramics, copper, brass, carpets, enamel work, weaving and more - skills passed down through the generations and each with a specific section of the market for you to take delight in.

 

After you have your shopping fix, then it is time to experience some of the incredible history in this city. Explore the ruins of El Badii Palace and the Bahia Palace; admire the towering beauty of the Koutoubia mosque, and the divine architecture and tile work of the Ben Youssef Madrassa; and finish it off with a stroll through the Menara gardens. When the day is done, then it is time to relax in one of the many rooftop restaurants, watching the chaos unfold below while you indulge in the incredible flavors of Morocco.

 

Once you have explored, tasted, and in every way experienced this city, then you can finally surrender yourself and your inhibitions in a Hammam. This ancient tradition has taken on spiritual meaning here and the series of saunas, baths and vigorous scrubbing will you refreshed in mind, body and spirit. With the Sahara, Fes and Essaouira all within easy reach of Marrakech, this is the perfect way to cleanse and reinvigorate, ready for the next adventure in this incredible country.