ACWtravel

Marrakech is a medina, a wall city, where life is hidden down crisscrossed paths and behind heavy wooden doors leading into courtyard homes. Simultaneously amazing activity bustles around you, pushing you to the side or pulling you along, and you try to catch a just glimpse. But rest assured you catch the wave quickly and Marrakech opens itself to you. You may start your day with no plan, but count on tired feet, satisfied stomachs, photos to download, and jubilant stories to share while relaxing at another rooftop meal.

Soak, Scrub, and Socialize

Soak, Scrub, and Socialize

10/01/12

Argan oil. Ghassoul. Black soap. Just a few of the essential ingredients of what may be one of the best beauty treatments on earth. A ritual that has been around for centuries. A place not just for cleansing, but also for socializing. It’s known as the hammam. And it’s an important part of Moroccan culture, for both men and women. With both health and beauty benefits, it’s an experience not to miss when travelling to Morocco as it’s sure to leave you feeling like you’ve uncovered a...

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Jemaa el Fna at the Crossroads

Jemaa el Fna at the Crossroads

04/18/12

At nine in the morning I walked through the large main square of Jemaa el Fna in Marrakech, the insistent sound of drums leading me from my riad through the winding alleys of the souk like aural breadcrumbs. It was a few days into my weeklong trip to Marrakech and I had already been through the square a half dozen times, with each visit offering up another version of the city I was just starting to come to know. This was my first visit to the square alone, and I was happy the drumming had...

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From Home-Spun Comfort to Luxurious Resorts

From Home-Spun Comfort to Luxurious Resorts

04/17/12

With more than 1,200 riads located in the Marrakech medina, picking the perfect place to stay is a difficult decision. But each riad is designed differently.  Each riad has its own unique style and personality, accommodating travellers’ unique needs and expectations for a perfect stay in magical Marrakech. For a luxurious stay overlooking stunning gardens and with some of the best western-style accommodations in Marrakech, book your stay at La Mamounia.  Pamper yourself with a traditional...

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Nightlife in Marrakech

Nightlife in Marrakech

04/12/12

Lawrence of Morocco is a travel company run by a father-son duo with over sixty years experience between them. They are experts at creating tailor-made tours of the country they both love dearly. Below are some tips kindly sent to us by the son, Max, for a great night out in the city of Marrakech. Start at ‘Le Comptoir Darna Marrakech’ in Hivernage area for a great dinner and drinks. One of the first restaurant-lounges in Marrakech, this place offers both European and Moroccan...

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Breathing…in Essaouira

Breathing…in Essaouira

04/10/12

My first view of Essaouira was from on top of a camel. I looked out over the Moroccan landscape toward the sea, and it was dotted with white and blue. Following a couple photos and payment of the required dirham for the “experience,” I was down off that camel’s hump and back in the vehicle as our driver led us on…..destination: Essaouira. All I really knew about this town is that Jimi Hendrix had spent some time there. Essaouira is a small village on the western coast...

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Neighborhood Report: Rue Majorelle

Neighborhood Report: Rue Majorelle

04/04/12

When an escape from the hustle and bustle of the medina is needed, head to Rue Majorelle. After all, it’s where Yves Saint Laurent retreated to when in Marrakech. And with the recent new concept shops opening up, it’s also an attractive shopping destination. Postcard perfect Today, Majorelle Gardens is a popular destination, attracting 600,000 visitors yearly. Wander amongst the bamboo and admire the various cacti and of course the gorgeous art deco home formerly owned by famed Moroccan...

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A Conversation With Travel Writer James Bainbridge

A Conversation With Travel Writer James Bainbridge

04/03/12

1. James, you have travelled all over the world. What do you find most compelling about the Moroccan culture and people? Morocco is not only my favourite travel destination – it’s where my travel-writing career began. Ten years ago, I crossed the High Atlas and Sahara at the beginning of a life-changing overland journey to Timbuktu. What keeps drawing me back is the uniquely Moroccan combination of sublime mountains, rolling Saharan dunes, mindboggling medinas and warm Berber...

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Berber Inspirations

Berber Inspirations

03/01/12

When we bought the house in the Ourika Valley, forty kilometers distant from Marrakech and at an altitude of a thousand meters in the High Atlas Mountains, we really didn’t know what we were getting in to. Our wish to own the house was based on our desire to live in a world where the pace of life is a little slower but at a convenient distance from the red city of Marrakech and its international airport. It was inspired by an infatuation with Morocco and honestly, the spectacular view from...

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