https://www.royalmansour.com/en/ Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

It conjures up the image of Dick Dastardly and Muttley, a sidecar around the dastardly Atlas Mountains.

So picture, if you will, a biblical deluge, and a Moroccan guide fasting for Ramadan.

He’s only driving a minibus around windy cliff roads with rain and the mountain falling around the vehicle.

Yes,Wacky Races had nothing on this… and now someone wants to sidecar around the Dastardly Atlas Mountains!

Now what is it about Morocco and the Moroccans?

Concierge a votre service

Our guide that day in the mountains would have nothing of us cancelling the trip to the desert because of the weather.

And we suspect, the end of the world apart, neither will the Royal Mansour Marrakech.

Because they boast a concierge service of which their royal family would be proud.

And what bigger thrill than to discover the Atlas Mountains off the beaten path aboard a vintage style sidecar?

While if you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground then they know the best centuries-old, shepherds’ paths to hike.

Right, you reach the desert, past the pleading brown-eyed kids who get pushed towards you with their little palm camels.

Weaving between remote Berber villages, mountain pastures and craggy massifs to venture over panoramic passes.

Before you feast on Moroccan culinary delights in the Agafay Desert beneath a Bedouin tent.

The big tent

And stay overnight at eco-luxe lodge La Pause to indulge in an evening of stargazing, next to tributary river with spectacular views.

Better than staring at the skies from an outdoor, open-roofed toilet, because you’ve eaten a tagine from a fly-ridden barbecue up thar mountains… but then that was just me.

The feasting doesn’t stop there – the 30^th of July commemorates the crowning of the King with the Feast of the Throne, a celebration filled with delectable feasts, fireworks displays and parades.

And how to get around… well, what about quad bikes or in a buggy, a guided hike or cycling tour, or discover the desert on horseback (I preferred a camel).

Elsewhere, watch the sun rise over the Sahara from a hot air balloon, accompanied by a champagne picnic on board.

Marvel at dancers, snake charmers, fortune-tellers, acrobats and more at the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival taking place in the city’s palaces, streets, and squares between July 2-6.

While the city’s Oasis Festival takes place between September 13 and 15.

With three days of electronic music, surf trips, yoga sessions and swimming at the base of the Atlas Mountains.

All of which adventures and peregrinations will mean that you’ll be wanting some R&R back in the Royal Mansour.

Live like a royal

Well, their specifications bills the Royal Mansour as:

Just steps from the Medina, showcasing an open-air courtyard and nearly four acres of lush gardens.

These have recently been extended to incorporate a beautiful kitchen garden Atelier d’Artiste and an elevated, private dining space.

And they encourage us to stay in private multi-story riads dotted along pink pathways. No carts; no rooms; no crowds.

And they’re not finished there…

Because the property’s crown jewel is the three-story, 2,500 square-metre Spa Royal Mansour which is accessed through a private citrus grove.

The elaborate white birdcage atrium is bathed in natural light and offers multi-day wellness programmes to soothe the body, mind, and soul.

And for the creatives there’s art therapy sessions in the Atelier d’Artiste.

Situated within a glass-panelled greenhouse surrounded by the quiet serenity of the property’s gardens.

So whether it’s pottery, photography, calligraphy or embroidery, art therapists encourage guests to reconnect with their inner selves.

And a pool day at the hotel’s 30-metre-long, 20-metre-wide pool offers serenity.

With seven, air-conditioned, private pavilions allowing poolgoers to relax and refresh.

That’s a deal

And best of all they are offering a four nights for the price of three summer offer meaning one-bedroom riads start from £1,200 per night.

And that includes breakfast, immigration fast track service + airport transfers in Marrakech.

I’ve been saving all my money just to take you there, I smell the garden in your hair. It’s the Marrakech Express… or what I like to call The Riad to Marrakech.

With apologies to those Sixties hipsters Crosby, Stills and Nash (and sometimes Young) who were, of course, far more lyrical about the Red City.

We dare say that they would have stayed at some hippy hang-out.

But I suspect that Stephen and Graham, and RIP to David, would now frequent the Royal Mansour Marrakech.

Situated at the foot of Marrakech’s ramparts, in the western part of the medina are the lush, landscaped gardens at Royal Mansour Marrakech.

Spanning four acres, it is the vision of award-winning Spanish landscape designer and Bonsai curator Luis Vallejo, drawing on Arab-Andalusian tradition into play.

And going off on a tangent, my green-fingered pal here is doing so well with her bonsai garden that she’s thinking of downsizing.

Festival of flowers

Back to Souk City and the The Jardin’art Festival over the spring unfolds in the city’s Jardin des Arts.

To offer a variety of botanical events, concerts, and gorgeous floral displays for all to enjoy.

And thanks to our friends in Marrakech, and believe me you need all the pals you can get in this bustling city with false guides round some of the souk corners, we have these gardening tips to share.

Straight from Luis’s mouth.

Incorporate a water feature (or several –as is the case at Royal Mansour Marrakech, home to 150 water fountains)

‘Like constant background music, a small stream of water in movement’.

Plant fruit trees and aromatic plants, to elevate the senses. At Royal Mansour Marrakech, the garden features several species of palm tree, citrus fruits (spanning lemon, sweet and bitter orange).

As well as various fruit trees (inclusive of olive, pomegranate, fig, persimmon, carob, quince, guava, medlar and more).

Various aromatic herbs are also grown for use in the spa, from marjoram to rosemary.

Choose plants of varied colour, texture, and volume – select seasonal plants that inspire your imagination and offer a link to Morocco.

Vallejo chose multiple species of trees, from conifers and coral trees to tamarisk and mahogany trees, offering a textural variety.

Choose from decorative foliage, ground cover plants and climbers to create dimensional levels.

In addition, he intentionally selected native and naturalised flora allowing for year-round flowering – meaning vibrant colour all year round!

Add a coloured rug or cushions into a cosy corner, and sip a Moorish tea, for an authentic Moroccan experience.

Mansour manor

Royal Mansour is a palatial oasis exquisitely crafted by over 1,500 local artisans.

As an ode to traditional Moroccan architecture and craftsmanship.

It’s a perfectly peaceful, private retreat just steps from the Medina.

Showcasing an open-air courtyard and nearly four acres of lush gardens.

These have recently been extended to incorporate a beautiful kitchen garden Atelier d’Artiste and an elevated, private dining space.

Stay in private multi-story riads dotted along pink pathways. No carts; no rooms; no crowds.

One–bedroom riads start from £1,200 (includes breakfast, Immigration Fast Track service + airport transfers in Marrakech).

And we found sample flights for a three-night return for next month from £356.21.

Get on that riad to Marrakech then.

Tag: https://www.royalmansour.com/en/

Sidecar around the dastardly Atlas Mountains