https://www.visitmorocco.com/en/travel/marrakesh Archives

World Sand Dune Day

24th June 202324th June 2023 funtime65

It’s World Sand Dune Day so let’s get ready to rumble.

If you’re lucky enough to live by the sea then you could have sand dunes next to you.

Ours are a 9km circular trek, part of the John Muir Way, the West Bay in North Berwick, east of Edinburgh and Gullane Bents.

Of course, the quickest route and the one we all first took was a forward roll down dunes.

Over the dune

We were fortunate to spend those summers in Ireland and play in the Portsalon Dunes in Co. Donegal.

And the biggest in the country is another stomping ground, Tramore in Co. Waterford, at 85ft high.

Big, but not as big as the Great Dune of Pyla.

Head just over 37 miles from Bordeaux, and you’ll find the tallest dune in Europe.

It’s more than a mile and a half long and stands over 360ft above sea level.

Come one, camel

Or as towering as the 500ft tall, 30-mile long Erg Chebbi Dunes in south-eastern Morocco.

Now I’m not sure which part of the desert Larsson (I kid you not) the camel took me to.

But, of course, I did the roly-poly thing down a dune.

Moroccan rollin’

Only to feel my tummy really rumble, on account of a dodgy tagine up in the Atlas Mountains.

But don’t let my mishap put you off, sand dunes are to be played among.

And while the camel is, of course, the ship of the desert.

If you want to get there quicker and like a thrill, you can hit the Jeeps as we did in Jordan.

Sand surfing

Of course wherever there’s sand, or you can build sand, then you can go sand boarding or sand surfing.

So islands here, like Britain, are framed by dunes.

With our friends in the duning club pointing us towards Balmedie, near Aberdeen as Scotland’s best.

Of course, as there’s a World Championships for everything and a world day too…

Then check out the Sandboard World Cup in Peru.

So get on a roll this World Sand Dune Day… just be careful what you eat first.

And insure yourself with Imodium… and InsureandGo.

Africa, Countries, Sustainable Tourism

The Riad to Marrakech

8th April 2023 funtime65

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.

Africa, Countries, Deals

Souk it and see in Morocco

11th July 2022 funtime65

I’ll never complain of a shopping mall again after Marrakech… but hey, you should souk it and see in Morocco.

And particularly because you’ll have our old friends Ireland’s Travel Department as your hosts and not the false guide I trusted.

You know the one I’ve told you about before who told me he knew a very good barber (pre-beardie Bandanaman).

Only for said Sweeney Todd and himself trying to fleece me when I got there.

One thing led to another and after a brush with a snake charmer in the torrential rain I found myself back in the souk.

And behind a funeral procession of wailing Moroccans and a rather shoogly cart where the poor deid fella’s feet seemed to be attracting flies… or was that the cows.

Carpeted

Anyhoos, bursting for a wee (all that tea) I gave in to the constant traders’ hard sells and took up the invitation of a Turkish tea in a carpet shop.

The Scary One got a shock when a threadbare carpet arrived at Chez Murty with a rather expensive price tag days after I got back.

And it was more than a penny I spent there.

Just be careful is all I’m saying and although I did actually resist the carpet seller’s advances I might not have.

Go with experts is all I’m saying and that’s exactly what TD active Holidays are.

Fes of the heart

They are offering an east meets west seven-night guided holiday to Morocco.

They are flagging up year-round sunshine, medinas, cosmopolitan cities, sandy beaches, barren desserts, impressive mountain ranges, culture and tasty cuisine.

You’ll discover Morocco’s largest Mosque and ancient Roman ruins in Casablanca.

And savour regional flavours with an authentic cooking class led by a local chef in Fes where you can get one of those Tommy Cooper hats.

You’ll get to explore the Sahara Desert with a camel ride and traditional overnight camp stay… but just watch the mountainside cafes and their tajines.

And you’ll spend a half-day walking the Tizi n’Tichka Mountain Pass in the Atlas Mountains.

Rock the Kasbah

You’ll also drive through Dades Valley and along the famous ‘Road of 1,000 Kasbahs’.

And yes they say it rocks… ask your parents here for Clash references.

Staying in a combination of traditional riads, hotels and even a traditional Berber camp, this is a small group tour.

Includes return flights, transfers, 4 nights’ accommodation on a half board basis, 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis; tours and expert guides.

Departs on 15^th September from €1059 pp. So go ahead souk it and see in Morocco.