Road to Morocco

When Cat and I first talked about having a few days holiday in September, we thought about going to the Lakes, a bit of walking, pub meals etc. But then Cat spotted some cheap deals for a city break in Marrakech. The Lakes, where it rains a lot, and after the summer we’ve had, or Marrakech, on the edge of the Sahara, where it doesn’t rain very much at all? No contest really, and very soon we were browsing Riads.

Riads are houses in the Medina, or old city, which have been refurbished as B&B accommodation. Tucked away behind windowless walls opening onto a central courtyard, you wouldn’t know that most of them are there. Our riad was more tucked away than most, in a part of the Medina that many tourists won’t see.

About 15 minutes walk from the main square, after the first 5 minutes or so of walking, you’re out of the tourist area, and into the streets where the Marrakechi shop. You’re constantly dodging bikes, mopeds, cars (when they can get down the street) and donkey carts, eventually reaching Sidi Ayoub Square. From there, you take a right down a narrow alley, through a tunnel and follow another couple of narrow alleys.

Just before an archway, which looks as though it’s been knocked through the wall, is a door. Knocking on it, you’re let into a calm and cool courtyard, which is a world away from the streets outside.

A central fountain, a plunge pool, and rooms on three levels. For all the time that we were there, there was only one other set of guests, so it was like having our own private riad for much of the time. I wouldn't have wanted to stay anywhere else*.

*well, apart from La Mamounia, perhaps, if funds allowed.