OK! travel
Moroccan roll! OK! soaks up the sights, sounds and souks of mystical marrakech…
M
arrakech is one of the world’s great destinations. From its teeming souks to the tranquil Majorelle Garden, the red city has enchanted people for years, with Gwen Stefani, Jennifer aniston, orlando Bloom and Jake Gyllenhaal among its celebrity fans. although the Moroccan city is less than a fourhour flight from the UK, it’s a world away in terms of culture and vivid geographical contrasts, lying in the foothills of the majestic snow-capped atlas Mountains. OK!’s Tarkan algin flew out with his fiancée to see what all the fuss is about…
A tranquil oasis We’re picked up at the airport by the hotel driver and whisked to the new Mosaic Palais aziza & Spa. The short ride allows us our first glimpse of the Medina, the famous fortified old city, as the road skirts round the ancient city walls. The hotel
is located in swanky la Palmeraie, where fivestar hotels and grand mansions sit in landscaped gardens behind high walls and imposing gates. arriving on the hotel’s palm-lined driveway, we’re intoxicated by the scent of jasmine from the gardens and the soothing babbling of a fountain in the lobby. The traditional Moroccan boutique hotel opened last autumn, offering 28 deluxe rooms plus standalone pavilion suites and grand villas nestled in the five-acre grounds. our stunning suite has a massive tiled bathroom with Jacuzzi bath, a terrace overlooking the pool and an enticing four-poster bed with the softest Egyptian cotton sheets. Before sleep beckons, we enjoy fresh mintinfused cocktails in the hotel’s citrus Bar before heading over to Maroliano for a delightful dinner. From the Moroccan and Italian menu we order briouats (savoury treats wrapped in delicate pastry) and some delicious Moroccan red wine.
Mayhem in the Medina
OK! stayed at the beautiful new Mosiac Palais Aziza & Spa 110
The sun’s out as we wake up and head for breakfast – delicious beghrir pancakes smothered in honey and msemen flatbreads with fig jam. Today we’re off to explore the Medina. although there’s a free hotel shuttle bus, we ask the concierge to arrange us a guide and driver – we don’t want to get lost! our guide Mohammed is full of history and facts as we set off at a frenetic pace, stopping first at the landmark Koutoubia Mosque before plunging into the maze of alleyways. They’re lined with stalls selling carpets, lanterns, bejewelled slippers, leather goods and gold jewellery, and
assault the senses with a riot of colour, the rich scent of spices and perfumes and the constant buzz of haggling. We were glad to have Mohammed lead us through the labyrinth, down seemingly dead-end alleys that would suddenly open up into a hidden courtyard housing a lovely riad-turned-boutique hotel or the ornate entrance of a mosque. one word of warning – watch out for the hundreds of scooters that weave their way through the crowd! Mohammed also takes us to the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa, a religious school with magnificent interior halls and courtyards decorated with intricate wood carvings and Moroccan Zellig tiles. From here we move on to le Musée de Marrakech (entry is included on the Madrasa ticket), where the displays of traditional Berber costumes and jewellery play second fiddle to the amazing building itself – a 19th-century mansion.