A hand-picked portfolio of exciting and unusual places to stay in some of the world's most beautiful and fascinating locations - put together by a small team of passionate travellers, and backed up by an award-winning online booking service…
read more >Choose from over 1,000 boutique hotels, stylish villas, city apartments, eco-retreats, safari lodges and tailormade tours. We visit them all and pick only our favourites.
It's colourful, friendly and exotic with a fascinating mix of Arab, Islamic, Berber, African and European influences. Spectacular landscapes range from miles of unspoilt beaches to magnificent snow-capped mountains, from lush river valleys to vast tracts of desert, as well as labyrinthine walled medieval cities and Berber fortresses. A wealth of beautiful handicrafts that can be picked up for a song – and a ritual bout of haggling – in the heaving city souks. Traditional townhouses (known as riads) and kasbahs beautifully restored to create hidden guesthouses, varying from luxurious to comfortably basic. Delicious home-cooked tagines and couscous. The promise of year-round sunshine and warmth and all within 4 hours flying time from northern Europe.
For shoppers, assorted touts and unofficial faux guides can
plague your every step. However, in recent years, undercover
tourist police in Marrakech and Fes have greatly reduced the
problem - though we do still recommend booking an official,
recommended guide through your hotel or riad.
Road conditions call for particular care and experience, especially
in the south – more because of others' inattention than your
own. Beware of unlit, slow-moving vehicles at night, and be
prepared for long distances if going to the desert.
English is not always spoken, especially in the High Atlas (being
able to speak French is very useful). Heat in July and August can
be debilitating. In Fes, many public buildings are closed for
restoration.
As a muslim country, be prepared to dress respectfully, go without
alcohol and slow down to a relaxed 'inshallah' kind of pace. Check
if your trip coincides with Ramadan, when all practising Muslims
refrain from eating, drinking and smoking by day - meaning that
many services are on standby.
In Marrakech:
Many questions are already answered in our FAQs, otherwise, e-mail us at: help@i-escape.com
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