Marrakech Travel Guide

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The Adventures of Travel Cat: The Saadian Tombs of Marrakech

January 30, 2013 at 5:34 PM | by | Comments (0)

Kitty cats. They rule the internet and, whether we realize it or not, pretty much the world too. Ever noticed how cats sometimes stake out the coolest spots in a city? This new feature—Travel Cat—focuses on exactly that. Submit a photo to be featured by tweeting or Instagramming it to us (details below).

Travel Cat spotted at: Saadian Tombs in Marrakech, Morocco

This week's Travel Cat is from Twitterer @go_phetch, who spotted this set of three kitties (a mom and her two kittens) relaxing in the shade provided by the 16th century landmark.

Of the find, she notes:

#TravelCat (s) at Saadian tombs, Marrakech. Cats all over town but the new family in the tombs were very sweet.

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It's Hard to Believe Marrakech Airport is...an Airport

March 19, 2012 at 4:59 PM | by | Comments (0)

A first arrival at Marrakech airport is one to remember. Ours was five years ago, and we can still relive it like it was only yesterday. Travelers swoop down with snotty first world prejudices, assuming this north African airport is just another obstacle before the destination...and then they walk into this work of art that could be a palace or a madrasa or the fanciest hotel in the world. The only thing it really couldn't be? Going by UK or US standards, an airport.

Fly from Heathrow as we did last week and the difference is even more pronounced. From tired, grubby, work-in-progress-since-our-parents-can-remember Terminal 1 to this gleaming, light-filled palace. Never have we been more ashamed of the welcome the UK doles out to its visitors.

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The Adventures of Travel Cat: Marrakech, Morocco

March 14, 2012 at 2:03 PM | by | Comments (0)

Kitty cats. They rule the internet and, whether we realize it or not, pretty much the world too. Ever noticed how cats sometimes stake out the coolest spots in a city? This new feature—Travel Cat—focuses on exactly that. Submit a photo to be featured by tweeting or Instagramming it to us (details below).

Travel Cat spotted at: the medina in Marrakech, Morocco.

This week's Travel Cat (or, really, two Travel Cats) comes from Shannon Shirvan of Ellicott City, Maryland. Her story:

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How Morocco's Marrakech Airport Celebrated International Women's Day

March 9, 2012 at 4:49 PM | by | Comment (1)

Yesterday, we got on a plane from London-Heathrow to Marrakech. Reading the papers on the plane, we noted that it was International Women’s Day, and thought no more of it. That is, until we got off the plane and noticed a line of women at the entrance to the airport, dressed in pink and holding bunches of pink roses. OMG, we thought, either we’re on the plane with someone who merits a pink carpet arrival, or this is to do with IWD.

And so it was. Each and every woman disembarking the plane was handed a pink rose and told, “Happy International Women’s Day, Madame." Once everyone was off the plane, the pink ambassadors came out to baggage claim to prowl around the carousel in case they’d missed anyone. As an introduction to Morocco, they did their country proud.

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Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow Break Bread in Morocco

November 30, 2009 at 10:29 AM | by | Comments (0)

Two of Brad Pitt's exes spent Turkey Day together in Morocco this year, leaving him to his family life. Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow, along with Orlando Bloom, Miranda Kerr, Salma Hayek and Adrien Brody, celebrated the re-opening of La Mamounia Hotel on Thursday in Marrakech. Suspiciously absent from the star-studded affair were the ladies of Sex and the City. All four women—Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon—have been filming scenes for next year's feature, Sex and the City 2 in Morocco since Oct. 25.

It's no wonder so many A-Listers showed up for the gala event. The hotel was a mainstay for celebrities for decades before it closed its doors three years ago. Even Alfred Hitchcock was a fan and shot The Man Who Knew Too Much in the hotel's lobby, which was also a favorite hang out for the Rolling Stones, Charlie Chaplin and Sharon Stone.

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'Sex' And The Moroccan City

November 5, 2009 at 11:33 AM | by | Comments (3)

The title "Sex and the City" may become too limiting for the world's most fashionable set-jetting foursome. It seems "Sex and the City 2" has our favorite New Yorkers treading some very unfamiliar territory this week as Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon began shooting in Morocco. The women were spotted filming in the famous marketplaces of Marrakech, looking even more fabulous than the last time we saw them in New York City. Carrie was wearing a "J'Adore Dior" Tee and full lavender skirt while Miranda had on a flowy white dress with matching jacket.

Though Kristin Davis and Kim Cattrall haven't been spotted in Africa yet, rumor has it they will be joining SJP and Cynthia Nixon on the Moroccan set soon. All four ladies are also scheduled to film scenes in London before filming wraps next month.

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Join Richard Branson Under The Moroccan Mistletoe This Christmas

October 5, 2009 at 12:53 PM | by | Comments (0)

We're not ashamed to be fans of all things Richard Branson, and with the Christmas season approaching scary fast, we're thinking Richard's ideas on how and where to spend Christmas sound pretty good. If you want to avoid the shopping mall headaches and escape the northern hemisphere cold, Virgin's Kasbah Tamadot Resort in Morocco has some very tempting Christmas deals.

There are five or seven-day packages over the Christmas and New Year period, and they'll certainly be a little bit different from your average gift-swapping, carol-singing festive season. Packages include festive Berber feasts, guided walks in the Atlas Mountains, market excursions and a ride on the resident mules. Booking soon would be a great idea, because these are special, limited-capacity vacations.

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Marrakech Hotel Highlights

November 6, 2006 at 11:20 AM | by | Comments (0)


If you haven't already, it's time to start planning for a cool holiday trip, especially hotel-wise. If you're looking go somewhere exciting this season, check out Marrakech, one of North Africa's most famous and admired cities. The Times Online offers a great Marrakech lodging round-up, with spots to serve whatever kind of trip you're taking.

One we love: Dar Les Cigognes, a traditional Marrakech riad that's been modernized and decked out with a glass-roofed courtyard, a hot boutique, and dozens upon dozens of candles spread throughout the property at night. It's just opposite the Royal Palace and features only 11 guest rooms and suites, with tons of dark corners designed for slipping away to.

The most famous: La Mamounia, deemed one of the "most beautiful places in the world", this one's got it all. Luxury rooms, 17 acres of gardens, a spa, five restaurants, and an art gallery await you. Be prepared to pay up though, because the entire hotel was closed for months this summer for a complete renovation and there's no doubt someone will be footing the bill.

[Photo: Joanpix]

Related Stories:
· Get a room: Marrakesh [Times UK]
· Movie Set Travel: Babel [Jaunted]
· Dar Les Cigognes hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]

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