Marrakesh is a city I hold dear.  We will be staying in an internationally recognized traditional Moroccan Riad,  which presents an emotive response of peacefulness the minute you venture beyond its antique wooden door and step into the courtyard rich in detail, tropical foliage and 17th century ornate architecture.  This Riad, has been featured in many international publications such as US Elle Décor, Architectural Digest, the Australian, @cntraveler, and @wallpapermag and is considered one of the best Riads in Marrakech. Welcome drinks will follow on one of the many rooftop balconies whilst taking in the views and sunset of the Moroccan skyline with its mosques and antique terracotta tiled rooflines.  The atmospheric and soothing tone of the evening Muslim call to prayer will be heard just so faintly in the background.  Dinner will follow with a traditional Moroccan feast prepared by the Riad’s private chef.

After breakfast at the Riad, we will travel to the majestic YSL Museum and Jardin Majorelle Gardens. This museum is entirely devoted to the work of legendary fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent who lived and worked in Marrakech.  Room after room features clothing, drawings and jewellery pieces of such creativity, workmanship and visual beauty: true to the brilliance of the man himself.  You will also be privy to personal mementoes of his extraordinary life. After Lunch, we will visit some of the boutique stores situated amongst this exclusive suburb.  We will head back to the Riad to relax and dress in preparation for dinner and cocktails at the cool and hip French cuisine Le Grand café de la Poste. 

Today is all about our glamping experience in the Alfgan Mountains.  After our final breakfast at the Riad, we will savour a slow morning of packing before we wonder into the Medina for one last café experience at a local dining establishment situated within a majestic renovated 16th century building and designed in the spirit of Marrakech’s decadent spirit of the 1960’s and 1970’s. After our delectable lunch, we will be driven by a private escort to the desert.  Here we will enjoy a camel ride and a delicious dinner of traditional Moroccan food within a candlelit tent.  Basking in the soft glow of the sunset, savouring wine and losing ourselves within the tranquillity of nature’s visual beauty. We will retire to our individual tents to sooth our tired souls from an adventurous day like no other.

Mixed emotions abound as the realisation sets in that today is the day that we must bid farewell to magical Marrakech.  You will be transported via a private chauffeured car to Marrakech Menara Airport to commence on your travels home.  Nevertheless, your suitcases will be full to the brim with treasures synonymous with Moroccon craftsmanship, culture and beauty that will forever remind you of your adventure undertaken. 

From my own experience, there is that piece of your heart that will forever remain in this exotic and magnetic country.  Hopefully you will take with you what I have learnt.  There is no other place like Marrakech.  It mystifies, it excites, it fires the senses, it is liberating, soothes the soul and you will come away transfixed by having lived the essence of what makes Marrakech so great and popular.

Breakfast will be had on the dining rooftop before we embark on exploring the quintessential Moroccan experience of the ancient Medina with its marketplace, mosques, royal palaces and green gardens. The Medina never ceases to amaze me with its diversity and appeal.  I will personally show you some of my favourite stores mostly well-hidden and unbeknown to most tourists visiting the Medina. Lunch will be enjoyed at the very popular La Familia restaurant with its delicious organic menu, casual vibe and tranquil floral courtyard which offers a welcome respite from the bustle of the souk.  After lunch, we will tour the 19th century Moorish Palace of Bahia, considered a masterpiece of Moroccan architecture and a significant monument belonging to Morocco’s cultural heritage.  We will then retreat to our Riad for another traditional Moroccan feast whilst being transfixed by the soft, flickering candlelight in the courtyard.

After a slow breakfast, we will partake in a day solely of shopping in the heart of the medieval Medina including a morning visit to the Jewish Sector to peruse one of Marrakech’s natural perfumery’s where we will enjoy a massage with traditional Moroccan essential oils.  Private guides will accompany us in case some wish to break away into smaller groups. Lunch will be at a popular cafe known for its casual modern dining experience and rooftop with views of the spice souk and mosques.  More shopping will be follow after lunch. After a day of walking for miles, hustling for bargains, devouring every inch of the wonder that is the Marrakech Medina, dinner tonight will be in our Riad.

After a traditional breakfast, we will be driven to our final destination which is the Beldi Country Club. This is the perfect spot to unwind.  We will be surrounded by ancient olive trees, swimming pools (one heated during winter) and restaurants with stunning views across the rose gardens to the Atlas Mountains.  On the premises is the “The Souk by Beldi”, a collection of shops selling a wide variety of items from cushions, carpets, embroidery etc.  You will also find the famous Beldi Pottery sold here and a bakery where bread is baked daily using traditional methods passed down from generations and complemented with the exotic tang of homegrown Beldi olive oil.  Lunch will be enjoyed here and then an afternoon to wallow away the time to do as much or as little as you desire.  Dinner will be had in the Beldi gardens.  After this evening meal, we can partake in a cocktail or two in the “blue salon”.  

After another delicious Moroccan breakfast, we will be heading by private car to the designer precinct of Marrakech where I will share with you my most desired fashion, antique and homewares stores. We will be visiting the atelier of LRANCE, a Belgian label creating textiles, fashion accessories and homewares of unique character, pattern and style. A later lunch will ensue as from my own experience I never want to leave this “in-the-know” shopping precinct with temptations so great.  We will then head back to the Riad.  Feel free to indulge in a quiet nap before our night of fine dining at English entrepreneur Vanessa Branson’s (yes sister of Sir Richard) colorful, intimate and luxuriously designed hotel El Fenn.  El Fenn sits on the edge of the oldest part of the Medina and is mesmerizing with its ancient and visual beauty.  We will return to our Riad where you may wish to indulge in a night-time Moroccan favourite: a sweetly delicious mint tea, prepared by the hospitable staff.

Today will be one to enjoy as you wish.  Take advantage of the Riad’s facilities of the hammam, pool, rooftop terraces to read a book, take a nap, maybe more shopping in the Medina, or a delectable mint tea with new friends.  It will be a day of no pre organised events.  Lunch will be had in at our home. Our final dinner to end our 6 day venture within the soul of the Marrakechan Medina will be at the luxurious La Mamounia Palace – Hotel With its sophisticated charm, historical architecture, fine dining establishments and gardens of pleasure with commanding views of the Atlas Mountains and the ancient Koutoubia Mosque:  I have purposely left one of the best dining experiences till last.

After a hearty breakfast, once again leisure away a couple of hours as you wish.  A gentle swim, more perusing in the Beldi souk, quiet reading, maybe a spot of tennis or just savouring the blissful surrounds of this lush garden retreat.  Off to the picturesque Atlas Mountains we go for lunch in our private car where will casually sit under sweet smelling olive trees.  Then back to Beldi for a Spa treatment and an afternoon of free leisurely time in this Zen like environment.  Tonight, is the night we celebrate what an adventure we have all had over the last week and a half.  A celebration of new friendships formed, long lasting memories made, stylishly chic living, tales of explorations, feats conquered, and the fun had.