London, 15/10/2023 – The earth trembled across a country the size of Texas on that fateful Friday night, but fortunately there has been little damage beyond the High Atlas and Marrakesh. Don’t forget the wealth of fabulous places to visit in Morocco beyond red city of Marrakesh. Fez has an ancient medina with spectacular architecture, and Chefchaouen is soaked in that charming blue hue. You can catch a thrilling wave on the coast (especially in winter), ride a camel across Saharan dunes and discover the delights of Moroccan cuisine. And there are other hiking options, such as the cedar forests and gentle slopes of the Middle Atlas and the more northerly Rif Mountains.
Wherever you are, in a city riad or a rural lodge, the resilient Moroccan people will steal your heart with that welcoming smile and glass of frothy mint tea. Below are a few updates regarding the current status of the major tourist attractions, public transports and activities in the country.
All airports are operating as normal and transport services such as trains and buses are running as normal while Major roads, such as the N9 through the High Atlas between Ouarzazate and Marrakesh, are clear and have not been damaged. Some of the historic monuments in Marrakesh such as the weaving museum Dar Si Saïd, the new Museum of Intangible Heritage, the Musée des Confluences at Dar El Bacha, the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace and the Badia Palace are temporarily closed – however there are plenty of other monuments and sights to visit, such as the lovely Jardin Secret or the almost 20 museums in the medina. Fortunately, the magnificent, newly restored Ben Youssef Medersa is still open, the souks are as inviting as ever and the evening street-food carnival on Djemaa El Fna is just as much fun.
In the Ville Nouvelle, where there was no damage, the Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent Museum, chic boutiques, art galleries and excellent restaurants await. If you’re going trekking or mountain biking in the High Atlas, routes are open and safe: local guides will put your safety first and take you on secure routes. It’s the areas around the quake’s epicenter – the villages of Moulay Brahim, Amizmiz, Ijoukak and Talaat N’Yaaqoub – that you will avoid.
Returning to our favorite spot outside the bustling Medina.
Last year we had the chance to visit one of the most impressive properties in Morocco – here our full review: Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech. Just minutes from the city center, the Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is situated on 49 acres of gardens and olive groves. With 65 heated pools and 500-year-old trees, the hotel offers a tranquil escape from the excitement of this Moroccan city: located just 10 minutes’ drive from the heart of the city and the historic Medina, the hotel offers 54 private villas inspired by Berber and Moorish influences, all with secluded walled gardens, swimming pools and hot tubs, extensive areas for sunbathing and shaded alfresco dining.
A further nine spectacular suites, seven with their own rooftop plunge pool, feature panoramic vistas of the gardens and the surrounding countryside. The architect of the project is Pascal Desprez while the design of Mandarin Oriental, Marra- kech, rustic yet sophisticated, was created by renowned French architects, Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier. With its Berber and Andalusian-Arabic influences, the resort provides relaxed and stylish luxury for the cosmopolitan traveller. Featuring natural, local materials, the interior and exterior spaces co-exist and benefit from the extraordinary light for which Marrakech is well known.
Get directly in touch with us or the team at momrk-reservations@mohg.com for an incredible visit to the property!
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