Marrakech and trekking Southern Morocco.

Souk Markets in the Medina
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Landing in Marrakech, in in winter but still warm outside, we made our way to the taxi que, first rule is always estimate wisely how much everything costs - as being a westerner and Morocco being a struggling economy, they will try increase charges enormously given the opportunity, so be fair and do not be rude or aggrevate them.

We were staying at the Imperial Hoilday Hotel Marrakech, a nice a cross between both modern Moroccan and French influencial styles and decor, with a nice little bar in the lobby playing both traditional Moroccan music and old time hits in english, and a cocktail bar on the roof overlooking the busy city metropolis, the hotel is located in the heart of suburbia as oposed to being in Medina district. http://www.hotel-imperialholiday-marrakech.com/english/default.htm

Jardin d'Majorelles
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Sites; this country was the best and most enlightening place I have ever been, you need to absorb the culture, respect the religion and see and do as much as possible. The Medina and the souks; a large array of vendors and side stalls, selling everything from materials, spices, fruit & veg, Moroccan clothing, jewellery, antique furniture and shisha pipes. You cannot miss Morocco without having traditional Tagine and mint tea, not too mention their sweets and pastries still much apart of Morocco from the colonisation of the French. The food is divine.

Jardin d'Majorelles
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Try to see; the Katoubian Mosque bordering the Medina walls, Jardin D'Majorelles (Yves St Laurent Gardens Majorelle Address: Avenue Yacoub el Mansour), jump on a tour bus of the city which will show you the new and old city, Menara Gardens, Mohammed 5 Ave, there are many Arabic museums and art centres, the Palace Gardens in the Medina an old but detailed

The tanneries located in the Souk markets in the Medina - if you are western you will be more than likely approached by a young child or more of them offering to take you for a tour of the tanneries, where they show you how all their leather goods are made, where the animals are skinned and flesh is removed, leaving the skin to be placed into one of the many clay like baths and dyed with various spices, plants and flowers to bring out the colour they want in the leather. Make sure you obtain a bunch of mint to hold to your nose from one of the kids before entering, because the smell is extremely off putting- but very interesting nevertheless, you will also be taken to that particular vendor afterwards to see the finished products and they expect you to buy as well as giving dh to the kids.

Marrakech from the Hotel
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If you are game enough to try weave in and out of the city traffic, it is easier to hire a scooter or just as cheap to catch a taxi or a horse cart.

* One strong advice is you will need to pick up some phrases in either french, moroccan or berber lingo, as many do not speak english and it is necessary when it comes to making purchases, especially when you need to haggle, automatically drop the price by half of whatever the vendor states, and continue lower until an agreement is made.

Marrakech
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* Expect that most people will ask for money if you take a photo of them, and when outside of Marrakech in the more rural areas it is absolutely necessary to ask permission from the locals, as alot think you will exploit them because of their way of life- it is strictly forbidden and disrespectful to take photos of the women and children without their permission.

*The average standard to high wage of a Moroccan is 25dh an hour, which is the equivalent to 50p in English currency so always bare in mind that some will try profit from you where they can, but be fair and do try tip and negotiate so you aren't paying excessively and your not offending them.

Marrakech
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This city is truly beautiful as were the people, sometimes a little tiresome when you try to buy goods and be a little more careful in the city if you are a female, but everything was a new surrounding and enjoyable. From my own personal experience, ladies you will get alot of attention, 70% of the Moroccan population are aged between 20 and 30 and most are men - many are looking for wives. It is not unlikely for them to approach and ask your marital status, I think I was proposed to about 6 times by the end of the trip along with getting numerous whistles and stares etc, but politely say no thankyou and continue onwards.

Palace Gardens, Medina, Marrakech
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In Marrakech avoid booking generic tours through the hotel your staying at direct, we found a little travel agent in the Medina and were able to get a four- five day tour including most dinners and breakfasts through the Atlas Mountains various villages and cities, Eit Ben Haddou, into the Dades Gorge, Ouzazarte, Tazarine, Merzouga, Erfoud and into the Sahara. (this was only about 60 pounds per person as opposed to double or tripple the price through the hotel).