We went to Marrakech in late May to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday, and stayed at the Riad Chouia Chouia, just off the main square, Jma El Fna. What a perfect choice! Chouia Choiua is run by friendly, relaxed English and French speaking staff, and is situated in the most convenient location, close to the souks and other major attractions. The riad is a calm oasis, offering lovely rooms and a splash pool, necessary in the hot summer months. A large roof terrace allows you a perfect vantage point to watch the sun setting red and large over the city, whilst listening to the call to prayer echo over the roof tops.

When it comes to eating in Marrakech, I would recommend both eating in the square, and at some of the more up market restaurants. Our first night in the square, we were taken advantage of a little, as the waiter kept bringing more plates of food to our table that we didn’t order, but this was nothing to get upset about, as the food is quite cheap, and it gave us an opportunity to sample different dishes and to get a feel for the dining experience of the Jma El Fna. By our last evening, we had found our regular stall, drank free mint tea with the waiters, and paid a fraction of the price we did on the first evening, so we felt quite pleased with ourselves! Although the food market in the square can seem a little daunting for tourists, with waiters following you and calling out to entice you in to their stall, this is all part of the experience. So choose a stall that looks good, and don’t worry about being unfamiliar with the menu or the customs, or paying too much, the waiters will look after you. Most importantly, have fun!

A day trip to the Atlas Mountains was one of the many highlights of our trip, and allowed us to catch a glimpse of traditional Berber life. Hiking through the mountains without a guide took a little extra effort, but allowed us to take our time and observe the local lifestyle, as we wandered through houses and past children being bathed with buckets of water.

After a visit to a carpet dealer, I left with a beautiful mint green Berber carpet, and was from that point dubbed ‘the Berber Woman’ by our driver for my stubbornness during the bargaining process!

A visit to Marrakech is a unique, sensory experience, that i cannot recommend enough for those looking for an interesting cultural experience. The people are funny and friendly, the food is amazing and the fascinating sights around the city and beyond will leave you craving more.