From the bustling souks in Morocco's pink-hued city to its lush gardens, heavy with the scenty of orange blossom, Marrakech is magic – and under a four-hour flight away…
Stay:
Gilded and achingly glamorous, La Mamounia is the place to see and be seen in Marrakech. Model Poppy Delevingne brought all her fashionable friends here to celebrate the second part of her wedding and it's not hard to see why. An oasis of calm, the palatial hotel is surrounded by manicured gardens, yet is only steps away from the hubbub of the Jemaa el Fna market square. Rooms feature traditional Moorish design and private terraces. Feast in one of the four gourmet restaurants then soak out your excesses in the colonnaded spa, or head outside to the vast pool, with the Atlas Mountains as a dramatic backdrop.
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Taste:
Dishes at Le Francais at the La Mamounia hotel match the sophisticated interior, with specialities including blue lobster with pumpkin. Nomad, a buzzy rooftop haunt in the heart of the Medina, offers a menu bursting with contemporary takes on classic fare. For a laidback lunch, make for Latitude 31, an oasis amid the hustle and bustle.
Indulge:
The souks of the Red City are brimming with treasures. You'll find beaded tunics, colourful silk babouches (slippers), metal lanterns and sky-high stacks of spices at every turn. Visit L'Art du Bain to stock up on savon noir, the eucalyptus-scented soap used in Moroccan hammams. For embroidered sheets, make a beeline for Atelier Moro.
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Explore:
Lovingly restored by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé, Jardin Majorelle is a botanical paradise rich with cacti, lotus flowers and huge, leafy palms. When it comes to architectural marvels, Ben Youssef Madrasa is a masterpiece, while the Koutoubia Mosque and its towering 12th-century minaret is best viewed from the surrounding gardens.
What to wear:
Rio prism printed long kaftan, £205, Asceno; visit asceno.com
Double gold plait thong sandal, £150, Musa; tel: 020 7937 6282
Orange blossom eau de toilette, £97, Penhaligon's; visit penhaligons.com
TRIP DETAILS:
Rooms at La Mamounia begin at 6,700 dirham (approx £540) per night on a bed and breakfast basis. Poolside buffet breakfast is 380 dirham (approx. £30); visit mamounia.com/en. British Airways flies from London to Marrakech from £49 each way.
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