Marrakech, the "Land of God'', is actually only the third largest city in Morocco but has all the draw of a major capital city. Get lost in the city's ancient souks as you shop for spices, pay a visit to the tanneries where animal skins are transformed into luxurious leather and ride a camel in the green lung of the city. In the evening the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square comes to life with vendors and hawkers. Walking the streets you will be taken back in time as you enjoy a delicious tagine or have your fortune told by local mystic when you book a flight from Dublin to Marrakech.
Marrakech-Menara Airport is the principal arrival airport for most visitors arriving for a weekend in Marrakech. There is an air-conditioned bus which runs to the city every 20 minutes and this is the easiest way to reach the centre of Marrakech. Taxis are available from outside the terminal building but negotiating a reasonable price can be difficult. The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham and the country operates on the same time zone as the United Kingdom.
Spring and autumn are the two optimum seasons for city breaks in Marrakech. Between March and May and also between September through to November, the weather is reasonably warm, around 25-30 degrees but doesn't reach the highs of up to 40 degrees which are not uncommon in the height of summer. The winter period is also great for sightseeing when you book a flight from Cork to Marrakech, even if you won't be able to take advantage of the swimming pools in the ancient medinas.
Exploring the historic square of Djemaa El-Fna is a must when you book a flight and hotel in Marrakech. Selling fresh juices and a few local foods in the day, at night the square really comes to life with fortune tellers and street performers. Just off the square is a labyrinth of souks where you can shop for carpets, paintings and lamps in an atmosphere reminiscent of the Arabian Nights.
A weekend in Marrakech is an excellent opportunity to explore the High Atlas Mountains and meet the local Berber population. You can easily arrange a full or half-day tour upon arrival. Spend the mornings at Menara gardens, a former palace and grounds where you can walk among the pretty olive groves and explore the central pavilion.
Away from the small souks, there are numerous imposing attractions which reflect the cities historic past. Koutoubia Mosque is one of the icons of the city and is wonderfully lit in the evenings however only Muslims are allowed inside. Another highlight of package holidays in Marrakech are the Saadian Tombs. A 45-minute walk through these wonderfully decorated tunnels gives visitors a feel for the opulence of the city's past.
If you want to escape the bustle of the city for a while then head to the Palmeraie, known as the green lung of Marrakech. The area is home to 150,000 palm trees and you can take a step back in time and see the wonderful landscapes on a camel ride. Other highlights to catch on package holidays in Marrakech include:
Moroccan food uses a wonderful array of spices to add flavour to succulent meats, rice and couscous. Fresh kebabs roasted over an open flame are popular with locals and are a quick and easy meal -perfect any time of day. Tagines are synonymous with Morocco and the vegetables and meats slow-cooked in the famed pot are simply divine. Don't forget to get your freshly squeezed morning orange juice from a local vendor and stop for an afternoon glass of mint tea when you take a fight to Marrakech.
Spices are a popular memento to bring home when you book a flight and hotel in Marrakech. Leather goods are also cheaper than the UK and produced locally so why not pick up a new a new bag or pair of shoes? Morocco is an excellent place to buy carpets and lamps.