Best place to stay in Marrakesh medina for Christmas and New year's eve!

Online, December 5, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Marrakesh has got a lot to offer if you are looking for an exotic place to stay for Christmas and New Year's Eve. Morocco might not be the immediate destination travellers are thinking about.. but it s better to think twice! Morocco has now turned into a well organized touristic destination, but you will still find there a lot of surprising scenes. From donkeys on the road to the busy Djemaa el fna square with their snakes' charmers, Morocco has got this lovely incredible way of life!

Where to stay? The riad, typically a garden home with a planted patio, is definitely the most authentic accommodation type you can choose in Morocco. Since its recent opening, Al Ksar Riad Marrakesh guesthouse is amongst the best riad in Marrakesh, and a real treat for modern travellers. Great new address, where you will enjoy the quietness of a Riad and a remarquable design. The sand colour walls, together with the cedar wood panels, bring a real charm to this comfortable townhouse in the centre of the medina.

There are a lot of things to do in Marrakesh Morocco. Let yourself wander in the souks, at the Medersa Ben Youssef coranic school, in the Bahia palace or enjoy a ride on a horse carriage. An off beaten track secret place to visit in Marrakesh is where many handcraft decorations for the souks are made. For restaurants, it might be a better choice to head to Gueliz, the new city, with cheaper prices and a large offer of different cuisines. The team of Riad Al Ksar guesthouse in the medina of Marrakesh will give travellers the best tips to explore the city, without the hassles, thanks to its concierge service and dedication to customer wellbeing.

Enjoying a tour in the atlas mountains? Setti fadma is just 70km or 90mn from Marrakesh and still a great adventure for the day. There, you will be able to hike along 7 waterfalls. Once passed the 30 first meter which are a bit difficult and more like climbing, you will then enjoy a lovely easy trekking. Don't forget old trainers shoes so you can refresh your feet in the Ourika river !

Ouzoud waterfalls are a bit further at 150km from Marrakesh. Amazing landscape, with loads of monkeys over there, you will be able to have a typical lunch on shady terraces of small local restaurants, very relaxing. On the other end, Essaouira by the ocean, is the best place to enjoy an unforgettable seafood meal (150km from Marrakesh).

Ouarzazate and the Ait Benhaddou ksars, traditional settlement now classified as Unesco world heritage, is another great escape. As you will need 4/5 hours driving return to go there and back, the best is to plan 2 days.

At last, at least 3 days, ideally 4 days, are recommended if you are dying to see the desert and Draa valley as it's 450 km far from Marrakech.

You will be able to find excellent guides and best value price operators directly at Riad Al Ksar guesthouse, which gives unbiaised advices and has the locals' experience for off beaten track quality tours, far from tourists ambushes. Morocco is still the country where you can afford amazing taylormade holidays at fair prices, but make sure you are booking directly with local guides instead of all inclusive packages. When you travel at 3 or more, you can really get great deals renting a 4x4, getting your personal guide and driver, and heading up wherever you fancy, like a real explorer, as the south of morocco offers unlimited choices and different landscapes from seaside, to mountains or the desert.

Back to Marrakesh, the best treat for Christmas or New Year's Eve is to relax on a panoramic roof terrace, with exceptional view over the Atlas mountains and the Koutoubia. One of the best place to stay at is the Riad AL Ksar. Laying on the sunbeds at Riad Al Ksar is a pure delight, sipping a drink, miles away from the rainy weather in Europe, for the time of a weekend riad in marrakesh

Riad Al Ksar Spa - Marrakech
[email protected]
www.alksar.com
tel: 00 212 524 38 12 12
fax: 00 212 524 38 12 14
11, derb Al Aati Allah - Hay Salam - 40008 Marrakech Medina