When visiting Morocco, the bustling city of Marrakech is the first port of call for many guests. The former capital and imperial city of Morocco, also known as the “Red City”, is rich in history and offers a wealth of natural, beautiful attractions, as well as lively street markets and a labyrinth of narrow streets to discover in the medina. Whether you want to soak up the city life or escape to the blissful Ourika River with it’s tranquil waterfalls, Marrakech is the ideal base. Wrap up in oriental charm in a historic house known as a riad – here are our seven favourite Riad hotels in Marrakech where you’re guaranteed a stylish stay.

Riad Al Assala Medina

Riad Al Assala Medina is located in the peaceful old town and the spacious five star suites make for an extremely sensual and intimate experience. A charmingly sized luxury abode with authentic Moroccan design, furnished in a clean, modern style. Only a walk away from the cultured Jemaa-el-Fna square, it provides guests with easy access to the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh, and the stunning rooftop terrace invites guests to soak up the sun and the city skyline.

Riad Demeures d’Orient

Riad Demeures d’Orient is hidden away in the heart of the Red City, it has an unique full view of the city’s ancient walls. With a mixture of Moroccan and Far Eastern architecture, the atmospheric five star resort is like no other. This idyllic sanctuary holds host to a neo-gothic library and a plethora of beautiful mosaics, whilst guests can relax with massages or in the traditional hammam spa. The soul of the Riad is the courtyard with marble fountain, swimming pool, lounge chairs and refreshing shade.

Dar Darma

Dar Darma is an extravagant Riad designed with moody dark colours and features like mirrored walls and large shapely pots in the rooms and common areas, creating an ambience of history and romance. The Dar Darma houses a grand inner court, a comfortable salon, a terrace, a restaurant and large, opulent beds in the glamorous suites. With children as welcome as adults, this city palace encourages all to visit.

Villa Shayanne

Villa Shayanne is located within ten kilometres of central Marrakech, meaning the five star resort offers the ultimate getaway for pure relaxation. Clear views of the Atlas Mountains and surrounding scenery make the Villa Shayanne an idyllic haven. The mixture of modern European design and traditional Moroccan elements gives the resort an exotic charm. With golf and tennis lessons or a tour of Moroccan cuisine, you can avoid the busy city but still enjoy the culture.

Riad Dixneuf La Ksour

Riad Dixneuf La Ksour is found in the heart of Medina, a peaceful back drop adjacent to the cultural blood lines of the Old City. The picturesque and classical Riad has a ancestral blend of modern design with the Moroccan tradition. A panoramic view of the Atlas mountains makes for an unforgettable stay. The six amorous suites have light, modern colours and the courtyard with swimming pool make the Dixneuf La Ksour a gleaming jewel in the rich tapestry of Marrakech.

Les Jardins de la Médina

Les Jardins de la Médina is an oasis just outside the medina walls. Time honoured tradition meets contemporary design, a large luscious garden makes this four star Riad is a sanctuary away from the busy lifestyle of the city. This historic hotel was a 19th century royal palace making it the perfect choice for honeymoons and romantic breaks, as the salons are now sumptuous rooms. The ancient garden gives life to Palm, Orange and Jacaranda trees. The swimming pools, Jacuzzis and beautiful songbirds create a tranquil atmosphere.

Dar Chérif

Dar Chérif is located on the road to Quarzazate, only ten minutes away from the Red City. Subtlety, calm and modest decor make Dar Chérif a true gift, with just six luxurious suites. Set in the centre of Andalusian gardens, the beauty and ambience is unrivalled. Decorated with authentic Moroccan pieces including Zellige, Tadelakt and Bejmat elements, all guests will leave well cultured in Moroccan art. Traditionally themed rooms and customary Moroccan food means you will sample the history and legacy of this great region.

Guest contribution from Escapio.com where these romantic Moroccan hotels and Riads are just a handful of the luxury, boutique and design hotels perfect for a long holiday or a weekend break.

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Pau is 50km from the Pyrenees in southern France and stands on a 200m elevation, making it the perfect travel destination for splendid views to the Pyrenees from the Boulevard des Pyrenees. Alphonse de Lamartine said: “Pau has the world’s most beautiful view of the earth just as Naples has the most beautiful view of the sea.”

The Chateau de Pau is located in the centre of Pau and was built during the 14th century. Here the museum of Bearnais architecture is housed where you can see architecture, furnishings and other aspects of Bearnais life.

Pau is featuring today because Stage 16 of the Tour de France is finishing here.

France (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Pau

One Great Reason to Visit Pau

One great reason to visit this travel destination is most definitely for the stunning views to the Pyrenees and surrounding valleys.

Pau, France

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The beautiful and stunning Amalfi Coast, Italy was visited recently by Roger. He has shared this fabulous photo of the town of Amalfi itself, clinging to the cliff-face. I have not met a person who has visited the Amalfi Coast who hasn’t fallen in love with it and long to return…me being one! It offers amazing coastal scenery, quaint villages, history and great wining and dining opportunities – all perfect for a romantic travel destination!

Photo courtesy of Australian reader Roger Pugsley.

Alice Springs is the little, desert town located bang in the center of great, big Australia. It’s more-or-less half way between Adelaide to the south and Darwin to the north, making it an ideal travel destination to break the long journey in either direction. Alice Springs draws travellers from all over the world as a base to explore the beautiful red centre. The nearby sites include Alice Springs Desert Park, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Larapinta Trail, the Flying Doctor Service and further afield, Uluru and Kings Canyon.

Today, on the 10 July, Alice Springs is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the annual ‘Camel Racing Cup’ which draws town folks and tourists from all over to watch the spectacle and have a lot of fun! The first Camel Race was run in 1970 in the dry Todd River Bed as a bet between two mates, Noel Fullerton and Keith Mooney-Smith. Since then, the race is held annually including a festival atmosphere with stalls, entertainers, rides, food and drink stalls, live music and Camel Cup souvenirs. No Australian race would be without ‘Fashions on the Field’ and this is distinctly ‘central Australian’ in flavour.

A Town like Mparntwe: A Guide to the Dreaming Tracks and Sites of Alice Springs

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One Great Reason to Visit Alice Springs

One great reason to visit this travel destination during July is to witness the camel racing spectacle which draws people in from all over.

Camel Cup, Alice Springs, Australia

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I was recently introduced to this Scottish band by @JeanD99 He shared this particular song on Twitter and I fell in love with this new sound. It’s not what you would expect to come out of Scotland! I have since listened to more of their music via their website and You Tube. What do you think?

Salsa Celtica – el sol de la noche

Salsa Celtica – El Agua De La Vida

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Formally the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States, located on the North Bank of the Potomac River and is surrounded by the states of Virginia to the Southwest and Maryland to the other borders.

Fourth of July Activities In Washington, D.C.

Washington D.C. is one of the most quintessential American cities there is. There are so many things to do in DC that it’s easy to get lost in all the American history. Renowned DC attractions like the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and the U.S. Capitol building pull in a majority of tourists, but there’s so much more to do and see! Arguably the best time to visit the Capitol is on the most American day of them all: the 4th of July. Just being in the city for the amazing patriotism that is showcased is enough to make anyone feel like a real American, but Washington D.C. pulls out all of the stops to make our Nation’s birthday one to remember for you and yours. Some 4th of July events are as follows:

Of course there’s so much else to do in the city that will be boosted up by the fact that it’s the 4th of July. There’s dozens of D.C. museums that it’s easy to fill your days to the brim of red, white, and blue. Over a 150 museums like The Smithsonian National Museum(s), the Newseum, and the National Museum of Crime and Punishment are all ready to let you see history up close and personal.

Amongst the most popular sites, including The Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, there’s a large amount of activities and/or tours to engage in. This includes Ford’s Theatre Tour, Ghost Tours, Lincoln Assassination Tour, and Old Town Alexandria Tour; all of which are walking tours. Before, during or after, you may also want to check out places like The Capital Visitor Center, Whitehouse Visitor Center, or The U.S. Capital Building; all of which are highly popular amongst tourists.

All of these attractions are amazing but nothing compares to listening to “Stars and Stripes Forever” while the sky lights up over the city with hundreds of fireworks throughout the night. Independence Day is an amazing time to celebrate America, but with all these amazing events there’s no place better to do so then the Nation’s Capitol.

Fodor’s Washington, D.C.

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One Great Reason to Visit Washington DC

One great reason to visit this travel destination during the 4th of July celebrations is for the numerous activities and wonderful sites to visit.

Travel Guide – Washington, DC

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Floating Community Centre

The Tonlé Sap is the vast lake in Cambodia and The Tonle Sap is the largest lake in southeast Asia. In Cambodian its name means “Large Fresh Water River,” but it is more commonly translated as “Great Lake”) It is a combined lake and river system of huge importance to Cambodia. Julie Wilson writes of her trip to this region in Cambodia.

One of my favourite days was travelling up the Sangke River into the Tonle Sap Lake on our way to Siam Reap (the town near the Angkor Wat temple complex). We started our river journey from Battenbang. Our long boat was just one of many watercraft on river – all long and narrow and paddled or with tiny motors.

Floating Pig Pen

Our boat followed the Sangke as it meandered north for hours – the riverbank always dotted with interesting small settlements of two or three houses on either side along its length. After around 4 hours of serene travelling the river widened out, and then began to widened out again and again until it became a vast delta. And imperceptibly the delta became a vast and beautiful lake – the Tonle Sap Lake. Now dotted with waterlilies and low long pieces of ground almost level with the water and covered with lush green vegetation and even small trees.

We passed whole villages of four to eight houses either on tall silts of five or six meters high or, even more fascinating, floating on bamboo rafts. The floating settlements of houses all on rafts were so picturesque. Each house was floating on each own bamboo raft. And not only houses but small sheds, vegetable patches, chicken coups and pig pens – each on its own bamboo raft base and linked by a rope to a house.

As our long narrow boat travelled on up into the great lake we went through small floating towns – shops, community halls, schools, and school playgrounds were all floating on their own raft. Truly a beautiful and amazing sight.

So if you get the chance, I highly highly recommend that you include the river journey on the Sangke from Battenbang to Siam Reap as a travel destination to Cambodia. I loved it! For me it was, with the temples, the highlight of the trip and such a relaxing and enchanting way to travel too.

Cambodia (Country Guide)

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of the Sangke River

One Great Reason to Visit the Sanke River and Tonle Sap Lake

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to view the communities living upon the water. Houses on stilts or floating out on the water on bamboo rafts. Fascinating!

Tonle Sap, Cambodia

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I was having a cuppa and whilst staring at the fridge (as you do!), I realised a blog post was staring right at me! Our fridge is always covered in at least one post card and the children’s school work. At the moment the fridge is donned with three postcards from family and friends who have recently visited Egypt, Italy and the Alps in France. Just don’t look too closely at the postcard from Egypt! We also have a collection of fridge magnets from various places, holding both the postcards & school work in place. In the center of the photo, you’ll see a map magnet of Melbourne (my home town), this was a gift from my gorgeous Twitter, travel buddy Linda Fairbairn at Journey Jottings. Her products will be featuring in a post dedicated just for them. Her travel journals, map magnets and other products are fabulous for anyone on a trip to an Australian destination.

Travel Tips Plus’ very first blog post was made on the 19 June 2009. The dream, travel destination was Hurghada, Egypt and the format remains much the same today as when I first started. A total of 105 destination posts have been made covering each of the continents and a further 17 posts for the General and Travel Tips Categories.

More recently, I found people were sharing travel photographs and international music with me, and this resulted in the introduction of Categories Travel Photography and Travel Music. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time blogging and sharing travel experiences in one centralised location. I have also gained much from it, often having destinations suggested to me which I have never heard of! Who would have thought? I often consider myself well travelled and being a lover of maps and atlases, my knowledge of geography is pretty good and so when I discover a new travel destination, I’ve not heard of, it is quite exciting. I wonder what places I will learn of and have to share in the year to come?

Atlantis The Palm Big Break Competition

Win the holiday of a lifetime for you and 9 friends and family at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai for 5 nights in 5 deluxe rooms. The prize includes round-trip economy air, luxurious airport transfers, breakfast daily and dinner for 10 at Ronda Locatelli.

Atlantis The Palm Romantic Rendezvous

Win a fantastic romantic weekend for you and a guest for 3 nights in an Imperial Club Room. Prize includes round-trip economy air, luxurious airport transfers, breakfast daily, dinner for 2 at Nobu, dinner for 2 at Seafire and Spa treatments for 2.

Both competitions are open to anyone over 18 years of age and close at midnight, Dubai time, on the 25th June 2010. Click here to READ MORE.

A Random Video Entry

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