marrakech medina 

If anyone is looking for a real 'experience holiday' this year I would strongly recommend Marrakech! The Medina in the old city is as near to experiencing life in a medieval town as you're ever lightly to get!  The streets are so narrow that cars can't access the various lanes and so the horse and cart is still how goods and people get around.  Food stalls, which would make our H&S man apoplectic, litter the streets while Berbers walk the streets in their traditional costumes with live sheep on their shoulders.  The Restaurants and Tanneries are a testament to a total ‘no waste’ culture.

We stayed in a Riad (a traditional house built round a central courtyard) in the heart of the Medina.  It was less expensive than a hotel and really lets you 'live the experience'. It would be a mind blowing experience for children - almost like time travel: the story tellers and snake charmers in the main square not only entertain but fill the air with sounds which you need to see and hear at least once before you die - it's as near as we will get to life in the Middle Ages.

The Riad we stayed in is owned by a lady called Sheryn who rents it out at a snip of a price - if anyone wants her contact details, let me know.

David