What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 16 March 2015

Welcome to another week and this week we're all about Marrakesh, following the recent fam that Paula took with the marvellous Moulden Marketing. Hosted by Activ Travel, one of the best DMC's we've ever encountered at Cloud 9, it was truly a wonderful trip and rather surprising in terms of just what you can do with groups and incentives in the region.

With regular flights from both British Airways and Easyjet, its a very accessible location and the range of hotels is fantastic. 

We were met by Activ Travel, who have been providing high quality MICE programmes and travel to Morocco for almost 20 years. Founded in 1996 by Abdellatif ‘Ben’ Benmoussa and Hicham Tahri, Activ Travel is one of the most experienced and well renowned DMCs within Marrakech and Morocco. Working with a dedicated team of full-time staff, and cleverly utilising their fantastic relation-ship with the local people of Marrakech, Activ Travel are able to provide their guests with an incredible insight into the culture, colours, experiences and beauty of the country of Morocco.

We stayed at the La Mamounia a stunning hotel. Ravishing and regal, La Mamounia hotel is set in royal gardens, styled with Moorish opulence, and as sensuous as a seraglio. Aware that its guests (Winston Churchill was a fan) expect the best, and you won't be disappointed. 

After a quick change, it was off for an orientation tour by night of Marrakech rampart and the Famous Djemaa el fna square. Marrakech's famous Central Square. This was followed by a great evening and dinner at the M Restuarant Lounge, with belly dancers and fire eaters!

Up with the lark and after a great breakfast, we were off again exploring and the first stop was The Royal Palm Hotel, sister hotel to those in Mauritius and our friends at Beachcomber. Simply stunning is how we would describe the hotel!

After a 4x4 driving experience into the Atlas Mountains of Marrakech  with a stop off at a remote traditional Berber Village for some mint tea, it was off to Terres D’amanar.

Located on a beautiful plateau overlooking the Atlas mounts and their beautiful valleys in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains near the town of Asni, the Terres D’amanar domain is a unique site with an exceptional environment and very authentic feel. There is an adventure park in the trees and on the Arial rope slide, assisted by professionals, as well as equestrian, pedestrian, and mountain bike excursions. The more leisurely inclined can relax by the pool, or discover the Berber customs and tradition during the culinary and artesian workshops. This is what Paula opted for whilst the other mad fools were crossing rope bridges and zip wires!

We returned to La Mamounia by late afternoon for a quick dip in the pool and then it was

off for a tour and pre dinner drinks at at Palais Soleiman, which is a little difficult to describe, but truly amazing and well worth hiring exclusively if you have a small group and a reasonable budget. 

Then it was off to one of the best experiences ever, a  Party Dinner in a private camp in the heart of the PALM GROVE, with traditional Berber entertainment - The idea here was to  show us how to give our guests experience a magic moment. A single moment doesn't do it justice. It was simply full of magical moments, from the arrival, through to drinks, dinner, entertainment and departure. Even the loo's are worth a mention! This was a real introduction to Moroccan culture. It is a recreation of a “Moussem” or a traditional feast where locals celebrate the harvest. 

Despite the late night, it was an early start as we enjoyed a most entertaining hot air ballooning flight over the north of the palm grove of Marrakech between the river of Tensift and the Mountains of djebilets. The banter of the Pilot was worth the trip alone!

Then we were off to visit Marrakech gardens, and then Marrakech souks discovery, which I was glad to have had a guide as we had to navigate our way through the souks and food stalls, and learn how to haggle like a pro! 

It is a riot of colour, noise and activity, a wealthy storehouse of all the treasures of this vast and varied country, and then we had an introduction to Moroccan cooking and lunch at Al Baraka restaurant, located in the Famous Djemaa El Fna square.


We packed a lot into a short trip and it was without a doubt, a fabulous experience, so if you fancy Marrakech for your next event, please let us know. It really will be worth it!



Have a great week!