That’s Why You Need A Youssef...

Today we got a Youssef, I would strongly recommend anyone going to the souks of Marrakesh to get a Youssef....he was our private tour guide for the morning and he was so interesting. He told us all about the history of the city as we walked the streets of the old Médina and explored the souks with ease and limited hassle. I wonder how many tourists are still wandering around the maze of streets and alleyways spending years trying to find their way out again...that’s why you need a Youssef!

He took us to the Dar El Bacha, once the home of a Pacha of Marrakesh, rather than a royal palace, it has only recently opened to the public. It is beautiful, full of stunning colourful, geometric tiles, painted ceilings and carved cedarwood all surrounding a courtyard full of orange and pomegranate trees (extras) and of course the central fountain so important in Islamic gardens.

There were definitely some places that he took us to that I am not sure we would have dared venture on our own..into the depths of the leather sellers and dyers souk and the metalworkers souks, all a bit darker, less colourful, almost tourist free and definitely male dominated unlike the bright hustle and bustle of the rest.

We were back to the hotel in time for a late lunch, a few hours by the pool and dinner in a local restaurant. We decided that we enjoyed today so much that we have booked Youssef for Wednesday morning to explore the southern part of the old town.