My Marrakesh: Riad Zamane: and where to stay in Zagora

After many hours on the road South, they found themselves in a town that rhymed enchantingly with aurora. Yes, they were in Zagora. Moroccan men in blue turbans and Moroccan women in black sequined shawls, strolled up and down the streets. It was dusty and it was gritty but it was just right, too.

The group of them -- three Americans, two Italians, one Belgian, one Brit, one Czech, and one Moroccan, as well as a motley crew of children of mixed origins -- checked into Riad Zamane. A strange and special place, Riad Zamane was a bohemian respite nestled into Zagora's palm grove oasis.

The walls were etched with mysterious symbols....

Bungalows were hidden among the luxurious plantings.

And nomadic sleeping tents could be found behind blue doors....

Maharajas had been there before them....

They sat outside and told secrets to traveling companions...

They had tea with visiting grandfathers on couches made from vintage Berber blankets. (The blogging girl had a collection of such blankets for sale for modern bohemians worldwide....)

They savored a lamb and fig dinner in a brightly fringed Bedouin tent with arched windows.

They admired the perfect little Moroccan handmade rugs here and there.....

At night their path was lit by candles and Moroccan lanterns...... Riad_lamane_13

The next day, a man in blue led them away to the dunes of the Sahara desert. But that's another tale.... for another time.....

Riad Lamane Amezrou, Zagora, Morocco riadlamane@menara.ma www.riadlamane.com

Comments

What a beautiful place to stay! We are hoping to go to the desert in the next month or so. We'll have to check out the Riad Lamane!

Posted by:Travelingmama@pobox.com | March 31, 2008 at 09:57 AM

Oh, it all looks so wonderfully perfect.

Posted by:louise | March 31, 2008 at 11:21 AM

What a wonderful start to the blogging girls adventures.

Posted by:barbara | March 31, 2008 at 11:57 AM

what a wonderful place!!!

Posted by:Nay-K | March 31, 2008 at 12:36 PM

HOW can the world be this beautiful??? Your eye creates beauty as it goes, evidently---I know that sounds soppy, but there you are. Soppy and true.

Posted by:Laura | March 31, 2008 at 01:21 PM

Oh...so gorgeous!

Posted by:Bhavna | March 31, 2008 at 01:37 PM

OMG, these are the most wonderful images. Vibrant colors, words of mystery. You do it for me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I always go for the color. Maybe that is just the painter in me. But then, the images are so lovely. Those adobe walls are so appealing to me, living here in the American Southwest, I see a lot of adobe......just love it.

Posted by:Paula | March 31, 2008 at 02:42 PM

Oh my. Oh my. (Hyperventilates). How...magical.

THUD (faints).

Posted by:Persephone | March 31, 2008 at 03:27 PM

So rich...so magical...wonderful!

Posted by:stephanie | March 31, 2008 at 05:04 PM

Oh my God what a lucky woman you are! How magical and wonderful, thank you for the photos!

Posted by:Annie | March 31, 2008 at 05:29 PM

Another gloriously magical blog entry! Looks like a fab place for a desert adventure.

Posted by:Kathy here again | March 31, 2008 at 05:43 PM

Maryam, the photos are beautiful! I just read your article in Budget Travel - thank you so much! There're really great information about Marrakech in there! I am definitely defering to you when I plan my trip for Morocco. This year it will be Egypt and Jordan for me. You're too humble, you have an amazing blog.

Karen

Posted by:Alkemie | March 31, 2008 at 05:45 PM

You go to the best places.

Posted by:Di Overton | March 31, 2008 at 06:01 PM

Gorgeous, I love that three legged table.

Posted by:furiousball | March 31, 2008 at 06:34 PM

Ah, travel with you is one enchantment after another! It's like falling down the rabbit hole into a world more lovely than one could have ever imagined. *sigh* Thankyou, dearest Maryam, for my dose of magic. I needed that.

xo,
tay

Posted by:Tay | March 31, 2008 at 06:38 PM

Please take me there!! xoxo

Posted by:A Fanciful Twist | March 31, 2008 at 07:13 PM

waited all weekend to see the photos from the sahara. hope they will be in the next post

Posted by:michele watson | March 31, 2008 at 08:59 PM

Sometimes do you feel the need to pinch yourself to wake up from the dream?

Posted by:mary | March 31, 2008 at 09:28 PM

What everbody said!!

Maryam, your blog is such a pleasurable and therapeutic escape. Thank you for allowing us to see the world through your eyes.

Anna :)

Posted by:Villa Anna | March 31, 2008 at 11:27 PM

Calgon thy name is Maryam, for thou takest me away. *sigh* You realize you are my passport to all things exotic right? Loved your article in Budget Traveler, by the way.

Posted by:Charity | April 01, 2008 at 01:03 AM

Oh my! Drop dead Gorgeous images!
xo
H

Posted by:Hope | April 01, 2008 at 03:15 AM

I can't take this anymore.....you make me crazy with longing for all of these incredible places. I'm trying to imagine when the hell it's going to happen, though.