5* Short breaks to Marrakech from London Heathrow Apt
5* Short breaks to Marrakech from London Heathrow Apt
Description
Marrakech Highlights...
- Enjoyable Walking
- Good Shopping
- Ancient Sites
- Cheap to Eat Out
- Enjoyable Walks
- Good for Couples
- Places to Explore
- Local Markets
- Good for families
- Local History
- Peace & Quiet
- Romantic
- Scenic Location
- Local Character
- Plenty to do
- Traditional Building
Along with Méknes, Fez and Rabat, Marrakech is one of Moroccos four Imperial Cities. It was founded around 1062 by the Berber Almoravids and soon became the capital of an Islamic empire that reached from central Spain to West Africa. The Almoravid conquest of southern Spain led to an exchange of culture investing this remote desert enclave with the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Andalucia, something that it has retained a feel for to this day.
There followed a succession of ruling dynasties - the Almohads left an architectural legacy of many of the citys best-known landmarks, such as the Koutoubia and el Mansour mosques. Next came the Merinids who turned their attentions to the city of Fez, ushering Marrakech into an era of provincial dejection, but the coming of the Saadians spelled a turnaround in Marrakechs fortunes. Trade was enlivened and the legacy of the magnificent Saadian tombs was left for visitors to enjoy today. However, the long period of Alaouite governance turned the tables against the city once again. Early 17th-century ruler Moulay Ismail went as far as stripping the gold and marble from Marrakechs wonderful el Badi Palace in order to lavish his new capital, Méknes, with yet more glamour.
The early 20th-century French influence can be seen in the Art Deco commercial centre of Guéliz to the northwest of the city walls. But the most significant legacy of this colonial rule is the French language, which is still spoken by all educated Moroccans. Finally, a vast array of pleasure-seekers, ranging from the glamorous to the distinctly insalubrious, left their mark on the city after World War II. Winston Churchill, Yves Saint Laurent and the Rolling Stones rubbed shoulders with American beat writers, hippies and a new breed of curious visitors anxious to see what all the fuss was about.
Today, the main focus of the city continues to be the Jemaa-el-Fna, which comes to life after dark and is and a riot of enticing colour, noise and smells, with dancers, fire-eaters, acrobats, snake charmers and fortune-tellers. Rows of trestle tables are set up every evening to serve up barbecued kebabs, boiled snails, mouthwatering tajines and an array of more or less appetising other foodstuffs. Around this vast open space stretch the shadowy alleyways of the souks; a vast marketplace selling herbs and potions, carpets and candles, jewellery, spices, meat and metalwork.
Marrakech is an Islamic city in a male-dominated society, however, Morocco is one of the more liberal Muslim countries and the government is keen to show itself as a progressive, state. King Mohammed VI is actively promoting the education of women and disadvantaged groups such as the Berbers, the indigenous population of the Atlas Mountains.
Marrakech is enchantingly sited at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains, snow-capped for much of the year in contrast to the desert heat of the city. Summers can be scorching, but winter is bright and crisp, while autumn brings delicious fresh produce into the markets and spring sees the Atlas Mountains covered in flowers.
Departure Airport
London Heathrow Airport
Airport Information
Country
United Kingdom
Address
London Heathrow Airport, 234 Bath Road, Harlington, Middlesex UB3 5AP, UK
Country Code
44
Telephone
0870 000 0123
Fax
(0)20 8745 4290
lhr3feedback@baa.com substitue 1, 2 or 4 after lhr to contact Heathrow's other terminals.
Website
www.heathrowairport.com
Location
The airport is located 24km (15 miles) west of London
Time Zone
GMT (GMT + 1 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October)
Number of Terminals
4
Airport News
A new Terminal 5 is currently under construction. The Tube station at Terminal 4 is closed until September 2006 (with a replacement bus service in use from Hatton Cross). This is due to the extension of the Tube line to the new Terminal 5.
Transfer between Terminals
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are within walking distance of each other, via underground walkways. Transfer between Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and Terminal 4, which is located on the south side of the airport, is free on the Heathrow Express train (journey time: 8 minutes).
Driving Directions
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 can be reached via the following motorways: M4 Junction 4, M25 Junction 15, A4 (local road). Terminal 4 is reached via the following motorways: M4 Junction 3, M25 Junction 14, A30 (local road).
Car Parking
Several car parks are available. Each terminal has its own short-stay parking lot, operated by NCP (tel: (0)870 606 7050; website: www.ncp.co.uk) in Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and by APCOA in Terminal 4. A free shuttle service travelling between the terminals and the long-term and business car parks is provided. Parking can be booked online via the website or by telephone (tel: (0)870 000 1000). Valet parking is available at all four terminals; CPS provides chauffeured parking (tel: (0)870 411 1118; website: www.parkwithcps.com). Disabled drivers can request assistance from customer service staff at the car parks. Motorbikes can park free of charge at designated areas at each terminal.
Car Hire
Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and National are all represented at each terminal.
Public Transport
Rail: Train: The frequent Heathrow Express non-stop train service to London Paddington Station takes 15-20 minutes (tel: (0)845 600 1515; website: www.heathrowexpress.com). Paddington is served by mainline national rail routes to the west and south west of England, and is on the London Underground network. From London King’s Cross Station, served by the A2 Airbus service (see below), passengers can connect with mainline train services to the north of England and to Scotland. For national rail travel information, contact the 24-hour National Rail enquiries line (tel: (0)845 748 4950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk). Underground: The airport is also on the London Underground’s Piccadilly Line, which can take passengers into central London. For more information, call the Underground travel information line (tel: (0)20 7222 1234; website: www.tfl.gov.uk/tube). Road: Taxi: London’s licensed black cabs serve London Heathrow Airport and are available outside all the terminals. Limousine: Chauffeur-driven cars operated by Burgundy Global can be hired (tel: (0)800 013 1313 or (0)20 8831 2000). Bus: Numerous local buses stop at the central bus station and Terminal 4. Bus services include the A2 Airbus shuttle (website: www.airbus.co.uk) from all four terminals to London King’s Cross railway station. At night, the N9 bus service travels to central London. For more information on public transport, contact Traveline (tel: (0)870 608 2608). Coach: Coaches connect the airport to more than 500 destinations throughout the UK. National Express (tel: (0)870 575 7747; website: www.nationalexpress.com) is the major service provider.
Information and Help Desks
Information desks are available in each terminal. Transport information desks, for bus, coach and rail options, are located in Terminals 1 and 3, and outside Terminal 4. The Hotel and Traveller Centre, in Terminal 3, provides visitor information, London Underground tickets and hotel accommodation. Help desks are also located throughout the airport, where passengers can seek assistance by using a courtesy telephone and can also look at terminal maps.
Airport Facilities
Money and communications: There are ATMs and bureaux de change facilities throughout the airport, as well as post offices in Terminals 2 and 4. There are public telephones in the main areas of each terminal, as well as wall-mounted pay fax machines. Webpoints are available in Terminal 4. Eating and drinking: There are numerous restaurants, bars, fast-food outlets, coffee shops, pubs and sandwich bars throughout the airport. Shopping: There are a wide variety of shops in each terminal including music shops, bookshops, newsagents, clothing accessories shops, electrical goods shops, pharmacies, sunglasses shops, shoe shops, sweet shops and perfumeries. There are chemists in all terminals; the Terminal 1 chemist dispenses prescriptions. Luggage: Left-luggage offices can be found in each terminal, whilst lost property can be reclaimed from the Airport Lost Property Office (tel: (0)20 8745 7727). Other facilities: These include a chapel, showers, a visitor centre (tel: (0)20 8745 6655) and a health centre (tel: (0)20 8745 7047).
Conference and Business Facilities
Wall-mounted credit-card-paid fax machines are available throughout the airport. Wireless Internet access is available in the Departures lounges of all terminals. The Business Centre, in the Queen’s Building (tel: (0)20 8759 2434) offers 20 meeting rooms, a conference suite seating up to 60 delegates, meeting refreshments and business support facilities including workstations, online computers, faxes, photocopiers, videoconferencing and audiovisual equipment. Showers are also available. There are several airline, business and executive lounges in all terminals.
Disabled Facilities
Information for passengers with disabilities is available from Heathrow Travel-Care either at counters or by telephone (tel: (0)20 8745 7495). Detailed access information is also available on the airport’s website. There is a Minicom information line for the hard of hearing (tel: (0)20 8745 7950), wheelchair-accessible telephones and text telephones, as well as induction loops. Reserved seating and disabled toilets are also available in all terminals. Wheelchairs push and provision, and help with baggage from Departures to check-in, are available free of charge and can be pre-booked through Skycaps (tel: (0)20 8745 6011 or 5727). Assistance is also available by using the telephones at the various help points situated throughout the airport. Passengers requiring wheelchairs and special assistance should also contact the individual airlines prior to travel. The Help Bus (tel: (0)20 8745 6261) is a free wheelchair-accessible bus service that operated between all terminals and the central bus station. Disabled parking is also available. The Heathrow Express, black taxis and many bus and coach routes provide facilities for wheelchairs.
Airport Hotels
The Hilton Heathrow (tel: (0)208 759 7755) is a short walk over a bridge from Terminal 4. Nearby hotels include the Holiday Inn London Heathrow (tel: (0)20 8990 0000), Marriott London Heathrow (tel: (0)20 8990 1100), Novotel London Heathrow (tel: (0)1895 431 431), Radisson Heathrow (tel: (0)20 8759 6311), Berkeley Park Apartments (tel: (0)870 400 8922), Ramada Jarvis Heathrow (tel: (0)20 8897 2121) Renaissance Heathrow (tel: (0)20 8897 6363), Thistle London Heathrow (tel: (0)20 8759 2400), Comfort Inn Heathrow (tel: (0)20 8573 6162) and the Sheraton Skyline Hotel (tel: (0)20 8759 2535). The Hotel Hoppa transfer bus service runs frequently between Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the main nearby hotels, while the Hotelink bus offers a door-to-door service to London hotels. Hotel reservations can be made at the British Hotel Reservation Centre desks in the Arrivals halls of each terminal; passengers can also use the 24-hour booking line to arrange accommodation (tel: (0)208 759 8797 or (0)800 783 4020).
City
London
Full Airport Name
London Heathrow Airport
State or Province
England
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