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This luxury palazzo, set against the backdrop of the majestic Atlas and Jbel Ette Mountains, was constructed to reflect the traditional style of Moroccan architecture while offering modern conveniences. Magnificent Moroccan antique doors open from the grand columned entrance, as well as in the great hall and dining room. The graceful archways of the villa create a calm and elegant ambience surrounding an interior courtyard filled with scented flowers and the calming sounds of a bubbling fountain.
A short distance from the main house, sits a truly remarkable villa
with each of the five bedrooms opening to a large traditional central
courtyard, shaded by orange trees with a cascading waterfall fountain. The
sumptuous three-room master-suite features a private dome-covered bath and
the four additional bedrooms contain individual fireplaces and luxurious
en-suite bathrooms. The villa's rooftop terrace, with a brick oven cooking
area and alcove seating, sets the stage for unforgettable lunches and
dinners beneath the sparkling Moroccan sky. Morocco lies barely 14 kilometers (9 miles) from Spain across the straits of Gibraltar. Many people think of Morocco as a Mediterranean country, but most of its coastline is on the Atlantic Ocean with many of its best-known cities, Tangiers, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira and Agadir stretching south along the coast. Marrakesh, the former capital and perhaps the most famous Moroccan city of all, is centrally located at the base of the snow- capped Atlas Mountains. Also sometimes spelled Marrakech, Marrakesh began as an oasis where water was abundant for the caravans of old after crossing the vast Sahara and the high Atlas. At an elevation of 1500 feet it remains an oasis of wonderful weather with clear dry air infused with North African sun. Marrakesh is the second largest Moroccan city with a population of 1.4
million. The red walled city was founded almost 1000 years ago. Within the
old red walls of the city and the labyrinth of busy streets, is a humming
core known as the Djemaa el-Fna square. Djemaa-el-fna, dominated from a
distance by the city's most prominent landmark, the Koutoubia Mosque, is a
jumble of jugglers, story tellers, snake charmers, magicians, herb and
potion vendors, knickknack sellers, acrobats, benign lunatics and rows and
rows of mouth watering food stalls. If you can tear yourself away from all this, Marrakesh offers a variety of activities and attractions. There are amazing Treks into the glorious Atlas mountains or, depending on your favorite mode of transport, you can choose between camels, horses and off road bicycles to explore the Palmeraie, a grove of over 150,000 towering palm trees, located only ten minutes from the beautiful pise walls of the city. You can visit the ancient quarter and delight in the beauty of the Palais Dar Si Said (museum of Moroccan art), the Bahia Palace and the Saadians tombs. With its fantastic sunny days and Jasmine scented evenings, its heady, exotic cuisine and its famous Souq, you are sure to fall in love with this city! Rich in both history and flavor, Moroccan cuisine is one of the most
exotic in the world. The sophisticated Moroccan palate arose as the
country played host to travelers and rulers from such disparate lands as
China, India, Spain and Persia and then, finally, from serving for 40
years as a French protectorate. In particular, the French influence
remains. It is in this oasis and in our customized kitchen that you will join other cooking enthusiasts for a unique culinary vacation. Our local staff will pamper you and escort you to the market, lead you on a trek in the nearby Atlas or take you camel riding. During the hands-on cooking lessons our expert chefs will introduce you to the exotic combination of ingredients and techniques that exemplify traditional Moroccan cuisine. You will learn first-hand how the fascinating history of this country has influenced its cuisine, and we will also introduce you to some of our own fusion recipes. Even the most jaded palates will respond to the delicious and
astonishing blend of flavors that you will learn to create in your own
kitchen with some great Moroccan recipes. The Tajine serves as the
framework for a college of ingredients, spices and styles. Forty years of French rule has left a legacy of wine, and the Rhode School of Cuisine diligently pairs the meals you create with appropriate libations, including Spanish, French and the recently improved Moroccan wines. Our greatest discovery of local wine is CB Initials, which uses traditional French techniques of wine production. The delicious and delicately rose-colored Boulaouane de Gris is the perfect accompaniment for many of the dishes, and of course, French champagne is justifiably traditional. Culinary guests can participate in eight to nine hands-on cooking lessons during the week, but also can enjoy cultural exploration of Marrakesh plus the beautiful landscapes of the Altas Mountains. Current activities include:
Eight or nine hands-on cooking lessons during the week will teach you how to produce traditional Morroco food dishes. Some of the recipes will be the many healthy Moroccan salads all made with organic produce, Lamb Tagine with prunes, Chachouka (pepper salad with paprika and cumin), Chick pea soup with parsley, Pilpil Shrimp with pimentos and garlic, Couscous aux sept legumes (seven vegetable), Kebabs, lemon chicken, a variety of briaouts (triangle pastries) and more.
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7 nights accommodation
at Dar Liqama
All meals at the Villa
Cooking school tuition and excursions
Transfers to and from Marrakech airport
* Please note that while the price of your luxury cooking vacation includes
all food and wine consumed on the premises, it does not include the
cost of meals during the excursions.
| 2007 | ||
| February 10-17 | October 13-20 | |
| February 24-March 3 | October 20-27 | |
| March 3-10 | October 27-November 3 | |
| March 10-17 | November 3-10 | |
| March 17-24 | ||
| 2007 |
Superior Room |
Deluxe Room |
| $ 2,395 Double occupancy | $ 2,595 Double occupancy | |
| $ 2,845 Single occupancy | $ 3,045 Single occupancy | |
| $1,995 Double occupancy non-cooking guest | $ 2,195 Double occupancy non-cooking guest |
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| I can only say that I was
enchanted with the country of Morocco and also Moroccan cuisine. The
school was absolutely incredible, the hands-on classes were great and
fulfilling, and the staff was as polite and helpful as one can imagine or
ask for. Every moment was absolutely magnificent! M.S., Miami, FL |
| My daughter and I had a great
time. The Moroccan chef was marvelous, the excursions were great and
the location was beautiful. It was a very positive experience. Patricia M., NYC |
| We loved our vacation at Dar
Liqama. The palazzo was beautiful and our room was great. Kahlil and
his staff catered to our every whim despite the fact that our visit fell
in the middle of the month of Ramadan. the participation cooking
classes were simple and fun--even a non-cook like David enjoyed
them. And the icing on the cake: our group of guests got along
fantastically--I feel that we have made some lasting friendships!
David and I had two concerns before going on this vacation: first, the reaction to Americans in a Muslim country; and second, the fact that all meals were going to be at the palazzo. No need to have worried! The Moroccans at the palazzo, in town, and in the souk were extremely friendly and we never felt any hostility. And as for our second concern, all the meals in the palazzo were top rate and delicious--even better than the meal we had at Dar Moha which is considered one of the best restaurants in Marrakech--and we really enjoyed being able to help in preparing a part of most lunches and dinners. David and I did take advantage of the hammam (steam bath) and massage at the villa. If there were a couple of extra massage rooms, Dar Liqama could be marketed as a luxury spa and definitely do well. The experience was heavenly. All in all, the vacation was fantastic and I would definitely recommend
it to others. |
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"I had a wonderful time in Marrakesh at Dar Liqama. The staff
was superb and so very friendly and hospitable. There was a great
balance of activites and rest time so I didn't feel overwhelmed yet
didn't feel bored at any time during the week there. The villa was
extremely luxurious - from every detail of the decor to the
beautiful grounds which were exceptionally well maintained. The
cooking classes covered a lot of material. The food was more than plentiful
... as my weight gain can attest too!... "
Scott S. Ontario, Canada |
Our Moroccan cooking school at Dar Liqama is located just outside the
ancient imperial city of Marrakech, a walled garden city of tall graceful
palms set beneath the snow-capped Atlas Mountain range. About ten minutes
from the medina, you will find the Palmeraie, a grove of over 150,000
towering palm trees. It is here you will find the luxury villa Dar Liqama,
aptly named the 'house of green mint.'
The eight spacious bedrooms of Dar Liqama are decorated in traditional
Moroccan style and all have bathrooms en-suite, ambient wall lighting,
limestone Tadlakt wall finishes, and most rooms feature private
fireplaces. The luxury villa's large upper terrace has a panoramic view of
the Atlas mountain range and sweeping views over the Palmeraie. The
peripheral salon features a rustic fireplace and pergola with underfloor
heating for those cool evenings. The roof terrace boasts an observatory
with a GPS Celestron telescope for a finite view of the bright planets or
endless stars in the vast Moroccan sky. Swimming pools, a Hammam (Turkish
steam bath), an exercise spa, tennis courts, games room, and conference
facilities are sensitively integrated among the palm trees.
The seclusion of the private
pond-shaped pool, surrounded by flowers and palms, provides the perfect
refuge on a hot summer day.
Even more spectacular in the evening,
this incredible carnival atmosphere has attracted farmers, traders,
thieves, slaves and just about every possible species over the centuries.
Many aspects remain as they have been for centuries and visitors can
almost touch the history of Morocco and its daily life here in Marrakesh.
French is the second language of Morocco, and an air of French
sophistication infuses the Saharan oasis with a European flavor. The Rhode
School of Cuisine in Marrakech captures this richness in its Moroccan
cooking holidays.
Imagine making
Tajine de viande, Tajine des poissons, poulet aux olives et citron
couscous, M'Choui (lamb), B'Stilla (the legendary centerpiece of every
banquet), Harira (traditional lentil soup), salade Marocaine, cornes de
gazelle (sugar-coated pastries with a delicate almond paste filling) and
M'Henca (almond filled pastry), or briaouts au miel covered in honey.
Simple and easy to prepare organic salads and vegetables take on an
immediate exotic flavor within the context of Moroccan recipes.
A guided shopping tour of the souk in the Medina - ceramics, pottery,
rugs, metalwork, fabrics, etc. And someone there to translate and
negotiate for you! You'll also enjoy the vast Djemnaa El Fna Square with
the snake charmers, magicians, acrobats and rows and rows of mouthwatering
food stalls.