Introduction
Bordering the Straits of Gibraltar, Morocco is a country of contrasting landscapes from the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the unmapped sands of the Sahara Desert. Its exotic and vibrant cities include Marrakech, Fez and Rabat with their mosques, forts, palaces and deeply traditional cultures that present visitors with an experience they will never forget.
Entering Marrakech through the ochre-washed walls of the old imperial city is to step back in time and discover another world that is seemingly untouched by modern conceits. It is the exoticism of the place that assails you in the first instance; the swirl of noise, scents and colour, heady wafts of orange blossom in the spring, the musky scent of spices, the odour of parched baked earth, the wailing of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer.
At the heart of this mazelike city is the main square of the medina, Jemaa El Fna, where for centuries caravans of Berbers and Arab traders from the surrounding mountains and deserts converged to sell their wares. It is still the epicentre for local trade, feasting and gossip and a central stage for the bevy of magicians and musicians, snake charmers, dancers and acrobats who try to outperform each other in the fading evening light. After all the bustle and sensory overload of the street, retreat to one of several cool gardens, such as the Majorelle Gardens of Yves Saint-Laurent fame.
Should you want to escape the heat of the city then take the opportunity to drive along the spectacularly craggy Tizi n Test towards Taroudant, a small city almost completely contained within its red-ochre walls or steer west for Essaouira, favoured haunt of rock stars. Oualidia with its peaceful saltwater lagoon and sandy coves offers the perfect contrast to Marrakech.
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