Marrakesh and The Atlas Mountains

Marrakesh is a labyrinth of tiny alleyways teeming with activity like few other places in the world. With classic, French colonial buildings and boulevards surrounded by remarkably preserved medieval walls, the city is so perfect it could be, and often is used as, a film set.

Saadian tombs

This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour during which we will see the Saadian tombs, one of the world’s finest examples of Moorish architecture, where classic archways are covered in gold leaf and stucco work. Plus, we will experience the Bahia Palace, which when built was acclaimed as the world’s most beautiful palace, famed for its 50 marble columns.

We also visit the famous souks or covered markets, where immensely skilled craftsmen create intricate leatherware, jewellery and furniture. At dusk, after dinner in the hotel, we visit the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, a showcase for traditional Moroccan life. You will experience a fantastic spectacle of musicians, dancers, fortune-tellers and snake charmers in an exhilarating kaleidoscope of colour.

This morning, we continue our tour of marvellous Marrakesh. The city boasts a wealth of wonderful gardens, some vast with olive groves and lakes, providing a haven of peace and tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the city. One of the prettiest parks is the Jardin Majorelle: an amazing display of bamboo, bougainvillaea and cacti, formerly owned by Yves Saint-Laurent.

Surrounding the city are impressive ramparts stretching 19 miles long, still largely intact with imposing forts at various intervals. The gates are fine examples of classic Moorish architecture with their pastel hues changing colours depending on the time of day and the intensity of the light.

The afternoon is yours at leisure to further your exploration of Marrakesh at an unhurried pace or relax in your hotel and take advantage of its excellent facilities.

Our day begins with a comfortable drive to the delightful coastal town of Essaouira, which came to prominence during the 15th century when the Portuguese established the medieval citadel that still stands today. Within its walls are a maze of tranquil squares and perfectly preserved streets, lined by whitewashed houses and pavement cafes.

It’s a sheer pleasure to stroll through the markets here, where the stalls groan under the weight of colourful fresh fruit and vegetables. Or simply wander along the harbour, bustling with a hive of activity and where fishermen repair their nets as they have done for centuries.

Essaouira is so charmingly unspoilt it has been featured as the location for several blockbuster productions, from Orson Welles’ Othello to Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven. During your journey, the real Morocco unfolds and the landscape changes from fertile green plains to a moon-like semi-desert, occasionally studded with palm trees.

Mud-brick villages blend perfectly into the background, while shepherds of all ages tend their herds of sheep and goat – the transport of choice here is very much the donkey.

Forming an ever-present backdrop and adding to Marrakesh’s wondrous setting are the soaring, snow-capped Atlas Mountains. This morning, we take a drive into the stunning foothills with the countryside evolving from saffron-coloured fields to steeper, wooded slopes, slashed by dramatic, river-filled gorges.

Mammoth peaks soaring more than 3,000 metres high spear the vivid, blue sky while the desolate mountainside stretches before us. Then the forests commence, rolled out like a massive green carpet and beyond, misty plains stretch to the horizon in a patchwork of muted colours. There’s time to take in the spectacular vistas when we stop to stretch our legs and perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.

After a morning of sightseeing, we return to Marrakesh in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure, giving you ample time to make the most of your final day in this wonderful city.