Make an effort to see a Berber market outside the big cities of Fes and Marrakech and get away from touts and tourists, while soaking up more of Morocco's great countryside and culture.

30km away from Fes is Sefrou (take a shared 'grand taxi' from Bab Ftouh), where Berbers come from outlying areas to ply their wares at the Thursday souq.

The same distance away from Marrakech, lies the town of Ourika (Dar Caid Ourika) which comes alive on Monday with everything from Berber haircuts to giant haystacks for sale. You can take a bus from behind the tourist police in Marrakech.

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Had a fantastic time in Marrakech on a photography holiday. It was with a company called Frui. There were 10 of us and we stayed in a lovely Riad called Nasreen and went on a two day excursion into the Atlas Mountains to a village called Telouet.

I really recommend everything about the trip - the riad, the city and most of all Frui, who went the extra mile to make our trip fantastic!

www.frui.co.uk

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A wonderful find. This is a small photography museum located in the north of the Medina. It has a collection of Moroccan photographs of people and places, dating back to the 1860s over three floors. There is also a small cafe at the top of the building giving you a view of the city.

46 rue Ahal Fes Marrakech
www.ecomuseeberbere.com

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Shopping in the souks is an experience that no one ever forgets. But it is a shopping experience quite unlike any other. In order to get the best from the souks, haggling and shopping around is a must as the sellers significantly inflate their initial price for an item you want. There are no hard and fast rules just walk away from a price you are not happy with, but at the same time keep a smile on your face! Remember no trader will ever sell at a loss! Also take a compass to find your way out again - it is so easy to get lost!

Just off the Djamma el Fna

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The botanical garden is absolutely mesmerising, as you stroll along the walkways you pass several plants and trees that are waiting to be photographed. In the middle of the garden is a fantastic ornate cobalt blue building. Also housed inside the garden is the Islamic Art Museum. But don't forget to take around 15 Dhirams with you for the entrance fee, you'll also notice that the hustle and bustle of the city suddenly disappears.

Jardin Majorelle Marrakech Maroc
Tel : (00212) 044 30 18 52

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Don’t worry about getting lost in the souk: the bigger paths may lead you to somewhere recognisable or more interesting than you had planned – there is no point taking a map, just ask someone. People are very happy to help and the area is very safe.

If you do want a map, the Rough Guide to Marrakech is by far the best around.

Don’t hurry or worry, expect the culture shock and accept the offers of mint tea sans sugar.

Marrakech

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Dar Itrane is an ecolodge that gives the opportunity to experience the Berber Culture of the Moroccan High Atlas, only 4 hours away from Marrakech.
Built in adobe, wood and natural materials according to traditional building techniques, it’s a small environment-friendly structure set in the wonderful area of the M’Goun Range, the villages of the Bougmez Valley, and offers a high level of comfort, which is awesome in such an area.

After a long walk, it’s really pleasant to relax in the traditionnal taddelakt hammam. And from the roof terraces at night, you can see thousands of stars… Dar Itrane also has a wide library focusing on the Berber Culture.

It’s a good base to go and explore the close traditional villages of the valley, meet the locals or go trekking to the Azourki or the M’Goun Summit, for example.

The team at Dar Itrane is really friendly; they always cook delicious Moroccan dishes and are happy to introduce you to their way of living in the High Atlas.

www.daritrane.com
booking: sejour@origins-lodge.com
phone number : +212 23 459 312

You can reach the Bougmez Valley using local transportation (collective taxis) from Bad Doukkala in Marrakech. Take a taxi to Azilal first, and then change to Tabant/Bougmez Valley.

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