The ancient city of Marrakech, once the capital of Morocco, is one of the country’s most important cultural centres. Referred to as the ‘pink city’ because of the colour of the local earth used in its construction, it is a labyrinth of alleyways, secluded places, museums, mosques and markets.

Among Marrakech’s many charms are Djemmaa el-Fna, the town square perpetually filled with jugglers, tumblers, magicians, snake charmers, story tellers and a whole host of other ‘benign lunatics’, Koutoubia, the 12th Century mosque dominating the Marrakech skyline with a height to rival the towers of Notre Dame, and the Medina, now a world heritage site, full of outstanding architectural delights.

The High Atlas mountain range, extending in a broken chain for over 1000 miles, separates Marrakech from the arid plains and semi-Saharan dunes to its south, creating a backdrop of inspiring beauty. With its numerous peaks, it is the only mountain range in Africa to offer reliably good skiing conditions.

Renowned for its architectural masterpieces, and famed for its markets and festivals, Marrakech is a lively city of living history that never fails to leave an ineffaceable impression on its visitors.