Older Ladies are Game for Marrakech

Q: My sister and I are off on a seven-day trip to Marrakech in September and would like advice on what to see and what the weather will be like. We are older ladies and fit and game. What do you recommend? - Nicci Lewin-Poole

A: I presume it is your first trip to Marrakech, so you will probably just have enough time to complete the must-see attractions in this bustling, fantastic city. First of all, though, don't worry about the weather. With little rain and temperatures ranging from 19-32 degrees Celsius, it is a great time to visit. Top of everyone's agenda in Marrakech is shopping at the souks. You'll find plenty of advice on how and where to spend your money - and it is great fun exploring the souks and bartering for bargains. For the uninitiated, though, it might be worth taking one of the half-day tours to explore life in the medina. Most of the tours will show you the world heritage site Djemma el-Fna Square, explore the souks and then mingle with locals shopping for fresh produce. Once you know your way around, you can return for serious shopping. You will definitely want to spend time at the Djemma el-Fina Square at night, when it is transformed into a wonderworld of food stalls, acrobats, snake charmers and gnaoua musicians. The second must-do attraction is to go to a hammam and experience a steam, massage and scrub. If you are adventurous, you can head for one on your own, but you can do it as part of a half-day tour experience, where the guide will take care of everything. After an afternoon in the steam rooms, a massage and good scrub you will feel brand new! The third not-to-be-missed attraction is the La Bahia Palace. This 19th-century building was once home to a harem and it is known for its painted wood, ceramics and symmetrical gardens. Built by one of the sultans, it was ransacked on his death, but it retains its sense of beauty. Check out the rooms, which vary in size according to the importance of each wife or concubine. Use an on-site guide and you may get to hear some saucy details. If you are interested in the history of the region, head for Maison Tiskin, a private house at 8 derb El-Bahia filled with the arts and crafts collection of a Dutch anthropologist. Among the exhibits are masks from Mali and an entire Berber tent made of camel hair. A museum worth visiting is the Musée de Marrakech, which opened in 1997. Exhibitions change, but it is worth it just to explore the building (www.museedemarrakech.ma). There are many great palaces to eat. One of the smartest places in town is Le Pavillion in the north medina. It is located in the courtyard of a splendid old house under a massive tree. However, you can do just as well, at a fraction of the price, by dining at the food stalls on the Djeema. Stick to the busiest stalls when it comes to meat produce and you shouldn't have tummy troubles. If you get overwhelmed by the pace of city life, there's plenty to do out of town. One of the most popular excursions is to take a one-day trip along the Berber trail high up in the Atlas Mountains in a 4x4 vehicle. Meet the Berber people in the valleys and up at the summit. For a real treat, take an overnight trip, staying in one of the villages. If you prefer something more active you can try your hand at quad biking, paragliding or riding a camel on an organised excursion. Most popular is to spend a half-day quad-biking through the dunes followed by a camel ride in the afternoon (www.dunesdesert.com). An alternative is to do a cookery course with the Berber people, where you will visit the markets and learn to bake traditional bread. (14/8/11)