| Everyone, from child in arms to the most | | | | beach, were established by a Frenchman named |
| adventurous toughie, can find something to suit in | | | | François in the 1950s, but were neglected |
| Morocco. | | | | until the late 1980s, when the Moroccan |
| It's a country with not only dripping with cultural | | | | government began restoring them. Now the |
| curiosities and scenic marvels but also bristling with | | | | gardens are aglow with beautiful and exotic plant |
| physical challenges and offbeat opportunities. | | | | life found nowhere else in North Africa. |
| Morocco Skiing | | | | Morocco Art & Culture |
| Skiing, for instance. The best-known area in | | | | About 45 km outside Meknes is the small town of |
| Morocco is Oukaimeden, 74 km from Marrakesh, | | | | Khemisset, created by the French with a view to |
| where the main ski months are from | | | | promoting harmony between the Berber tribes of |
| mid-December until about end-March, sometimes | | | | the region. The town's market, or souk, which |
| even later. Snow ploughs keep the roads clear | | | | occurs every Tuesday, is famous for its splendid |
| and new ski lifts help to keep things running | | | | Berber carpets made in the surrounding villages. |
| seamlessly for skiers. Accommodation can be had | | | | Only some 15 km from Khemisset is Lake Roumi, |
| in rented chalets. Not for the faint-hearted is | | | | known as Dayet Er Roumi. It is an area rich in |
| Tazaghart, a rough, even dangerous place to ski, | | | | birds and lived in by shepherds. In the summer, |
| frequented mainly by professionals with heavy | | | | children swim here, whereas in springtime you |
| insurance cover for repatriation and injury and | | | | could find you have the whole place to yourself. |
| equally heavy equipment such as beacons and | | | | The lake is stocked with fish for the fishing |
| GPS. Mount Azurki, at 3,600 metres, is perhaps | | | | season, but you need to apply to the water and |
| the best skiing area in the country, where trails of | | | | forest office in Khemisset to obtain a daily permit |
| over 1,000 metres snake down from the top. | | | | (about £6 per person). |
| Again, this area is for the highly skilled skier only. | | | | Morocco Adventure |
| Morocco Wild Life | | | | Travellers who are looking for spectacular |
| And then there's wildlife watching. The Lac du Sidi | | | | scenery, where your main activity will be dropping |
| Bourhaba is a freshwater lake near Kenitra, where | | | | your jaw in awe, should take the road from |
| bird watchers and other wildlife enthusiasts walk | | | | Meknes to Azrou. Along the road you'll encounter |
| out on the causeway that spikes out into the | | | | the famous Paysage d'Ito, a volcanic region with |
| lake. Frogs and toads are plentiful in this unspoilt | | | | an amazing view of the whole area - all the way |
| environment and it is not unusual to see marsh | | | | to Meknes, on a clear day. Nearby Ifrane boasts |
| harriers swooping down to snap up the beautifully | | | | cedar forests and fossil and mineral stands on |
| coloured dragonflies. The warbler, the crested | | | | cliffs with stunning panoramic views over the |
| coot and the kite may accompany you on your | | | | whole Azrou valley. Meknes, once Morocco's |
| early morning or late afternoon stroll along the | | | | capital city, is surrounded by rich, fertile ground, |
| narrow banks of the lake. In winter, especially in | | | | lakes and forests, where travellers can enjoy a |
| February, you are almost certain to spot | | | | peaceful retreat. |
| flamingos and godwits. A rarer find is the African | | | | The Atlas Mountains and the desert beyond are |
| marsh owl. In spring the area blooms with | | | | Morocco's true glory, described by one traveller |
| brooms, crocuses and marigolds. | | | | as 'lots of different colours of nothing'. Camel |
| Morocco Birds & Beaches | | | | trekking, kitesurfing, windsurfing, walking, mule |
| About 22 km from Kenitra are the well-known | | | | trekking (prices start from about £6 per |
| Plage des Nations and Jardins Exotiques, situated | | | | mule and about £9 per guide), climbing and |
| on the road that runs along the coastline. The bird | | | | viewing prehistoric rock carvings are among the |
| watching in these areas is less rich but the beach | | | | other active delights of a visit to Morocco. |
| is a wonderful place to retreat to around midday. | | | | Of course, Morocco is not all landscape and |
| Plage des Nations, named in honour of the | | | | legwork. There are the souks, the festivals, the |
| diplomatic families that frequent the beach, is | | | | mosques and minarets of the capital and other |
| great for surfing but the currents are strong and | | | | cities, the musicians and snake charmers, the |
| it's not suitable for lone swimmers unfamiliar with | | | | horse-drawn cabs, the shops selling handmade |
| its vagaries. Women in bikinis have a more | | | | shoes and carpets, the historic landmarks and |
| hassle-free time here than elsewhere in Morocco. | | | | ancient buildings - enough for a year or two, let |
| The Jardins Exotiques, just five km from the | | | | alone a brief holiday in this astonishing country. |