The Great Escape: Marrakech, Morocco
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To the north of the central Jemaa el-Fna square, cradled within the medina's fortresslike walls, are Marrakech's traditional markets, or souks. At Souk des Épices (Spice Market), load up on fragrant toiletries like black-olive soap ($1) and moisturizing argan oil, made from local trees ($4). And at Souk des Babouches (Slipper Market), colorful handmade leather slippers are dressed up with sequins ($5–$15).
eat
By day, dozens of fresh orange juice stalls in Jemaa el-Fna make use of the city's bountiful tangerine and orange trees (40¢ per glass). At night the stalls are wheeled away, replaced with a tidy row of open-air kitchens. Diners sit shoulder-to-shoulder at communal tables and eat harira, a soup made with tomatoes and chickpeas and served with bread and dates ($1).
stay
The serene 14-room Hôtel du Trésor is just a few minutes' walk south of Jemaa el-Fna. Each room is uniquely styled—the owner is a movie set designer—but all have intricate mosaics made of hand-painted tiles (011-212/524-37-51-13, hotel-du-tresor.com, from $50).
do
At Les Bains de Marrakech, you can literally be steeped in Moroccan tradition. Spend 45 minutes in a hammam, or steam bath, then relax for a while on the daybeds in the sunny central courtyard (011-212/524-38-14-28, lesbainsdemarrakech.com, hammam $20).
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