We passed through a gate and were confronted by other ramparts. Then we entered an outskirt of dusty red lanes bordered by clay hovels with draped figures slinking by like ghosts. After that more walls, more gates, more endlessly winding lanes, more gates again, more turns, a dusty open space with donkeys and camels and negroes; a final wall with a great door under a lofty arch--and suddenly we were in the palace of the Bahia, among flowers and shadows and falling water.

Morocco exudes Maghrebi mystique, with medina lands leading to souqs and riads, camels disappearing into the Sahara and Berber villages perched in the High Atlas. Grab a mint tea and enjoy the show. James Bainbridge, Lonely Planet Writer Our Promise You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authors visit the places we write about, each and every edition. We never accept freebies for positive coverage, and you can rely on us to tell it like we see it. Inside This Book 4 authors137 days of on-the-road research103 maps411 cups of mint teaInspirational photosClear, easy-to-use mapsPull-out city mapTrekking featureComprehensive planning toolsIn-depth background

In the tradition of A Year in Provence and Under the Tuscan Sun, acclaimed English travel writer Tahir Shah shares a highly entertaining account of making an exotic dream come true. By turns hilarious and harrowing, here is the story of his family’s move from the gray skies of London to the sun-drenched city of Casablanca, where Islamic tradition and African folklore converge–and nothing is as easy as it seems….Inspired by the Moroccan vacations of his childhood, Tahir Shah dreamed of making a home in that astonishing country. At age thirty-six he got his chance. Investing what money he and his wife, Rachana, had, Tahir packed up his growing family and bought Dar Khalifa, a crumbling ruin of a mansion by the sea in Casablanca that once belonged to the city’s caliph, or spiritual leader.With its lush grounds, cool, secluded courtyards, and relaxed pace, life at Dar Khalifa seems sure to fulfill Tahir’s fantasy–until he discovers that in many ways he is farther from home than he imagined. For in Morocco an empty house is thought to attract jinns, invisible spirits unique to the Islamic world. The ardent belief in their presence greatly hampers sleep and renovation plans, but that is just the beginning. From elaborate exorcism rituals involving sacrificial goats to dealing with gangster neighbors intent on stealing their property, the Shahs must cope with a new culture and all that comes with it. Endlessly enthralling, The Caliph’s House charts a year in the life of one family who takes a tremendous gamble. As we follow Tahir on his travels throughout the kingdom, from Tangier to Marrakech to the Sahara, we discover a world of fierce contrasts that any true adventurer would be thrilled to call home.

Using detailed maps, cutaways, floor plans and color Street Finder, navigate your way around the sprawling Medinas and magnificent ancient urban architecture while expert recommendations provide you with the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Soak up the endless flavors of the country with sights, beaches, markets and festivals listed region by region, town by town. And with special features explaining everything from the historic cultural mix of Berber, African and Arabic peoples, to details of the many ancient Kasbahs, mosques and colorful Souks, this comprehensive guide won't let you down.

"The Rough Guide to Morocco" is the ultimate travel guide to this African Kingdom with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best Moroccan attractions. From the labyrinthine streets of Fes to troupes of barbary apes, striking mosques and vibrant arts and crafts, discover Morocco's highlights inspired by dozens of colour photos. Find detailed coverage of the must-see sights and practical advice on getting around the country whilst relying on up-to-date descriptions of the best bars, clubs, shops and restaurants for all budgets, as well as the best accommodation from cheap hotels, deluxe hotels, riads, quiet hideaways and mountain lodges. "The Rough Guide to Morocco" includes three full-colour sections on Moroccan architecture, Crafts and souvenirs and Festivals and music and a crucial language section with basic words, phrases and handy tips for pronunciation. You'll find up-to-date information on excursions around the country, from the Saharan oases to the High Atlas mountains. Explore every corner of Morocco with detailed maps and expert background on everything from Moroccan story telling to Moroccan wildlife. Make the most of your holiday with "The Rough Guide to Morocco".

Useful phrases to help navigate beaches and cities, trek in the Rif or Atlas mountains, or explore the Sahara.

A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette in Morocco

How to choose among the thousands of shops, stores, and souk stalls? And how to even find them in this labyrinthine city, where street names and addresses seldom appear on the city map? Let Susan Simon guide you through the winding alleys, hidden courtyards, and bustling markets to uncover the best of the treasures of Marrakech: luxurious caftans; bejeweled shoes and slippers; ethnic jewelry; handmade decorative objects for the home; beautifully embroidered linens; colorful ceramics; sequined antique shawls; gold-encrusted glassware. The stylish author and the photographer (who has appeared on the world’s best-dressed list) both have dozens of ideas of how to incorporate your exotic finds into every wardrobe and home. The guide is divided into seven separate walks–and little bonus walks–that take you through the main shopping areas, using the author’s precise directions and visual landmarks. And, as a caterer and cookbook author, Simon can’t resist pointing out her favorite spots for everything from mint tea and pastries to fragrant tagines–many hidden behind innocuous entrances and set in ancient, verdant riads (traditional Moroccan courtyard homes) or on terraces overlooking the breathtaking city.

Drawing on the same standards of accuracy as the acclaimed DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, each book in DK's Top 10 series uses evocative color photography, excellent cartography, and up-to-date travel content to create a reliable and useful pocket-sized travel guide. Dozens of Top 10 lists provide vital information on each destination, as well as insider tips, from uncovering a city's most memorable sights to finding the best restaurants and hotels in each neighborhood. And to save you time and money, there's even a Top 10 list of Things to Avoid. Each Top 10 contains a pull-out map and guide that includes fold-out maps of city metro systems, useful phone numbers, and 60 great ideas on how to spend your day.

The Medina -- the Old City -- of Fez is the best-preserved, medieval walled city in the world. Inside this vibrant Moroccan community, internet cafes and mobile phones coexist with a maze of donkey-trod alleyways, thousand-year-old sewer systems, and Arab-style houses, gorgeous with intricate, if often shabby, mosaic work. While vacationing in Morocco, Suzanna Clarke and her husband, Sandy, are inspired to buy a dilapidated, centuries-old riad in Fez with the aim of restoring it to its original splendor, using only traditional craftsmen and handmade materials. So begins a remarkable adventure that is bewildering, at times hilarious, and ultimately immensely rewarding. A House in Fez chronicles their meticulous restoration, but it is also a journey into Moroccan customs and lore and a window into the lives of its people as friendships blossom. When the riad is finally returned to its former glory, Suzanna finds she has not just restored an old house, but also her soul.