2001

Marrakech is the most exotic destination you can reach in a short hop from London. In four and a bit hours you can be in an ancient walled city of snake charmers and water sellers. The air is thick and moist and seems a little short of oxygen.

In the early morning, before the smog starts to thicken, you can see an incongruous line of snow capped peaks to the south, the Atlas Mountains. If you have a few days to spare it is worth taking a grand-taxi to the small village of Imlil. For a very nominal fee you can hire a mule, complete with muleteer, which can take you deep into the hills, so that the air becomes breathable again. You are walking over sparse pastures of grasses and wild-flowers. At night you will stay in small Berber villages. As you would expect from mountain people, the villagers are friendly and hospitable. They are used to travellers, who are treated with courtesy.

If you are a glider pilot, you will often notice the cumulus streets high above you.

Imlil. Picture taken 2014 from glider