From here, it’s a short hop to Dar Si Said, a graceful 19th-century mansion outfitted in Moroccan master craftsmanship, ranging from High Atlas carpets to Berber jewelry. More lavish still is the nearby Bahia Palace, also built in the 19th century, and with a keen eye for detail — as seen in the marble finishes, calligraphy work, and elabo- rately painted zouak ceilings that adorn the chambers and courtyards. Once you’ve finished gawking at the ornate handiwork, follow your nose to the nearby spice souk where you can buy ingredients such as ras el hanout , cumin, and saffron to add oomph to Moroccan dishes back home. Then continue south to Kasbah for a ramble among the enigmatic ruins of Sultan Ahmed el-Mansour’s 16th-century El Badi Palace, a once-sumptuous 360-room affair. As day softens into dusk, wander over to the Kosybar for a rooftop cocktail. Watch as storks flutter down to their nests on the palace walls opposite, and Koutoubia Mosque lights up in the distance. Day 3: French Flair in Guéliz No trip to Marrakech would be complete without admiring Koutoubia, the city’s most visible icon. You’ll hear the muezzin’s raspy adhan (call to prayer) drift from the approximately 230-foot minaret of this 12th-century mosque five times a day. For close-up views of its keyhole arches and exterior stonework, go for a fragrant stroll among the roses, orange trees, and palms that grow in the gardens. Reflective pools mirror the mosque’s perfect symmetry. Out on Avenue Mohammed V, hop in a petit taxi to Guéliz. French colonizers laid out this neighborhood in the early 1900s and it shows. A far cry from the labyrinthine medina, this is a district of easy-to- navigate boulevards, where chic boutiques sidle up to pavement cafes and Paris-worthy patisseries. Rue de la Liberté is the go-to street for everything from Moroccan housewares to prêt-à-porter kaftans, and if you’re in the market for a top-quality Berber carpet, stop in to Ben Rahal. Prices are fair, and the shopping experience is hassle-free. For a leisurely lunch in this part of town, the Moroccan home-style dishes — such as méchoui (lamb slow-roasted on a fire until meltingly tender) — at Al Fassia are highly recommended. Spend a refreshingly peaceful afternoon at Jardin Majorelle — the botanical escape of late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent — where a cobalt-blue villa sits among gardens bristling with Californian palms, bamboo, and cacti. Complete this day with a decadent night out on the town around Hivernage, home to the city’s ritziest casinos and lounges. Begin your evening with an expertly mixed cocktail at the gilded bar of the truly palatial Royal Mansour, or with a G&T at Le Bar Churchill, which can be found at La Mamounia. It is named after former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, one of many dis- tinguished guests over the years. Round out your Marrakech trip with a pinch of Arabian Nights fantasy at candlelit dinner club Le Comptoir Darna, where the soft caramel tart dessert competes for your attention with the belly dancers. Kerry Christiani is a freelance travel writer and the author of Frommer’s Marrakech Day by Day guide. She contributes frequently to Lonely Planet and bbc.com/travel. IntervalWorld.com INTERVAL WORLD Spring 2015 41 A No-Haggle Getaway Deal Make an exchange or buy a Getaway at IntervalWorld.com. Getaways start at $779 for a one-bedroom unit. Getaway price valid from April 1 through August 31, 2015. RESORT DIRECTORY: IntervalWorld.com or page 294 CLIMATE: The average daytime high during summertime is from the high 70s to the high 90s. DON’T MISS: The mesmerizing Saadian Tombs, where columns of marble and carved doors enshrine about 160 deceased Saadians. CURRENCY: Moroccan dirham TIPPING: Leave 10% to 15% of the bill at restaurants. INTERVAL TRAVEL: IntervalWorld.com RENTAL CAR: Not recommended, unless you want to explore on your own beyond the city. VISITOR INFORMATION: Moroccan National Tourist Office 212.221.1583 visitmorocco.com maison mk; Godong/Robert Harding Picture Library/SuperStock Djemaa el-Fna Avenue Mohammed V Rue Riad Zitoun el-Jedid Bahia Palace Dar Si Said Koutoubia El Badi Palace Guéliz Jardin Majorelle Marrakech-Medina Kasbah Hivernage Marrakech fast FACTS