The name Marrakech originates from the Amazigh (Berber) words amur (n) kush, which means "Land of God." It is the third-largest city in Morocco, after Casablanca and Fez, and lies near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. It is a few hours from the foot of the Sahara Desert. Its location and contrasting landscape have made it an enviable destination in Morocco.

Tangier is a fascinating Moroccan city to visit. It has many of the things that travelers love--a sense of exotic mystery, interesting history, beautiful vistas, and unspoiled beaches. It's easy enough to navigate if you're used to Western cities, while being clearly different from those Western cities. An uncontrolled mix of north Africa, Spain, Portugal and France, Tangier is located in northern Morocco, and was under joint international control until 1956. The city is separated from Spain by the 20 miles of the Strait of Gibraltar. Frequent ferries make the short crossing from Europe each day, and many cruise ships sailing between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic often include Tangier as a port of call.

Fez or Fes is one of the imperial cities of Morocco. It is famous for being home to the world's oldest university, the Qarawiyyin university (established in 859 but became a university in 1963). It has an ancient walled city, which many compare to the walled city of Jerusalem.

Casablanca almost universally referred to as 'Casa', is the cosmopolitan, industrial and economic heart of Morocco and its largest city, as well as perhaps one of the less obviously endearing cities in the country. With a small, unassuming medina and a busy ville nouvelle, travellers arriving via Casablanca may be tempted to find the first train out to nearby Rabat. The awe-inspiring Hassan II Mosque and happening nightlife, however, are worth at least a day of your Moroccan itinerary. And if you are the more adventurous, independent sort of traveller who wants to go beyond what is 'pretty', this is North African big city life in all its grit and glory, with its cultural diversity (there are immigrants here from many other parts of Africa), and its many neighbourhoods of vibrant day- and night-life.

Merzouga is a village in the Sahara Desert in Morocco, on the edge of Erg Chebbi, a 50km long and 5km wide set of sand dunes that reach up to 350m. Most people are here to take a camel safari into the dunes, and to get a taste of remote (tourism-influenced) Berber life.