On Location: Taroudant, Morocco

Marie Claire's fashion team visits sunny Taroudant

Marie Claire's fashion team visits sunny Taroudant

We stayed at...

La Gazelle d'Or (gazelledor.com), an elegant 30 suite hotel set on a 250 acre organic estate with rose gardens and a terrace restaurant serving homegrown produce. There's also a large heated pool, tennis, a divine spa and stables with six Arab horses you can ride. Double rooms cost from £500 including breakfast and dinner for two.

Desert dreams: a bedroom at La Gazelle d'Or

Our top five things to do...

Go shopping for spices, jewellery and kaftans in the nearby walled city of Taroudant. Hike in the Atlas Mountains...

Then relax in the hammam at La Gazelle d'Or.

Drive up to Tizi n Test, the highest mountain pass in Morocco.

Combine your visit with some time in Marrakech or Essaouira on the coast, both a few hours drive away. Lawrence of Morocco (lawrenceofmorocco.com) can arrange a tour.

Garden of delights: relax amid the richly decorated interiors at La Gazelle d'Or

Let's go...

easyJet (easyjet.com) flies direct from London Gatwick to Agadir, from £72 return; from here it's a 45 minute drive inland to Taroudant. Morocco (£16.99; Rough Guides) is a comprehensive guide, or see visitmorocco.com.

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