Every Tuesday one of the most important and big souks is set up at Amizmiz in the High Atlas mountain region. If you have a taste for something off the beaten track, then a visit to this mountain town will take you into the smaller, less tourist-ridden parts of the country.

This idyllic village setting in the midst of the Atlas Mountains is one of the most picturesque places in Morocco. A trip here is pleasing to the eye and the soul alike.

Bargaining is not just common in the souks of Marrakech; it is actually expected. Bargaining is an art form learnt over time, but a thumb rule is to start really low and work up to not more than 50% of the price quoted by the seller. When shopkeepers see tourists, they tend to raise their asking price quite a bit and tend not to budge, so be prepared to drive a hard bargain. Quite often the bargaining is part of the selling experience for the shopkeepers and something they enjoy doing. Shopping is a leisurely pursuit and negotiation is part of the experience. Be prepared to explain why you feel the price is too high.

Easily one of the biggest of North Africa's Madrassas, this school is affiliated to the Ben Youssef Mosque next door and is rich in architecture and art.

Just five minutes from the Jemaa El Fna on the Rue Riad Zitoun Jdid is this palace turned museum housing artefacts from the various eras of Moroccan history. The museum has some fine examples of weaponry, wood carvings and musical instruments down the ages. Wood carving and art are given prominence here. The pottery, carpets, clothing and ceramics sections offer a fascinating glimpse into life in the country. Most of the artefacts here come from the regions in and around Marrakech in the south, with a majority from the High Atlas, Anti Atlas, Bani, Tafilal and Tensift.

The El Badi Palace has been less fortunate than some other monuments in Morocco and lies in a state of disrepair. The once opulent palace is now home to stray cats and storks! However, the underground passageways make for an adventurous expedition and the panoramic view one gets from the terrace is one of a kind. Entry is 10 Dirhams.

This palace is a popular stop on almost all guided tours of the city. This beautiful palace gives visitors an idea of the life and times of noblemen in nineteenth century Morocco. The gardens outside have a variety of beautiful plants, including banana flowers. Entry costs 10 Dirhams.

Tourist Hammams in Marrakech are, as one would expect, aimed at keeping the foreigner in Morocco happy. Not too different from a spa, these Hammams are actively advertised to tourists and rarely visited by locals. Prices, too, are much higher than the regular Hammams that the locals visit. For the extra money what you get is a pleasant and well experienced therapist, who will scrub you down and give you the ‘treatments'. Though this 150 Dirham experience is not quite the real thing, it is close enough and far less intimidating. Get recommendations for a good Hammam from your hotel.

If you are brave enough to try the local Popular Hammam, then this will be quite an experience. Not for the faint hearted, this is a Hammam experience as the locals would have it. Get suggestions from the staff at your hotel and ask them for places to which they would themselves go.

A visit to the Jemaa El Fna is quite easily the highlight of an evening in Marrakech. This square sits at the very centre of the medina and is alive with sights and sounds from a bygone era. Dancers, musicians and storytellers will keep you entertained as the rhythmic drums and loud voices energize you. You can grab a bite at one of the many food stalls dotting the area and then head off to a henna tattoo stall to have an exotic Moroccan design imprinted on you. Remember, though, while all the performances can be entertaining, you are expected to offer some form of payment as a contribution for watching.

During the daytime, the same square is chock-a-block with different exotic animals, snake charmers and performing monkeys. The henna artists work during the day as well, but many are more skilled at marketing their services than actually drawing the tattoos. Pick a stall carefully and make sure you don't get distracted while they draw out a poor rendition of some beautiful pattern you had actually selected.

Another sight close to the Jemaa El Fna is the Koutoubia Mosque which has been named after a book market that once stood in the same spot where the mosque is today. This iconic mosque is as much a symbol of Marrakech as the Eiffel Tower is of Paris. The mosque is beautifully lit up every night and is a magical sight. The minaret can be seen from the Gueliz. The Avenue Mohammed V connects the Medina to Gueliz.

Entrance to these gardens in Gueliz may seem expensive compared to what one pays at other sites, but the 30 Dirhams you pay to enter this oasis of calm is well worth it. Once within the gardens the dust and crowds of the city outside seem a world away. There are a number of different species of plants here from around the world, including a huge variety of cacti. If you'd like your visit here to be tranquil, try and get in early. Also visit the Museum of Islamic Art inside - entrance is charged separately for this.

Marrakech is the hub of Morocco's tanning industry and you're sure to find some great bargains in leather goods here. Quality is superlative and there's plenty of variety too. There are even products made from camel leather, like handbags and jackets.

A more unusual souvenir you can take away from your trip is some locally produced cactus silk. This ‘silk' is made from the cellulose of plants and is a type of rayon. Since rayon can retain dyes well, the choice of colours is mind boggling. You can pick up handbags, scarves, bedspreads, throws and tablecloths but be careful you don't get charged too much for them - some shopkeepers mark up prices for unwitting tourists.

On your trip to the city, don't miss the potters' souk. The vibrant bowls and platters make excellent gifts for friends and family back home. You could even pick up a tagine for a foodie friend or for yourself.

Another popular buy from Marrakech are the cashmere shawls which sell for under a fiver. Do be prepared to bargain the prices down though.

To see the snow or experience skiing in Morocco, there is no better place than Oukaimeden. With a ski lift towering above the landscape at 3268 metres, this location south of Marrakech is a skier's paradise. Many locals from the south of the country have taken to skiing with great fervour and made the sport their very own. The resort itself has a markedly Moroccan feel to it but comes with all the conveniences and services you'd expect of a world-class ski resort. You can rent equipment right here so your baggage isn't weighed down by tons of skiing paraphernalia. 250 Dirhams buys you a day at the resort, including the price of the lift pass. Gazing out on the never ending blanket of white snow it is hard to imagine one is in sub-tropical Africa!

The areas surrounding Oukaimeden are blessed with natural splendour and the changing of the seasons bring with them new colours and new experiences. The lure of Oukaimeden itself, however, remains largely confined to winter, during the peak skiing season. And even if you aren't a skier, you can take in the stupendous views or venture out on a hike along a mountain trail to find yourself another vantage point.

These now famous tombs were actually discovered only in the early twentieth century and that is perhaps why they are still so beautifully preserved. Built by the Saadian rulers, these tombs have withstood the ravages of time and historical strife due to various superstitions associated with the destruction of the tombs. Since the entrance to the tombs was blocked, these tombs remained undiscovered for centuries. If you venture into the complex you will see the heavy usage of Moroccan tiles called Zelij and other art work. A visit here won't take much time and is certainly worth the effort. Do look out for the differences between Christian and Jewish tombs - each have their unique markings and orientation.

At the very end of the motorable section of the road is a little village in the Ourika Valley. While most homes of villagers here are located above the road and are not visited by outsiders, it is the charming countryside and the delightful walks to the seven waterfalls that keep visitors occupied.

The souks or suuqs are the markets of Marrakech and can be found in the sections surrounding the Jemaa El Fna. These quaint old marketplaces are wonderful places to explore even if you don't have anything on your shopping list. The heady aroma of spices is the first thing that strikes you, followed closely by the wondrous sight of beautifully made shoes, flowing kaftans and jalabas, tagines and even tea pots, all vying for your attention. You may not always get the best rates, since most shopkeepers charge a foreigner more than they do the locals. However, that shouldn't stop you from bargaining and getting some discounts. The shopkeepers are pleasant and mild mannered, unlike in Turkey or Egypt, so don't worry about them getting aggressive!