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Just one hour from Marrakech, pay a visit to Sir Richard Branson’s stunning retreat Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains. Enjoy dinner under the stars in their restaurant, Kanoun, or make an appointment at the Asounfou Spa. You can also arrange hiking tours, horse riding or a 4X4 jeep excursion.

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For those who don’t have a long time to spend in Morocco but want to get a sense of the country’s varied and dramatic landscapes, there is a fantastic encampment only a forty-five minute drive from the city called La Pause. The owner, a French expat, discovered the magical, mini oasis in the desert ten years ago when he was horseback riding in the area. Over time he has nurtured the 45-acre garden and its dozens of olive trees, all of which are fed by a natural spring, and added a kitchen and thirteen guest rooms. Tents strewn with red Moroccan carpets and cushions are artfully arranged around the property so guests can dine in the desert in style. Each of the adobe houses that feature guest rooms are set off on their own for private views. They feature Berber or straw carpets, Moroccan tin tables and stylish touches like a vintage steamer trunk turned into a bookcase as well as tons of lanterns and candelabras as there is no electricity in the camp. Gas supplies the heated water in the bathrooms, which have showers and flush toilets. Those who appreciate quiet and camping out (for even with linens on the beds, this is a camp) may spend the night but for others this is a great spot to come to for lunch or dinner. During the day it is possible to ride camels or horses or play the owner’s nine-hole golf course, which follows the canyons and where donkeys are used as caddies. Because of its memorable location and the owner’s knack for set design, this is a wildly popular location for parties and weddings.

Note: Some rooms are self-contained; others under the same roof. If privacy is important, be sure to request a house to yourself.

**Please note it is best to book this experience through Indagare for special attention. Service levels vary, and our members are given VIP treatment. Guests who have booked independently have experienced service issues.