Arrive in the Red City and transfer to Selman Marrakech, a lavish family-owned hotel on the outskirts of town with an enormous outdoor pool and gorgeous views of the Atlas Mountains. Marrakech is a city of two halves: the historic walled medina, founded by a sultan in 1062, and the colonial Ville Nouvelle, built by the French in the mid-20th century. Each has its own delights – the medina with its ancient palaces, labyrinthine souks and traditional way of life, and the Ville Nouvelle with its pavement cafes, trendy boutiques, gardens and boulevards.

A great way to get your bearings is to book a hot-air balloon flight above the city at sunrise, or a tour at street level in a vintage motorbike and sidecar. Other don’t-miss experiences include shopping in the souks with a private guide and escaping the hubbub in one of the city’s many gardens. We especially recommend Cactus Thiemann, the largest cactus plantation in Africa, and the Marjorelle Garden with its cooling water features, palm trees, bougainvillea and museum dedicated to Berber arts and traditions.

Transfer by road to Kasbah Tamadot, an hour’s drive from Marrakech in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. This luxurious kasbah is the ultimate mountain retreat, offering a magical mix of palatial suites and fabulous Berber tents with private hot tubs for nighttime stargazing. The hotel prides itself on being a base for exploring the region. That said, it’s equally tempting to just relax at the spa, soak up the sun around the mountain-view pool or wander the gorgeous, landscaped gardens.

Descend from the mountains to Inara Camp in the Agafay Desert. This luxury camp provides a taste of desert life without the long days of driving that the Sahara requires. Accommodation is in private safari-style tents built around an oasis-like pool, with either king or twin beds, a comfortable lounge area and a separate bathroom with hot running water. Choose from a raft of exciting activities, including trekking and 4x4 adventures, then treat yourself at night to a romantic dinner in a private tent beneath a panoply of stars.

End your adventure with a four-night stay at La Sultana Oualidia on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Overlooking a still lagoon and surrounded by beaches, oyster beds, salt marshes and gardens, this gem of a hotel is the perfect place to switch off and recharge. Rooms are works of art, with guests given mobile phones with which to contact their butler should they want to book a spa treatment, order drinks to their private terrace or arrange any number of activities and excursions. These range in scope from surfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to riding fat-bikes on the beach, guided bird-watching safaris and day trips to Safi, famous for its medina and traditional pottery workshops. Transfer back to Marrakech on day 11 in time to catch your flight home.