Built by the French beside the perennial Ziz River, the little town of Erfoud is not characterised by the charm of a centuries-old settlement. It's red sand buildings, however, stand out in impressive contrast against the surrounding desert, and with its good hotels, restaurants and a lively souk, it is an excellent place from which to explore the surrounding landscape of desert and oases. In the latter, the people live in fort-settlements knows as ksour, whose high walls, tightly packed houses and intricate pattern of paths and alleyways are as beautiful as they are charming. Made from lime and the red sand of the region, they provided protection from both marauding nomadic tribes and the scorching sun. Surrounding these settlements are the large palm groves that have sustained these communities on the fringe of the desert for centuries. Not far, the desert offers its own tourist attraction, in the form of camel rides to the sand dunes of Merzouga.

Kasbah Derkaoua

Description The Kasbah Derkaoua is 20 kms from Erfoud, near the dunes at Merzouga (the last few kilometres are ‘off-road’). The owner, Michel, who fell in love with the area, created

Kasbah Xaluca

Description The vision of Spaniard Lluis and his Moroccan friend Tayab,the hotel has every appearance of being an ancient Kasbah, or fort. Built of traditional materials in the time-honoured way, this