A potent blend of Arab, African and European influences, Marrakech’s spectacular setting provides a dramatic backdrop to a vibrant oasis city. The day starts with haunting calls to prayer emitted from the city’s minarets, before the obligatory haggling over rugs and jewellery within Marrakech’s famous souks begins. In the evening, a cacophonic drumbeat provides visitors with a dramatic first impression of Djemaa el-Fna, the huge square in the old town where snake charmers, fortune tellers, acrobats, musicians, and dancers cast their enchanting spell. By dusk, open-air food stalls have added their unique aromas to the chaotic sights and sounds of the city. For a more relaxing experience, take a tour of intriguing Moroccan architecture or the city’s immaculate gardens: Yves St Laurent’s Majorelle gardens and museum, for instance, provide a glamorous respite from the Marrakech madness.