Often referred to as the gateway to the Sahara, the Skoura area and surrounding expanse of sand is the desert of Hollywood movies – and quite literally so, as the Berber city of Ouarzazate has indeed provided the set of many a film over the years, including the iconic Lawrence of Arabia! If a desert can be pretty, then this is it: palm groves and red earth are littered across sand more golden than the sun, rose gardens and fertile date palm plantations are hidden in the most surprising of corners, and fortified cities (the most famous is the stunning Aït Ben Haddou) rise out of the ground, concealing secrets and rich histories. If you’re staying in the area, you’re more than likely to visit Skoura itself, an extraordinary oasis that flourishes with life, the Tadra Gorge for trekking amid the enormous rock walls, and the Valley of Roses, a place so remote it can only be reached by mule.