Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
khettara
system of locks, levers and canals. More than 100 bird species flourish here. Stay
overnight in a pisé guesthouse and explore the
palmeraie
on foot or bicycle.
Kasbah Amridil
(unguided/guided visit Dh10/50)
Morocco's most coveted kasbah is this 17th-century wonder,
which appears on Morocco's 50-dirham note. Signposted just a few hundred metres from
the main road, this living museum shows that traditional kasbah life hasn't changed much
over the centuries, with hand-carved door locks, an olive-oil press, still-functioning bread
ovens, and goats bleating in the courtyard.
KASBAH
EVERY PALM TREE DESERVES A HAND
Walking the Skoura Oasis, feet naturally fall into rhythm with the bossa-nova sway of stately palms.
But they're not here for looks: palms have work to do in the oasis, providing dates, shade and fronds
to be woven into roofing material, floor coverings and fencing.
Palms are plentiful in this 'Oasis of 1000 Palms', but not one of them can be taken for granted. One
concern is Bayoud disease, a fungus that passes from palm to palm. Unesco is taking steps to protect
palm oases from Aït Benhaddou to Figuig, declaring the oases a biosphere reserve, and the Moroccan
government is planting palms believed to be Bayoud-resistant.
But Skoura's majestic palms face another danger, reports the director of the
Skoura Cultural
Centre's
( 0524 85 23 92) palm-preservation initiative. 'The biggest threat to our palms isn't actu-
ally Bayoud: it's poverty,' he says. 'When crops fail, to support their families, some people illegally
sell palms to decorate big-city resorts.'
To address this problem, the centre recently opened an
oasis arts showcase
( 8.30am-noon,
3.30-5pm) on the N10 on the eastern edge of town. Here Skoura residents sell items made with palm
fronds, sustainably harvested without harming the trees. For travellers who've admired Morocco's
majestic palm groves, these sun hats, breadbaskets, mats and frond-framed lanterns make meaningful
mementos - and purchases support the centre's palm-preservation efforts.
Sleeping & Eating
Skoura is a wonderfully peaceful place to overnight with the best accommodation hidden
in the
palmeraie
. Most places here tend towards the higher end of the budget, but they're
absolutely worth it. Given that this is a small oasis, there are no real restaurants, so hotels
offer full board, or half board with some light lunch options. If you're just passing
through, you may be able to book lunch (depending on numbers), but you'll need to re-
serve ahead.
