We visited a Roman ruin at Volubilis on our way from Casablanca to Fes, which is in the middle of the olive-growing region of Morocco. Many fruits and vegetables are grown throughout the western part of Morocco. We arrived there late in the afternoon. As we explored the ruins, which contain mosaic floors and majestic columns dating from 25 B.C., the sun began to set, and the sky became a brilliant orange and red. It was a beautiful place to watch the sunset, and we all lingered, not wanting to spoil the moment. 

Then the crescent moon came out, making the whole visit perfect. Fes (rhymes with “yes.” Fez with a “z” is type of headwear.) is a thriving city, one of the four oldest imperial cities in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We spent a memorable day exploring an amazing market. We saw everything from fresh fish, live chickens, spices and nuts to pottery, brass and textiles as we made our way through crowded alleys. Every now and then someone would shout Bah-rock!, which means make way and watch out, then a horse and rider or a large push cart or motorcycle would weave through the crowd. It would be very easy to get lost there, so we made sure to keep an eye on our local guide, but it was so tempting to stop, talk to the shopkeepers and make a purchase or two. Driving through the High Atlas Mountains provided us with many scenic vistas and panoramic views of this less populated but beautiful part of Morocco. We were looking forward to seeing the Berbers who live in this area and seeing how they live. We were able to visit a home located in the Kasbah of Telouet, which was a fortress of the Pasha of Marrakesh until 1956. The family was preparing for the feast but took time to invite us in and show us several rooms in their home, which was simply furnished, comfortable and welcoming. In the desert city of Ouarzazate, we visited Atlas Studios, by acreage the largest film studio in the world. Many movies have been filmed here, including “The Mummy,” “Gladiator” and “Kingdom of Heaven,” and touring through the studio jogged many memories of scenes from these films. It was amazing to see the sets up close and realize that what looks like a massive Egyptian temple in the film actually is a structure made of plywood or even cardboard. The “Game of Thrones” TV series was being filmed there that day, but the set was off limits to us. Near Marrakech we had a memorable day visiting two PDT sponsors. Villa de Lac, an elegant, small hotel, is situated at the foot of the Atlas Mountains on Lalla   Takerkoust Lake.