Marrakech is a city I enjoy returning to, but some of the best experiences begin once you leave the centre behind.

During this trip, Aurelie and I spent time outside the medina, where the busy streets gradually make way for open landscapes and views towards the Atlas Mountains.

One of our experiences was a camel ride through the countryside surrounding Marrakech. It is a very different setting from the souks and restaurants of the city and an easy way to add something completely different to a few days in Marrakech.

We also took a hot-air balloon flight. Most flights leave early in the morning, when conditions are suitable and the landscape around Marrakech can be seen from above. From the balloon, you get a sense of just how quickly the city gives way to rural areas, desert-like terrain and, on clear days, views towards the Atlas Mountains.

What I liked about combining these experiences was the contrast. You can spend one day walking through the medina, having lunch in the city and visiting shops and riads, then spend the next morning almost completely away from it all.

It is also a reminder that returning to a destination does not mean repeating the same trip. There is always another part to discover and sometimes someone travelling with you introduces you to experiences you might not have chosen yourself.

For me, this was a different way of experiencing a city I already knew and another reason to return.

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