Morocco is rich in culture influenced by Europeans, Africans, Arabs and Berbers. The area around Rabat, for example, has been occupied since Paleolithic times. It became a Roman colony after the fall of the Carthaginians and after the break up of the African empire became an independent Berber state. Sacked by the Portuguese, it became little more than a village until refugees from Andalucia arrived in the 17th century. It prospered again as the pirate state of the Republic of the Bou Regreg until 1829, when Austria shelled Rabat and other coastal towns in revenge for the loss of a ship. Once again it regressed to little more than a village until the French made it the capital city of Morocco in 1912.

With a wealth of history, Morocco makes for an ideal cultural holiday. Take in Imperial Cities & Desert on a 2-week holiday visiting the cities of the sultans, before driving into the Saharan wilderness. Fes is the religious and cultural centre of Morocco, and reportedly the oldest of the imperial cities, while Meknes is famous for the Sultan Moulay Ismail's enormous palace complex that was never finished. If you want to sample the Bedouin way of life, you have the option of sleeping one night in the desert in a traditional Berber tent.

Accommodation on the above tour is mostly in small, simple hotels. You can also do this tour 'In Style', staying in riads and kasbahs. Riads are renovated and converted townhouses that are arranged around a central, shaded courtyard. Kasbahs are large fortified country palaces - entire villages, sometimes - usually built by the local warlords or rulers in former times. Typically, Kasbahs are enclosed by high walls built with mud, palm logs and other natural materials sourced locally.

Ride the Kasbah Trail, passing through oases and the Anti-Atlas Mountains on your way to the Berber village of Tagoudiche where you'll stay two nights in the village community house giving you the change to learn about Berber life. A true cultural holiday, with ample opportunities to learn about the 'Blue Men': the fearless Tuareg tribe.

For a cultural holiday with a difference, travel from Moorish Spain to Marrakech by train and boat. Starting in Andalucia, we ignore the touristy Costa del Sol, heading inland instead to explore its Moorish history. You will then wend your way through Morocco from Tangiers to Marrakech, stopping off to explore the imperial cities of Fes and Rabat, with the option to visit the ancient Roman site of Volubilis.

The Atlas Mountains offer excellent walking for serious hikers. The rugged range runs east to west for some 1,500 miles with the highest summit being Jebel Toubkal at 4,165m.

The High Atlas Trek takes you to lesser-known villages, overnighting in Berber village houses, gites, mountain huts or tents. There is no exact route as walks depend on weather conditions and the ability of the group. Options include a hike to the alpine valleys of Oukalmeden or through juniper forests to Amskere.

Trek to the Mgoun Massif from the lush Bou Gomez valley. The Mgoun Massif is remote, making it a great alternative to the busier Toubkal region. A few nights of camping give you the opportunity to sleep under the stars (weather permitting).

If you like walking but want a solid roof over your head when sleeping, our Marrakech & High Atlas walking holiday is for you. The Kasbah du Toubkal, once the home of the ruling Caid - and… temporarily converted to a Tibetan monastery for Martin Scorsese's film about the Dalai Lama - is your base for four nights, as you explore the surrounding countryside.

When the mountain passes of the High Atlas Mountains close in the autumn, we move south into the Jebel Sahro for our walking holidays. A jumble of volcanic monoliths that have been gouged and chiselled to form canyons, mesas and plateaux, only ruined kasbahs, date palms and irrigated meadows show signs of human life here.

For those who like cycling, why not try a cycling holiday in Morocco? Pedal your way through a southern oasis, passing kasbahs, ksours and Berber villages. You'll have an exhilarating descent down the Tizi n'Tichka pass into the northern foothills of the Atlas mountains.

Although Morocco may feel like a different world, it's only about 3 hours from London, making it ideal for a short break with a difference.

For those who like a challenge, tackle Jebel Toubkal - North Africa's highest point. Strenuous but non-technical, it's worth it for the views over the Sahara and High Atlas Mountains. We stop off en route at the traditional Berber village of Aremd and the site of the marabout shrine of Sidi Chamarouch (although only Muslims can cross the bridge to visit the shrine itself).

Take a Saharan Escape to explore some of the desert on this short break in the stamping ground of the Tuaregs. After driving through the ever-changing desert scenery, camp out on the sands and enjoy the spectacle off one of the clearest night and busiest skies anywhere: with so many shooting stars visible, you won't need fireworks here! The desert is home to a surprising number of creatures: take a nature walk to look for trails of desert-dwelling birds, insects and other animals; and if you're feeling active, a camel ride around the dunes at Tinfou is always a fun option.

Take a family holiday with a difference in Morocco. There's plenty to delight your tribe, from camping under the stars in the desert to discovering the history of some of the imperial cities.

Journey into Barbary, travelling from Andalucia to Marrakech. Try your hand at haggling in the souks; see the ancient Roman ruins at Volubilis, which is believed to have been the source for many of the beasts used in the infamous Roman games; walk in the Central High Atlas and learn all about the ways of the Berbers.

Enjoy the amazing contrasts of southern Morocco on our Kasbahs & Camels family holiday. As well as exploring oases, dunes, mountains and Berber villages, you'll also visit the Atlas Film Studios where Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia were produced.

Try a family holiday in the Atlas Mountains for an adventure amongst some of the most welcoming people anywhere. Walk to Berber villages, have lunch with a local family, ride a mule (optional) and see how good you are at spotting the birdlife. Enjoy the laid back ambience (and French pastries!) of Essaouira, the jewel coastal town situated within 15th century Portuguese fortifications, before finishing in vibrant Marrakech, the ultimate open air 'circus'!