Getting there:
Royal Air Maroc (800-344-6726) flies to Marrakech via Casablanca four times a week from New York in under nine hours. September fares start at about $775.

Renting a riyad:
Marrakech-Medina (102 Rue Dar El Bacha; 011-212-4-42-91-33; www.marrakech-medina.com) is a company that rents out 20 beautifully renovated homes in the old section of the city. The houses range in size, sleeping from 4 to 20 people; the rates are based on the number of guests and the time of year. For example, Dar El Ouali, one of the largest, costs $220 a night for two people, $270 for four, and $450 for 10, including breakfast, transportation from the airport and maid service. Children under 12 are half-price. Meals other than breakfast must be prearranged and cost about $6 per person.

Shopping:
Khalid Art Gallery (Rue Dar El Bacha; 011-212-4-44-24-10) and Trésor des Nomades (128 El Mouassine; 011-212-4-44-59-06) sell rugs, pottery and antique furniture.

--Kate Sekules