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ing on to the more specialized Souk Lakbir (clothes and fabrics), Souk es Sebbat ( jew- elry) and the crowd-pleasing Souk el-Atta- rine (spices, food and exotic home remedies). Bargaining is common in Moroccan markets, but only begin negotiations for something you actually want. It's OK to start at a low or fraction of the seller's price but get ready to go back and forth. Remember to always mind your manners (even if your seller doesn't) and never surrender your right to politely walk away. CAMEL AND CAMP IN THE SAHARA Treading into the world's largest desert at sunrise aboard its traditional mode of transportation, a camel, will fulfi ll your Lawrence of Arabia dreams, inspire a deep appreciation for the magic of the Sahara and confi rm the romance-free realities of dromedary travel in a single half-day or multiday dune clomp. Start in the tiny camel-trekking- serviced village of Merzouga in Southeastern Morocco, home to the massive dunes of Erg Chebbi. Up the experience on a desert camping (or "glamping") tour fea- turing overnights in cozy Berber- style tents, multicourse dinners and a Saharan solitude that "is so thick," notes local guide Kamal Oujaa of Morocco-based Zen rom mountain to desert, beach to blue-hued hill town, this ever-popular North African destination and historical crossroads packs enough singular attractions, experiences, delectable meals and UNESCO World Heritage Sites inside its broad, bewitching borders to launch several trips in one. SOUK HOP THROUGH MARRAKECH, FEZ AND RABAT Morocco's trifecta of cultural hubs — Mar- rakech, Fez and Rabat — feature spectacular souks (markets). Wandering the country's famed open-air, bazaars is a common thread in these iconic Moroccan towns, each replete with their own forms of labyrinthine sensory overload. Marrakech's epic maze of souks in its 11th- century medina (old quarter) are deceptively well-arranged according to goods. Start in Souk Semmarine — the main alley — and peruse everything from pottery, textiles and various tchotchkes before forking into numerous neighboring sub-souks dedicated to silks, spices, slippers and that silver tray you weren't expecting to need. In Fez, get a dizzying bird's-eye view of the whole place from the edge of the medina's lofty 16th-century fortress in Borj Nord before descending into the ancient walled city's time warp of mar- ket madness, carpet co-ops and Chouara leather tanneries. Rabat is Morocco's present-day capital — home to the Royal Palace, the historic Kasbah des Oudayas and some of the coun- try's most manageable souk stops. Shop its central marketplace (Marché Central) before mov- American Airlines begins new service to Morocco this summer. Customers can now book travel from Philadelphia (PHL) to Casablanca, Morocco (CMN) three times a week. The summer service runs through Sept. 8. AACREDITUNION.ORG | 23