India, April 29 -- There are retail destinations, and then there is Marrakesh: a riotous mash-up of exquisite craft traditions, global influences, high fashion, and homegrown hipster chic. Here's the throwback when we once blew the budget on a week in the medina. Text by Eve Macsweeney & phorographs by Soraya Matos

I am standing on a rooftop slap-bang in the middle of the Marrakesh medina, the winding maze of streets that makes up the Moroccan city's original, medieval heart. The 360 view is a patchwork of pink walls, stone-lattice windows, and flat roofs, some with colourful rugs hung out to air in the sun. The occasional minaret or extra-tall palm tree rises above the skyline. Beyond them, the burning blue horizon stretches all the way...