Taroudant - The Grandmother Of Marrakech: Taroudant lies some 90 minutes to the east of Agadir and has played an important role in Morocco's varied history, being in the 16 th century , the capital of the Sâadien Dynasty, The town is on the Souss Plain, overlooked by the Tichka Range of virgin mountains .. Taroudant was the starting point for the Gold caravans, therefore, has no 'European' feel to it – no wide boulevards, no modern buildings. A small, bustling souq to wander through before a brief stop at the old Sultan's Palace, now an hotel, where we shall stop to relax and enjoy a quiet drink in lush gardens prior to setting off back to Agadir