BEIJING, June 30 -- Morocco is so rich and varied that there's no such thing as a "must-see" list. There are Berber villages, dinosaur footprints, lush gardens and dramatic archeology. There's also Rick's Cafe in Casablanca, writes Jude Townend.

    Morocco is probably best-known to Western travelers for cities like Fez, Casablanca and Marrakech. But this country in the northwest corner of Africa is actually a place of dramatic variety. On a two-week or even one-week visit, it's feasible to fit in a trip to a major city or two, in addition to exploring rural areas.

Rick's Cafe pianist Issam performs for customers in Casablanca. Rick's Cafe, opened by American Kathy Kriger in 2004, is a marvelous evocation of the Rick's Cafe in "Casablanca," the famed movie directed by Michael Curtiz, released in 1942, starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart.(Photo Source: Shanghai Daily) Photo Gallery>>>

    You might explore undulating desert dunes, the magnificent Atlas Mountains, or a tranquil beach like those found near Agadir. Or visit the Volubilis Roman ruins near Meknes, the dinosaur footprints near Azilal, or eerily quiet Berber villages around Imlil, at the base of Mount Toubkal.

    The ancient city of Fez is known for its architecture, alluring medina (the old part of the city) and Karaouine Mosque and university, dating from 859. In Marrakech, by day you can explore the Saadian tombs and the luscious Marjorelle Garden, and by night the famous Djemaa El Fna square, with its food stalls, entertainers and peddlers.

    In Casablanca, the modern, giant Hassan II Mosque looks like it's melting into the sea at sunset. And for fans of the famous 1942 Humphrey Bogart movie, head to Rick's Cafe, opened by American Kathy Kriger in 2004, a marvelous evocation of the film.

    But Americans living in Morocco advise that there's no such thing as a "must-see" list.

A tourist climbs to the top of Ait Ben Haddou fortress near Ourzazate, Morocco, along what is called "the route of 1,000 kasbahs" in the Atlas Mountains in this 2002 file photo.(Photo Source: Shanghai Daily) Photo Gallery>>>

    "There are many places beyond Marrakech that people should consider putting on their agenda," says Vanessa Noel Brown, from Washington DC, who has been studying in Rabat, the capital city, on a postgraduate scholarship since September 2007.

    The number of American visitors to Morocco is slowly increasing, according to statistics from the tourist board and the US Embassy. In 2007, 131,000 Americans visited, 13 percent more than in 2006, when 115,000 Americans arrived.

    "Americans like Morocco - they get a taste of the Arabic world, without having to go to the Middle East," said Yassine Naciri, who works at a mid-range hotel in the old part of Marrakech, the tourism hub of the country.

    His hotel, Marhbabikoum, like many, is of the traditional "riad" style: quaintly decorated rooms built around a tiled courtyard, gently lit by candlelight in the evening.