Bou Saada is the ideal city to take your mind off things. Here are some tips for an exotic getaway to this oasis, a three-hour drive from the capital, Algiers. The Bou Saada ksar is a must. The place is still inhabited and some of the roads are in poor condition, but it's great fun to walk around and talk to the locals. They are also happy to explain how to get to the various centuries-old mosques. Also, being in Ksar, do not hesitate to visit the school where former president Mohamed Boudiaf studied in the 1930s.