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morocco
Fortify yourself: The Dadés Valley is known as ‘the Valley of the Kasbahs’, and dozens of deserted fortified citadels line its sides, evidence of a long vanished civilisation. On location: Ouarzazate has been welcoming Hollywood directors since the 1960s. You can take tours around the sets and locations of famous blockbuster hits like Cleopatra, Kingdom of Heaven, Sahara, Lawrence of Arabia and even Game of Thrones. Mountain highs: The Atlas Mountains offer fantastic trekking opportunities. It’s a challenging climb to reach the snow-covered summit of Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 metres, but the spectacular views are well worth the effort. Riads: Marrakech has over 800 on offer and you’re guaranteed an historic and atmospheric stay. They range from chic luxury to simple B&Bs. Get the hump: The Erg Chebbi dunes in the Sahara rise to over 150 metres. Take a camel to the Berber camp, sleep under the stars and watch the sunrise. Spa time: Fes is reputed to have over 250 Hammans but you’ll find them all over the country. Join the locals for a long, relaxing hot soak and a good scrubbing. Don’t miss a massage with the famous argan oil.
What’s new Operators: Cox & Kings (coxandkings.co.uk) has a new seven-night private journey, Riads of Imperial Morocco, priced from £1,795pp. It takes in Rabat, Meknes, Fez and Marrakech. Accommodation: Four Seasons (fourseasons.com) opened in Casablanca in January and Banyan Tree (banyantree.com) opened in September in Tamouda Bay. Future openings in 2017 include a 181-room Park Hyatt (parkhyatt.com) in Marrakech and a 186-room Marriot (marriott.com) in Rabat, Airlines: Ryanair (ryanair.com) will introduce Dublin to Marrakech and Liverpool to Marrakech In 2017. Easyjet (easyjet.com) has Luton to Essaouira and Royal Air Maroc (royalairmaroc.com) Gatwick to Rabat.
Tourism talk “Morocco is a very stable and safe destination and just three hours away from the UK. The Imperial Cities tour really represents one of the best ways to experience the country. It offers a unique experience of Morocco’s history, style of life, architecture and heritage. “Three other cities that should be discovered for culture are the amazing city of Tangier, the Moorish city of Tetouan and the beautiful Chefchaouen. One of the newest developments in Morocco, Tamuda Bay on the Mediterranean coast has golden sand, crystal-clear waters and highquality hotels with golf, watersports, shopping and scuba diving. After Brexit we believe that Morocco represents a genuine value destination.” Faical Alaoui, Information Officer, Morocco Tourism
“The souks in Marrakech are a shopper’s paradise with gorgeous rugs, embroidery, brassware, ceramics, leather and exotic spices. Government shops even have fixed prices” NICKY SHAFE, MARKETING MANAGER PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS
Where to book it GREAT RAIL JOURNEYS – 01904 521 936 A 10-day Imperial Cities of Morocco tour is from £1,495pp, with two departures across March to September 2017. If you book before October 31 2016 there’s a saving of up to £40pp. greatrail.com
PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS – 01425 480 400 Seven nights’ B&B at Ksar Anika in Marrakech starts from £433pp, including Easyjet flights. prestigeholidays.co.uk
ABERCROMBIE & KENT – 01242 547 760 A seven-night Classic Morocco tour which includes Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, the Atlas Mountains and Marrakech is from £2,295pp, including international flights. abercrombiekent.co.uk INNTRAVEL – 01653 617 001
The Flavours of Morocco seven-night walking holiday, visiting Marrakech and Tizouit, is from £955pp including a private Berber guide. inntravel.co.uk
WHO FLIES THERE royalairmaroc.com; batraveltrade.com; airarabia.com; easyjet.com; ryanair.com; thomsonfly.com
sellingtravel.co.uk
Top (from left): the blue hues of Chefchaouen; Jamaa el Fna square in Marrakech; camels in the desert. Above: the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech.