Marrakech

Your Moroccan holiday is well spent in Marrakech. You’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time to another era. It adds to the magic of being in a country rich in Islamic history and attractions, from mosques and museums, to souks and traditional hammams. It is an exotic destination that appeals to sun seekers who also desire a cultural component to their journey.

Stroll through the Djemma El Fna, a popular square in the heart of the medina that bustles with life, especially in the evening. You can get a henna tattoo from a skilled artist, or wander into shops selling aromatic spices, tagines and goods made of camel leather. The shopkeepers are welcoming to visitors and will engage you in some good-natured negotiations for items you want to buy. It’s all part of the fun, so play along. Your bartering skills will help fill your bags with inexpensive souvenirs that you’ll covet for years to come. Delve deeper into the culture by visiting the Koutoubia mosque nearby. Its minaret is an important landmark, akin to Westminster Abbey and London Bridge. By night, it is illuminated, a hauntingly beautiful sight.

To understand Morocco, embrace all of its traditional experiences. Book a day trip to a Berber village, high in the picturesque Atlas Mountains, or relax for an afternoon at a hammam, where you soak in warm water before having your skin scrubbed until it’s smooth and soft, then getting a massage to pamper body and soul. Afterwards, recharge at a stall serving tea with cinnamon and ginger, or sip a glass of fresh orange juice sold by street vendors. For fun, try a Moroccan-style pub and its local lager. It’s not quite like home, but it’s a wonderful way to make new friends and bask in the tropical warmth.