Morocco - Hot, Neat, Beautiful, & Safe

North Africa has been a part of the world that frequently appears in our news. I feel that many holiday makers choose to avoid Morocco in favour of the 'safer' option of the Med or the Canaries. But to dismiss the Kingdom as a holiday destination would be a shame. Upon landing in Marrakech with a group of fellow Travel Counsellors, we made it through the newly constructed airport, and out onto the North Africa soil. I was surprised how clean, well maintained and tidy the city streets were. Being my fifth visit to Africa, albeit my first to the north of the continent, I'd grown accustomed to the dusty and rough roads normally associated with this vast landmass. But the investment in infrastructure was clear to see.

However, the Moroccans have held on to many of their traditions which can be experienced in no better way than in the Souks.

The Souks are a labyrinth of small streets where products are made at the back of the shop and sold at the front. Anything from shoes to padlocks. This is the place where your bartering skills are put to the test. I bought a chess set for my daughter. After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing we agreed on 100 dirhams - about 8 quid. 

You have to keep your wits about you when walking through the Souks - the constant tooting of mopeds and the worry of one of them clipping your elbow can be a little disconcerting. But don't let that put you off as that's all part of the unique experience.

We ventured past the Koutoubia Tower, the tallest building in the city, and on to the Jemaa el-Fnaa square where the snake charmers and somersaulting monkeys did their thing. After a long day of travelling and sightseeing, dinner and a drink or two were well overdue!

The following day we toured the exquisite Beachcomber Royal Palm Resort. An hour out of Marrakech brings you to the only Beachcomber outside of the Indian Ocean. Built with the backdrop of a manicured golf course, the welcoming hall certainly had the 'wow' factor. With its monumentally high ceiling and hanging curtains so long it's surprising they didn't tear under their own weight, with views through to the pool which resembled a mosaic masterpiece. Everything about this three year old hotel set a new standard. The kids' club, the spa, the fitness centre, the suites, and the attention to detail in the décor. It was amazing! Perhaps surprisingly though, the cost of the drinks at the bar were quite reasonable. A beer cost roughly what you'd expect to pay in any hotel bar - approx. £4-5.

In the foothills of the Atlas Mountains you'll find a new development - the brainchild of property developer Anwar Harland-Khan. The British educated son of an Indian father and a Norwegian mother purchased the land seven years ago on a whim. He was told the soil was infertile and a the presence of a water source to feed the land was unknown. After purchase, he employed the services of a dowser who located an underground water source with astounding accuracy.

The development, which includes a six bedroom hotel and several villas, took seven years to get to the stage where guests can stay. Partly because no heavy machinery was used in the construction, but also because of Anwar's incredible attention to detail. I get the impression that although a return on the investment is important, he was not prepared to compromise on his ethos and vision for a sustainable and luxurious resort where guests can enjoy locally sourced food, manicured landscaped gardens, and a relaxed, tranquil atmosphere.

The L'Amandier Luxury Boutique Hotel officially opens to guests in June. We had the privilege of being the first travel providers to visit the resort. It's all about the amazing views of the white-topped mountain peaks and the easy access to them for hiking, biking, and skiing, etc. but without compromise on luxury and relaxation. And with its 1000m elevation above sea-level, it keeps the heat a couple of degrees cooler than down below which can get too hot to enjoy during the summer months.

If your budget can stretch far enough, you can purchase one of the villas, use it when it suits you, and let the hotel look after guests in your absence. And what fantastic villas they are - built around a central hallway with a glass roof, private plunge pools, and roof-top terraces to maximise the views.

On to the Atlantic coast and the bohemian town of Essaouira. With a gorgeous beach and western horizon sunset, it was a good choice of venue for us to explore. Like Marrakech, the town has a medina - an old town typically with a walled area containing a maze of small streets selling all kinds of stuff. I felt safe and unpressurised when strolling through the streets. Never hassled to buy or excessive begging.

We visited a lovely riad hotel - a Moroccan tradition of building houses with rooms surrounding an open square courtyard and crowned by a roof terrace. If you're looking for an authentic Moroccan experience, this was it.

Morocco is truly a great option for a short break to grab some warmth in the colder months. The flight time is just over three hours. It's also a great alternative to your family summer holiday. With an abundance of Atlantic and Med beaches, the awesome Atlas mountain range, the Sahara desert, some chic but traditional bustling cities, and an excellent choice of luxury hotels and resorts, if you can put the concerns of North Africa to one side, it's what you might call, a no-brainier!