Morocco is a popular destination for holiday makers because of its warm weather, historical architecture and bustling market places. Anyone visiting the city of Marrakech will enjoy shopping in the markets, where haggling is not only allowed, it’s expected. A holiday in Morocco isn’t complete without a tour to the markets.

You should also be prepared for the weather in Morocco as it can get very hot and the country is prone to the occasional drought, which is far removed from the weather here in the UK.

When staying in Morocco, you have a choice of different types of properties, but you should always try to stay in one of the many riads. Riads are traditional Moroccan buildings that feature indoor gardens, often with waterfalls.

Communication in Morocco shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the experienced traveller as French is one of the most spoken languages in the country. A strong grasp of the French language will come in handy when you’re haggling in those markets!

Travel to Morocco is never complete without sampling the local cuisine. Moroccan cuisine is very distinctive, with many spices used in all of their food.

The Value of Vox Populi

To help more easily sort the wheat from the, well, wheat, The Best of Morocco have introduced ‘Top Five’ guides, where the lists are compiled based on client feedback, and updated weekly. The list includes Top Five riads, hotels, destinations, pools, restaurants and things that are currently proving most popular with the independent travellers.

“Now you don’t have to just take our word on Morocco – you can see what our customers say, too. In this age of endless information and hollow homages, such a reliable helping hand in shortlisting your options is very welcome.”, explained by Steve Diederich, the Managing Director of The Best of Morocco.

The Best of Morocco, offers the most comprehensive Morocco programme you will find in the country. Tailor-made packages offers great flexibility and is designed to work to your budget. The array of activities includes camel treks, walking treks, Land Rover safaris, skiing, surfing, horse-riding, golf, birdwatching, quad-biking and cooking.

For further information or to find out which riad’s currently top of the accommodation pops, visit The Best of Morocco website.

Well, actually the Pound is still going strong against the Moroccan Dirham.  Flights from major UK airports take around 3.5 hours – the same time it can take to travel to Turkey or Greece.

Here are ten things you didn’t know about Morocco, which could inspire you to visit this exciting destination.

1. Watch Shooting Stars

The night of August 12th to 13th is the culminating point of a meteor shower with rates of over one hundred meteors per hour. You can find many luxury hotels in the High Atlas Mountains or the Sahara desert where light pollution won’t spoil visibility. SaharaSky hotel in Zagora has its very own astronomical observatory!

Sahara Sky - Hotel and Astronomical Observatory in Zagora

2. Moroccan Grand Canyon

The Dades Valley of Morocco offers the same peace and tranquility you will find in the Grand Canyon.  Stretched between the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains and Jbel Sarhro Mountains, Dades Valley offers a spectacular view of a snowy mountain on one side and a semi-desert on the other.

3. Goats can climb trees in Morocco

In south-west Morocco, you can frequently find goats climbing trees – an unusual photo opportunity! The goats eat the fruit from the argan tree and spit out the pits. The locals collect these pits to extract the bitter kernels inside, which are ground and pressed to make nutty argan oil used in cooking and cosmetics.

4. A hint of Santorini, Greece – in Essaouira

It is easy to mistake Essaouira’s white and blue seafront for Santorini in Greece. Once one of the most prosperous cities in Morocco, it is now home to craftsmen busy making marquetry, traditional Moroccan ornamental furniture from the roots of the thuya tree. Only two hours’ drive from Marrakech, it’s a stunning place for a short break on the Atlantic coast.

Essaouira, Morocco

5. You Can Ski in Morocco

Morocco is probably the only place in the world where you can see snow, desert and sea in one trip.  Between January and February you can ski or snowboard in Oukaimeden up in the High Atlas Mountains. If you’re looking for an alternative ski holiday look no further than Morocco.

6. Luxury in the Sahara Desert

What could be more romantic than watching the sun rise over the Sahara desert? This doesn’t have to be a backpacker’s experience! You can travel in comfort from your hotel in Erfoud or Merzouga and spend the night in your own luxury tent in the desert with carpets, beds and hot showers.

Sahara Desert, Morocco

7. Visit UNESCO Heritage Sites

Morocco is an ideal destination for a cultural holiday.  Apart from the prevalent Islamic presence, you can find traces of diverse cultures, including Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine and many others.  Many of these are UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Roman Ruins in Volubilis, one of the best preserved historic sites in Morocco.

8. Surfing All Year Round

With 3,000km of coastline, Morocco is an ideal surfing destination. Surfing classes for adults and children are available all year round.  But if you are a seasoned surfer and looking for a challenge then the best time for you is from late autumn to March.  There are many unexplored areas to surf south of Agadir and you may find yourself to be the only person out on the waves.

9. “The Gladiator” Was Shot in Morocco

Walk in the footsteps of Angelina, Colin Farrell, Sir Anthony Hopkins and many more Hollywood stars who have filmed in Morocco.  Re-live the infamous battle scenes from Russell Crowe’s Gladiator or imagine you’re Omar Sharif in Lawrence of Arabia.  You can even take a guided tour of the film studios at Ouarzazate.

10. Step Back in Time in The Blue City

Chefchaouen, a picturesque little town in the Rif Mountains in the north of Morocco, was closed off to the outside world until the 1920s and has remained unspoilt ever since.  Breathe in mountain air and stroll through the meandering streets of this charming and friendly town.

Chefchaouen, Morocco

For more information on what to see and do in Morocco, visit The Best of Morocco, the specialist tour operator with over 30 years experience in luxury holidays to Morocco.