For centuries travellers have been drawn to the mysteries of Morocco. The wealth of antiquities, dramatic coastline, picturesque valleys of the Atlas Mountains and the vast Sahara Desert are all part of this enduring fascination.

Morocco provides travellers with a multitude of experiences from the Imperial Cities of Fez, Rabat and Meknes to the laid back coastal charms of Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki, The picturesque valleys of the Atlas Mountains and the vast Saharan wilderness offer unique experiences and the perfect location for activity and adventure holidays.

Many will head straight to the riches of Marrakech and rightly so. Marrakech is a sensory overload of colour, sights and sounds set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, manicured gardens, bustling souks and ancient attractions.

The walled medina with its narrow streets has an intoxicating aroma of spices and is laden with exotic textiles and carpets, silverware, and crafts. The city’s centre piece is the Djemaa el Fna where acrobats, story tellers, musicians, snake charmers, fortune tellers and drummers gather nightly under a haze of smoke from the lit barbeques, under the watchful eye of the Koutoubia Mosque.

The three ranges of the Atlas Mountains, Mid, High and Anti Atlas dissect the country from north-west to south east and descend down the southern plains and valleys of the pre-Sahara desert. The landscape is an all forgotten world of fortified villages and Kasbahs, an awesome land of breathtaking mountains, cedar and juniper forests and quiet cascades where Berber villages still thrive.

Northern Morocco lies at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and the Middle East and nowhere evokes this sense more than Tangier. Known as ‘The White City’ Tangier was once the playground for the rich and famous such as Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, and for those seeking adventure. Today Tangier is still a fascinating place to visit, with an exotic decaying grandeur, unspoilt beaches and beautiful vistas. Tangier has ferry connections with Tarifa in Spain, Gibraltar and Algeciras.

Along the coast in the Rif Mountain region is the city of Tétouan. For over 40 years it was the capital of the Spanish Protectorate and inherited a unique Spanish-Moorish atmosphere. The Medina is a glorious labyrinth, dotted with squares, souks and buildings from the 15th century founders from Andalusia in southern Spain.

Head inland to the region of Imperial Cities and the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco and discover enticing destinations such as Fez, Meknes and Volubilis. Fez is the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities with a thriving medieval medina. Its narrow winding alleys and covered bazaars are truly an assault to the senses, crammed with shops, mosques, dye pits and tanneries and restaurants.

Less than an hour’s drive from Fez is the imperial city of Meknes, famous for its walled medina. Meknes is more compact than its neighbour but has friendly relaxed atmosphere with a large student population. The surrounding hills are one of Morocco’s most fertile regions and have become a replete with vineyards.

An easy excursion from Meknes is the striking archaeological site of Volubilis, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stretching over 40 hectares the roman ruins are the most well preserved in Morocco with some fantastic examples of roman mosaic.

Further south and off the well trodden tourist route are the Middle Atlas Mountains. Covered with oak and cedar forests, it is a beautiful and relatively unvisited region. The land is dotted with Berber villages and dark volcanic lakes and at Ouzoud and Oum er Rbia are some magnificent waterfalls. It’s a great area for hiking and white water rafting, and during the winter months skiing and snowboarding are possible.

Set against the backdrop of the spectacular Atlas Mountains is Marrakech, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital. It’s known as the Red City because of the natural red-ochre pigment walls and buildings that surround the city.

The mesmerising allure of Marrakech is inescapable and its focal point is the Djemaa el Fna, square where nightly spectacles unfold to circles of onlookers. Snake charmers, fortune tellers, drummers, acrobats, storytellers, musicians and dancers gather nightly under the swirling smoke of the barbeques. Towering over the scene is the Koutoubia Mosque, its minaret, a masterpiece in Islamic architecture.

The rich history of Marrakech is reflected in its various quarters. The souks are among the most fascinating in northern Africa, arranged according to the individual goods on offer. The sprawling maze follows the most traditional way of life and its thick high walls conceal a myriad of treasures. Plain wooden doors open out into elegant courtyards revealing beautiful riads, restaurants and shops.

North-west of the medina in complete contrast is Gueliz, the new town, featuring wide boulevards, municipal gardens, large hotels and cafes. In its heart is the beautiful Majorelle Garden designed by the painter Jacques Majorelle in 1924 and later owned by French fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent. The blue hues, lush vegetation and lily strewn ponds are magnificent and offer a wonderful break from the otherwise dry dusty cityscape.

Marrakech stands on the border between the unruly mountains and desert of the South and East. Crowned with high peaks, the chain of the High Atlas culminates west to the summit of Jebel Toubkal, some 4,167 metres high. Tiny Berber villages dot the mountain valleys or cling precariously to the rocky flanks and make for fascinating mountain treks and horse riding.

? To the south are the great southern rivers of Draa, Dades, and Todra, long belts of water lined with palm trees and scattered with Kasbahs and fortified villages. The Dades Gorge is an area of striking beauty providing great walks, white water rafting and mountain biking, and the Todra Gorge is among the most dramatic sights in Morocco with its imposing 300 metre high red stone walls.

Merzouga makes an excellent base in which to explore the great Sahara Desert, with a plethora of desert activities including camel trekking, 4WD tours, desert walks, quad biking and dune boarding.

South of Tangier stretches the Moroccan Atlantic coastline with expansive sandy beaches, popular resorts and some enchanting historical cities.

Rabat, Morocco’s capital is a sophisticated city of domes and minarets, wide avenues and green spaces. The city has four main areas of interest; the picturesque Oudaia Kasbah which is partly enclosed by stone ramparts dating back to the Almohad period, the walled medina containing the city’s intoxicating souks, the Hassan Tower and the Roman town of Sala. Rabat boasts several interesting museums and institutions, the most important being the archaeological museum on the site of the ancient city of Sala located just outside the city.

The country’s economic capital is Casablanca. Although much modernised, Casablanca is a beautiful city with an exciting concoction of European and Moorish influences. Among the attractions include the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque outside Mecca with a minaret of 200 metres and the old medina where colours and scents take over the senses enclosed within thick stone ramparts. The beautifully landscaped gardens at Parc de la Ligue Arabe stretch through the heart of downtown Casablanca and provide a pleasant escape from the city hubbub.

Further south tiny settlements such as Sidi Kaouki dot the coastline. Situated in gloriously isolated countryside, with wild olive groves and pristine beaches it’s the perfect spot for relaxation and enjoying the sun. Windsurfing, surfing and horse riding are all possible here.

Essaouira is a quintessentially Moroccan town and one of the most enchanting places in the country. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and rich with a Portuguese and Andalusian heritage, the city holds great appeal. The city was a centre for hippies during the 1970s and is still a fashionable artistic town, popular with independent travellers attracted to the long sandy beaches, colourful wooden fishing boats and great seafood.

The southerly coastal city of Agadir draws thousands of visitors each year thanks to kilometres of sandy beaches and year round sunshine. Having been completely re-built in the 1960’s after a terrible earthquake it lacks the charm of most Moroccan cities but its wide boulevards and modern resorts appeal to holiday makers.

The Moroccan climate varies according to region and season. In the south of the country, the weather is very hot and dry throughout most of the year, though temperatures can drop dramatically at night, especially in the months of December and January.

Rain falls from November to March in coastal areas, and the country is mostly dry with high temperatures in summer and a cooler climate in the mountains. Marrakech and Agadir enjoy an average temperature of 21°C (70ºF) in the winter.

Perhaps the best time to visit Morocco is during the spring months of April and May with a summer climate throughout most of the country. If you are planning to hike in the mountains, the best months are from April to October.

The main international airports are Tangier Boukhalef Airport, Casablanca Mohammed V Airport, Fez International Airport and Marrakech International Airport. The flagship airline is Royal Air Maroc.

Grand taxis are readily available all over Morocco and will take you to any city or village. Unlike the petit taxis, the grand taxis do not have a counter/taximeter and therefore the price for your ride has to be negotiated in advance.

Bus connections between most major towns and villages are both regular and cheap but are not as convenient as grand/petite taxis which will take you exactly where you want to go as opposed to following set bus routes.