Morocco

Morocco is endowed with a complicated geographical and geological makeup: the High and Middle Atlas mountains running over 1000 kilometres north-east from Agadir, the imposing summits of the Rif mountains in the north, and the High Atlas mountains in the south physically dominate the entire country and determine the nature of the dramatically differing Moroccan climates.

However, it is Marrakech – the vibrant City of Roses and gateway to the desert – that is the key to a true cultural understanding of Morocco.

It was established in 1062 by the Berber Almoravids as a military post, quickly became an important trading centre with links to the Ghana gold barons, and went on to be Morocco's most charismatic city with over ten kilometres of fortified walls. Across the centuries, it has been in the control of the different Berber tribes and, although it has known some hard times – greater wealth was lavished on the then new imperial cities of Fès and Meknès, and later, Casablanca, Tangiers and Rabat had their glories – it has always remained a favourite and made a comeback.

And so today, with the exquisite, snow-capped Atlas mountains shimmering in the background, it’s become pulsating, sensuous, and exciting. In fact, it has recently become a very fashionable resort with really excellent cafés, imaginative French and neo-Moroccan restaurants, social bars and discothèques. And a great exotic film festival that makes Cannes look positively Croydon.