Because they boast a concierge service of which their royal family would be proud.
And what bigger thrill than to discover the Atlas Mountains off the beaten path aboard a vintage style sidecar?
While if you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground then they know the best centuries-old, shepherds’ paths to hike.
Right, you reach the desert, past the pleading brown-eyed kids who get pushed towards you with their little palm camels.
Weaving between remote Berber villages, mountain pastures and craggy massifs to venture over panoramic passes.
Before you feast on Moroccan culinary delights in the Agafay Desert beneath a Bedouin tent.
The big tent
Step on it: The glorious lobby
And stay overnight at eco-luxe lodge La Pause to indulge in an evening of stargazing, next to tributary river with spectacular views.
Better than staring at the skies from an outdoor, open-roofed toilet, because you’ve eaten a tagine from a fly-ridden barbecue up thar mountains… but then that was just me.
The feasting doesn’t stop there – the 30th of July commemorates the crowning of the King with the Feast of the Throne, a celebration filled with delectable feasts, fireworks displays and parades.
And how to get around… well, what about quad bikes or in a buggy, a guided hike or cycling tour, or discover the desert on horseback (I preferred a camel).
Elsewhere, watch the sun rise over the Sahara from a hot air balloon, accompanied by a champagne picnic on board.
I’ve been saving all my money just to take you there, I smell the garden in your hair. It’s the Marrakech Express… or what I like to call The Riad to Marrakech.
With apologies to those Sixties hipsters Crosby, Stills and Nash (and sometimes Young) who were, of course, far more lyrical about the Red City.
We dare say that they would have stayed at some hippy hang-out.
But I suspect that Stephen and Graham, and RIP to David, would now frequent the Royal Mansour Marrakech.
Groovy: Sixties rockers
Situated at the foot of Marrakech’s ramparts, in the western part of the medina are the lush, landscaped gardens at Royal Mansour Marrakech.
Spanning four acres, it is the vision of award-winning Spanish landscape designer and Bonsai curator Luis Vallejo, drawing on Arab-Andalusian tradition into play.
And going off on a tangent, my green-fingered pal here is doing so well with her bonsai garden that she’s thinking of downsizing.
Festival of flowers
Bonzai bonzer: Luis Vallejo
Back to Souk City and the The Jardin’art Festival over the spring unfolds in the city’s Jardin des Arts.
To offer a variety of botanical events, concerts, and gorgeous floral displays for all to enjoy.
And thanks to our friends in Marrakech, and believe me you need all the pals you can get in this bustling city with false guides round some of the souk corners, we have these gardening tips to share.
Straight from Luis’s mouth.
Verdant vision: The Royal Mansour
Incorporate a water feature (or several –as is the case at Royal Mansour Marrakech, home to 150 water fountains)
‘Like constant background music, a small stream of water in movement’.
Plant fruit trees and aromatic plants, to elevate the senses. At Royal Mansour Marrakech, the garden features several species of palm tree, citrus fruits (spanning lemon, sweet and bitter orange).
As well as various fruit trees (inclusive of olive, pomegranate, fig, persimmon, carob, quince, guava, medlar and more).
Various aromatic herbs are also grown for use in the spa, from marjoram to rosemary.
Choose plants of varied colour, texture, and volume – select seasonal plants that inspire your imagination and offer a link to Morocco.
Vallejo chose multiple species of trees, from conifers and coral trees to tamarisk and mahogany trees, offering a textural variety.
Choose from decorative foliage, ground cover plants and climbers to create dimensional levels.
In addition, he intentionally selected native and naturalised flora allowing for year-round flowering – meaning vibrant colour all year round!
Add a coloured rug or cushions into a cosy corner, and sip a Moorish tea, for an authentic Moroccan experience.
It offers four distinctive luxury properties, all situated in the most iconic locations on what is known as the Northern Circuit.
To the four
Food for thought: And you’ll never go hungry
Serengeti National Park Sametu Camp: And they boast the perfect balance between a safari in the wild and the comfort of a permanent luxury tented camp.
It is situated in a secluded part of the eastern edge of Central Serengeti.
And that’s a short distance from the Ngare Nanyuki River, Sametu Camps’ position has a wondrous horizon.
It is silhouetted by grazing wildebeest, zebra, and various antelope species, as well as numerous bird species.
All of which just makes me just a typical traveller as our friends at TUI Blue have revealed in a survey of their customers.
Stat attack
Pure Culture: Boy George
One in five of us only read when we go on holiday getting through an average of 1.9 books each time
Mystery and thrillers top the poolside reading list, romance novels are the nation’s guilty holiday reading pleasure
8% of us admit to reading things whilst away we’d be too embarrassed to pick up in front of friends and family at home
We’re happy to be personal lending libraries with 91% willing to pass on our reads.
And all of that is a trend which TUI Blue is celebrating with the announcement of its TUI Blue Book Swap Scheme at hotels this summer the research also revealed our top poolside reads and guilty holiday reading pleasure.
We read an average of 1.9 books on our annual holiday with favourite genres including romance (45%), mysteries (41%) and thrillers (37%).
And they say women are more avid holiday readers compared to me (probably our scintillating conversation).
But across the board 30 per cent of us admit to changing it up and reading different types of books on holiday.
Share the love
Upside down world: On the Dead Sea
We’re also avid book lenders and borrowers with 91% per cent happy to donate a book they have read and loved for someone else to enjoy.
And 73% per cent happy to hit up friends and family for some fresh reads before they go away on holiday.
And so the book swap scheme is encouraging readers to pick up a pre-loved book and share a few words of recommendation – or warning.
With a personal note saying why you loved or hated your read.
The TUI Blue Book Swap will be operating in selected hotels across Europe this summer.