Choosing to Travel To An Exotic Destination

Whether you are a traveler who has experienced your fair share of off the beaten track destinations, or are an individual who usually takes a vacation in a regular resort and is now planning to travel to an exotic destination for your next trip overseas, a visit to Morocco would likely be a choice that is not regretted. Though only a short distance from the shores of Europe, Morocco is a world away culturally.

The structure and certainties of the western world vanish as soon as one sets foot in Morocco. Though not as chaotic as some other African countries, it is still a destination that can overload the senses. The country offers an opportunity to immerse one's self in a culture that is both rich and fascinating. There is no shortage of interesting sights and attractions to be discovered in this diverse land. Most visitors start their trips in one of the bigger cities, each of which is unique in its own right.

Tangier, a city once glamorous but now slightly faded is still the first port of call of many international visitors. The Atlantic winds blow strongly along this coast and take visitors down to the cosmopolitan and internationally famous city of Casablanca. Further south lies the fishing ports of Essaouira and Agadir, replete with whitewashed homes and old style Moroccan architecture.

The imperial cities of Fez and Marrakesh, inland from the coastal towns have been attracting visitors for centuries. The ancient medinas and winding streets offer untold surprises, this is why they attract visitors to return time and again. Away from the urban sprawl there are Roman ruins, indicative of just how far this once mighty empire spread.

If you are an individual keen on experiencing nature at its best, Morocco offers a number of possibilities for you to wear your hiking boots and get a true sense of this ancient land. There are endless trails that meander between Berber villages, as well as the option of trekking the High Atlas mountains. The truly hardy can attempt to conquer North Africa's highest peak, Jebel Toubkal, though this is best done with guide in tow.

When you book a flight to Morocco, it is not complete without spending at least one night camping out in the Sahara. Very little can compare to the experience of riding out into the desert on a camel, then settling down for the evening in front of a camp fire with the heavens above dotted with a seemingly unlimited number of stars.

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Morocco Activity Holidays for Families

Taking your family away on holiday can often be stressful especially if you have boisterous children who need constant attention which is why we recommend a family activity holiday. By choosing a holiday complete with organised daily adventures, whether that's white water rafting or something more sedate like camel rides in the desert, you'll ensure everyone is entertained and your family can share new experiences. We aren't talking about a kid's club though, get involved and take the plunge alongside your children and not will they have more respect for you, you might just enjoy yourself.

So what's our top recommended activity trip? A Morocco holiday. That's right, stay fairly close to home but have a massive adventure on a small budget. Flights to Morocco start from as little as £50 per person if you book early enough and small, group tours from as little as £339 per person. A short flight later and you could be riding camels across the Sahara, hiking in the Todra Gorge, sampling sweet mint tea in the bazaars of Marrakech and mountain biking in the Draa Valley.

An activity holiday in Morocco is ideal for a family new to adventure holidays as it is a laid back, warm destination which welcomes families. All year Morocco enjoys pleasant temperatures, although in summer it gets hot, especially in the desert. Ideally you should visit from March to June so during Easter or May half term, to enjoy good temperatures and have the chance to white water raft in the Ourika Valley. At other times of the year the river is too strong to be safe or it's too cold. Away from the water sports, the Sahara desert is a giant playground all on its own. From sand boarding down massive sand dunes, to camel rides and camping under the stars, the desert is a great place to visit. The resident Bedouin tribes are more than happy to show you their way of life and tell tall tales of their adventures around a campfire and waking up to the still of the desert is unforgettable.

If sand isn't quite your thing then the Draa Valley near Agdz is simply stunning and mountain biking past local villages on dirt roads is great fun and you can choose your pace. For those not wanting to ride you can walk the valley and share tea with the people you meet. This is a calm environment very different to the colourful life of Marrakesh.

Whatever you choose to do on your Morocco holiday, remember there is something new to explore on every corner. North you'll find roman city ruins and to the south beach resorts complete with ageing harbours. Our number one is the activity holiday but if you're more sedate and like to eat and relax then try a week at Essaouira or take meandering walks in the stunning Atlas Mountains.

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Real Estate Property Investment Series: Focus Morocco 2007

The Moroccan government realised that the way forward for their nation in terms of creating employment and boosting the economy significantly was to increase tourism and to create an environment so attractive for investors that they would come in their droves and buy up real estate stock.

To that end the government has been promoting Morocco around the world - there is a permanent stand at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida heralding the virtues of this North African nation that practically touches Europe across the Mediterranean Sea that divides it from mainland Spain for example, and now the skies over Morocco are open to cheap flight operators from across Europe and the UK. The nation has year round sunshine and is directly south and a short flying time from affluent Western Europe and all of these factors are starting to affect Morocco positively.

In 2006 in the first nine months alone tourism traffic was up almost 10% on the previous year with revenue generated from tourism up almost 30% which proves that the government are targeting the 'right' sort of tourist - i.e., the ones who come, stay, enjoy and spend money in Morocco! Looking to the longer term the Moroccan government has plans to increase tourism until 10 million visitors annually enter the nation by 2010. There are even plans afoot to build a tunnel under the sea to connect Morocco to Gibraltar in Europe...

'But why all this information about tourism' I hear you ask?

Because it is the tourism market that property investors in Morocco are targeting. On the one hand they are targeting those seeking villa and apartment rental and on the other hand they are aware that today's holiday maker is tomorrow's second, retirement or holiday home buyer. And investors really are in Morocco buying up and developing real estate stock. Already six brand new coastal resorts are in the planning and development stages, money is flooding in from Dubai and Qatar based development companies and European buyers are purchasing off plan knowing full well that their real estate assets are appreciating even before they are completed and handed over. Buyers in 2007 have a chance to buy in ahead of the continued predicted rise in tourism and before Morocco is established in many people's minds as a place to invest in real estate.

Consider buying off plan and flipping stock or better still, simply buying and renting to the tourism market on the Atlantic or Mediterranean coasts or in the mountainous ski resort of Oukaimeden. Rental income is earned tax free in Morocco for the first five years and those who hold property for ten years or more pay no capital gains tax when they resell, furthermore one is not subject to local inheritance tax in Morocco either. In conclusion - Morocco offers an investor a wealth of opportunity. Basically an investor needs to consider his preferred investment approach and his target market and then seek suitable real estate with room for growth or with prospects for returning good yields.

Rhiannon Williamson writes about property investment worldwide, to read more about property investment in Morocco [http://www.amberlamb.com/index.php/property/morocco/] in 2007 and beyond visit her site [http://www.amberlamb.com]

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