Woman who’s been to 40 countries reveals the ‘underrated’ African hotspot – and it has bargain flights
A FREQUENT traveller has raved about a holiday destination just a short distance away from the UK, with very cheap flights.
When considering affordable trips abroad, Brits don’t often think about Africa as a location that will cut the costs.
However, holidays to Morocco are both very affordable, and often overlooked by travellers in need of a unique travel experience.
At least that’s the opinion of frequent traveller Melissa Noble, who’s visited more than 40 countries.
She listed it as one of her favourite spots because of its unique culture and its food.
In an article for Insider, she wrote about the five underrated spots she thinks “everyone should visit” and Morocco was included on the list.
She went as far as to label it as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience I’ll never forget” and recommended it as one of her favourite locations.
She wrote: “My husband and I traveled to Morocco with his parents in 2013. Arriving in Marrakesh was a real culture shock for his folks, who were from country Victoria in Australia.
“There was so much to see, from the snake charmers in DJemaa el-Fna Square to the donkeys cruising up and down streets.
“The highlight of our trip was a tour of a Berber camp in the Sahara Desert, complete with a camel trek. We ate chicken tagine under the stars and chatted with our host about life in the desert.”
Return flights from the UK to Marrakesh can be booked from around £61 with easyJet.
Ryanair and WizzAir also fly to the city, meaning there are lots of options, keeping prices competitive.
Ryanair even launched new flights to Marrakesh from Bristol earlier this year, suggesting that demand for trips to Morocco is growing.
Meanwhile, a night for two in an authentic riad can be booked for less than £20, with everyday costs very affordable.
The average price of a beer is around £1.60, while a three-course meal out for two people in a mid-range restaurant can be bought for around £35.
That’s according to Numbeo, the world’s largest cost of living database, which also stated that a meal in an inexpensive restaurant could be bought for as little as £2.75.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
Among the top tourist sites in Marrakesh are the Jardin Majorelle, a one-hectare botanical garden, and Djemaa El Fna, a bustling market square full of food and trinkets.
The city also provides an access point to the Atlas Mountains, from where the more rural parts of the country can be explored.
Bahia Palace, the Yves Saint Laurent museum and Koutoubia mosque are other landmarks that can be explored on a short trip to Morocco.
Meanwhile, these six holiday spots are yet to be discovered by Brits.
And this European city is described as one of the most underrated in the world.