Christmas in Morocco

Got some last minute Christmas shopping to tick off? No problem - spend an afternoon getting wonderfully lost in the labyrinthine souks of Marrakech and finding all manner of treasures that will make perfect gifts for your loved ones, from delicate beaded Babouche slippers, to elaborate glass lanterns. Spend evenings (over)indulging in a delicious feast of bubbling tagines and crispy pastillas, perhaps enjoyed on a roof terrace under an inky black sky.

For the 'big day' itself, why not travel out to the beautiful Atlas Mountains just two hours' drive from the bustle of Marrakech. Settle into the luxurious Kasbah Tamadot, or charming Kasbah Bab Ourika for a few nights and enjoy the peacefulness and solitude of these remote mountain hideouts. Temperatures drop as you climb higher into the mountains, but we can think of few better ways to ease a post-christmas-feast slump than hudding en famille around a crackling fire with a warm glass of mint tea (or something a little stronger). There's no sacrificing the traditional Boxing Day family walk either, as the mountains offer some beautiful trekking routes through pine and juniper groves, under a crisp, cloudless sky.

For those really looking to get away from it all, perhaps a remote private desert camp is the answer? The luxurious Dar Ahlam offers a private camp experience set within the rolling dunes of the South Moroccan desert under clear, starry skies. After a few days of indulgence at Dar Ahlam, be whisked into the heart of the desert where your camp will be waiting. Whether travelling as a couple, family or groups of friends, you will have exclusive use the camp to eat, drink and be merry!

And finally, the very best hotels and exclusive desert camps book up very quickly for Christmas in Morocco so it pays to book well in advance... which is where we come in.