DESTINATIONS TAMOUDA BAY NORTH AFRICA
LEFT AND BELOW: Chefchaouen
mountains, spindly pine trees and surprisingly green, rolling hills playing out through the windows – a far cry from the arid, desert-like Morocco I’d imagined.
w GOING FURTHER Beyond the bounds of these two tourist cities, there’s Tangier itself, once the ‘pearl of Morocco’, luring in eccentric travellers, artists and writers such as Samuel Beckett with its somewhat seedy reputation. It suffered a period of neglect under Morocco’s former king but has since undergone a revival, with renovated galleries, hotels and high-end restaurants popping up in its legend-steeped centre – and drawing in the likes of Daniel Craig, who filmed part of Bond film Spectre here.
Tangier has undergone a revival, with renovated galleries, hotels and high-end restaurants
Around Tangier there are villages such as Al Bayen, where visitors can hike in the verdant Rif mountains and learn more about the Jebala people who live there. Those wanting to get more
adventurous can jump on a mountain bike and hit the slopes around the scenic Smir Lake, head out on a diving or snorkelling trip in the Bay of
Belyounech, or try the likes of waterskiing, jetskiing, fly- boarding, banana boating and sunset sailing from the hotel. But for those wanting to kick back, relax and do nothing in
remote, peaceful surroundings, this area is a good bet too – especially in peak season, when temperatures rest in the mid-20s and, unlike in the south, overseas tourists are a novelty.
Tried &Tested BANYAN TREE TAMOUDA BAY
Picture a sprawling complex of white rectangular buildings, elegant archways and geometric, locally-inspired patterns and you have Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay. It’s home to 92 villas, each with its own pool, as well as an excellent spa where the USP is a ‘rainforest experience’, complete with wind and water pattering down on your head. There’s also a hammam, vitality pool, yoga pavilion and gym – which could come in handy as the food here is exceptional. Among the three restaurants is Tingitana, specialising in local dishes such as ‘stuffed squid tagine’, and Saffron, where
delicious Thai curries were followed by the best banana fritters I’ve ever tasted. There’s also a cocktail bar with outdoor terrace, and a good kids’ club and children’s pool. It does all feel a little cut off, so it’s best for those looking to escape it all in quiet surroundings, where the only interruption is a smiling waiter coming to deliver jasmine tea of an evening. Book it: Nightly rates for a Bliss Pool Villa start at £350. Private excursions to Tétouan are from £210 for two, and half-day trips to Chefchaouen with lunch from £250.
banyantree.com
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travelweekly.co.uk 23 November 2017
PICTURE: PACO R
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