A while back I travelled to Morocco with two of my closest friends for a few days. The plan was to indulge ourselves in the colourful chaos of Marrakesh souks and to retreat to an olive farm/spa hotel about 45 minutes out of the city at the end of the trip.

We learnt to barter, drink mint tea in 40 degree heat and become connoisseur’s of tagine. The shopping is everything that you expect and more, from rustic leather purses and sandals, to sparkling lanterns and rainbow coloured spices, step back into history, take your street smarts and your walking shoes and meander through the straw covered mazes searching for treasures.

If time allows for it, I highly recommend getting out of the city and staying at Les Terra M’Barka – a working olive farm with a boutique hotel with rooms the size of small apartments in absolute luxury. Treat yourself to a traditional hamman or watch the sunset over the desert with a glass of wine and homegrown olives.The manager of this hotel was so insanely accommodating, he assisted in sending a small table that I had purchased via FEDEX and only expected the payment after I had received my item. True hospitality rarely seen in the modern tourism industry!