Despite being only a short trip away from Spain, and being in the same time zone as the UK, Morocco seems a world away from Europe. This is a fascinating country where ancient beliefs and customs exist happily alongside modern, cosmopolitan attitudes. The natural, physical beauty of Morocco is also diverse, ranging from a Mediterranean coastal environment through scenic mountain landscapes to the empty wilderness of the Sahara. Your home in Morocco will give you the perfect base from where you can explore this mysterious corner of Africa, and discover the vacation destination of your dreams.

Morocco's natural, historical and cultural richness turn it into a paradise waiting to be discovered. If the whole country represents a great investment opportunity in tourism, especially right by the Mediterranean, is the best choice for those who wish to enjoy nature in its pure state and for investors wishing to purchase in a new, up-andcoming area.

Investment opportunities in Morocco

With property prices a half to a third those of southern Spain, Morocco's northern coast is a hot tip for investment, and the Oasis Beach and Golf Resort will undoubtedly be one of the country's most desirable destinations.

Morocco is the new up-and-coming overseas property destination and offers a warm climate all year round, excellent beaches, cultural richness - and an undeniable investment opportunity. Potential for lucrative year-round rental potential.

Morocco is serious about tourism, and has embarked on a national tourism strategy, which aims to increase the number of foreign visitors from 2.2 million currently to 10 million by 2010. Under Vision 2010, the Moroccan government has guaranteed to provide the necessary infrastructure to connect coastal resorts with the rest of the country and Europe by constructing 1,000 kms of new roads, increasing internal and international flights, and developing new regional airports. The Oasis Beach and Golf Club will be about 60km from Melilla, Oujda and Nador airports, which are currently expanding. Royal Air Maroc and other regional airlines fly into all three.

Climate in Morocco

The weather in the coastal regions of Morocco is good virtually all year round - very similar to the Costa del Sol. Average temperature in summer is 35°C and in winter it's 22°C.

Inland in the high Atlas mountains the weather and climate are much influenced by height. The Atlas mountains here are at their grandest with the highest point rising to 4,163 m/13,655 ft. Winter snowfall can be heavy and the highest areas are snow-covered well into the summer. Cloud in the Atlas mountains also reduces summer sunshine to some extent.

Inland at lower levels the summers are very hot, while in winter and spring winds blowing off the mountains can cause some very chilly days. At medium altitudes the climate of Morocco is healthy and very pleasant around the year. Summers are hot but the humidity is quite low while the winters are generally mild and sunny despite some spells of changeable weather.

Daily hours of sunshine on the Atlantic coast average nine to ten as compared with up to twelve inland in the desert. In the north, winter sunshine hours range from five to six a day to as many as eight south of Agadir.

Local cuisine

The food of Morocco is rated among the best in the world, and rightly so. There are few places where food is more carefully and artistically prepared, more delightfully served, and more enjoyed than in this country.

Tagines are a Moroccan speciality. The word tagine refers to the finished dish as well as to the earthenware pot topped with a conical lid in which it is cooked. Tagines are made of meat, fowl, or seafood, and fresh seasonal vegetables or fruit, and flavoured with exotic herbs and spices. Tender cubes of lamb or beef are simmered to melting point with prunes, honey and sesame seeds in a sauce lightly tinged with cinnamon. Other favourites consist of chicken and preserved lemons fragrant with saffron and ginger, or fresh seafood poached in a cuminaccented tomato sauce. Tagines are served from a communal dish set in the middle of the table, and chunks of warm "kesra" are used to mop up the sauces. For that reason, most Moroccan meals begin with a traditional hand-washing ceremony when a young member of the household hands everyone a bar of soap, and pours a trickle of warm water on upturned palms.

Couscous, the cracked durum wheat semolina that is a staple of Moroccan cuisine, refers to the grain as well as to the finished dish. Usually couscous is served on Fridays, the Muslim day of rest, when the family gathers for a midday meal. Every cook treasures their own recipe for couscous and dedicates hours to its preparation. Couscous is steamed in a "couscoussier" or couscous pot, which is a tall double boiler topped with a tight-fitting sieve that holds the grain. This will eventually plump up to several times its size thanks to the steam emanating from the pot below, into which go the ingredients for the herb-filled broth, such as lamb, beef or chicken, and fresh vegetables. Couscous Beidaoui (see recipe below) is brought to the table mounded on a large platter, topped with a steaming crown of meat and seven kinds of vegetables.

Most Moroccan meals end with trays of fresh, seasonal fruit. In December, Morocco's famed tangerines (named from the city of Tangier), appear on every table. In the spring, they are replaced by peaches, pears, and cherries grown in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. And in summer, nothing beats slices of sweet, vine-ripened watermelons. After the fruit course come platters of honey pastries, crumbly almond cookies, and delicate half moons filled with almond paste called gazelle horns. Glasses of sweet mint tea, the national drink, signal the end of the meal. How dinner is served in Morocco and how you can do it yourself Recipes - here is a succulent array of recipes for you to create that perfect Moroccon meal.

Things to see and do in Morocco

Morocco's appeal lies in the colours, the sounds, and the extraordinary mixture of hustle and bustle on the narrow streets, contrasting with the expanse of sandy beaches and modern golf courses. Combine a visit to the coast with a stay in Marrakech or Fez.

A trek in the Atlas mountains or a trip to windswept Essaouira provides the perfect counterpoint to the hidden secrets of Marrakech or Tangier where the markets, or souks, have a sparkling array of goods, from Moroccan slippers to cheap Nike trainers, fabulous brass and metal ware to carpets, silk kaftans to traditional jellabas.

Outside these fascinating cities there is much to do: the countryside to explore, horse-riding, camel-riding, balloon trips, visits to converted palaces or just soaking up the sun.

Here is a list of some of the Moroccon attractions which will give you an idea of the diversity of this marvelous country.

Chefchaouen, Tangier

A beautiful little town with a tranquil atmosphere and nearly all the walls are blue.

Agadir and Essaouira

Two destinations famed for providing ideal conditions in which to windsurf, but if windsurfing is not your thing, these two towns have an incredibly rich history waiting to be discovered.

Goats, Souss Valley - Agadir An amazing sight to see, these animals climb the Argan trees in order to forage the higher limbs.

Bou Attarine Medersa, Fez A place literally stuffed with historical landmarks and ancient buildings.

Cascades D'Ouzoud, Middle Atlas One of the most magnificent places of natural beauty in Morocco. Although still relatively uncommercial there are still cafes and camping grounds nearby.

International Arts Festival, Asilah Any art lover has to visit Asilah during the month of August, Not only is this village one of the most beautiful places to visit, the art festival is a feast for the eyes.

Kasbah Glaoui, Telouet This amazing building conjures up images of horse mounted warriors riding across the plains of Telouet. It was home to whom the Morrocons used to call 'the Prince of Darkness'. It is an incredible sight and well worth a visit.

Camel Trekking, Zagora Not for the faint hearted unless you've done it before. But well worth the effort.

Marrakech

An oasis in a desert basin at the foot of the High Atlas.

Trekking in the Atlas mountains Travellers to Morocco find it hard to resist the lure of the distant Atlas Mountains.