"For many travellers, Morocco might just be a short hop away by ferry or by one of the myriad budget airlines from Spain, but it’s a much further distance to travel culturally. The regular certainties of Europe are suddenly swept away by the arrival in full technicolour of Africa and Islam. It’s a complete sensory overload." - Quote from Lonely Planet.

Morocco has not been a place that many North Americans have ever thought to visit. We think about London with it's beer and cheap flights from home, we think of the Caribbean with it's long stretches of pristine beaches and cheap all inclusives, or we think further abroad to Australia and New Zealand with their promises of open deserts and amazing sights. Morocco is a hidden gem that exists a short hop, skip and a jump away from many of the destinations that we dream of visiting, with less of a tourist vibe. With it's different religion and sorid history, Morocco is just waiting to be explored.

Splendors of Morocco - 11 days - departs Saturday, returns on Thursday
Provided by Ambercrombie & Kent

Days 1-2: USA or Canada departure / arrival into Casablanca, Morocco
Upon arrival you will enjoy special VIP service to assist with customs and immigration formalities before you are transferred to your hotel. (Le Royal Mansour Meridien)

Day 3: Casablanca / Rabat / Fez
Visit the hassan II Mosque, the third-largest mosque in the world. This remarkable site has the world's tallest minaret and a glass floor suspended directly over the sea, inspired by a Koranic verse stating that "the throne of God was built on water." Continue to Rabat and explore the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower. Travel to Fez, where this evening's welcome dinner hosted by Ambercrombie & Kent provides the perfect setting to meet your fellow travelers. (Sofitel Fes Palais Jamai) BLD

Day 4: Fez
Fez is timeless and one of the most unspoiled cities in the world. Once the capital of Morocco, it remains one of the main religious, artistic and intellectual centres of the country. Explore some of the countless narrow lanes and alleys that make up the labyrinth of the city's old quarter. Visit the historic Nejjarine Fountain and madrasas (Koranic Schools) that are dotted throughout the city. This evening, enjoy a cocktail reception at Riad Alkantara and meet a guest speaker to hear his insights on Andalusian architecture and history. (Sofitel Fes Palais Jamai) BLD

Day 5: Fez / Volubilis / Meknes / Fez
Today, drive to the ruined Roman city of Volubilis. Its beautifully preserved mosaics from the second and third centuries led UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Site. Continue to Meknes, also a UNESCO site, where the monuments reflect the splendor of this 17th-century imperial city. (Sofitel Fes Palais Jamai) BL

Day 6: Fez / Erfoud / Merzouga
Travel by private charter flight to Errachidia, then continue by road to the Sahara Desert. Passing through the Ziz Valley, stop to visit the oasis city of Rissani, a typical southern agricultural city with modern developments and an ancient kasbah. Leave the oasis and its palm trees to enter the desert and the great sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi, the highest in the country. Set off on camel back to begin your explorations of the desert. Enjoy a romantic sunset over the sand dunes, followed by a traditional dinner served by the campfire. (Exclusive A&K Desert Tented Camp) BLD

Day 7: Merzouga / Ouarzazte
Drive to Ouarzazate, once a stopping point for African traders en route to the cities of Morocco and Europe. Stop at a comprehensive private museum showcasing the local culture and history. Travel on the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" and view the amazing 17th-century Amerhidl Kasbah, one of the most grand in the region; its facade appears on the Moroccan 50-dirham note. (Le Berbere Palace) BLD

Day 8: Ouarzazate / Marrakech
This morning, visit the Taourirt Kasbah, from which the Glaoui family controlled the major caravan trading routes. Afterward, travel to one of the most spectacular Altas Villages, Ait Benhaddou. Some of the world's most decorative kasbahs are found here, with houses seeming to defy gravity as they cling to the steep slopes. Cross the Altas Mountains to Marrakech, sometimes known as the "Red City" for the distinctive hue of many of it's brick buildings. (Sofitel Marrakech Palais Imperial) BL

Day 9: Marrakech
Set out to discover the secrets of Marrakech, perhaps the most famous city in Morocco. Most of the city's architectural attractions are inside the medina, the old walled section of the town. The Koutoubia minaret is one of the most perfect Islamic religious structures in North Africa. This famous landmark dominates the local skyline and can easily be spotted from all of Marrakech. Visit the Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of domestic architecture and perfect example of the privileged life in the 19th century. Explore Djemaa el-Fna, the main square of Marrakech, famous for its orange juice stalls and snake charmers. This evening, experience traditional Moroccan cuisine during your wonderful farewell dinner, which includes entertainment by a local gnaoua band. (Sofitel Marrakech Palais Imperial) BLD

Day 10: Marrakech
Enjoy the gardens of Marrakech, starting with the Menara Gardens, built in the 12th century and surrounded by lush orchards and olive groves. In your horse-drawn carriage, continue your journey with a visit to Majorelle Garden, created by French painter Jacques Majorelle in 1924 and opened to the public in 1947. The remainder of your day is at leisure to relax or continue your exploration of this fascinating and lively city. (Sofitel Marrakech Palais Imperial) BL

Day 11: Marrakech / USA or Canada
Transfer to the airport for your international flight. B

Prices starting at $5,995 per person, based on double occupancy.

Eat Pray Love and Read

I love reading. It’s been my constant companion for years now, whether it’s sitting on a warm comfy couch, with a warm fire blazing in the fireplace, on a window seat trying to grab some warmth from a wary sun, on a plane bound for yet another new adventure or sitting in the sun, basking in the suns glory, books have kept me company. I don’t travel with people very often. I don’t find that I can. I am a spontaneous type of person that loves to take things as they come, and not to plan too far in advance because I might miss something in the meantime.

Books make me cry, they make me laugh, and they make me think. But every so often, they make me revaluate the way that I see the world, and the way that I see myself. When I find a book that does this for me, I’m excited and want to share it with the world in the hopes that it does the same for everyone else, but I now realize that as much as I crave that, it doesn’t happen very often. A few people may enjoy it, a few may even pass it on to someone else, but only a select number of people, if any will get the same feeling from it that I do.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is one of those books. From the multitude of people that have read and fallen in love with this book, I know that there are many that feel my gratitude for such a remarkable story to be told. While it is not a story of great love and great loss, or wars and famine, or even vampires and werewolves, it is a story that heralds from all of our hearts – it’s just one that not all of us listen to. It’s a tale of letting go, letting go of the past, of the guilt, of the loves lost, and the loves unrequited. It’s a play by play of a woman who had everything that anyone should want, just to realize it’s not what everyone should want. And what do you do when you realize that everything you have ever worked for, is no longer making you happy, and is instead filling you with a constant source of dread and longing for what you do not have?

Enter one woman who left everything that any ‘sane and normal’ woman could ever asked for, and asked for what more of us should want – the opportunity to live and love without the guilt, without the baggage and without the cares that the modern world inflicts on us. And saying this, I recommend this book thoroughly for anyone who loves to travel – for in the love of travel is the inherent dream of something new, something different and something that we never knew we wanted.

Costa Rica - The Volcano Route Tour

I know that Costa Rica has always been a must see stop for me. From it's colourful birdlife, amazing outdoor sights and incredible history - they just voted in the first female president - it is a great getaway, with a little bit of everything for everyone. My favorite tour so far is going to be this one, provided from Worldwide Ecolodges. The best thing, is that they will personalize any trip for anyone, so even if this isn't your ideal vacation, let them know and they will customize it for you.

The Volcano Route - Private tour, departs from Liberia

Day 1: Rincon de la Vieja
Today you'll be met at the airport by our representative and made welcome in Costa Rica. You will then be transferred to the Hacienda Guachipelin Mountain Ecolodge about 1.5 hours along highway and mountain roads. The hacienda borders Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Natural hot springs, virgin forests, jungle waterfalls and volcanic mud pots. The hotel is surrounded by lush gardens with native trees, exotic flowers and many types of birds and it has views to both the volcano and the Pacific Ocean.

Day 2, 3: At Ecolodge
These days offer a host of different activities that you may optionally take. There are fun family friendly rafting trips along the Colorado river, ziplines, rainforest hikes and a crater tour to the volcano. These can be booked at the lodge at an additional cost. (B)

Day 4: To Arenal Volcano Area
Scenic drive with our driver to Arenal. Arenal Volcano National Park encompasses thousands of acres of pristine rainforest and teems with tropical birds and wildlife. This evening you will be at Lomas del Volcan near the village of La Fortuna. (B)

Day 5: La Fortuna Sustainable Farm
Today we will be stopping to visit Mr. Juan Bautista on his sustainable farm. Mr. Bautista is a former teacher and principle living in La Fortuna. He is now a local farmer with a small five acre farm to show visitors how to live more closely with the nearby rainforest. He grows more than 60 crop species, including native and introduced plants, and medicinal plants such as Curcuma Ginger root. After harvesting fresh produce such as cassava root, lettuce, plaintains and more, the farm tour ends and you can try tortilla making and enjoy a typical lunch prepared by Mrs. Bautista. (B,L)

Day 6: Arenal Area
Today there are daily optional tours, such as the Hanging Bridges elevated walkway, visits to the Ecotermales Hotsprings, lava bed hikes, rafting on the Sarapiqui river, Cano Negro wetlands and wildlife tour and others. These can be booked at the lodge at an additional cost. The lodge also has a pool and is a great place to relax. (B)

Day 7: Transfer out
This morning you will be taken to the airport or to your choice of any beach resort along the Nicoya peninsula.

Includes 6 nights accomodation, transfers, tours and meals as noted, and taxes. Optional tours are not included.

Price per person - based on twin share - From $875