Admittedly, there are people who left on my advice and found Marrakech… Difficult. But in my opinion, those people didn't do it very well either ;-). No offence. You should – again, in my humble opinion – use (and see) Marrakech as a place to de-stress. Yes, the medina and Jemaa el-Fna square are considered quite stressful by many people, but you should look at them like a fascinating movie. Let it slide away from you. Then, as quickly as possible, dive into one of the fantastic, beautiful riads, or a (rooftop) restaurant where you can invariably hear a pin drop. And into the hammam, onto the massage table, if possible at least every other day. It costs you a fraction of what you pay in the Netherlands and the Moroccans know their stuff.

I can't think of a better answer - every year - than Marrakech.

The ground floor is ok. Not all rooms are equally beautiful (that's a relative term: really beautiful, but if you compare it with all the beauty in the city, a number of rooms are just OK) but the higher you go, the better it gets! Try to book the double room on the second floor: a dream in which you are literally dreaming on a stage, looking out at a picture of a bathroom and through the windows the clear blue sky and the occasional palm tree. We couldn't stay away from the roof terrace. Breakfast is also served here (like everywhere in Marrakech with the tastiest fresh orange juice, wafer-thin crêpes and home-made jam and yogurt). The rest of the day you stay upstairs and alternate between your bed and a splash in the small, narrow pool. Downside? Well, the riad is on the edge of the old town, not very central and a taxi is recommended (because you will get lost anyway). But that costs a measly nickel, so oh well. Riad Villa Almeria Marrakech aka Riad Maison Rouge