Escape damp and dark London for a weekend in Marrakesh and enjoy a taste of Middle East culture without a long haul flight.

Stay at a traditional Riad to add to the experience and immerse yourself in the different sights and sounds around the Place Djemaa market square.

As the sounds of Jingle Bells and Auld Lang Syne fade into the background Marrakesh can offer a great weekend escape and experience of Middle East culture without the pain of a long haul flight. The Atlas Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop overlooking the Place Djemaa.

On New Years day, Kew Gardens opened its gates and waived its entrance fees. Why?To begin the year long celebrations for its 250th birthday. In 1759 it opened its gates for the first time and some of the trees planted about that time still survive. Apparently some 26,000 of us visited Kew on that day. [...]