Get out of the Eurozone for this year’s holiday and head for the beaches and souks of Morocco

Those 2009 holidays are shaping up to be pretty pricey in 2009, due to the current strength of the euro against the pound.  With that in mind, it's worth heading out of the eurozone in search of your hotels and holiday rentals; your money will go further!  Morocco can be as cheap to get to as the likes of France, Spain and Portugal, the weather is just as good, the beaches are fabulous, but being outside of Europe, costs are lower and you will get much more for your money.

Morocco is the perfect place to find a taste of the exotic, while still being able to benefit from its relative proximity to the UK.  Depending on what you're after, there are a variety of self catering holiday rentals on offer, from beachfront houses by the coast, old fashioned riads in the cities or mountain hideaways.   You can either escape the crowds or choose to be part of them!

For a city break, then Marrakech and Fez are the obvious choices.  Aside from the wide choice of hotels and B&B style accommodation, you can also find characterful holiday rentals tucked away inside the old city walls, peaceful havens from the hustle and bustle of daily life.  Spend a week in an old riad and you will be just walking distance from the souks and restaurants, where you can savour Morocco's renowned cuisine, and relax in the local steam baths.

If you're more inclined to relax by the coast, then you've got a choice of 1500km of Mediterranean coastline to choose from, and there are holiday rentals dotted all along the coastline, from luxury villas through to village houses.  Essaouira is one of the most popular coastal locations, although it has never become a real tourist trap and is a perfect escape.  You can still savour the sights and sounds of Morocco here, while being able to lounge on its large curving beach, or try your hand at windsurfing and kitesurfing if you're so inclined.

If it's activity which floats your boat, then the Atlas mountains are not to be missed - endless trekking opportunities, from easy day hikes to longer treks.  Whichever you go for, the mountain panoramas and hillsides dotted with Berber villages will take your breath away.  If mountain air is what you're after, then there are holiday rentals on offer here, usually in the form of mountain houses in Berber villages, which will give you a real feel for rural life, and often views to die for from your bedroom window!  Further south from the Atlas mountains, the Sahara desert stretches out before you, offering opportunities for camel trekking and camping out under the African skies.

One of the great things about holidaying in Morocco, whether you choose holiday rentals or hotel accommodation is that you can do a bit of everything.  In a 2 week holiday you can have a few days exploring Marrakech, a week at the beach, and a few days of trekking or desert experience and come home with tales to tell, and probably an urge to return!  Nowadays with budget airlines flying to Morocco it's easily accessible to everyone as well.