Eco-Tourism In The UK: Top 10 Sustainable Stays

BY  Arnab Jul 17, 2023

When it comes to fun and immersive experiences, few places can match the vibrant souks of Marrakech. Lose yourself in a maze of extremely narrow alleyways that are full of a kaleidoscope of colors, enticing aromas, and the sounds of haggling merchants.  Get Yourself Immersed in the Vibrant Souks of Marrakech Explore the bustling markets where you can find everything from traditional Moroccan spices and intricately crafted ceramics to beautiful textiles and hand-woven rugs. Don't forget to put your bargaining skills to the test and enjoy the lively atmosphere that surrounds this enchanting city. Trekking in the Sculprous Atlas Mountains For nature enthusiasts as well as adventure seekers, trekking on the breathtaking Atlas is an absolute must-do in Morocco. Lace up your hiking boots and embark on an unforgettable journey through rugged terrains, picturesque Berber villages, and alluring valleys.  The High Atlas region offers a range of hiking trails suitable for all levels of experience, letting you witness stunning landscapes, encounter local wildlife, and experience the warm hospitality of the Berber people. Whether you opt for a day trip or a multi-day trek, the Atlas ranges promise awe-inspiring views and an opportunity to connect with nature. Discover the Timeless Beauty of chefchaouen's Blue Medina Settled in the Rif Mountains, the city of Chefchaouen is renowned for its picturesque blue-painted medina, creating a fairytale-like ambiance. Wander through the narrow, winding streets adorned in shades of blue and marvel at the traditional Moroccan architecture. The blue-washed buildings and alleyways make for a photographer's paradise, providing endless opportunities for capturing Instagram-worthy shots.  As you explore this magical city, take the time to visit the vibrant local markets, indulge in delicious Moroccan cuisine, and soak up the serene atmosphere that sets Chefchaouen apart. Ride a Camel and Camp Under the Sahara Desert's Starlit Sky A trip to Morocco isn’t complete without venturing into the vastness of the Sahara Desert. Experience the thrill of riding a camel across the golden dunes, immersing oneself in the surreal beauty of the desert landscape. As night falls, settle into a traditional desert camp and witness the spectacular sight of a star-filled sky.  Share stories around the campfire, listen to traditional music, and indulge in a delicious Moroccan feast. The tranquility and grandeur of the Sahara Desert offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you with memories to cherish forever. Unveil the Rich History and Architecture of Fes Step back in time and explore the medieval city of Fes, renowned for its ancient mosques, madrasas, and maze-like streets. The UNESCO-listed Medina of Fes is the world's largest car-free urban area, paving the way to wander freely through centuries-old architecture and soak up the city's rich history. Visit the famous Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, the world's oldest university, and admire the intricate details of the Bou Inania Madrasa. Don't miss the vibrant tanneries, where you can witness the traditional process of leather production. Fes offers a captivating glimpse into Morocco's past and is a must-visit for history enthusiasts. Relax and Unwind in the Coastal Town of Essaouira Escape the hustle and bustle of Morocco's cities and head to the picturesque coastal town of Essaouira. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and stunning beaches, Essaouira offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Stroll along the historic ramparts, explore the bustling fishing harbor, and savor fresh seafood at the local restaurants. For the more adventurous, try your hand at windsurfing or kiteboarding, taking advantage of the strong Atlantic winds. With its charming medina and picturesque coastal scenery, Essaouira provides a refreshing break from the inland cities. Experience Moroccan Hospitality with a Homestay To truly immerse yourself in Moroccan culture, consider embarking on a homestay experience. Stay with a local family and get a glimpse into their daily lives, traditions, and authentic Moroccan hospitality. Whether you're in bustling cities or remote villages, a homestay offers a unique opportunity to connect with the locals, learn about their customs, and even participate in traditional activities like cooking traditional Moroccan dishes or practicing traditional arts and crafts. It's an excellent way to forge meaningful connections and create lasting memories. Embark on an Unforgettable 3-Day Tour with a Reputable Tour Operator. One of the best ways to experience the wonders of Morocco is by embarking on a 3-day tour organized by a trusted tour operator. These tours offer a well-crafted itinerary that covers some of the most iconic destinations in the country, ensuring you make the most of your time. A reputable tour operator will handle all the logistics, including transportation, accommodation, and guided tours, allowing one to sit back, relax, and fully indulge your soul in the experience. With a 3-day tour, you can embark on a whirlwind adventure, exploring the highlights of Morocco. From the bustling streets of Marrakech and the majestic Atlas Mountains to the charming coastal town of Essaouira and the Sahara Desert, these tours offer a diverse range of experiences. You can expect to visit historic landmarks, indulge in local cuisine, engage with the vibrant culture, and witness breathtaking landscapes. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a group of friends, a 3-day tour with a reputable tour operator is an efficient and hassle-free way to explore the best that Morocco has to offer. Opting For the Right Tour Operator for Your Moroccan Adventure While planning an adventure to Morocco, selecting the right tour operator is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are a few key considerations to make when choosing a tour operator: Reputation:  Look for tour operators with a solid reputation and positive reviews from past travelers. Check online platforms and travel forums, and seek recommendations from friends or travel agents. Itinerary: Review the itinerary offered by the tour operator to ensure it covers your desired destinations and activities. Be attentive toward the duration of each stop and the overall pace of the tour. Inclusions:  Check what has been included in the tour package, such as accommodation, transportation, meals, and guided tours. Make sure that the inclusions are in pair with your preferences and budget. Flexibility:  Don’t forget to consider if the tour operator provides any flexibility when it comes to customizing the itinerary or adding optional activities. Value for Money:  Compare prices and inclusions among different tour operators to determine the best value for your budget. By carefully selecting a reputable Tour operator that matches your preferences, you can embark on a stress-free and memorable Moroccan adventure, leaving you with unforgettable memories of this captivating country. Read Also: Tips To Help You Plan Your Holidays To Morocco How Safe Is Morocco For Travel In 2022? What Is The Best Time To Visit Morocco?

BY  Sibashree Oct 13, 2025

Honestly, it’s fun watching Sydney flip personalities through the year. The city doesn’t really do that dramatic hibernation thing. It’s almost always, well, pleasant? But the city’s mood still shifts. Beaches, bars, parks! They all swap energy depending on the season. If you’re plotting a Sydney escape, it’s worth thinking about what you want most: are you after sun, culture, quiet nights, or rowdy days? Here’s how things actually feel, season by season. What Is The Best Time To Visit Sydney?  Check out the ultimate seasonal fun in Sydney in all months. Choose the best season based on the experience you want.  1. Summer (December – February): The Ultimate Beachfront Escape Let’s be real. Sydney in summer is a bit of a show-off. Those endless evenings that don’t seem to end, warm days (but not sticky-hot like you’d find elsewhere), and, yeah, every cliché about Aussie beaches is true but still sort of magical.  Bondi turns into a spectacle. You’ll hear more accents than at the UN. It’s noisy, crowded, alive. Some days, the sand’s so busy you give up, laugh, and just sit on the steps with chips. Restaurants spill outside, tables fill hours before sunset. Harbour’s packed with yachts, and it looks expensive even if you’re just gawking from the ferry.  Quieter beaches are a fifteen-minute drive away, yet barely touched—Nielsen Park, Balmoral (babies paddling at your ankles), everyone grilling sausages and pretending to argue over who forgot the tomato sauce. Oh, and parties—don't even start. New Year’s Eve on the harbor? Fireworks everywhere, Opera House in the background, people cheering, hugging random strangers! January packs in music, theatre, and weird art pop-ups. There’s always a movie playing under the stars if that’s more your speed. Stay At Villa Mirage, Manly. It’s open, breezy, all huge windows, like the house wants you barefoot and salty. You’ll be constantly outside or sliding indoors to cool off. Kind of surprising how close you can get to the water. Top Experiences If you’re ever going to splurge, charter a boat. Nothing beats skyline views with nobody elbowing you for space. NYE from a private rooftop—wish lists get made for moments like that. And dinner at Icebergs isn’t fancy, it’s just what you do when seafood’s this fresh. Must-Visit Event: Sydney Festival. All month. Don’t need a plan—just walk into anything. Free gigs. Roving acts down hidden alleys. VIP bits if you really want the works. Insider Note: Don’t wait to book. Everyone and their dog comes here for New Year’s. Start looking half a year out if you’re fussy. 2. Autumn (March – May): Tranquility & Wine Country Retreats After summer’s chaos, autumn is sweet relief in Sydney. It slows, locals breathe out, kids go back to school, and you can finally grab a good table without begging.  Still warm enough for swimming most afternoons and some weeks trick you into thinking summer’s still here. Sun doesn’t burn; air feels soft, and honestly, you might forget there’s ever “bad” weather here. You'll see way more families picnicking, groups laughing a bit less loudly, maybe a dog asleep in the sand. Nights are for al fresco meals and walks where you lose track of time. And if you like a drink, the wine harvest in the Hunter Valley is peak chilled-out luxury. Tours are mellow, winemakers like to chat, and the lunch spreads go for days. Not as crowded as you’d expect. Stay At Villa Hunter. It’s one of those “don’t take photos, just look” places, especially at sunset. Cozy inside if it cools off, but the terraces are where you’ll end up. Promise. Top Experiences Harvest Season in Wine Country: A private tour is perfect, especially with a driver who knows where to sneak you backstage. Yachts at dusk (better colors than any summer sunset), art galleries popping up everywhere. Must-Visit Event: Racing Carnival. Doesn’t even matter if you care about horses. It’s glammed-up, playful, equal parts gossip and spectacle—go for the people-watching. 3. Winter (June – August): Cozy Luxury & Cultural Indulgence For a city known for beaches, winter’s surprisingly good. Not freezing (ever), usually sunny, and the city gets all grown-up on you—fireplaces, dark cozy corners, long dinners.  Sure, water’s cold, but if you’re nuts, those outdoor pools are open and there’s always a few swimmers bobbing around like penguins. Food just gets better, with the chefs dialing up the rich, warm flavors. Opera, live shows, quiet bars with crackling fires! It’s a different crowd, slower energy. Also, prices drop, and top hotels don’t hide it; they want you there. Book a suite just because you actually can. Stay At Mosman Waterfront home. Real luxury is coming in from a walk with wind-stung cheeks straight into a sauna or steam room. Watch storms over the harbor without moving from your sofa. Top Experiences Bring the chef to you: big, lazy dinners without hassle, just laughter and empty plates. Hit an opera—winter draws the serious productions. Spas are empty, treatments longer, nobody rushing. Must-Visit Event: Vivid. Whole city lit up with trippy lights, projections—impossible to explain if you’ve never seen it. Just go. Get a hot drink, wander until you can’t feel your toes, call it a night. 4. Spring (September – November): Rejuvenation & Exclusive Outdoor Adventures Spring's that sigh of relief as days grow longer, flowers everywhere, parks suddenly packed again. Jacaranda blooms drop purple confetti on the sidewalks.  Kids, dogs, runners, everyone’s out. You get those mornings where it’s just cool enough to want coffee outside, afternoons warm enough for t-shirts. Outdoorsy types love it as hikes don’t leave you sweaty, yet the ocean’s recovering warmth is ready for the brave. Wildflowers on the coastal walks, whales offshore sometimes, if you’re lucky. Quick Tip: Go inland for a day, the Blue Mountains are classic this time of year—flowers, trails, views for days. Stay At Villa Utopia. Completely open, full of light, you’ll forget what “indoors” means. Sort of house that hosts as many little gatherings as you want—no one stuck inside. Top Experiences Hot air balloon rides at dawn over the Hunter Valley. Pack a camera or just stand there and gawk. Create-your-own picnic after a hike, art shows cropping up with surprisingly friendly crowds. Must-Visit Event: Sculpture by the Sea. Bondi to Tamarama walk turns into a giant, outdoor art fair. Could get busy, but that’s half the fun. Stroll, stop, eat ice cream, repeat. Final Thoughts: When Should You Book Your Luxury Stay In Sydney Look, there’s no truly “wrong” season here. Want the full sun-blasted, classic travel-mag Sydney? Summer or spring.  Looking for something more laid-back (and lower-key on price)? Autumn and winter are criminally underrated. Honestly, it doesn’t hurt to overlap two seasons for a rollercoaster of city moods. Whatever time you settle on, the right stay, big, easy, friendly homes, will turn it luxe anyway. Sydney has a way of outdoing itself.

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 27, 2023

Zanzibar is known for being sloppy when wet and extremely hot in the summer. The protracted rains bring heavy torrential downpours every day, causing high humidity and silty seas to occur between March and early May. With its dry and sunny peak season from June through October on the beach (and in Tanzania's game reserves if you're on a safari first), most vacations to Zanzibar outside of these periods will be nice. While November and December offer Zanzibar's shorter spells of rain, these typically are isolated showers that won't cause holiday washouts. January to March are likewise dry and hot but a lot quieter. The year-round average temperature is roughly 30°C. Due to the warm waters, minimal wind, and high visibility, the months between March and November are typically regarded as the best for diving and snorkeling. September through December is the prime time to see whale sharks, reef sharks, and manta rays. If you want to know more details on when is the best time to visit Zanzibar, this article will help you navigate those questions. Best Time To Visit Zanzibar Image Source: gumlet.assettype.com Strictly speaking, the dry seasons of December to February and June to October are the best times to visit the Zanzibar islands. But in general, the beaches on the southern and western parts of the islands are more protected from wind during these months. On the other hand, the wind typically comes from the southwest from June to October. This makes the northern and eastern coasts ideal for holidaying. But in the end, these islands remain at the whim of the ocean, and their weather can be erratic throughout the year. Even in the “dry” seasons, afternoon showers do occur, but they usually last only a few minutes and are refreshingly cool. It is not an entirely bad idea to travel to Zanzibar during the rainy season when the number of tourists declines, and you will likely find affordable trips and lodging (among those that are still open). The sunsets are known to be stunning. The rain, although severe, is not generally consistent, and delicious pineapples come into season! You might find it tricky to navigate the roads and buses, but things eventually settle. Wet and dry seasons are Zanzibar's prominent climates, which are influenced by the movements of the Indian Ocean’s rainy season. From November/December to February/March, the northeast monsoon winds, or kaskazi (in local parlance), blow. And from June to September/October, the southwest monsoon winds, also called kusi, blow. There is a brief rainy season (the vuli) in November in addition to the main rains (the masika), which last between mid-March to the end of May. Weather Image Source: www.holidaysplease.co.uk Although it can be reduced by the winds and sea breeze, humidity is relatively high throughout the year. The average daily temperature on Zanzibar Island is roughly 26°C (80°F) from June to October and around 28°C from December to February. However, during the latter period, humidity levels are frequently greater, making temperatures feel hotter. Pemba has a milder climate with a little more rainfall than Zanzibar Island. The islands are crowded with tourists from outside and expats from Nairobi and Dar es Salaam during major holidays like Christmas and Easter. You can expect crowded flights and increased hotel prices. On the other hand, life moves more slowly as many restaurants and shops close during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. The annual Zanzibar International Marathon takes place in the first few days of November. This can be a good incentive for sports enthusiasts, making it the best time to visit Zanzibar. Festivals Image Source: www.gallerytours.net The majority of Tanzania's public holidays are observed on the islands as well. On these days, companies and offices are typically closed, while some tour operators are still open. Some of the public holidays with set dates observed on the island are: 1 January – New Year 12 January – Mapinduzi ‘Revolution’ Day 7 April – Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day 26 April – Union Day: Zanzibar and Tanganyika 1 May – Workers’ Day 7 July – Saba Saba (Seven Seven) 8 August – Peasants’ and Farmers’ Day 14 October – Nyerere Day 9 December – Independence Day 25 December – Christmas Day 26 December – Boxing Day The Muslim holidays of Idd il Fitri, which marks the conclusion of Ramadan, and Idd il Maulidi (also known as Maulidi ya Mfunguo Sita), which commemorates Muhammad's birth, are widely observed and serve as public holidays. These festivals fall 11 or 12 days early each year and have dates that are determined by the lunar calendar. If you are planning to visit Zanzibar in 2024 and want to be a part of their Ramadan, it is set to start on 10 March through 8 April. Places To Visit Image Source: zanzibardestination.co.tz Zanzibar is one of those rare treasures you keep to yourself, as a secret, as a deeply significant memory, and as the most joyful days spent. Now that you know the best time to visit Zanzibar, if you want to know a few places you can check out while visiting, here are a few: Slave Trade Image Source: pbs.twimg.com The Slave Museum is a must-see for anybody interested in learning about Zanzibar's sordid past. The last active slave market in the world was shut down in 1873. You will pass by rooms where slaves were housed before being sold as you move around the museum. To work on plantations, hoards of Africans were first transferred to this island. Slave traffickers utilized the port at Zanzibar as their center of operations to transport slaves to countries including Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire. Sunset Dhow Show Image Source: www.tanzaniatourism.com If you miss taking a Sunset Dhow Cruise on the translucent, emerald seas of the Indian Ocean, your journey to Zanzibar will remain incomplete. The busy bustle of a busy town gradually disappears as the sunset cruise departs the coast that gets replaced finally by the musicians' melancholy ballad of lost love and found romances or a tune played on a taraab, violin, or oud. The crew will provide you with crackers and your preferred brand of beer or soda. Sip on your drink while you bask in the exotic vibe on the cruise. Mnemba Atoll Image Source: www.andbeyond.com Explore the fascinating marine life at Zanzibar, which is host to more than 400 species of fish, turtles, nudibranchs, and many rare forms of coral, while scuba diving at Mnemba Atoll. If you are lucky, you might see reef sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks. Mnemba Atoll is one of Zanzibar's top locations for water sports while being a conservation area and marine reserve. Mid-February through mid-May, as well as mid-October to mid-December, are the best times to go scuba diving in Mnemba Atoll since the sea is quiet, and there is high visibility to enjoy the experience even better. Darajani Market Image Source: upload.wikimedia.org A market is a location where we meet new folks, socialize, and engage in addition to trading and selling items. One such location in Zanzibar is the Darajani Market, which serves as the town's main market. You can find merchants selling everything from Chinese toys and other trinkets to indigenous Zanzibar spices, kofias (Zanzibari hats), and dates while you take a stroll around the streets. You will have an amazing experience wandering the market's winding streets. Wrapping Up The best time for either a rustic vacation or participation in Zanzibar activities is during the months of June and October. These are the months of spring in Africa when the weather is mild and delightful. You can also visit this island paradise in the tropics during December and February. Zanzibar experiences hot, dry weather while it is winter in other countries. Are you planning a visit and want to know when the best time to visit Zanzibar is? Or have you been to Zanzibar recently? Did you like the island? How was your experience? If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: This Is The Best Time To Visit Iceland & These Are The Things You Should Do! This Is The Best Time To Visit The Seven Magic Mountains In Vegas! THIS Is When You Should Visit Maldives!