The best place to start is by trying www. holidaysonline. ie for a flight-only into Agadir (about four hours from there by road to Marrakech) or else check out www. ebookers. ie for flights into Marrakech via the UK.

So what's to see then?

This is a place that you don't so much see, but rather experience. The first thing that hits you is the colour . . . as you approach the city by road Marrakech looms out of the distance like an ochrecoloured mirage.

And it is really two cities: the new . . . with its broad, flower-lined streets where you'll find modern shops, hotels and bars . . .and the old . . . with its fascinating maze of tiny streets, riads and souks.

And if you think you've 'done' souks in other destinations and that this will be the same, prepare yourself for a shock. Yes, there's still the hassle factor and some parts of the souk are like those in Istanbul or Dubai, but there are also parts that are extremely primitive and all the more interesting because of it.

You can't miss the Djemma El Fna square with its food stalls after dark and its jugglers, hustlers and dancers and you should also try to pay a visit to Yves St Laurent's exquisite gardens on the edge of town . . . a cooling sanctuary on a hot African afternoon.

And accommodation?

Sunway (www. sunway. ie) offer a choice of accommodation in Marrakech, from traditional riads (guesthouses) to threeand five-star hotels.