Ben Parker and Annabel Grossman
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NewsTranscript
00:00Welcome to Travel Smart Weekly, the insider's travel guide from Independent TV.
00:05This is a series where we share our take on the best destinations to visit across the globe.
00:10This week we're exploring North Africa, which is one of our top holiday picks for 2024 and 2025.
00:17This region is home to several countries where not only can you enjoy trips filled with culture, gorgeous beaches and wonderful cuisine,
00:25but also where you can currently score some pretty great deals.
00:29We're starting in Egypt, in the hustle and bustle of Cairo.
00:39Many holidaymakers will spend a night in the capital at most.
00:43You may need to visit the pyramids, which are just 30 minutes from the centre, but there's plenty more to see in this city.
00:49The Grand Egyptian Museum, which will open later this year, is home to a staggering 100,000 artefacts, including those from the legendary Tutankhamun collection.
01:05Outside of the capital, tourists in need of a little R&R often head to the Red Sea resort towns of Haggadah and Sharm el-Sheikh,
01:13where there is no shortage of hotels, beach clubs and bars and restaurants.
01:18Just up the coast from Sharm el-Sheikh is the rather more boho and mellow town of Dahab, which is a haven for divers.
01:26History buffs won't want to miss Luxor, where among the many archaeological sites and temples, you'll find the Valley of the Kings.
01:34While over in the ancient city of Alexandria, you'll find a distinct, more Mediterranean culture with beautiful bays and harbours.
01:43Moving on to Tunisia, which is particularly popular for sun and sea, with plenty of package holidays and all-inclusive resorts.
01:53This can be a bit of a fly-and-flop destination, with resort towns like Hammamet and Sousse proving the normal go-tos for UK holidaymakers.
02:02But for some adventure, head out to the Sahara and explore the desert on dune buggies, 4x4s and camels.
02:10At Jebel National Park, you can spot wildlife like Dorcas gazelle and Addax.
02:15Many tour companies offer the chance to camp overnight in traditional Berber tents.
02:20The Zargalan Oasis and the Salt Lake of Shot el-Jerid also offer otherworldly experiences away from the typical tourist trail.
02:30Next up is Morocco. Travellers will often spend at least a couple of days in Marrakech, and we would wholeheartedly encourage this.
02:39There are endless opportunities for shopping in the maze of souks and charming riads to stay in.
02:45But we would also caution against overlooking Morocco's other great cities that don't get the same attention.
02:52Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier and Fez all make great city breaks, whether you're travelling as a family, couple or solo traveller.
03:02For a beach stay, head to the coastal towns of Tagazou and Essaouira, where you'll find excellent surfing as well as beautiful beaches to relax on or to enjoy a spot of yoga.
03:13For adventure, the Atlas Mountains, less than two hours from Marrakech, offer opportunities for mountain biking, hiking and climbing.
03:21I'm personally a fan of the Uragan Valley, and climbing the mighty Mount Toubkal is high on my bucket list.
03:28We're ending the show with a shout out to Algeria. It may not be your typical tourism destination, but it's showing all the potential of becoming the next big holiday spot in North Africa.
03:41Although certain areas are still inadvisable to travel through, including anywhere near the borders with Libya, Mali and Niger, the country is gearing itself up to welcome more tourists.
03:51You'll find a wealth of historical sites, stunning natural landscapes, including a gorgeous coastline and remarkably bohemian cities, as an undiscovered gem is worth checking it out for an off-the-beaten-path option.
04:06That's it for this episode of Travel Smart Weekly. Be sure to check in for our next episode, which you can watch onsite, on the Independence Mobile app or on your smartphone.
04:16And for the latest travel news, reviews and advice, be sure to check out independent.co.uk forward slash travel and listen to Simon Calder's daily podcast.