Guest Post: Chasing Some Warmth by Iain Mallory

I’m so pleased to feature today’s guest post by writer, photographer & all around nice guy Iain Mallory. Follow his adventures on Twitter at @MalloryonTravel

Travel recommendations:
Chasing Some Warmth
I am often asked where my favourite destination is. It is a result of being considered a traveller that everybody seems to want to know your recommendations.

The truth is however there is not one place that I have enjoyed more than any other. It is maybe a matter of attitude, but every destination has its attractions and plenty to offer.

Therefore instead of suggesting just one place to visit here are a few honourable mentions.

Oman – Beautiful country, lovely people
A recent return visit to this wonderful country reminded me just what a special place it is. Muscat is a bustling city with Oman’s most important souk at Muttrah, palaces, the Grand Mosque, a fantastic opera house and its own festival held each February.

Just a few kilometres away is the authentic village of Seeb, fishermen spend the afternoon repairing nets and preparing longlines along the beach. It has its own souk for a wander and it is unlikely that many other western tourists will be encountered during a visit.

From the coastal towns of Sur with traditional dhow boat building yards and lighthouses to towns with ancient forts like Nizwa offer the traveller varied experiences. Beautiful Salalah in the green Dhofar region and pretty semi-troglodyte villages such as Mitfah with its incredible falaj the variety is stunning.

Sunrise and sunset in the dunes of the Wahabi Sands with permanent Bedouin camps and camels should not be missed and can be contrasted by the steep sided cliffs and emerald pools of wadis like Wadi Shab.

These are all beautiful but it is the people themselves which are the greatest attraction, friendly and welcoming. Dressed in pure white dishdashas or colourful robes but seemingly always wearing a smile. It must be one of the friendliest Middle Eastern destinations.

Oman is the perfect winter destination as the temperature is bearable then, in the summer it rises to an uncomfortable 40° centigrade. If looking for a slightly unusual destination, Oman is worth considering.

Meteora, Greece – Mountain City of Monks
Choosing a single destination from the many wonderful places Greece has to offer is not an easy task, but Meteora stands out from the crowd.

Set in the middle of the Thessaly Plain with incredible rock pillars on which monasteries are supported rising straight out of the base of the plain. Appearing like huge blades of rock, they are impressive enough in their own right, but add the monasteries balanced on them and they are breath-taking.

Most of these cities in the clouds are no longer inhabited but the few that are have museums, gift shops and of course ornate chapels. Photographs are not allowed here but there are ample opportunities for Kodak moments in and from the monasteries or pillars.

Building these monastic dwellings would be a challenge even now with modern machinery however when it is considered most are centuries old the problems encountered seem insurmountable. The fact they exist is testament to the skill and determination of the builders.

Meteora is a destination that I have wanted to visit since a child. Then fantastic images emerged from the pages of a magazine firing my imagination ever since. Arriving in person it did not disappoint and it can be recommended it to any traveller, adventurous or otherwise.

Marrakech – Souks in Sandals
Marrakech is admittedly a tourist trap; it is one of the most popular destinations in Morocco in fact the whole of North Africa. There is good reason for this, particularly for those travelling from Europe. It is very easy to travel to with plenty of flights but it also offers an opportunity to experience a culture alien to those of the west.

The medina is a labyrinth of small side streets bustling with traders selling handcrafted goods and tasty streetfood which is also excellent value. There are young men and women on scooters, donkey drawn carts transporting goods and of course tourists often temporarily lost whilst seeking souvenir in the shops and stalls.

The hub of the city is the world famous square, Djemaa el Fna which means ‘assembly of the dead’ for which there seems to be no explanation. There are islands of onlookers scattered around the square, each surrounding their own choice of entertainment, musicians, story tellers and even acrobats.

There are monkey wranglers, snake charmers and henna tattooists, children running or selling macaroon style cakes, traders of all kinds and yet more tourists.

In the evening it becomes even livelier as a tented village springs up selling a variety of foods from snail soup to sheep brains. The street sellers of the medina offering tajines to the artisans making handcrafted items for the souks may offer better value and are often tastier, but it is worth trying at least once.

The souks themselves line the square on three sides and are another of the main attractions of the city. They are organised into areas selling leatherwork, fine cloth, carpets and jewellery amongst other quality items. For those prepared to do a little bartering and keeping their wits about them some great bargains can be found.

It is possible to arrange an excursion into the desert or the popular coastal town of Essaouira from the city. This provides an escape for those struggling with the constant bustle of Marrakech.

Those seeking a beach will be disappointed not to find one amongst my recommendations; they are not amongst my favourite travel destinations. However if a little adventure and plenty of culture are your preferences these will suit your needs admirably. I hope you give them a try.

Iain is an ex-military man, and served as a Warrant Officer in the Army Physical Training Corps. This enabled him to become highly qualified in a large number of adventurous activities. Participating in many expeditions to many parts of the World which this satisfied his wanderlust. He tried his hand at running a public house in leafy Cheshire, but it was not too long before his love of travel got the better of him and he once again set off to discover more of the World.

 He now works freelance as a writer and photographer and enjoys finding adventure wherever he travels.