You can now catch a direct flight from Manchester to a sunny, beachy paradise that been labelled ‘the new Turkey’.
Morocco is experiencing a tourism boom, with the number of flights to the African country from the UK rocketing in recent years.
There are four cities you can fly to directly from Manchester (including Marrakesh, Agadir and Tangier), but the newest route to open heads straight to Casablanca.
This is a coastal resort that promises great value for money, with three-course meals for less than £20 and the average cost of a pint just £2.50.
Manchester Airport has said that the surge in popularity of holidays to Morocco mirrors the recent boom in Turkey.
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And to celebrate the fact you can now visit the beautiful city of Casablanca direct from Manchester Airport, with prices from just £127 per person with Royal Air Maroc, our local airport has whipped up a bit of a guide to this hidden holiday gem.
Your first stop should be the Old Medina in Casablanca, which was the setting for the Hollywood classic film of the same name.
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Here you’ll find markets, cafes and street hawkers, plus views of the city from the city walls and ramparts.
The Hassan II Mosque is considered one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in Africa, jutting into the ocean.
At the time it was built in 1993, the minaret at the mosque was the tallest in the world at 689ft.
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You can now fly direct to Casablanca from Manchester Airport. Credit: Supplied, PixabayCasablanca. Credit: Unsplash, Chaoyue Ding
It looks extra-stunning at night when the building is silhouetted against the sunrise.
As for food, you can expect flavoursome Moroccan food like tagines and couscous, plus loads of seafood.
Casablanca is also home to one of the country’s best beaches in Ain Diab, with golden sands stretching for nearly two miles.
It has a more manageable temperature than some parts of the Med too, reaching average highs of 27C in July and August.
Once you’ve had enough of lying on the beach, you can head up to La Corniche, a seafront promenade lined with restaurants, beach bar and nightclubs.
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There’s even a waterpark in Casablanca – there are more than a dozen water rides and its own beach at the Tamaris Aquaparc, where entry costs just £18 for adults and £11.80 for kids.
Day trips to the Moroccan capital of Rabat, or to Fes, are also possible from here, as are hiking trips to the Atlas Mountains.
Direct flights between Manchester Airport and Casablanca are now available with Royal Air Maroc.
Based in the Walshaw area of Bury, just a nine-minute drive from the town’s centre, the family-owned Meadowcroft Farm is run by couple Deb and Deano, who have turned their land into a home dedicated to letting alpacas live their best life – and this includes regular visits from the Greater Manchester public keen to learn all about them.
If you’re looking to swap the hustle and bustle of city life for rolling hills and views as far as the eye can see, then Meadowcroft Farm’s already-popular alpaca walking experience offers just the reset you need.
Oh, and you can make friends with alpacas and other adorable animals too, while you’re at it.
This is Meadowcroft Farm Alpacas / Credit: The Manc Group
The interactive experience starts off with a talk from Deb about everything they do at Meadowcroft Farm, and then you’ll get introduced to each of their 12 fluffy alpacas.
As alpacas are pack animals, this means you need to have at least three living together at one time by law in the UK.
Then each person gets paired up with an alpaca for the walk – with The Manc Group team members, Aimee and Emily, getting to look after the farm’s two new babies, Woody and Buzz.
Once everyone is paired with their alpaca, it’s then time to go for a short walk around the landscape of the farm, with some really gorgeous views to take in along the way.
At this family-run farm in Bury, you can walk a herd of adorable alpacas in the countryside / Credit: The Manc Group
While you’re walking around the flat, grassy route (the walk is suitable for most people, but it’s advised that you dress in correct clothing for the weather and surroundings), Deb takes the time to check in with all the walkers, even stopping to take pictures of everyone with their alpacas before heading back to the farm to feed them.
After working up an appetite, you’ll then get to feed the alpacas, alongside the other animals Meadowcroft takes care of – including baby goats, polish chickens, and rabbits.
Inside Levenshulme Antiques Village, Manchester’s three-story treasure trove of vintage finds
Daisy Jackson
If you’re the sort of person who gets a real kick out of saying ‘Thanks, it’s vintage’, then you probably already know of Levenshulme Antiques Village. But if not, allow us to show you around a little.
This three-story hypermarket has been trading out of the former Levenshulme Town Hall for decades, filling the 127-year-old building with items potentially even older.
It’s a vast antiques centre where every twist in the maze reveals vintage furniture, collectibles, artwork and curiosities from every era imaginable.
The building itself still carries plenty of charm and history from the building’s past as the local council offices, and thankfully very little of its personality was stripped away in the process of transforming the building into the Levenshulme Antiques Village.
Today, visitors still climb the grand staircase beneath soaring ceilings and pass through hallways lined with original wall-to-wall ceramic tiles.
There’s free parking outside (which is good, because you’re likely to leave with a boot-full of treasure), and once inside, the scale of the place quickly becomes apparent.
Friendly traders fill the building, many of whom are more than happy to chat, share stories behind their stock, or guide visitors towards hidden gems tucked away in quieter rooms. And there are plenty of gems to uncover.
A room packed with mid-century furnitureLevenshulme Antiques Village is a treasure trove of vintage findsJust look at this lot…
From antique furniture and oil paintings to jewellery, records, ceramics and shelves overflowing with nicknacks, the village rewards slow wandering. One moment you might stumble across a beautifully carved temple door; the next, a collection of vintage signs or a perfectly preserved mid-century cabinet.
The top floor is perhaps the most striking space of all. Once a ballroom, the enormous room still retains a sense of grandeur, with high ceilings and huge windows flooding the space with natural light, but is now transformed into a densely packed emporium of antiques and collectibles.
Outside, the experience continues with artist workshops and creative studios, among them is craftsman Kip Kaboli, known for producing handcrafted Japanese knives and even hosting oyster events. It’s an unusual but fitting addition to a place that celebrates both heritage and craftsmanship.
Old ceramic tiles still line the hallwaysThe on-site tearoom at Levenshulme Antiques Village
Halfway through exploring, many visitors end up at the affordable tearoom on the first floor, serving comforting classics like salad sandwiches and afternoon teas.
What makes Levenshulme Antiques Village special is not simply the volume of antiques packed inside, but the atmosphere, the warm welcome from traders, and the weird and wonderful history of the place.
Daisy Jackson -
24th July 2024 
