Travel question: Would you recommend Marrakech in August?

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Some like it hot... but the Moroccan city is best visited in February (iStock)

Q We are a family of four (children aged 10 and 13) and looking at booking an all-inclusive holiday to Marrakech in Morocco in August. Would you recommend this? We are unsure due to the children – it’s not your typical Spanish holiday as we have done before.

Verity B

A Marrakech is a wonderful destination for most of the year. It is about the most exotic location you can reach within three hours’ flying time from the UK, with an atmospheric medina – market area – within ancient walls, and plenty of interest elsewhere in the city. But I hope I can persuade you not to go there. That is not because of any particular risk, but due to the extreme heat you are likely to encounter.

North Africa in August is, in my opinion, way too hot, with an average high of 37C. This will make meaningful activities outside during the middle of the day difficult. While southern locations such as the Canaries are even nearer the equator, at least they have Atlantic breezes to cool them. Marrakech is inland, and although it has fabulous high-altitude locations nearby in the Atlas Mountains, if you are planning an all-inclusive holiday you are probably not going to avail yourselves of the possibility of hiking in the spectacular scenery.

Can I possibly persuade you to go to northern Spain – perhaps the Costa Brava – or Croatia? My strongest recommendation for an all-inclusive in August for a 10- and 13-year-old is the Neilson Beachclub at Alana on the Croatian coast. This will offer a splendid array of activities from sailing to mountain biking. It’s not quite all-inclusive – three meals in the week are not provided, allowing you to explore the nearby local cafes and restaurants.

Prices are likely to be high, but if your budget will stretch I guarantee the family will have a terrific holiday. It will be hot, but not as extreme as Morocco. If you possibly can, save Marrakech for February or October half-term, when the city will be sparkling and the evenings cool.

Every day our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder