I notice that flights to southern Spain are much cheaper than those to Morocco. Do you know of any ferry services that run between the two countries, and is this a sensible option? Tim Anderson, Liverpool

Doc Holiday responds: Air fares from the UK to Morocco have been coming down a lot recently, so the difference between fares to Spain and fares to Morocco is getting less. For example, Atlas Blue (www.atlas-blue.com), which is a no frills part of Royal Air Maroc, has fares from Gatwick to Marrakech from £98. Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) starts flights from Gatwick to Marrakech on July 4, also from about £100. And the traditional carrier's fares have fallen too, with British Airways (0870 9508950, www.ba.com) flying to Agadir, Fez, Marrakech, and Casablanca, with fares from about £200. Or try Royal Air Maroc (020 7307 5800, www.royalairmaroc.com).

Costs aside though, crossing from Spain to Africa is a great way to begin a Moroccan adventure, and there are several companies that run sailings.

FRS (00 34 956 68 183, www.frs.es) sails to Tangier from Gibraltar, Algeciras (25 kilometres from Gibraltar), and Tarifa (46 kilometres from Gibraltar). Its 'InCat' is as fast catamaran style of vessel that sails from Tarifa to Tangier in just 35 minutes. Fares are from £35 return.

Alternatively, Euro Ferries (0034 956652324, www.euroferries.com) cross from Almeria to Nador; Algeciras to Ceuta; and Algeciras to Tangier. Or try Comarit Espana (www.comarit.com) or Ferri Maroc (book in Almeria on 00 34 9 50 274800, www.ferrimaroc.com).

Tangiers is an interesting place to holiday, but it also has good transport links south to Fez and Marrakech. An especially good way to get to Marrakech is by train, operated by the efficient state railways company. Entering Morocco via Ceuta or Nador is slightly more tricky, in that they are smaller towns with little tourist infrastructure and fewer transport links.

For more information, call the Moroccan National Tourist office on 020 7437 0073, or visit www.visitmorocco.com

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