Where will you explore next? The Italian Lakes or majestic Morocco

Travel is something to be savoured. While it’s tempting to see as much of the world as possible, those trips that stay with us are generally those with time to dive deeper into local culture, to lose ourselves in unforgettable landscapes, and to relish everything from food to history along the way.

Who wants to return home feeling like all you saw has blurred into one hectic whirl? Travellers are increasingly choosing to explore a single area in more depth, and to search out less-visited corners of their favourite countries.

These two new trips for 2027 are both perfect for getting under the skin of your destination for a holiday to remember, whether you’d prefer to experience la dolce vita in the Italian Lakes or to enjoy a North African adventure in Morocco.

Set in Italy’s forested north, the country’s chain of shimmering lakes has been enticing visitors for centuries, with aristocrats stopping here in the 18th century on the Grand Tour, and today’s A-listers snapping up villas on their elegant shores.

Our new 11-night tour Italian Lakes Discovery is the perfect opportunity to dip your toe into the larger – and more famous – Lake Como and Lake Garda as well as exploring the quieter, hidden gems of Lake Iseo and Lake Levico. Each area has its own charm and individual character.

Despite sitting between Lake Como and Lake Garda, Lake Iseo gets overlooked by most visitors to the region but there’s plenty to tempt you to this gloriously lovely spot.

Lake Iseo

The clear blue water of the lake is backed by mountain views here too but visit the old towns on the lakefront and you’ll escape the big crowds found elsewhere. Whilst on a full day excursion around Lake Iseo, journey along the east coast between Marone and Sulzano for a wander before crossing by ferry to Monte Isola, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, in the middle of Lake Iseo. It is the largest inhabited island of all the European lakes, with colourful boats bobbing in the harbour and narrow alleys winding past the stone houses.

Continuing to Lake Levico, east of Lake Garda indulge in sampling some of the local wine. Run by two brothers, Cantina Romanese is known for its unique method of ageing one of its creations; since 2013, they have been submerging their Chardonnay Dosaggio Zero bottles 20m under the waters of Lake Levico for over two years, making it the first (and only) Trento DOC sparkling wine to be aged underwater.

When you’re not sampling the local vintages, there are lovely lakeside walking trails to take you around Levico, shaped more like a Norwegian fjord than its expansive neighbours.

Lake Garda

No trip to the area is complete without visiting a few of the deservedly popular highlights of the Italian Lakes free from the summer crowds.

Lake Garda is the largest lake, stretching for 32 miles, explore the north of the lake, often overlooked by visitors, where the 13th century castle at Malcesine has been home to some of the area’s most powerful families, including the della Scala and Visconti dynasties. Don’t miss the chance to visit before soaking up the views; the Monte Baldo cable car whisks you to the top of the mountain to look down on the spectacular landscape in front of you.

Italian Lakes Discovery

Departure dates: April 8; May 6, 13, 20; June 3, 10; September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 21, 2027

Only a short flight from the UK, a holiday in Morocco is one of the easiest ways to transport yourself to a completely different culture in just a few hours. Packing in historic cities, landscapes ranging from mountains and desert to Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, plus fabulous food, it’s also ideal if you are hoping for a taste of adventure.

And our new 14-night tour, Morocco’s Imperial Cities & the Sahara, gives you a taste of it all as you explore the west coast of the country, the south and several of its most fascinating cities – Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes and Agadir. It is the perfect way to experience the many different faces of Morocco.

Fes

As well as vibrant Marrakech with its colourful main square and souk, and the labyrinthine alleys of the Fes medina, where time feels as if it has stood still for centuries, you’ll also get to see a more modern side to the country in Casablanca. Soak up the 20th-century Art Deco architecture, stroll the Corniche along the coast and marvel at the towering Hassan II Mosque, whose 210m-high minaret is the second tallest in the world.

But there’s far more to the country than its cities alone, modern or historic. Morocco’s landscapes are incredibly varied and dramatic. You will travel by road through the towering Atlas Mountains, almost as lush as the Alps, where the Amazigh (Berber) people have lived for some 10,000 years, then drop down into the oasis town of Erfoud, an idyllic base to explore the Sahara, the world’s largest hot desert.

Looking out over the undulating golden dunes of Merzouga, it’s easy to believe you’ve left civilisation far, far behind. As you head out through this aridly beautiful scenery on 4x4 jeep excursion, there’s a chance to uncover some of the desert’s secrets.

Discover a few rather different stars at the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate. The largest film studio in the world by area, it’s doubled as ancient Egypt, Rome, the Middle East and even Tibet, with Hollywood blockbusters such as Gladiator, The Mummy and Kingdom of Heaven filmed here, along with major TV series such as Game of Thrones and most recently The Odessey.

With so much space on hand, few of the movie sets are demolished after the film crew has moved on, so you can enjoy one final virtual adventure to the worlds of the big and small screen standing on the edge of the desert.

Agadir

Then further south down the coast, the laid-back atmosphere in Agadir will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about Moroccan cities. Returning to Marrakech for the last 3 nights of this tour to soak up everything Marrakech has to offer, from a charming visit to the Majorelle Gardens where nature will delight you to Ben Youssef Madrasa, a spectacular architectural treasure nestled in the heart of the medina.

Morocco’s Imperial Cities & the Sahara

Departure dates: May 7; June 11; September 3, 17; October 1, 8, 29, 2027

Departures exclusively for single travellers: June 11, 2027

As each Saga escorted tour is unique, we grade each one as accurately as we can. This is so you can choose the right holiday for you, at a pace that suits you. These tours are a Pace 3 (out of 4 being the highest), meaning they are an ideal tour for anyone who enjoys a more active holiday and a mix of excursions, from city exploring to venturing off the beaten track. You’ll stay in multiple hotels and there will be several hours of activities per day, with early starts and late finishes.

More information can be found on the holiday page, and on our website at saga.co.uk/pace