Keeping warm in Africa - don't ask Tom.

Yes, we know that's a strange headline. It needs to be. You see, we have just been reading the little advertorial piece in The Observer being run on The Guardian website. The column is called Ask Tom and, on the surface, it appears to be a great way to fill a few column inches.

Tom, is none other than Tom Hall from Lonely Planet. So when readers write or email their questions, the valiant Tom stumps up with an answer. Fine? Well, it should be, but sadly Tom Hall from Lonely Planet seems to have strayed into the advertising department along the hall and in two short paragraphs manages to get in a plug for Ryanair and a riad in Fez, complete with phone number. All of which is pretty ho hum - or would be if the rest of his information was accurate.

Dr Sally Johnson, Guildford asks Tom:

My in-laws have offered to look after our three children for a weekend in January so my husband and I can go away for my birthday. We would like to travel outside the UK but are worried that most European cities will be cold, grey and closed up. We are looking for a nice hotel in a city with some sights to visit and lots of bars and cafes to sit in and watch the world go by. Ideally we would prefer warmer weather but don't want to spend hours on long flights. Any suggestions?

Tom replies:

January is a great time to see the classic cities with fewer crowds - so if you've had plans to visit the Alhambra in Granada or Florence's Uffizi this is a good time to do so. To get warmth you're looking at north Africa. The temperature in Fez and Cairo should be in the high teens and they're just about within range for a weekend. Fez is easy to get to by Ryanair and is a breathtaking place to visit for a few days. Ryad Mabrouka (00 212 3563 6345; www.ryadmabrouka.com) is a guesthouse in the heart of the medina, with suites from £82.

Well, we can't comment on Cairo, but January in Fez struggles to get into the teens (as he puts it)- in fact Fez can be freezing with temperatures from minus 3 to 12 or 14 Celsius. Then there is the chill factor with those bracing breezes sweeping down from the Middle Atlas. Last year in January it snowed in Fez. But, hey, don't take our word for it - here's what Lonely Planet has to say:

The rainy season is from November to January, but can go as late as April. In winter the mountains can get as cold as minus 20 C (without taking the chill-factor into account), with snow blocking the mountain passes, so take enough warm clothing to cope with an unwelcome night stuck in an unheated bus. - Lonely Planet - Facts about Morocco.

Our old mate, Tony Wheeler, (pictured left) who with his wife Maureen, founded Lonely Planet, is a legendary stickler for accuracy and would certainly have been able to give Tom a little advice along the lines of "read the book, son". Not a bad idea, Tom. We were reminded of that remark by Susan Sontag - I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list. Well, Tom, we are not sure what planet you are on, but you need to get out of the office a bit more often and while you are, grab a copy of the excellent Lonely Planet Morocco and read it before you burst into print and send poor Dr Sally Johnson from Guildford off for a bit of January warmth in Fez.

Oh... and a quick post script Tom. Sally wanted a place with lots of bars and cafes. Mmmm - a bar in the Fez Medina? There's an idea.

By the way - you check out Tony Wheeler on his blog: Tony Wheeler.

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news