Swimming or melting in the Fez Medina.

When the hot weather arrives in Fez, it does so with a vengeance. This week the temperatures are expected to top 40 degrees Celsius and shop vendors, tradespeople and tourists alike are seeking shade and options for cooling down.

Suddenly the fountain looks inviting

Fans and air conditioners are not available for everyone and for many locals that means a trip to the municipal pool. For others, lucky enough to have a fountain, some relief can be gained by a little gentle immersion.

Riad Alkantara's pool

The folk at Riad Alkantara are only too familiar with how cooling a dip in a pool can be and have decided to open their magnificent facility to the public. To announce this and to draw attention to an other innovation - a new bar - they held a pool party.

Likely local lads salivating

The new bar will be managed by Pippa Smith. Pippa, originally from Norwich in the UK has been living and working in Dublin, but now calls Fez home. Being gregarious and super-efficient makes her a perfect person for the position.

So next time the heat is getting to you, remember there is now another alternative to jumping into fountains... mind you, swimming from end to the other does take longer.

Pippa and the new club style bar.

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news