Frank Lloyd Wright said Arizona deserved its own architecture, that the state invited a distinctive, desert aesthetic. So he set about scattering that legacy across the barren landscape from his winter home and studio, Taliesin West in Scottsdale – just outside the state capital, Phoenix, and perhaps the ultimate manifestation of mid-century Arizona style. So it was only a matter of time until Phoenix dropped its decades-long reputation as an arid, old-school spa town and adopted that of an edgy, visual arts hub. Inevitably, the hip young things descended, bringing cool and culture, too. Taliesin West is now an art museum, while downtown, various galleries showcase exciting artists. Today’s Phoenix is the sort of place to drink cocktails in an Art Deco landmark (Bitter & Twisted), before retiring to a fabulously retro hotel designed by a Wright protégé, once frequented by Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant (Hotel Valley Ho). For the best view of the city, though, you’ve got to hike up red-rock Camelback Mountain – an easier proposal in November’s mid-20s temperatures.
Where to stay: Choose a hotel that takes advantage of its place in the ‘Valley of the Sun’ and uses solar power, such as The Phoenician, set across 250 acres of the Sonoran Desert, or the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort.
7. Essaouira, Morocco
Temperature: 22°C high; 15°C low
Season: autumn
Flight time from the UK: 3 hours 40 minutes
Time difference: GMT +0
For a blast of winter sun a short hop away, Morocco is ideal – even for a weekend break. Along the coast are windswept beaches and surf towns such as Taghazout and Tamraght, where it’s all about chilling out in the sun. Essaouira is a feast for the senses: freshly caught fish is grilled over smoking-hot coals in shacks right on the harbour, and shisha smoke rises from rooftop bars. Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens used to hang out here, and it’s still a free-spirited place, with dozens of independent galleries and boutiques selling locally made pottery and crafts. Make time for a spot of ethical shopping. Mashi Mushki, which sells locally made art and crafts, donates a portion of its profits to Project 91, which helps young people in Essaouira find employment. Swanky (and sustainable) boutique hotel Villa Maroc sells Argan oil made by a local cooperative.
