Now that there are flight options to both Marrakech (Easyjet, Ryanair, Thomsonfly and Royal Air Maroc) and Agadir (Ryanair & Easyjet), when planning a trip to Essaouira, a look at a map will probably have you heading to Agadir – don’t!
Fleewinter, the UK’s leading independent specialist for Morocco holidays knows the country inside out and warns customers against flying to Agadir – even though it is closer.
Comments Alisdair Luxmoore, Managing Director: “Many people book flights to Agadir after looking at a map and being fooled into thinking that must be the best option as it is closer than Marrakech. However the road from Agadir is nowhere near as good and an average drive time will be around 4 hours, compared with 2.5 hours from Marrakech. There are also lots more flights to Marrakech and it is closer to the UK, meaning less fuel being burned for those who like to try and minimise their carbon footprint.
“Marrakech is also a much more exciting and colourful destination than Agadir and is perfect for stopping for a night or two at either end of a stay in Essaouira, or for hiking excursions into the Atlas Mountains.
Fleewinter has recently opened Rebali, a unique complex of six traditionally designed riads along the coast from Essaouira, sleeping from 2 to 10 people.
The properties have modern touches such as electrically operated glass sliding roofs, and there is also a hammam, and chefs on site who can deliver meals to riads on request (therefore private accommodation with the convenience of hotel-style service).
There are swimming pools (the larger villas have private pools), tennis courts and the ocean-facing properties are just 100m from an expansive, white, sandy beach. Rooms can be booked individually or entire properties can be taken over by groups. Prices from £40 per person per night (two sharing), on a B&B basis.
Fleewinter is a fully-bonded operator, and can book flights, transfers and car hire on request. Every booking also receives a copy of Fleewinter’s exclusive Insider Guide Notes to Morocco. Call 020 7112 0019 (www.fleewinter.com).