A return from Morocco

July 13, 2011 Moreno | Comment (0)

I have just returned from what was probably my 10th visit to Marrakech and enjoyed a weekend visit to this enchanting city. I also managed to squeeze in an escape to the coastal town of Essaouira, providing me with a respite from the formidable heat in Marrakech.

Essaouira is situated some 2.5 hours west from Marrakech and provides a chilled out break and much sought after sea breeze! For those that love shopping, you are rather spoilt here with plenty of boutique shops offering all the local craftsmanship you can wish for. The beach is also quite impressive, although being on the Atlantic Coast, is a haven for windsurfers due to the winds that prevails along here.

FlyBMI now fly to Marrakech and are soon to launch a 5 day a week service from London Heathrow. I was very impressed with their on-board service especially coming back in business class – a real nice end to the trip!

The great attraction to Marrakech and Morocco is that it can be reached in only a 3 hour flight and you are instantly transported into a unique and historical place, where old traditions still continue to be the way of life and where the people are so welcoming and are proud of their heritage. What I love about this place is that it is so vibrant, colourful and the smells are just so captivating, whether you are enjoying a cup of mint tea on the roof top terrace in your Riad to walking through the souks and watching the locals making wonderful crafts from a piece of metal –it really is amazing to watch.

When you have had enough of walking through the endless maze of the Souks, you can retreat back to your Riad and enjoy the spa facilities or simply sit by the pool with abook.

For those that enjoy the exhilarating things in life, perhaps a quad bike expedition in the Palmeraies or a balloon ride may be just your thing. Certainly for me with a fear of heights I just had to pass on this and settle for a camel ride instead!

Morocco is the perfect weekend trip, if you are looking for somewhere exciting, not so far away and offering a mixture of excellent cuisine, activities and spa.

Do give me a call if you would like more details on this destination, as I would be delighted to share my experiences with you!

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Visiting the luxury Ezzahra villa in Morocco

June 8, 2011 Helen | Comment (0)

I have just come back from the most amazing private villa in Marrakech – just 20 minutes from the airport which is only 3 hours from London, this idyllic location offers the perfect retreat.

To celebrate special birthdays, family events, friends or family special holidays this is the perfect place. With the warm climate this villa is set in the north of the city, where the King’s Mother has a villa! Quiet and secluded and the ultimate service to make your stay utterly perfect.

With 7 beautiful bedrooms in the main villa this is a group destination. There is also a smaller separate villa which sleeps 2-4 persons -  perfect for honeymoons.  The day starts with relaxed breakfast on the terrace where the days spas treatments can be planned (all included) ‘shall I have my massage round the pool or in the spa, and before for after the Hamman?’ One the days difficult decisions!

Then one can either, relax by the pool, go to the gym, play pad tennis before a delicious lunch served on the terrace – afternoons can offer be relaxing or even a trip in the city with the guide for some shopping or play golf nearby.  Maria, the lovely housekeeper, took  my children has a camel ride in the afternoon, which they loved.

If you have longer than a few days you may like to do an excursion to the Atlas Mountains or Essaouira on the coast, only 2 hours away.  Essaouira is a trendy city with a huge beach and almost a mini Marrakech medina town and a morrish port to explore. This city is famous for the artists who have flocked to this area – I also lovely the excellent fish restaurants and many activities available on the beach in the sand dunes such as quad biking.

All with the thought of returning to pure luxury and of the villa and superb dinner and an evening of music in the berbe tent around the pool or cosy round the fires to try the shisha pipes!

Really a special place I would really recommend for a special escape with family & friends. Read more about the Villa Ezzahra.

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Returning from my trip to Morocco

May 16, 2011 Helen | Comment (0)

Just returned form my fantastic trip in Marrakesh, Morocco what a fantastic destination just over 3 hours away and a completely different climate and culture.

In a warm temperate climate, we explored the old city within the Medina walls and also the new city, which is well worth a visit. We found the mornings quiet and great time to explore and streets get busier and busier through the late morning and into the evening

Having one of our expert guides for a city tour really helped to explain the history and culture which made sense of the city

Although I dressed with consideration for the Muslim culture you could see many tourists don’t and apart from the interesting street banter from the street sellers, which is all very good natured, we didn’t get hassled.

I visited many amazing Riads, A riad being a traditional house set around a courtyard, which is an old design that keeps the inner part of the house cool and quiet, even the roof terraces are a quiet place to relax.

There are so many special Riads within the medina wall, too many to list but some of my favorite include Angsna Si Said, La Sultana, Les Jardins de la Medina, Riad Kniza and the amazing La Arabe which is not only walking distance to the main square but has the most beautiful Spa and Hamann. A treatment at a Hamann is an absolute must when you visit Marrakesh- a weekly event to all locals, as not only a cleansing session but local ‘gossip’ session- many arranged marriages are ‘born’ here!

You will not only feel completely relaxed and cleansed but totally invigorated.

I was lucky enough to eat at Marrakeshs’ best restaurant Dar Yacout which is a beautiful setting and fantastic food- a set menu including traditional Tagine dishes

Morocco has so much more to offer than just Marrakesh, the Atlas mountains are known for trekking and walking, I also visited Essaouira, 2 hours to the west on the Atlantic coast, huge wide long beach with many kite surfers, wind surfers, dune buggy and camel riding activities on offer, with a mini Marrakesh-like city set in the old medina walls, there is a Morrish fort to explore and I found this area to be a fantastic location for another few days, so much to see and do including visiting where the argon oil is made. This is great to escape to when Marrakesh gets too hot or for more of an active time especially with children (Sofitel has a children’s club), fabulous hotels here incl Heure Bleue, Riad Mumtazmahal, this is a new Riad which is newly created in the traditional opulent style and the more modern Sofitel hotel which offers the benefits of a larger hotel with a big swimming pool and spa but still sympathetic to the Moroccan style.

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Essaouira is famous for its Fish, Seafood, beach and Argon oil.

A few hours north an ultimate relaxation, near to Casablanca on a lagoon by 2 headlands is La Sultana Oualidia which is a very special kind of retreat, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels in the World group, this hotel offers a perfect romantic retreat, with its sandbanks, oyster beds and salt water marshes in the lagoon it offers calm waters joining the 45meter infinity pool, a perfect romantic break or Honeymoon destination.

I didn’t manage to visit Fez on this trip, but Moreno our Senior specialist with 8 years experience selling Morocco, knows this area, I’m excited he’s brought this destination to us and look forward to sharing it with our clients.

Read more about Morocco

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Announcing tailor-made holidays to Morocco – a simply unforgettable destination.

April 6, 2011 Moreno | Comment (0)

Worldwide Holidays are pleased to announce that Morocco, the mystical, vibrant and intriguing destination located in North Africa is joining the Worldwide Holidays portfolio. Morroco is a simply stunning destination, I vividly remember the colorful sights of spices, bustling sounds of the souks and the captivating smells of incense burning. From April 2011 we will be offering exciting tailor-made holidays to Morocco.

Morocco is a land rich in natural beauty and unforgettable places that are both fascinating to visit and intriguing to explore. For those who want to immerse themselves in Moroccan culture and history there are hundreds of mosques, palaces, and historical sites to visit. Morocco has been influenced by several civilizations since Antiquity. This has produced an incomparable historical heritage waiting to be discovered.

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If you have any questions about Morocco or our sample itineraries please contact me on 01202 606160 or drop me an email at – moreno@worldwideholidays.co.uk. I look forward to hearing from you! Read This Post