Essaouira

Situated half way between Agadir and Marrakech and on the Atlantic coast this walled port was named Mogador in the past and the name is still used today. The layout of the streets is more orderly than in other Moroccan cities due to the French architect who designed the current town 200 years ago. This is a beach resort with a small fishing harbour and the town has a calm languid atmosphere reminiscent of its “hippy” days in the 60’s. Essaouira has attracted artists and creative visitors for decades and its no wonder, it is as pretty as a picture, in fact its Arabic name, Saouira means picture.
Like many coastal towns it has changed hands over time, the Phoenicians, Romans, the Portuguese, their influences are much in evidence particularly in the Medina. Rue de la Skala, is the wood workers area, you can see them working in shops that align the attractive blue and white street. This is a quieter area and the temptation to buy some of the most beautiful wooden pieces, made from the regions’ rare, Thuya wood, is enormously tempting. Bargaining here is more subtle.
As a beach resort on the Atlantic coast it is a favourite with windsurfers and kite surfers as the conditions for this sport are excellent particularly between March and November, see our What to do page.
The best hotels here are the small Riads, we currently show one, the Relais & Chateaux Palais L’Heure Bleue, but we do book others here too.

Ouirgane

In the foohills of the High Atlas Mountains this village in the the heart of Berber country at about 1000 metres. The area offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation including horse riding, walking or hiking and visiting local Berber villages. Guides are recommended to get the best out of the area and can easily be arranged. Our hotel choice here is La Roseraie and as its name suggests it is a garden oasis and a very comfortable retreat from the stresses of everyday life.

Fes

Also spelt with a z, is another contrast. It is really three cities in one! Fes el Bali started to take shape in the 8th century; Fes el Jedid came 500 years later and finally the Ville Nouvelle was added during the last century. A guide in Fes would be essential to make the most of this fascinating city, your hotel will be able to recommend one or our local agent can. An Imperial city which has been declared a World Heritage site and many of the oldest buildings have or are being restored to their former glory. Attempts to preserve the way of life in Fes el Bali, the medina, are also in hand so that it remains a living community. There are interesting places to visit and we give a little more detail on our What to do? page above. For centuries Fes was the centre for the study of the Koran and there are several beautifully preserved medersa (religious schools) dating from the 1300’s.
Craft traditions, as in many Moroccan cities and towns, are still thriving particularly in the souks where they have been practised for generations. There are what seems like thousands of tiny shops in the narrow streets of Fes el Bali, a tailor, brass worker, olive oil, spices, perfumes, strange and magical potion shops will all vie for your attention and you can’t miss the wool dyers or the tanners quarter. Fes souks are well known for leather goods, pottery, brass and copperware.