10 Nights Budget City-Beach Holiday - Opinions Please!
Replies: 13 - Last Post: Mar 29, 2012 4:28 AM Last Post By: skunkman44
jump to
10 Nights Budget City-Beach Holiday - Opinions Please!
HiMy boyfriend and I are thinking about going to Morocco for our summer holiday in late June - I've been to Marrakech but about 10 years ago now so we're treating it like we're both newbies to the country and want to do some culture followed by relaxing on the beach, especially since I'm sure it will be boiling hot.
We need to stick to a tight budget, he thinks £500, I think that may be pushing it. Anyway I have thought of an itinerary (& an alternative) and would love to hear what other people think, especially after flights & accommodation cost (currently about £340 inc bus and train travel exc taxi), how much will it be to eat out all the time?
Itinerary 1:
20-24th (4 nights) - Fly into Marrakech, arrive 15.30; hang around in the city and do touristy things for 3.5 days; go into the mountains on a day trip one of those day
24-26th (2 nights) - Bus to Essaouira first thing, chill out on the beach and wander around the town
26-30th (4 nights) - Taxi (??) to El Jadida for more beach time, possibly go up coast to Azemmour to see another beach for one day
30th - Train to Casablanca in time for flight at 14.00
Itinerary 2:
20-24th (4 nights) - Fly into Marrakech, arrive 15.30; hang around in the city and do touristy things for 3.5 days; go into the mountains on a day trip one of those day
24-25th (1 night) - Bus to Essaouira first thing, chill out on the beach and wander around the town
25-29th (4 nights) - Taxi (??) to El Jadida for more beach time, possibly go up coast to Azemmour to see another beach for one day
29-30th (1 night) - Train to Casablanca, see the city and spend a night, then train to airport the next day in time for flight at 14.00
As you can see the only difference is whether we spend time in Casablanca, or whether we skip it and spend another night in Essaouira (or potentially Marrakech, giving us more time for day trips)
Thanks in advance for your help!
Olivia
1
Did you wondered over some other trip, for example Atlas and some countryside? Or do you want to stay on the coast rest of your time after to have been in Marrakech? In June the water is still not so warm I suppose.2
You don't much need time in Casablanca,it is typical of large commercial/business cities - dirty, chaotic and hectic with not so much to see. If you have an hour or two the mosque is spectacular both architecturally and for it's location.I would think about more time in Marrakech and/or Essaouira and less time in El Jadida but it really does depend on your interests.
You might want to consider a day tour to Imlil or the Ouzoud cascades on one of the days you are in Marrakech. Maybe even an overnight excursion to Ait Ben Haddou.
4
@skunkman44 - Oh really? I'd read El Jadida was a far more beautiful and quiet beach - we don't want to spend too long in the most tourist-y areas.@rachael68 - We would love to do some day trips from Marrakech, I just want to make sure I get SOME beach time since it's my summer holiday and time to relax!
Perhaps we should do 6 nights in Marrakech and 4 nights in Essaouira - but that would mean return flights from Marrakech I imagine.
@khamila - What would you suggest in the countryside? If we stick to Marrakech and do day trips we don't want to be stuck in cars for hours... Would you recommend renting our own car?
Edited by: livlytique
Edited by: livlytique
7
Thanks, we're fine sharing a bathroom! I've found some nice little riads actually for about £50 each for 4 nights, pretty good! What do you think about El Jadida, Marocfan? I was thinking it seems less touristy and we can check out the other beaches in the area. My only issue is getting from Essaouira to El Jadida...8
To Atlas for example to Asni, by bus, it is about 50km? and it is nice there. Or to waterfall Ouzoud, it is a bit longer, about 190km and needs maybe shared taxi and to stay overnight there. Or Paradise Valley, near Agadir, but I heard it is a little difficult to go there by bus, only taxi?10
I'm a great fan of El Jadida, spent 6 nights there last year, we really loved it. Fantastic sandy beach that is several kms long.and not a touristy destination. Lots of local culture and history being an old Portugese port town. We'd go back there in a heart beat!However, it wasn't the middle of summer and it is quite popular with Moroccans in summer, so could get crowded. But then, in the hottest part of the year this will be common along the coast.
The train runs direct from Casablance to El Jadida - a 1.5 hr trip. 30 mins before you get to El Jadida is the sea side village of Azzemour, well worth a visit.
Although many like it, Essaouira is too touristy for me.
David
12
So what atmosphere do you think it has? I'm not a fan of the watersports atmosphere Essaouira seems to have...I'm pretty set on itinerary 1 now, but like I said before my issue is getting from Essaouira to El Jadida, if anyone knows of a bus...
