As I have said lots of times before, things happen very quickly in Morocco!

When we were over last October, there was lots of new building projects going on; basically the King had decreed that any land could be built upon as long as local labour was used, the land was then given for free. So as you can imagine, builders were in high demand and buildings were going up everywhere.

Then a few things changed. Not really sure what but the next thing we know is that most of the buildings that were built were being demolished. Not really sure why, but it was a bit of a surprise. In away it is good that all the work stopped as it was all just getting too much. One story I heard was that over 6000 new constructions were happening in Aourir alone, and this is a small fishing village.

Anyway, the next update was that a Marina was planned right on the beachfront between the surf schools and the hillside – just at the end of the market square. This is a great spot for a development as it is in clear view of the main N1 road, thus drawing people into the village.

We are out in Aourir in a few weeks so will be able to give some updates, however here are a few pictures of the planned development and the site with construction underway.

We think this will be really good for the local economy of Aourir, bringing much needed work and tourists to the village. It is also just far enough away from Agadir to have its own personality for want of a better description. I am really looking forward to seeing it and hearing what the plans are for the rest of the village.

We also wanted to do some more decoration inside the villa – we want to create an authentic Moroccan experience for our guests, specifically based on the region. Decorative tiling is very common in all homes in Aourir, so we decided to increase the tiling, and give the rest of the house a lick of paint at the same time. We also upgraded the water pump in the well – it had a few problems over the last year, so we wanted to fix it once and for all.

So after the obligatory haggling over the prices, the tea of course and a firm handshake, the plans were launched.

The only stipulation was that the work must start almost straight away, which we decided was not a problem. Little did we know that the remaining week of our holiday would be living in a building site!

The next morning, we were woken at 6:30am to the sound of lots of shouting and hammering – I jumped out of bed and ran outside – only to be greeted by the builder and his merry band!

Then the hammering started….3 days solid of chipping off the old render, making good the wals ready for tiling and then the dust…my god the dust!

So for the remaining week of our holiday, we went out from 7am until 6pm everyday, visited loads of places and ate everywhere – as it happens we did more than normal and met lots of new people so in fact it literally got us out of the house!

Anyway, we are delighted with the results – the villa looks amazing and hopefully we will not have to do any further maintenance like this for many years to come.

Why not go over and see yourself – contact us at Holidays Morocco now for your beach front villa in Agadir.

Enjoy the pictures:

No trip to Agadir can be complete without a trip into the ancient Grand Souk El Had in Agadir.

The Grand Souk El Had is pretty easy to find, but rather than stress about it, just hail a Petite Taxi (the small orange ones), say a prayer and climb in. Don’t forget to haggle about the price before you get in though – from the beach front is should only be a few Dirhams for 2 of you.

The first view you will get is the pink colored walls of the old fort which houses the Souk – you will almost certainly be dropped off at gate 8 or 10, this is where there is a small car park. One thing to be aware of is the number of “guides” who will all tell you they are government approved etc – choose one if you want to as they will be very entertaining and informative, but beware, they will take you to several friends shops to show you some bargains, have tea etc – but it will cost you.

On our first visit to the Souk, we took a guide and paid the price at the spice seller friend….but lessons learnt!

The Souk has everything you can imagine. From ceramics, fruit and veg, livestock, fish, shoes , gold, leather….you name it or want it and you can find it. There are literally thousands of shops. If you have done your homework and want something specific, do work out a price before you go, as unfortunately they will try and increase the prices for tourists. Just be prepared to walk away and not show you want the goods you are after – they will sell it if they want to and make a profit.

Our big tip is to be friendly and speak to the shop keepers, whilst it takes longer to do a tour around, you will be less stressed and not look like a tourist!

On our last visit, we went with Layla, a friend from the village. Going with a local Berber speaking person changed everything and the prices seemed to tumble to unbelievable levels, so go with Hassan or ask him to sort out going with Layla for a girlie trip to the Souk.

Set aside a good few hours just to mill around – it does get quite crowded despite the size of it, but its all under cover and reasonably cool inside. You will really feel the culture and experience Moroccan life in here – so enjoy it.

For a holiday with a difference, go to Morocco and stay at Villa Ramalah, our beach front villa in Aourir near Agadir – contact us now for availability and prices.

Every time we go to Agadir, I am drawn back to Tifnit, a small unspoilt fishing village about 40Km South of Agadir. Why? well its simple – the place is just beautiful and very peaceful.

Earlier this year I was introduced to the village and some of the people  who live here – one who stands out is Baba (or Bob) who owns the most tiny restaurant on the far side of the village. If you did not know if was there, you would just walk past, so when you go just ask to be taken to Baba’s and you will be sure of a warm welcome.

This time, I took my wife with me. We had planned to take some friends, but as their trip was so short we just did not have time to go – we ran them around everywhere and with so much to see in Morocco, something had to give.

One thing you have to do is just chill. The beach in front of the restaurant is small and empty and the sea is cool and refreshing. Beach chairs are always available and Bob will look after all your stuff so its safe for all the family.

The food is picked straight off the boats and Bob will sort you out with a fantastic meal – just be open minded as the facilities are basic – but thats all part of the experience. One thing is everything is freshly cooked and just wonderful.

When we were there, a group of French people came to the restaurant looking a bit apprehensive, but after a chat, we re-assured them all was fine – they were soon tucking into octopus, sardines and crab!

As with all Moroccans, everybody is really friendly and want to engage with you – so just go with the flow and chat with them…you never know what will come out of it!

We are planning our next trip to Tifnit in April for Karen’s birthday – a great way to spend a day, fishing, lying on the beach, swimming and eating fabulous food!

For a beach front villa in Agadir, contact Holidays Morocco now for availability and prices.

One thing you must do when in Aourir or Agadir is visit the village market. Each week, traders appear in the make shift market place near the beach and set up stall selling everything you can imagine.

From fresh fruit and veg to clothes, pots and pans, food, honey, bric a brac …everything. The market in Aourir starts about 7am in the morning and continues all day, with locals travelling in from all over to buy produce for the week.

You can really nail a bargain or two, the language barrier, whilst difficult to overcome, should not stop you having a go at haggling for your purchase. We speak reasonable French, and some Arabic, but the locals speak Berber mostly – so much hand waving and gesturing goes down well and they always enjoy dealing with you as you are trying!

The market is a mere stones throw away from Villa Ramalah, so we urge all guests to go and experience the market and buy your produce here rather than at the supermarket – its tons cheaper and better quality anyhow.

Tomatoes, courgettes, potatoes, onions and peppers are so cheap – you will pay about 30 pence a kilo. Also, buy your spices here too – Ras el Hanout (a blend of all types of spices ideal for tagines) is 1/3 the price you will find in the souk in Agadir and cumin and turmeric also very cheap too.

It is a bit daunting as the hustle and bustle of this market is unbelievable – as well as the noise – but that’s all a part of it really and a true experience. One interesting incident that happened to me was that I haggled a price for some spices, paid the money over and had a good friendly exchange with the trader, paid him the money and walked off. A few minutes later, he came running down the market shouting at me…I really thought I was in trouble then … only to give me some change and a gift! Amazing – that would not happen in London or Birmingham!

Anyway, its a “must try” experience and one you will enjoy!

For a beach front villa in Agadir Morocco – Contact Holidays Morocco Now!

We arrived about 6:30pm and as you walked off the plane, the heat just hits you. This time of the year, there is a lovely breeze blowing which take the edge off the heat, but it’s still 28 degrees at this time of night.

Some would say it’s too hot, but the nights are cooler making sleep easy, but the sun during the day if fantastic, ensuring the cold weather of England is left far behind.

You do, of course, need to take sun precautions, a good factor 30 cream and a hat are essential – getting sun burnt is just not a good idea. The African sun is hot and very direct so will burn you unless you take care.

Yesterday, we spent the day in Essaourira, a small but beautiful city on the coast, famed for its fishing and blue decor, and enjoyed a relaxed lunch in the sun, topping up the tan.

So get rid of the winter blues, jump on a plane and go to Morocco for a guaranteed sun tan

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Taghazout is a very nice village near Agadir for vacation and surfing.
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This year we wanted to make it even more authentic Moroccan design, so we asked our good friends Laurence and Michel to come up with some ideas to change the look and feel – adding that extra special touch. They are always so good at this, we leave them to just do it. The results are fantastic and we are so pleased.

Basically, Moroccan villas are typically tiled, so we decided to follow suit.

We wanted a feature wall in the lounge area to reflect local decor – each region does it differently, so we wanted to capture the flavour of Agadir. The bedrooms were not quite so important to be decorative, but we wanted cool and clean so this also matched perfectly.

The pictures are amazing, so we cannot wait to see it all in October when we are off on a tour with some other friends from Hollycow Surf Camps – Marek and crew – to do some exploring – will keep you posted on new venues and places to go once we have been there.

Enjoy the pictures – and don’t forget to contact us for that special beach front villa holiday you always promise yourself in Agadir, Morocco!

During your stay in Marrakech, you can drop yourselves in the heart of Moroccan the high Atlas Mountains, a unique experience and special day out with a visit of the famous Kasbah du Toubkal, the Berber hospitality, one of the best Kasbah in the world, situated on the foothill of djebel Toubkal 4167m the highest mountains in North Africa. Our guide and muleteers will take through the Berber villages and walnut groves with a lunch & mint tea at the Berber house.
Add this special day to your holiday in morocco
Accommodation at Kasbah du Toubkal under request
>> Pick up at 9.00am return to your riad/hotel at 17.30
>> “lunch at the berber house – experience the fabulous landscape of the Atlas Mountains”
>> Cost: Under request ( Including transport out/in, guide, lunch & mules).

Other excursions are available from Marrakech everyday either privatly or with a group. please contact ys for more informations.

http://atlasandsaharatours.com/day_trip_out_of_marrakech.htm

http://www.ekimondo.com/index.php/fr/ekistop/affichage/morocco—-day-trip-to-the-atlas-mountains.html

OTHER HOLIDAYS OPTIONS:

Trekking from Imlil to Setti Fadma
Experience the walk through 3 berber valleys
Period: from March to November
Duration: 4 days /3 night (2nd option : 3 days / 2 nights)
Grade: Easy .

Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Imlil – Ouanskra :
Transfer from Marrakech towards Imlil, meet your guide & muleteers then start the trek to Ouanskra via the pass Tizi n’Tamaterte (2279m),nice views above both valleys, Imlil & Imnane and also the high atlas peaks over 4000m of altitude. the lunch will be provided by our cook on the same pass, after a break continue to the village Ouanskra, checking the berber house or Inn.
5h walking time.
Day 2: Ouanskra – Oukaimeden:
After breakfast, leaving Ouaneskra towards Oukaïmeden ski station passing by Tizi n’Addi (2920m) and then trek down to Oukaïmeden spend the night in the refuge or bivouac.
5 to 6 hours walking time.
Day 3: Oukaimeden – Timishi village:
walking from Oukaïmeden to reach Timichi village on the otherside via the Tiferguine labourers then Tizi n’Ouhattar (3100m). we will cross many berber village of Ourika valley sach as Agounss and Timichchi. spend a night in a bivouac or Berber gîte.
6 to 7 hours walking time.
Day 4: Timishi Village – Setti Fadma – Marrakech:
last day trek will take you from Timichchi to Setti Fatma, walking along the Ourika valley with its beautiful gorges, berber villages (Tiourdou, Anfli, Tadrart, Chiker) & laboures . we stop on the way at one these village for lunch then continue on the afternoon to Setti Fadma via Agadir n’Aït Boulmane
after the wterfull visit, pick up and return to Marrakech.
6 hours walking time.