March escape to Morocco
February half term – which is now staggered over a number of weeks – is always booked out; April, most of which is swallowed up by the Easter school holidays is similarly busy, but sandwiched in between, March is a comparatively quiet month and a great time to bag a bargain as tour operators offer special deals to fill beds.
Specialist operator Fleewinter is currently offering five nights for the price of four, or seven for the price of five, at the luxurious Rebali Riads, located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, in the village of Sidi Kaouki, 20 minutes south of Essaouira.
There are six riads, with from two to five bedrooms. Couples can book by the room in the larger properties, whilst the smaller ones can be taken over by a group of friends or a family.
The larger properties have private swimming pools and there is a large communal pool for guests in the smaller riads.
Rebali is a relatively new development and, whilst traditional in design, the properties have modern, luxurious touches, including remote-controlled sliding glass roofs, Egyptian cotton sheets and flat screen TVs (to watch DVD).
Other facilities in the private, walled development – the centrepiece of which are the meticulously manicured lawns and gardens (watch out for the resident tortoises!) – include a first class tennis court and a private, luxurious Hammam with bookable treatments. On site cooks can deliver meals to the riads for a supplement.
The village of Sidi Kaouki is much quieter than Essaouira (perfect for those with small children) but it is only 20 minutes by taxi for those wishing to try the town’s many artisan shops and restaurants, or to see the bustling fish market, where the locals haggle for the fresh catch of the day.
Activities on offer (all bookable through Fleewinter) include kite/board/wind surfing – with tuition if required – camel safaris, cookery demonstrations, quad biking and Berber picnics.
A five-night stay in March costs from £190 pp or £240 pp for a week (B&B two sharing). Flights and airport transfers can also be arranged on request.
For more information, visit fleewinter.com.
