MOROCCO: Agadir
Ancient yet modern, frenetic yet soothing, Morocco is an exotic land of contrasts. Its very name conjures up a host of colourful images and evocative sounds...bustling souk markets, blazing sunshine, red mud-brick kasbahs, intricate handwoven rugs, and billowing hookahs. Truly a country of many faces, Morocco is profoundly traditional and yet at the same time strongly drawn to the Western world. Get ready for a combination of relaxation and exploration when you arrive in Agadir – relax on the long stretch of warm sandy beach, and explore the old fishing port and soukhs steeped in local flavour.
So, while its roots are unquestionably North African, Morocco also exudes a distinct European air mixing Arabic charm with just a soupcon of French colonialism and cosmopolitan allure. This dual personality is also reflected in the country's diverse landscape. Glittering sandy beaches give way to rocky coasts while the dunes and lush oases of the Sahara Desert stand in the brooding shadow of the snow peaked Atlas Mountains. From its ancient fortified cities to its wide beaches, Morocco has much to offer and makes for an unforgettable holiday destination.
Beaches
Backed by the snowcapped Atlas Mountains, Agadir is Morocco's premier holiday resort, boasting a long stretch of golden, sandy beach and some of the safest swimming off Morocco's Atlantic Coast. A full range of watersports are available, and you can even saddle up and enjoy a bumpy camel ride along the spacious shoreline.
Eating out
Fusing Berber, Arabic and Spanish cuisine, Moroccan fare is a melange of rich, tantalizing flavours. Herbs and spices are an essential part of Moroccan cooking and most dishes feature cumin, saffron, ginger, turmeric, cloves and cinnamon to bring out the full flavour of meat, vegetables and pastries. The ubiquitous dish, steamed couscous, is often served with tajine, a type of stew made with lamb, chicken or fish that's cooked in an earthenware dish. Another favourite is skewered lamb which is cooked with onions, parsley, peppers and coated in a variety of aromatic spices. If you've got a sweet tooth, try kaab ghzahl, a pastry made from almonds, sugar, butter and orange flower water. Round off a meal with a glass of mint tea or qahwa kahla, very strong black coffee.
Nightlife
Most of Agadir's livelier evening entertainment tends to be hotel-based, with plenty of discos and karaoke nights to keep you partying long into the night. The resort itself has plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from too, so you'll never be short of things to do come sundown.
Shopping
Visit one of Morocco's bustling souk markets and witness an explosion of colour, texture and personality. Pots of all shapes and sizes brim with red and yellow coloured spices whose aroma hangs thick in the air, while crates of green peppers, polished aubergines and ripe avocado pears jostle for stall space. From hand-woven rugs to baskets made from palms, ornate Moroccan hookahs to gilt Arab coffee pots, you can buy anything and everything at a local bazaar. As you make your way through the hurly-burly of the market, remember to haggle and barter with the merchants to pick up some excellent bargains.
