2008 News Archive - Holidays - Essaouira offers tradition and sophistication, say experts

13 01 2009

Morocco has always had a certain exoticism attached to it as a destination, but while the Moroccan town of Essaouira still offers the hustle and bustle of traditional markets and unusual flavours, these days it can also offer sophistication to match the world's best luxury resorts, according to experts.

Experts from Simpson travel claim that Essaouira still maintains many of the traditional charms which have attracted tourists through the decades, including the rock stars Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens.

They add that "the magic of the city is partly down to the 18th century medina and the surrounding fairytale fortress that blocks out the Atlantic waves".

However at the same time, travel industry insiders say that the destination offers delights such as the Mechouar Restaurant which is "sophisticated and trendy".

They claim: "This castle-like restaurant could fool diners into thinking they weren't in a north African country if it wasn’t for the distinctly Moroccan menu."

Essaouira -style sophistication may also offer some of the best bargains for UK tourists in the current economic climate, according to the Telegraph.

The newspaper reported that the relatively poor pound to euro exchange rate is pushing savvy travellers to look to north African countries for their dose of sun, sea and sand.