100% customisable travel idea
Marrakech, the Desert and Essaouira For a short holiday, all together in Morocco!
Morocco - Marrakech - Agafay - Essaouira
Morocco at a leisurely pace
Your trip
At every stop, a family-run accommodation venue awaits you. It starts with a hotel slightly offset from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. Imagined as a small village, it reveals a colourful souk where artisan objects are displayed. Every morning, a baker prepares bread on site - children can even get help with the dough! Workshops of all kinds, lively games of padel or tennis, and swimming sessions set the pace for their stay. Meanwhile, parents unwind in the aromatic gardens or they enjoy the spa. Next, head to a camp located in the heart of the rocky dunes of the Agafay Desert. The fully equipped family tent offers unparalleled privacy and a cosy atmosphere. Then head to Essaouira, where you stay away from the medina, in the heart of a vast, lush garden sheltered from the trade winds that sweep the coast. On site, two adjoining eco-domes - small, rounded houses designed with respect for the environment they sit in - provide both space and privacy for parents and children. To ensure you experience Moroccan traditions to the fullest, we have included some key events in your schedule, which can be adapted to suit your personal preferences. First of all, a treasure hunt through the narrow streets of the Marrakech medina. In the desert : pottery workshop and camel ride for a guaranteed ”wow” effect. Finally, in Essaouira, enjoy a tour with a local guide who is both passionate and engaging, as well as a fun little hike on the outskirts of the city through an argan tree forest, which younger visitors can experience on donkeyback. To spare you any logistical concerns, a private transfer will take you to Marrakech from the airport. Next, you will have use of a rental car, giving you all the independence you need for your travels. Not to mention the assistance of our on-site Concierge, available at any time. Liaising with your travel specialist, they can even adjust your trip as it unfolds, to suit your wishes and any unforeseen circumstances.They’re going to love it…
Playing hide-and-seek in palace gardens; getting a henna tattoo to proudly show off to friends back home; living like a true nomad for a day in the desert; discovering the art of pottery; running on the sand while dodging the foam of the waves; for the more adventurous, trying out kitesurfing or watching the pros from afar; exploring the souk to unearth the most beautiful souvenirs; tasting amlou, that delicious Berber spread; climbing the ramparts and imagining yourself as a defender of the city in pirate times…
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Private transfer to your accommodation, set outside the medina, where you will stay for two nights. Imagine a small village, with narrow streets shaded by trees, houses and riads, secluded in the heart of several hectares (acres) of lush gardens. A haven of freshness where, as you wander along the paths, you’ll discover rammed earth buildings, greenhouses, paths lined with cacti and bamboo, water lily ponds, a rose garden and even a vegetable patch. Your family suite is spacious and carefully arranged for a stay with children. For lunch or dinner, the restaurant serves Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes made with seasonal vegetables and fruit. You can sit down to eat either in a greenhouse or on the terrace, facing the vegetable garden and fruit trees, with the snow-capped Atlas mountains on the horizon. During the day, children have a vast playground to enjoy: six swimming pools (three heated in winter), a padel court in the gardens and a clay tennis court. Parents can enjoy some relaxation while the children are kept busy. A small douar is dedicated to relaxation and beauty, run by a team of experts in traditional methods. It features several massage rooms (indoor and outdoor), two traditional hammams, a large relaxation room and a solarium.
The medina of Marrakech, a fortified city almost a thousand years old and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the beating heart of Morocco’s former capital. The majestic minaret of the medieval Koutoubia Mosque and the remains of El Badi Palace, dating from the 16th century, are among the most illustrious examples of Islamic architecture here. Add to that dazzling traditional crafts, on-trend contemporary design and some of the best restaurants in North Africa, and you have a city that captivates all the senses.
Scheduled - Treasure hunt in the medina. This adventure takes young explorers through the maze of the medina, where they must solve puzzles, tackle a range of challenges and try to uncover the secrets of Marrakech. A fun and exciting quest to get to know the Red City!
We’ll leave the desert in the rear-view mirror and head towards Essaouira. You’ll stay for three nights in a charming country residence, set among argan and thuja trees. Centred around a courtyard, this residence with traditional Moroccan architecture offers several living spaces, including a library. It also features 11 independent eco-domes, sustainably designed with local materials. For your family’s comfort, your rooms each have their own bathroom and are adjoining and connected via the living room. Space, privacy and convenience blend perfectly. During the day, the pool invites you to relax, depending on how mild the weather is. In the evening, the restaurant delights guests with a variety of Moroccan- and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Essaouira may not have the scale or renown of its sister city Casablanca. But that's precisely what gives it its charm - and makes it a perfect destination for a family trip. Quieter than Marrakech, this small port town facing the Atlantic is undoubtedly one of the most enchanting on the North African coast. The blue wooden fishing boats bring in the day's catch, followed up by seagulls and gulls that set the soundscape. The dromedaries stroll lazily along the beaches. At the end of the day, dusk lights up the crenellated ramparts and watchtowers - remnants of a time when the city defended itself against pirates - and today they stand firm against the sea spray. The trade winds that sweep along the coast make it an ideal spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing, attracting both daring beginners and experienced athletes.
Scheduled - The medina of Essaouira in private. A local guide will lead you through the colourful labyrinth of the medina, sharing the captivating stories that have shaped Essaouira. You can take the opportunity, while wandering down a side street, to enjoy amlou - a Berber spread made from freshly ground almonds, honey and argan oil - sip mint tea in the shade or pick up some local arts and crafts as souvenirs with the children.
Optional - Moroccan cooking workshop: the secrets of tajine.
Already planned - Hike through the argan forest with a small donkey. The trail winds among argan trees, an endemic species of south-western Morocco and a true symbol of the Essaouira region. It passes through a douar and the remains of a 16th-century sugar factory. Younger visitors can cover part of the route on donkeyback. A comforting stop with a Berber family to enjoy tea makes for a welcome break halfway through the journey. The hike ends with a visit to an argan oil cooperative, where you can learn more about the careful work needed to extract this precious liquid - an essential ingredient in the delicious amlou, among other things.
Drive to the airport. Return the rental car and direct return flight.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Photo shoot in the Agafay Desert
With its pristine dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, despite its sandy appearance, this rocky desert provides an ideal setting for a family photo shoot. Capture these precious moments in a breathtaking setting, where the striking contrast between the dazzling white dunes and the blue sky creates a breathtaking canvas.Moroccan cookery workshop in Essaouira
Since 1998, the El Khir Women’s Charity Association has been working to promote the independence of women in vulnerable situations by supporting them in their work projects. In addition to this commitment, the association offers workshops and cooking classes open to everyone, where you can learn to prepare tagine, that iconic traditional dish with a thousand and one variations. An experience combining gourmet pleasure with support for a worthy cause. The Association has also launched its own children’s clothing brand, Chouikik, sewn and sold on site, adding a touch of local creativity to its activities.
Why visit Morocco with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Morocco
- Globally unique concierge service
- Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
- Gourmet Voyageurs
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption
