Just a quick record of our holiday break Agadir - Morocco - mid May for 5 nights all inclusive with sons James and George and brother Rob.
Why Agadir ? I have been to Morocco a couple of times before and George and I trekked to the top of Mount Toubkal a few years back. Agadir offers something different. It is a beach holiday - and an all inclusive big hotel - so to some extent you could be anywhere. But it is relatively easy to get to - weather is likely to be good and it offers excellent value. Although Morocco is a Muslim country alcohol is even easier to come by than in the relatively liberal Marrakech and of course there are no issues at the hotel.
Choice of hotel is always potluck to some extent but we chose a decent one - a big one (Pickalbatros). The hotel was probably only 2/3rds full but the hotel gave it everything - they wanted to impress and they did. Morocco is not a poor country but clearly working in a western type hotel is a job worth having and it showed in the attitude of the staff. The food was outstanding with both Mediterranean and North African cuisine an authentic feature of the week. The tagine stews were great - lamb, chicken and fish to fancy - eggplant and peppers - proper spicing. Really tremendous value if you embrace it.
So a few days of indulgence. I swam a lot. The boys did early morning gym sessions and a run or two along the sea front. (I am not sure what Rob did - ha!). Other than that it was sunbeds - reading, iPod and chat - a late morning beer or cocktail - a bit of lunch and more of the same ! James is very sociable - in no time he was in with the entertainments team and got involved in a number of the pool events. Picture the scene. Outdoor evening cabaret. A belly dancer. They call for 6 male volunteers to try to impersonate her. We are hiding behind the chairs but James is straight up on the stage. It is one at a time. The compere interviews the guests. He asks James how he is feeling. James says nervous. Why are you nervous? I can't dance. What can you do ? Sing. OMG. James has to sing. Credit to him ! Anyway the six blokes have a go in turn. James waves his arms around etc etc - fortunately no belly on show ! Eventually the audience are asked to cheer the participants. The loudest cheer is the winner. Yes you guessed it - James was the winner - a legend !
I just have to mention the Quad biking. Not something I would choose to do but it appealed to James. Fantastic - a full half day out in what looked like the Sahara desert but wasn't quite. The machines were powerful - not toys. We all enjoyed it a lot.
So that was it - a few days in Agadir. I would definitely recommend it for a chance of some spring sun. Certainly compares very favorably with Egypt.
Here are a few mob photos for posterity :
