Having waved goodbye to the enchanting Red City of Marrakech, the Travel Counsellors took a two-and-a-half-hour drive towards the breezy, ancient coastal town of Essaouira.

The journey to Morocco’s Atlantic coast is short enough to make Essaouira and ideal “add-on” destination for visitors to Marrakech, and the drive is a pleasure in itself, with stunning scenery in every direction and surprises around every corner.

The most memorable of these is the bizarre sight of tree-climbing goats, which balance in the branches of argan trees to feed on the nuts that would be otherwise out of reach. Argan trees are unique to this part of Morocco and are used to produce an oil that has many cosmetic and medicinal benefits. En route to the coast, travellers have the chance to stop off at an argan plantation and traditional factory, which harnesses the skills of locals to produce oil using centuries-old techniques passed down through generations.

Essaouira itself is a charming coastal city with a laid-back vibe that stems from its wide, inviting beach. Here, kite-surfers make use of the brisk Atlantic winds, while locals stroll casually along the sand alongside horses, camels and donkeys.

Like Marrakech, Essaouira has its medina – the ancient walled city showcases the city’s true heart and soul. Unlike the Red City however, the streets of this ancient marketplace are wider and the atmosphere more relaxed. Shoppers are generally free to browse and buy as they please, with a minimum of fuss and frenzy.

Travel Counsellor Joanne Cowdery told Travel Daily about her experiences in Essaouira.

“It seemed a lot more relaxed than in Marrakech; everywhere was very clean and tidy so that was a pleasant surprise. You could also walk along the promenade overlooking the beach, where there were horse riders and surfers, which was very nice. I think if people are looking for a combination of beach and culture, it is an excellent destination.”

During their time in Essaouira, the Travel Counsellors stayed at the seafront Atlas Essaouira & Spa, which features a restaurant and bar overlooking the beach. CLICK HERE to read Travel Daily’s review of the hotel. They also visited the Sofitel Mogador Golf Resort & Spa and dined at Heure Bleue Palais, a luxurious riad that forms part of the Relais & Chateaux collection.

The Travel Counsellors’ five-day fam trip, organised by Visit Morocco, showcased a broad selection of the experiences available to British travellers. The country does, of course, have far more to offer, but it was generally agreed that Marrakech, Essaouira and a trip into the Atlas Mountains is an excellent combination for couples and families alike.

“Marrakech is great for people who enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, while Essaouira is more relaxed, so this makes it a great twin-centre option. But alternatively, first-time visitors could do Essaouira first, to give them a taste of Morocco, before plunging them into the fast-paced life of Marrakech,” explained Travel Counsellor Simone Gray.

This option of starting and ending in Essaouira is made possible by direct flights that link the coastal city with London Luton Airport, while Marrakech offers multiple direct flight options for UK travellers.

Morocco is an alluring, enchanting and broadly appealing destination that dispels many myths. While no destination in the world is completely immune from danger, Morocco, with its charming, friendly people, clean streets and easy-going attitude, feels a world apart from the pre-conceived fears many travellers now have about North Africa.

The 41 Travel Counsellors on the Visit Morocco fam trip, 36 of whom were female, agreed unanimously that they would have no hesitation in recommending the country to their clients. And if travellers experience this magical destination once, they are likely to return many more times in the future.

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The Visit Morocco fam trip took place from 22-26 March 2017, with 41 UK-based Travel Counsellors visiting Marrakech and Essaouira. To view all the photos from the trip and to watch video testimonials from the TCs themselves, CLICK HERE and visit Travel Daily Media’s Facebook page.