Essaouira holiday house: GHAZOUA

We have returned to Villa Tazmin for the third time. We have never been in January before. It was totally amazing to see how green the whole area was. There were fields full of cows,goats were eating from the fields and not the trees! The atmosphere was still as exhilarating at this early time of the year and the weather was unbelievable-we were actually sunbathing.Always remember to take woollens for the evenings as they can become chilly, especially if you visit Essaouira.The house was very cosy of an evening, we would remove the tent from the terrace, light the fire, allowing the smoke to escape and then replace the tent-and relax away the evening in front of the glowing fire ------------
We found excellent food in the medina at "The Jolly Coin" -highly recommended and all home made. We even purchased a spit roasted chicken to take home with us from the medina -Excellent!!
KM8 in Ghazoua is worth a visit too,but can be a little more expensive than most restaurants, but the food is excellent.
The local dogs are excellent watch dogs and only bark when they see or hear someone, please do not be afraid of them, simply refer to them by their names and they will come to you willingly -the children will tell you their names.
The healthy black dog is called "Riff" and she loves cuddles and any excess food you may have for her, she will also escort you anywhere in the area!
Finally the flight from Luton to Marrakech with Ryanair is cheap and cheerful, it may be a good idea to take your own snacks as they tend to be rather pricey,otherwise they take off on time and arrive on time, if not early.
Locals are friendly and never pass you without saying hello.Total strangers also stop and offer you lifts-very friendly folk.
Taibi is excellent and will provide you with anything you ask for including hiring cars and driving them for you if you are unsure.
Sincere thanks to Colin & Martyn for the wonderful home they have available for rent -it is a great joy to visit such a beautiful, well equipped and clean home and we look forward to our next visit.

Staying in Villa Tazmin is feeling, smelling and experiencing the region of Essaouira. You may stay there as easy as you want: no hurry and no time table. Rent a car and live in your own scheme. The house gives full comfort and the environment is as real as it can be in a Berber village. Modern world is near, because Morocco is a modern country, although some aspects go 50 years back in time.
It is modern, old, genuine and a pleasure to be there.
No goal for the day? Stay at the roof of the house and enjoy the environment: great!

The house really is in the heart of a moroccan village, - dirt tracks for roads, noisy donkeys outside the door, friendly children, neighbours and dogs - including, should you wish, your very own for your stay - Riff, who we affectionately named Riff raff. The goats and sheep pass by on their way to pasture. If you can speak French you will enjoy the additional benefit of conversation with the locals - our skills were limited! We were offered food and gifts despite our lack of language skills and made to feel at home. The traditional, modernised, house has no windows, just an open roof light (with cover for the colder days - and heaters if needed) and a lovely roof terrrace with high walls for privacy - remember this is muslim country so ladies must be modestly dressed at all times - so the roof terrace for sunbathing was ideal (watch out for neighbourly boys peeping over the top!!), but unfortunately this also means no pretty view - see photies. Taibi was an excellent host who helped us with any queries and difficulties at any time, and Martyn was also available via text for queries and valuable assistance. We had a lovely week - fine sunny weather although rather windy, pottering around Ghazoua and Essaouira and doing generally very little. This house is perfect for those who really want to get away from the tourist tracks.
If driving remember the roads are much slower than Europe, due to donkeys, dogs, villages and villagers - often on donkeys, and the mandatory police halt in/out of each village. The trip from Marrakesh really is 3-4 hours. Personally, i wouldn't have liked to be without a car here.
Eating out was excellent - but more pricey that we envisaged. We enjoyed KM8 and la Plage restaurants - both recommended by Taibi. Fresh food for at home is easily purchased from the village shops. The local children very much enjoyed our offer of coca cola and crisps. We enjoyed (?) their offerings of thistle flower hearts - hot off the stem.
If you are travelling down from Marrakesh it is worth taking the time to do a serious shop at the large supermarket just outside Marrakesh on the main Essaouira road - especially if you enjoy a glass of wine or beer on your holiday.
Do give it a try.
Cheers!

Arrived at Marrakesh airport from Bristol thanks to Martyn and Colin, the owners who kindly advised me that it’s a new Ryan Air route, so thanks for that, a much easier route for me :-) They also arranged my transfer to Ghazoua and as promised I was met in the airport by a driver displaying a sign for Villa Tazmin, he took my bags and escorted me to an air conditioned minibus, which made my transfer very comfortable. Fab start to a fab holiday
I arrived at the house….WOW…it is lovely, very spacious with two bedrooms, (the twin room even has a dressing room !), a large lounge with another lounge with sofas off that, a large shower room with toilet and a separate toilet, a well equipped kitchen and the roof terrace is fantastic for soaking up the sun and gazing at the stars, its surrounded by high walls so you have total privacy, has 4 sun loungers and a table with chairs and even a barbecue. The neighbours all so very friendly they always greet you with a "bonjour" and a big smile:-) their children are a delight and will take you to see their donkeys, chickens, goats and even a turkey that they keep!
The house is in a great location to explore Morocco with Essaouira, the Medina and Sidi Koki beach all only a short bus or taxi ride to away.
Taibi, Colin and Martyns concergie is very helpful and is a mine of information. He will cook for you if asked, he makes a lovely tajine! (and much cheaper than eating out), arrange camel/horse rides and he also let me use his notebook to send emails.
This is my second visit to Essaouira but not my last! My first was last October where I stayed in Hotel Des Iles, the hotel was nice enough but I found staying at the house so much better, there is more comfort and so much space and is much better value and far more freedom.
I loved wandering around the Medina with all its hustle bustle and haggling was so much fun, then enjoyed returning to the tranquillity Villa Tazmin.
I honestly cant wait to return, no more staying in hotels for me !
Thank you Martyn and Colin for all your help, arranging my transfers and all the information you gave me, answering my countless questions promptly by return email.
I cant wait to return to Villa Tazmin :-)

We had a wonderful holiday and spent New Year at Villa Tazmin which is a well kept and comfortable base from which to explore Morocco. The locals were smiley friendly people and did their best to make us welcome. The property is situated in a village 8km outside the fishing port of Essouira, easily reached by both regular local bus or taxi. There are local shops from which to buy all you need, but exploring the area on foot is the best way to find what you seek.
The Medina in Essouira is full of 'secret' hideaways and there are delicious restaurents, shops and markets galore to find local produce or keepsakes. Everyone is helpful and friendly and bartering for everything is part of the fun for both vendors and buyers! The beach is miles and miles of sand and a windsurfers paradise.
Top tips: Remember to respect the religious aspects of people here. Ladies should dress discreetly as it is offensive to reveal too much flesh! Alcohol can be found but is not widely available in restaurents or supermarkets. Locals will tell you where to buy. Brush up on your French as this is spoken everywhere as the second language.
We would wholeheartedly recommend this peaceful and relaxing holiday for those who want to return to reality and experience a cultural reminder of how life used to be.