Mumsnet Talk

We have some unused holiday to take early this year (before end of Feb) and we have a 2 year old. I'll be 4/5 months pregnant.

We've usually driven to gites in France but have always done this in the autumn and I'm desperate for some warmth (doesn't have to be boiling sun by any means) -- particularly as we used to live in the tropics.

We were leaning to driving to south Europe in several stages to hit some warmth. We love the independence holiday homes give you, plus the shopping for lovely food and cooking it that a hotel can't give you.

I'm at a bit of a loss and can't decide. People say Canaries, but I'm not sure we'd enjoy that (I think I'm being dreadfully snobby!) Maybe Marrakesh (which I love) but would that be good for a small child?

Maybe India - Goa and Kerala is 8 hours but the idea of an 8 hour flight with a toddler fills me with dread.

Thanks for any advice. We're quite skint so nothing crazy but I feel we could really use a break.

What about Egypt? I am looking at Tenerife but was also of the same opinion as yourself though just priced a week in Tenerife and its come out at over £3000. I'm sure there are cheaper packages but I wanted somewhere fairly luxurious.

Blimey, 3k is a lot. Enjoy it though.

We've decided on Marrakesh and Essaouiria. Basically it only costs 270 for all three of us to fly there, and the flight's from Gatwick which is ok for us and it's not too long. We'll do a riad in Marrakesh and a coach trip or hire a car to get to Essaouiria. Went there about 10 years ago and loved it. Weather should be sunny but crisp, but then with a 2 year old you can't really crisp up for hours anyway.

We are tied to school holidays so that price was for half term in Feb.

Get away as much as you can before they start school.

Was in Marrakech in late Jan / Feb last year and stayed at a fab villa...fully staffed so perfect for complete relaxation and pampering. It was devine. The villa is Dar Tamazerte and they have their own website. They also run special offers in Jan / Feb so excellent value.

sallyannie2 Now that looks absolutely lovely.

Have stored it in my favourites.

Looks lovely, but that's staying with other guests, right? I'm looking for a riad in the medina (both in Marrakech and Essaouiria -- have provisionally booked one) and one just for us.

What was the weather like SallyAnnie? Last time I was there it was about 8 years ago and I can't remember!

Otchayaniye

No the villa is for exclusive use...Riad's in the Medina are great especially for a couple of days with mates but for more than a couple of days I find it much too full on and being in a villa is like staying in your own boutique hotel where you can dip in and out of the husstle and busstle. The mountains are also well worth a trip, Weather in Feb can be mixed but should be low 20's with clear blue sky. Nights are still cold. No balmy evenings until May!

Essaouira is lovely, but you won't be able to enjoy the beach a lot with a child. The wind is soooooo strong, the sand flying in your face. and with all the wind surfers you can't get near the water.
The village is great (and protected from the wind by its walls) as you know. But try to remember the wind! In all the pictures I have an arm in front of my face!
With a young child, you could consider Agadir

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread but I am looking at Marrakech and Essaouira for a holiday with DH, DS nearly 7, DS just 5 and DD 2 1/2 for the end of the Easter holidays. DH is a mad windsurfer so I was hoping we might (finally!) be able to do a family holiday which keeps him happy too - previously the kids have been too young for him to disappear off for hours at a time. Also the boys should be old enough to get some enjoyment out of hotel kids clubs for a couple of hours - they are v active and would relish some kids activities.

Any thoughts, tips for good hotels, riads, things to do etc.

My current plan is to spend the first night in Marrakech, then hire a car to drive to Essaouira and stay there for 5-6nights, then drive back to Marrakech for 2-3 days before flying home. Will the wind be unbearable for us on the beach (although that would keep DH happy on the water!)? Hopefully it will be warm without being too hot...

Thank you for any gems of wisdom

personally i wouldnt go twice to Marrakech, do it either at the end or the begining but not both. depending on your flight, i think prob land and go straight to essaouira if you can, we stayed at Maison des Artistes, off the alastair sawday website, kids had the room downstairs from ours it was fabulous. you should check out kasbah tamadot too, the always have amazing deals on, and personally i'd skip marrakech altogether.

just one thing in addition to above~!.. maison des artistes has great safe roof terrace sheltered from wind, but hotel is on second and third floor, and our room up steps from the roof terrace, so with a toddler might be abit of a nightmare lugging bags buggy baby.