Yahoo News Manchester Airport's £18 winter sun destination with ‘sea, sand, pubs and pizza’
It’s getting to that time of year where the sun seems to disappear from our lives; we leave home in the dark, come home in the dark, and even when it's daylight it feels permanently cloudy. With months of this to come, thoughts turn to sunny escapes and beach holidays.
While you may think a winter sun holiday has to be somewhere far-flung like the Caribbean or the Middle East, there are lots of destinations which are closer to get to yet still offer plenty of sunshine at this time of year. Morocco is one of them, basking in warm and sunny weather even in December.
As a winter sun destination it has remained under the radar, but it’s becoming one of the fastest growing holiday destinations among British travellers in recent years, thanks to its pleasant climate and affordable prices. In fact it's even been compared to Turkey, not only due to its tourism boom, but for the mix of culture, adventure and sunshine both countries offer.
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If sun, sea and sand is what you’re after, the coastal city of Agadir is the place to go. Lonely Planet described it as “the country’s premier destination for sun, sand, pubs and pizza”, which sounds like just the antidote to a dreary winter in the UK.
The city feels rather different to other places in Morocco as it was completely rebuilt following a major earthquake in 1960. It has a vast sandy beach, a palm-tree lined promenade and a modern marina.
But it still maintains a distinctly Moroccan feel. It's home to the biggest city souk in the country - the Souk El Had, which has around 6,000 stores. The city’s original medina was destroyed in the earthquake, but today visitors can head to La Medina d’Agadir, a reconstruction of the original by Italian architect Coco Pollizzi.
Agadir enjoys average temperatures of 22C in December, and still experiences plenty of sunshine even in winter, with up to ten hours of daylight each day. It can get a little chilly in the evening, so remember to pack a few extra layers.
As well as offering bucketloads of winter warmth, Agadir is easy on the wallet too. Ryanair has flights from Manchester Airport to Agadir from as little as £18 in December one way, with returns available from £27 (although be aware you may need to pay more for seat allocation and baggage).
You can expect budget-friendly prices too. On average a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant costs £18 for two people, while a pint costs around £2.80.
