Winter sun break or full-on culture, it’s your choice
Question time this week. In the light of a number of queries from readers, here’s my take on the topics raised, in the hope that this will be helpful to the specific readers in question, and to others among you as well. First up, Morocco. Always a source of interest at this time of year for people chasing the sun but not keen on the Canaries, yes, Morocco is a good choice. But where to stay when you’re there, asks a Cork reader. Agadir or Marrakech?
Well, while I would always be tempted to go for the Marrakech option, if it’s your first time in Morocco and you are simply looking for sunshine/hotel/pool with a bit of Moroccan culture, then Agadir can often be the better choice.
It’s a fairly modern town, however – the earthquake in 1960 put paid to the old Agadir – so don’t be expecting narrow little atmospheric streets. There is an excellent choice of apartments and good hotels and even the four- and five-star options tend to be fairly reasonable if you book a package. (A number of operators feature Morocco in their winter sun schedules, including Sunway who are the most experienced Irish operator in the Moroccan market.)
If you are looking for the more full-on Moroccan experience then Marrakech is the place for you. But remember, you can always do a day trip to Marrakech to give yourself a flavour of the place. Another spot worth considering is Essaouira on the coast – more ‘authentic’ than Agadir but not as full-on as Marrakech. Next, we’re heading to Rome. Now, Rome is one of the places that I get most queries about – usually hotels and the like, but this time a Dublin reader wants to spend St Patrick’s Day there and wonders if there will there be any ‘Oirishness’ at all in the Eternal City. Well, the good news is that there will. Much as I personally hate the ‘greening’ of different monuments around the world for St Patrick’s Day, I know that lots of people love it. And I have to tell you that if that is your thing, then this March will see the Colosseum turned emerald for the first time ever. (And Sacre Coeur in Paris too.) A number of Irish pubs in Rome will also be celebrating on the day itself – with the Abbey Theatre pub specialising in Irish music and food. It’s in mainstream tourist territory, not far from Piazza Navona. And finally, Newfoundland. A place I would like to see myself, and the very place that a reader from Drogheda is set on seeing. But what about access from Ireland, she wants to know? Well, if you travel over the summer it couldn’t be easier. Last year Westjet commenced direct flights from Dublin to St John’s and the good news is that they are back with their daily flights, from May 1 until the end of October. Prices are reasonable and the other good news is that the flight time is equivalent to flying to the Canaries. Check out availability and prices on westjet.com
And keep the queries coming...