Essaouria

Five memorable day trips to beautiful places

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A day trip is all about leaving your cares behind and enjoying some fresh air, visiting somewhere new in good company or by yourself. Here are five of my favourites – beautiful locations, photographically inspiring and memorable. Please tell me about your best days out in the comments section.

SHUGBOROUGH

Location: Staffordshire, UK

An ancestral seat set in rolling countryside with a connection to the Royal family. With extensive grounds, beautiful gardens, wondrous follies and a stately home to wander around, this is the stuff days out are made of. And I visited on a landmark birthday! TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

The drawing

You will enjoy lavish interiors at Shugborough

ESSAOUIRA

Location: Morocco

An unmissable day trip of you are lucky enough to visit Morocco when coronavirus restrictions allow. This colourful, vibrant city is situated next to the wild Atlantic Ocean and in easy reach of the tourist town of Agadir from where I made my visit. It would be easy to stay here longer. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Three elderly Moroccan men meet on a bench in Essaouira

People-watching are among Essaouira’s joys

STOCKPORT

Location: Greater Manchester, UK

This town is close to my Manchester home, but easily turned into a full day out. It’s architecturally beguiling and has an old centre which deserves a lot of exploration on foot. With added indoor attractions like the air raid shelters and hat museums, you’ve got a satisfying trip on your hands. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

A view of Stockport's old market place

Stockport gives you a dose of Victorian grandeur

FYLDE COAST

Location: Lancashire, UK

This has been a favourite day trip of mine since moving to north-west England in 2016. I like taking the train to the seaside town of St Anne’s and walking south, passing the pier, Lytham’s famous windmill and the wide open coast. Very good for the soul. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Remains of the old pier at St Anne's, Lancashire

The Irish Sea is wide open along this coastline

JOKULSARLON

Location: Iceland

This is an unmissable trip if you visit the otherworldly island of Iceland. It’s a glacial lake which you will probably get close to on a boat trip – and even taste some of the pure, ancient ice. The black beach nearby is strewn with glacial, diamond-like chunks. It’s one sight among many to see in Iceland. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE ICELANDIC LANDSCAPES

Glacial ice on Jokulsarlon in Iceland

This is not just any old lake

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Essaouira: Morocco’s seaside gem

/ mikeosbornphoto / 8 Comments

I was lucky enough to visit Morocco in February, before the coronavirus pandemic brought international travel to an abrupt halt.

My trip took me to the country’s Atlantic coastline with its warm winter sunshine. I spent a day in the town of Essaouira, which I can strongly recommend.

The old town’s ramparts are perched next to the lively ocean, and it’s full of colourful, rustic little streets to explore. Essaouira is very blue, including the boats of the bustling fishing port (pungent but well worth a look). Hungry gulls circle in clusters looking for morsels. There’s also a broad strip of beach away from the medina.

I came here in 2011 as part of a grand tour of Morocco and was charmed by it then. My opinion hasn’t altered and I could have spent several days there, watching people and taking more photographs. Read more beneath the gallery

Tap/click first image to see gallery

I thought long and hard about publishing a travel blog in a world where tourism has been severely curtailed. 

Morocco is in lockdown until at least June 10th, while some European countries and airlines are planning to restart for the summer.

The UK’s ban on all but essential travel remains in place and a great deal remains uncertain. Essaouria and Morocco may be a consideration for your travel bucket list, whenever that may be possible.

Link to more posts about travel on mikeosbornphoto