With Christmas just around the corner, hordes of European and English visitors will skip across the Mediterranean for a fast, cheap holiday in beautiful Morocco. Many will fly into Fez to explore one of the oldest medinas in the Arab world, others will ride camels into the desert sunset, while more intrepid travelers will head to the Atlas mountains for some exhilarating ski action.
But for those seeking a relaxing seaside retreat, behold Dar Beida – the White House – an eco-luxe 18th century sandstone villa in Essaouria.
Built in the traditional Moroccan style, Dar Beida is a glamorous four bedroom villa abutting the ancient medina.
Just a skip from the beach, the four storey villa is decked out with thuya wood ceilings, sandstone columns and painted white, and features a mix of natural interior furnishings and 1960s decor.
Each unit comes stocked with a basket of fresh fruit, tea and coffee and locally-produced argan soap, which is fast becoming one of the country’s most popular export commodities.
Skylights in the bathroom pull of plenty of natural light and there is an outdoor terrace that is shaded from the sun. The entire space is organized around a central courtyard.
Wildly popular among tourists, Essaouira is a short bus ride from Marrakech. In addition to the typical activities, including shopping at the medina, a long beach provides excellent opportunities for hikers to stretch their legs amid gorgeous scenery.
Rent is £300 per week and a home-cooked Moroccan meal delivered to the door costs an additional £10 per day. And for those who prefer to flex their own culinary muscles, the villa comes with a fully equipped kitchen.
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
