The Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival - June

Essaouira is an ultra laidback resort of blueshuttered, whitewashed houses built around an 18th Century Portuguese port and is home to Morocco's big summer festival. The Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival celebrates the music of the Gnaouas, the product of a mystic tradition with branches as widespread as Haitian Voodoo and Brazilian Candomblé. During the four days the city heats up with African roots music, as well as rock, reggae, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban performances that take place on various stages around this picturesque beach destination. We think this festival is an original, creative and authentic way to experience Moroccan culture. Essaouira Just 60 miles to the west of Marrakech is the charismatic coastal town of Essaouira, where a working harbour sits alongside the golden beach. Meander along narrow alleyways past busy stalls and donkey carts loaded with oranges, chocolate or the day’s catch of fish. Original Travel consultants visit the town on a regular basis to keep tabs on new riad and restaurant openings, so we can suggest the best. The coast here is also blessed with some of the finest kite-surfing conditions in the world and this hugely popular new watersport is surprisingly easy to pick up. With an enormous beach and a consistently powerful wind, Essaouira offers the perfect environment to learn, and Original Travel has sourced the finest English-speaking instructors, and the latest equipment. For surfers of a non-kiting persuasion, the break at Sidi Kaouki - just half an hour away - is one of the best on Africa's Atlantic Coast. We can arrange board hire, lessons and transfers. Your Consultant for your E S S A O U I R A  F E S T I V A L  trip is: S h o l t o	Where to Stay L'heure Bleue Type: Cosy Riad No of rooms: 35 Location: Medina Madada Mogador Type: Chic / Design Number of rooms: 7 Location: Town Riad Waiter Type: Guesthouse Number of rooms: 10 Location: Medina