Day 11 Agadir Morocco - Homeward Bound & Final Thoughts

 And just like that, our 2026 Moroccan adventure was over.

After the late night we'd had following our final excursion, the 6am alarm came around far too quickly! We still had the small matter of finishing our packing, which we'd barely touched before heading down to the Sports Bar for those final beers and a burger. Somehow, we managed to get everything back into the cases, drag ourselves out of bed and get our luggage down to reception in time for our transfer.

We just about had enough time to grab a quick breakfast and a coffee before it was time to climb aboard the coach and head back to Agadir Airport. After such a hectic final day, none of us were particularly keen on saying goodbye to the hotel, but it was time to head home.

The journey back was, thankfully, just as straightforward as the journey out. The flight was smooth, the airport experience was easy and everything went pretty much according to plan.

That was, at least, until we got within about five miles of home!

Suddenly, the traffic seemed to be completely gridlocked in every direction. What should have been the final few minutes of our journey turned into another 50-minute crawl. It was almost as if the traffic gods had decided that we hadn't had quite enough travelling for one day!

Eventually, though, we made it home, tired but very happy after what had been an absolutely fantastic holiday.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, Morocco was a brilliant choice for our 2026 summer holiday. The Riu Tikida Palace was an excellent base and we couldn't really fault the resort. The food, drinks, pools, beach, entertainment and general facilities all made it very easy to settle into holiday mode. Our little poolside gazebo even became our unofficial private section for the week!

But it was the excursions that really made this holiday memorable.

We managed to see so much more than just the inside of our hotel. From exploring Agadir, riding the cable car up Mount Oufella and wandering around the Souk El Had, to the absolutely exhausting but unforgettable day in Marrakech, we got a fantastic taste of Moroccan culture and history.

Paradise Valley was another highlight, particularly getting there early enough to enjoy it before the crowds arrived. And then, of course, there was Joshua's big day—the dune buggies, quad bikes, camel ride and sand surfing. Despite leaving it until the final day and creating a rather stressful last night, it was probably the perfect way to finish the holiday.

There were plenty of other little memories that will stick with us too. The daily morning sea swims, my obligatory double espresso, the endless games of bocce, Brandon's growing collection of Moroccan cat photographs, Holly's braids and henna tattoos, the ridiculously good food at The Krystal, the street art we brought home, and, of course, the various questionable Moroccan potions and creams we somehow managed to spend money on!

There were also a few lessons learned along the way—most notably that mist does not mean the sun isn't trying to burn you, 42°C in Marrakech is bloody hot, and perhaps booking a full-day excursion on the final day of a holiday isn't the best idea when your airport transfer is at 6am the following morning!

Overall, though, we packed an incredible amount into 10 days and created some fantastic memories as a family. Morocco gave us a great combination of relaxation, adventure, culture, food, sunshine and plenty of laughs.

Would I go back?

Absolutely.

Would I do Marrakech for two days?

Definitely not!

And would I leave the dune buggy excursion until the final day again?

Probably not...

But that's the beauty of family holidays. It's not always the perfectly planned moments you remember. Sometimes it's the mad dashes, the unexpected discoveries, the dodgy pharmacies, the ridiculously hot days, the questionable food choices and the moments that don't quite go to plan that become the stories you talk about afterwards.

So that's it—Morocco 2026 officially done and dusted.

Another holiday, another collection of fantastic memories, and another family adventure safely in the books.

Until the next one... 🌴☀️🇲🇦

Love my annual holidays with this bunch.

A picture from day 10 which I couldn't fit on the blog.

After an early start it is the depressing sight of the Ryanair plane to take us home.

Farewell Morocco, it has been fun.

Doesn't seem like yesterday we was boarding the flight out, now it is off home.