I went to sunny ‘Kingdom of the West’ and swam in paradise for less than a trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Believe it or not, you can have more fun overseas for the same price

Day trips in the UK are perhaps among the most soul-crushing experiences a person can have.

Ok, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but picture this, you’ve all piled into the car for a big family outing, travelled across country, excited for what the day might bring, only to get to your destination and inevitably stand out in the cold, the wind and the rain for hours on end.

And if you actually want to do anything fun, you have to dig very deep, cause anything vaguely interesting costs an absolute fortune.

Take Blackpool Pleasure Beach, for example, perhaps the most iconic theme park in the UK – just one ticket on the day costs £50, which, when you add that up for an entire family, plus food and drink, turns into a very expensive trip.

A day out in the UK can be a pricey affair (Then and Now Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Inspired by all the Extreme Day Trips (EDTs) going viral on TikTok, I decided to see if I could get away to sunnier climes, dodging the high prices and plummeting temperatures back home, for less than a trip to the Vegas of the north.

After a quick scan on the internet for various locations across the world where I wouldn’t freeze by the Irish Sea, I secured a deal for less than £30, a return flight to a country in a different continent altogether, and I packed up and headed to Manchester Airport.

In just three hours, I reached Morocco, the epicentre of Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences, known for its warm weather and food rather than dodgems and waltzers.

But I wasn’t staying in Marrakesh or Casablanca, instead I landed at Al-Massira International Airport in Agadir, the country’s hidden gem along its south Atlantic coast.

Passport control didn’t even take that long (LADbible)

In the time it takes to drive from London to Sheffield, I had gone from 0° misery to 23° heat.

And while the lofty temperatures were a pleasant change, they weren’t my main reason for flying over to what is known as the ‘Kingdom of the West’.

After a night of exploring the clean, safe streets of downtown Agadir, where I also enjoyed a delicious, generally portioned shawarma dinner with chips and a drink – a bargain at £4 – I headed to bed.

The next day, I was picked up from my hotel by a minibus at 8:20am, and we made our way through the Atlas Mountains, searching for a place known by locals as ‘Paradise Valley’.

The hike was more challenging for some (LADbible)

While we stopped at a botanical garden selling organic skincare products and honey, I couldn’t help thinking about the crowds of people freezing on the Pleasure Beach.

As I was taste testing some fresh honey and the tour guide was explaining Morocco’s rich history to the group, they would most likely just witnessed someone stumble off a rollercoaster and projectile vomit a stream of chunky liquid all over the concrete.

Now, this isn’t to do Blackpool down, it’s jewel in the UK’s tourism crown, it’s just a different experience.

After hiking through the sun-lit mountains, we finally arrived near our final location: Natural water pools.

I had to take at dip at the end of our hike (LADbible)

The towering mountains combined with the sunlight finally making its way over its peaks gave us stunning views to enjoy while making our way through Paradise Valley.

Upon arriving, it quickly became clear how the area got its name.

Then it was time to jump – a leap of faith, some would say – as I plummeted into the natural water below, with the weirdest form ever.

Getting out of the water and looking up at the sun shine through the rocky mountains as the light hit my face beats any feeling I’d got from any park. 10/10.

After a walk back to the minibus in the sun to dry off, and a swift trip back to the city, I explored the market, walked along the beach, and enjoyed a burger before heading back home.

So how do the two tourist hotspots compare?