How I Travel: Brian Callaghan

If you’re planning a trip to Marrakech, you’ll find your fair share of luxury hotels. But if you’re seeking an entirely personalized experience, one where your every desire is fulfilled before you quite realized what it was you actually wanted, one that feels like you’re crashing at your super stylish friend’s chic riad before realizing it’s entirely for you, then you’ll want to spend your Marrakech holiday at Ezzahra Estate.

Comprised of five stunning villas, each with their own private pools, fireplaces, daybeds and expansive living spaces, Ezzhara Estate functions a bit like an all-inclusive at the most luxurious level. With your stay, Ezzhara offers all spa treatments, non-alcoholic drinks, transfers, a guided tour of the Marrakech souks and all food chosen from a la carte menus in conjunction with the on-site chef. The property is owned and operated by Brian Callaghan, a British native, chess champion and ambassador who splits his homes between Gibraltar and Marrakech and hosts a variety of high profile travelers seeking some respite in the African sun.

As Callaghan jets between his homes and throughout the North African region via Landcruiser, I got his travel must-haves, from the drawstring pant he found in the souk, to his favorite hotel in Morocco.

Brian Callaghan’s Travel Intel:

My go-to airline is: British Airways. They Look After Me Well.

My favorite seat on the flight is: I Always Get A Window Seat So I Get Good Views Of The Rock Of Gibraltar On Approach.

My go-to airline is: british airways. they look after me well.

My favorite seat on the flight is: I always get a window seat so I get good views of the Rock of Gibraltar on approach. Gibraltar is my home base.

My favorite airport/terminal is: Menara at Marrakech, flying in with Royal Air Maroc. From here, it’s a short ride to my sanctuary in the Palmerie of Marrakech.

The second I get on the plane, I: get my Ipad out and play chess through most any flight. Chess has played a significant role in my life. I’ve honored by the International Chess Federation for organizing the world’s finest open chess tournaments in Gibraltar. The late Queen of England honored me with an Obe Award for similar chess and tourism related achievements. In Marrakech, I now seek to help promote chess as an educational aid on an equal opportunity basis in those neighboring schools near the Ezzahra Estate in Morocco.

My favorite hotel is: La Sultana is, environmentally, the most careful hotel I have come across. It’s just 12 rooms and 60 kilometers south of Casablanca. A one or two night stopover en route to Marrakech is well-rewarded for the grilled lobster and salad your boatman will prepare for you on the beaches of the Oualidia Lagoon. It’s a memorable experience.

My favorite city is: of course, Marrakesh. It’s the beating heart of a holiday in Africa and just a short-haul flight from Europe. My go-to hotel there is La Mamounia for its Italian restaurant. It’s just 20 minutes from Ezzahra.

The worst part of flying is: I cannot take my trusty Toyota Landcruiser with me.

As soon as I check into my room on the Ezzahra estate, I: make contact with the spa staff to organize my hammam and massage, which just settles the body from a day of travel.

I conquer jet-lag by: flying short-haul flights. I also consult Simo, the Ezzahra mixologist and botanist for a jet-lag beating cocktail.

My travel uniform consists of: a shirt from my granddaughter’s clothing brand Atlas The Brand, and very comfortable draw string pants. I’m actually addicted to them. They’re from the Mellah of the Marrakech souk, and my Mr Boho sunglasses.

My biggest piece of travel advice is: always be aware of whats going on around you and travel safe.