Monday, 11 April 2011 12:00 AM

Print NewsletterNewsletter 2011

Welcome to the latest edition of Naturally Morocco’s Newsletter, which brings you an update on accommodations, itineraries and activities. Naturally Morocco continues to seek out the new and the unusual, and to offer an unrivalled and growing range of activities and places to stay in Morocco. We hope the highlights below inspire you to travel to Morocco with us during 2011.

SPECIAL OFFERS in ESSAOUIRA*

With the opening of the new motorway from Marrakech, Essaouira is now only two hours away. To celebrate this new development we are pleased to have secured some special offers on accommodation to promote this enchanting seaside destination.

Ocean Vagabond

Ocean Vagabond, Essaouira

Now from £260pp for 4 nights

Riads Watier and Al Massarah

Ryad Watier, Essaouira and Riad Al Massarah Marrakech

Now from £410pp for 7 nights
This attractive and popular hotel, a couple of minutes' stroll from the beach and medina, is very comfortable, light and spacious, with calming greenery. Riad Watier, situated in the kasbah part of the medina, is exceptionally well run and enjoys good views of the Atlantic Ocean from the roof terrace. Riad Al Massarah is an elegant riad in the Bab Douakkala district of Marrakech

* Per person prices based on two people sharing, including bed, breakfast, taxi transfers but excludes flights

SHORT BREAKS IN FEZ from £335

The Fez Souk

With the introduction of three flights a week from Stansted with Ryanair, Fez and Meknes have now become increasingly attractive short break destinations. To take advantage of these new flights we now offer a four day trip to Fez that includes a half-day city tour led by a local guide who will introduce you to the city, its history, culture, souks and its immediate surrounds, and a day trip outside of the city.

With departures on Tuesdays and prices starting at £335 excluding flights, this all-year round offer provides an opportunity to visit Morocco's oldest city as well as either the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the sacred village of Moulay Idris, or alternatively the Middle Atlas mountains where the contrast of old and new is starkly drawn between the traditional ancient walled town of Sefrou, the beautiful Berber village of Immouzzer-du-kandar and the modern 'Swiss' skiing village of Ifrane.

 

FEATURED ITINERARY - The GREEN T Trail

From £390 pp for 7 nights or £669 for 11 nights (excl flights, based on 2 persons sharing. 11 night version including 2 outings, 3 cultural experiences)

Green T Trail near TafrouteExplore the lesser-known south west of Morocco with an exciting circuit that takes in all 4 major environments (coastal, desert, mountains and town) in a compact area. We labelled this unique itinerary “green” because it features responsible suppliers in Tafaoute, Tata, Tissint and Taroudant. Due to be featured in Condé Nast Traveller Magazine this autumn, it  includes a fascinating journey through some astonishing landscapes in the Anti Atlas Mountains and stunning desert palmeries along the edge of the Sahara as well as a variety of options to visit the Atlantic coast and the High Atlas. more...

 

ADDITIONS TO OUR ACCOMMODATION PORTFOLIO

Villa Blanche

Ville Blanche Agadir

Dar Infiane, Tata

Dar Infiane Tata

Riad Atman, Marrakech Medina

Riad Atman Marrakech Medina

Overlooking the Atlantic

Pinus Nord Tangier

L'oliveraie der Margiha

L'Oliveriae de Margiha Ouirgane
A splendid boutique hotel with a wide choice of room types, a spa, 2 pools (one heated) and easy access to a beach not far from the edge of the Souss Massa National Park Set on the edge of the Sahara where it meets the Anti Atlas, this characterful 250- year-old kasbah is perched on a hilltop with extensive views. The managers also run a remarkable camp in canyon setting and a guest house overlooking a palm-filled gorge. Very conveniently located near the gate into the ancient medina near to the New Town, this luxurious value-for-money small riad combines elegant contemporary minimalist décor with traditional Moroccan tiles, plaster and woodwork. Set by the medina wall close to the city centre, and in a commanding position with views overlooking the Atlantic, this small luxurious hotel with restaurant offers excellent service and high quality accommodation. Overlooking the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains just an hour’s drive from Marrakech, this highly rated restaurant with a pool now offers overnight stays in individual bungalows set in a large and pretty garden and olive groves.

New accommodations have also been added in:

Ait Benhaddou - Etoile Filante d'Or

Essaouira - Ksar L'Aquarelle, Riad Les Deux Mondes and Riad des Palmiers

Icht - Borj Biramane

Marrakech Medina - Riad Kniza, Riad Papillon and Riad Cinammon

Mirleft - Kasbah Tabelkoukt

Oualidia - Villa Laylah (Self Catering)

 

SPECIAL INTEREST HOLIDAYS

Saffron Special

The Saffron FlowerrDuring 2010 we introduced trips to the saffron fields of Talouine near Taroudant. The trip provided a unique insight into the harvesting and production of this very precious and special spice and an introduction to the use of saffron in Moroccan cuisine. We will be offering this fascinating experience again in 2011 during the month of harvest of saffron (from mid October - mid November) or on other dates on request for groups of 4+, more...

 

Photography Courses based in Essaouira and the South

Photography CoursesThe courses, covering a variety of techniques and subjects including the photogenic town, countryside and people in and around Essaouira, are run by professional photographer, Darren Lewey. Courses of 1, 2, 3 or 6 days’ duration may be followed. Further courses in the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains are currently under development. more..

 

Handicraft Holidays in Taroudant

Pottery in High Atlas VillageNaturally Morocco prides itself on offering authentic experiences which provide an insight into Moroccan traditions. Following the success of our  half-day courses in handicrafts we have devised 4 and 7 day handicrafts programmes that provide a fascinating introduction to age-old Berber traditions including leather crafts, jewellery making, henna artistry, pottery and stonework, as well as hands-on experiences tutored by skilled artisans. It also includes visits to local souks and villages to see and experience life in the local Berber Communities of the nearby Atlas Mountains. For any accompanying travellers not wishing to undertake the handicraft programme a wide range of other excursions and activities are available, more...

 

Phone or e-mail us now to create or develop your travel plans. We are available to talk every weekday and Saturdays. Our detailed knowledge of the people, places and accommodation allow us to fine-tune your holiday, providing a complete bespoke service at competitive prices.

Staff

Jane, who founded the company in 1996, retired from her post as Product Manager at the end of February. She will have more time to devote to a variety of things that she is passionate about including managing the Naturally Morocco Guest House, the “Real Morocco” programme in Taroudant and community projects in Morocco.

We are pleased to announce that Christine, who has been with the company for 5 years, and has been working closely with Jane for some months, will succeed her.

Traveller Reviews

We are pleased that many of you are willing to make comments about our holidays, and the company's performance. We have therefore decided to share this feedback with existing and potential new clients on the website, more...

Naturally Morocco & British Airways

Naturally Morocco has been appointed as an Approved Operator with British Airways whose new flights to Marrakech started on March 27th

New Flights to Morocco

Agadir from

London Gatwick on Tuesday and Saturday from April 2011.

Marrakech

London Stansted on Thursdays and Sundays (Ryanair).

London Gatwick on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays.(British Airways).

London Heathrow on Monday, Friday and Sunday (BMI).

Casablanca

London Heathrow on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (BMI).

New Motorways

Marrakech-Agadir
The new motorway has reduced journey times from Marrakech to Taroudant by one hour to 3.5 hrs, and Agadir is now 3 hrs.

Marrakech-Essaouira

Journey times between Marrakech and Essaouira have been reduced by 45 minutes to 2 hours.

New Treks and Excursions

Taroudant:   One day excursion from Taroudant to the unspoiled territory of the western High Atlas mountains and the breathtaking Tiz-n-Test Pass.

Community Projects

Naturally Morocco is supporting a beekeeping project in the south of Morocco in the Ouarzazate and Taroudant regions to reintroduce the endangered Saharan Yellow bee, which is much better suited to the arid environment. Bee colonies have been in steep decline over recent years affecting local income as well as having a significant effect on crop pollination.

A week long course, which took place last month involved trainers from a research institution in France and 62 local trainees (including many women). The next stage is to raise money for improved equipment - a fully equipped modern hive (which is much more productive and less prone to harbour disease than traditional hives) costs about £30- and the trainees will later train others. If you’d like to donate towards this important project please contact us. 100% of your donation goes to the cause. Donors’ names will be inscribed on the hives.

 

By: Richard Markham