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Villa de l’O Essaouira JESS Kalinowsky Friends Travel LLP

moroccowithfriendstravel — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:25:41 +0000

Morocco

Villa de l’O

Villa de l’O Reservations: MOROCCO@FriendsTravel.com 24/7365

Discounted First Class, Business Class and Coach International Airfares: AIR@FriendsTravel.com

Steps from the gleaming waters and bustling souks of Essaouira, this XVIIIth Riad subtly blends modern decor with the alchemy of traditional stone, sculpted wood and rich fabrics. Romantic, intriguing suites provide the ultimate in luxury and privacy at this lavish retreat sheltered by the Medina walls. Suites are decorated with a Western/Asian fusion, some providing magnificent views over the island of Mogador while others offer a more secluded feel. L’Osmose Spa is an invitation to well-being and sensory rediscovery, complete with traditional Hammam and Eastern-inspired treatments.

-12 Suites
-L’Osmose Spa
-L’Oxygene terrace solarium
-L’Obene & L’Oracle salons for relaxation
-12 km from Essaouira Airport (ESU) , 175 from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK)

About Essaouira

Essaouira (English pronunciation: /ˌɛsəˈwɪərə/; Arabic: الصويرة‎, Berber: M-ugadir) is a touristic and windy city in the western Moroccan economic region of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, on the Atlantic coast. It was formerly known, by the 16th century Portuguese as Mogador or Mogadore.

The Medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed city, as an example of a late 18th century fortified town, as transferred to North Africa.

The fishing harbour, suffering from the competition of Agadir and Safi remains rather small, although the catches (sardines, conger eels[disambiguation needed]) are surprisingly abundant due to the coastal upwelling generated by the powerful trade winds and the Canaries Current.

There are only a handful of modern purpose-built hotels within the walls of the old city. The medina is home to many small arts and crafts businesses, notably cabinet making and ‘thuya’ wood-carving (using roots of the Tetraclinis tree), both of which have been practised in Essaouira for centuries.

Essaouira is also renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind blowing almost constantly onto the protected, almost waveless, bay. Several world-class clubs rent top-notch material on a weekly basis. Parasols tend to be used on the beach as a protection against the wind and the blowing sand. Camel excursions are available on the beach and into the desert band in the interior.

Essaouira is the site of an annual pilgrimage to the grave of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, whose home and synagogue are preserved as an historic and religious site, the Chaim Pinto Synagogue. The Simon Attias Synagogue is also still standing.

JESS Kalinowsky Professional Travel Consultant
JESS@FriendsTravel.com 24/7/365
FriendsTravel.com Google us now!
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Jemaa el-Fna Square, Marrakesh JESS Kalinowsky Friends Travel LLP

moroccowithfriendstravel — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:29:09 +0000

Jemaa el-Fna Square, Marrakesh
The Jemaa el-Fna Square is a busy open-air market set in the heart of Marrakesh. During the day, the market teems with crowds of travelers, snake charmers and locals selling everything from henna tattoos to handmade crafts. But at night, Jemaa el-Fna pulsates with life, light and the fragrant aroma of untold spices. When the sun sets on Marrakesh, the square transforms into a steamy outdoor culinary show as dozens of food stalls roll into the market to sell freshly made local specialties throughout the evening. A nighttime visit to the Jemaa el-Fna is a must for foodies traveling in the country. MOROCCO@FriendsTravel.com

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Morocco Culinary Tour + Cooking Classes JESS Kalinowsky FriendsTravel LLP

moroccowithfriendstravel — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 06:41:38 +0000

8 Day Culinary Tour in Morocco
An Extraordinary Experience
17 meals- 3 Cooking Classes- Visits to Markets and Communal Oven

Tour Number
295

Explore the Food Markets of Morocco

Marrakesh at Night

Foods of Morocco" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="200" />

Learn preparation
Foods of Morocco

ITINERARY

This package operates as small group tour with only 4 – 12 passengers.
You may join our small group.
Make this delicious tour private for just two passengers.. add just $500 extra per person.

DAY 01: Depart the USA for your culinary adventure to Morocco

DAY 02: Casablanca / Rabat (Dinner + overnight)
Welcome and assistance at Casablanca Mohamed V airport – Sightseeing tour of Casablanca including the Market then continuation to Rabat. Dinner and accommodation at hotel

DAY 03: Rabat / Fes (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + overnight)
After breakfast, morning sightseeing of Rabat including the food market of Rabat. Lunch at restaurant featuring regional cuisine. Borj Eddar restaurant by the seaside: kebabs of marinated fish with sweet lemon, seafood bestila, and fruit salad with orange-flower water. Afternoon departure to Fes. Arrival panoramic tour of the city. – During check in ceremony of tea. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Fes

DAY 04: Fes (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + overnight)
The whole day will be dedicated to a cooking lesson in one of the raid in Fes where clients will eat their plates during lunch and they will make some pastries also in the second half of the cooking lesson. Dinner in the Hotel where accommodation is provided

DAY 05: Fes/ Meknes/Fes (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + overnight)
08:30 – Departure after breakfast for a morning discovery of Fes: Morning sightseeing tour in the Medina of Fes. 12:00 – Departure to Meknes, one of Morocco’s imperial cities, at the center of a rich, agricultural area. Lunch at Palais Terrab in Meknes with demonstration and lunch of tagine with meatballs and eggs. Afternoon visit of Meknes and the village of Moulay Idriss, a national pilgrimage site housing the tomb of Moulay Idriss, the founder of Morocco’s first indigenous Islamic kingdom. Special dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Fes

DAY 06: Fes/ Marrakech (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + overnight)
Drive to fabled Marrakech, Morocco’s most popular city, across the varied landscapes of Morocco: the Middle Atlas Mountains and the rich agricultural plains of Beni Mellal. Lunch enroute. Late afternoon visit to the famous Jemaa el Fna Square to see the square transform from a lively area of acrobats and other entertainers into a vast eatery of food stalls. Dinner and overnight in hotel

DAY 07: Marrakech (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + overnight)
Half Day dedicated to a cooking lesson – Lunch. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Marrakech. Dinner in a Moroccan restaurant.

DAY 08: Marrakech ( Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to Marrakech airport

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
RT Non-stop air from JFK to Morocco. Same price for air from Boston or Washington DC Miami $260, Chicago $260, Atlanta $260, Denver $360, Houston $460, Seattle $360, And L.A. $460? All transfers and transportation Porterage of luggage in the hotels 06 nights accommodation in the 4 star hotels 17 meals 3 cooking lessons and demonstration, as mentioned in the programme Sightseeing tour of Casablanca including the Market Visit to the food markets of Rabat and Marrakech Typical Moroccan Tea ceremony A private a/c car at disposal during the whole tour with an English speaking driver Local guides for the extensive sightseeing in Marrakech, Rabat and Fes as stated in the itinerary Entrance fees to monuments where it’s necessary Fuel Surcharge
Flight from Casablanca to Marrakech not included in the land only price. This package operates as seat in coach and will depart with 4 passengers. You may join our small group. Make this delicious tour private for two passengers only by adding $500 extra per person.
HOTELS USED
Rabat, MOROCCO La Tour Hassan Hotel
Fes, Morocco Fes Ramada
Marrakesh, Morocco Atlas Medina and Spa

THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES

RT Non-stop air from JFK to Morocco. Same price for air from Boston or Washington DC
Miami $260, Chicago $260, Atlanta $260, Denver $360, Houston $460, Seattle $360, And L.A. $460?

All transfers and transportation

Porterage of luggage in the hotels

06 nights accommodation in the 4 star hotels

17 meals

3 cooking lessons and demonstration, as mentioned in the programme

Visit to the food markets of Rabat and Marrakech

Typical Moroccan Tea ceremony

A private a/c car at disposal during the whole tour with an English speaking driver

Local guides for the extensive sightseeing

Entrance fees to monuments where it’s necessary

Fuel Surcharge

Skiing under the African Sun? Ski Morocco JESS Kalinowsky Friends Travel LLP

moroccowithfriendstravel — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 06:06:01 +0000

Skiing under the African Sun?

Skiing finds its patrons in Africa, as mountain ranges do spread out in this continent too. Though Kenya, despite the 5 800 m of the Kilimanjaro, has no ski resorts, Morocco and South Africa realized the pleasures of skiing and exploited the potential this sport presented as a tourist destination, resulting to development of striking resorts thriving under the sun.

In South Africa: Tiffindell

Starting June through August is the season for skiing on the forty mountains of South Africa. The whole of South Africa has just one ski resort on the slopes of the Eastern Cape’s highest peak, the Ben MacDhui (3 001 m): Tiffindell. It was shaped in 1994 with only the basic infrastructure that included a rural road. Since then, it has become a much-preferred destination, prompting planning of its development by planting small chalets of stylish ski alpine, chairlifts, snow-blowers, and a cosy pub at the end of a thrilling day of skiing. Expeditions are structured at Cape Town and Johannesburg.

In Lesotho: Afri-Ski

Lesotho kingdom, landlocked by South Africa is dramatically mountainous and is rightfully called “the small Siberia in Africa”. The north of Lesotho, at 3222m above sea level you have Maluti Mountains, housing Afri-Ski Leisure Kingdom, a ski resort based in Oxbow. Afri-Ski offers some amazing skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

The terrain stretches beyond 1,000 acres offers three slopes and two ski lifts. Afri-Ski earned the credit of hosting its first successful skiing season from June to August 2005 when nearly 3000 tourists, mostly from South Africa, visited the resort prompting 2500 skiers to enjoy skiing the longest ski slope in Africa. Now it hosts the King Cup Lesotho, the only competition of its kind in South Africa on an annual basis. The resort is 4½ hours’ drive from Johannesburg South Africa.

In Morocco: Oukaimeden

An hour and a half away from Marrakech, Oukaimeden is a premier skiing resort of the African continent in the red mountains of High Atlas. Here the ski chairs take you up to 3243m from where the views of the surrounding mountains and valleys are a must. Seen from the top, the peaks look hostile but they are indeed thickly populated and have some of the most beautiful scenery in Morocco. The village offers nearly twenty tracks, ski lifts, and restaurants.

The season is rather short, just a month and a half month between January and February. However, this scene is not going to last long as funds are being poured to provide improved facilities including introduction of snow cannons. There are also plans to construct luxury hotels and an eighteen hole golf course. In the foreseeable future the old fashioned ski resort will disappear, and that should prompt you to be there before it so happens and a true feel of the place!

MOROCCO@FriendsTravel.com

Marrakech Morocco JESS Kalinowsky Friends Travel LLP

moroccowithfriendstravel — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:44:02 +0000

Package plus applicable reduced rate First Class, Business Class or Coach Airfare. This package can be added as a pre or post to another trip we are planning for you JESS Kalinowsky

MOROCCO@FriendsTravel.com

JESS Kalinowsky Professional Travel Consultant
JESS@FriendsTravel.com 24/7/365
FriendsTravel.com Google us now!
Expertise, trust, success ®
You cannot buy experience but you can buy from the people that have experience ®
EXPERIENCE. PROVEN. INNOVATIVE. STYLE. QUALITY. VALUE. SMART. ®
Often copied, but never duplicated! ®
It’s more than the sights. Its the Experience! ®

http://FriendsTravel.com

http://twitter.com/FriendsTravel

Marrakech, Morocco JESS Kalinowsky Friends Travel LLP

moroccowithfriendstravel — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 04:55:33 +0000

Marrakech, Morocco:

A Most Memorable Destination

I’ve been blessed to be able to travel to many different places over the past 25+ years. As I reflect back on 2010, the one destination that stands out above all others is Morocco. I really love Morocco because it truly is a unique place, with heavy European and African influences.

My favourite city in Morocco is Marrakech, which is an intricate combination of both new and old. Arriving in the historical city (the Medina), my travel companion and I spent a couple hours wandering the Medina which is a labyrinthine maze full of narrow pathways and small streets that twist and turn. These streets are full of different souks that sell flavourful and authentic street food, bright and vibrant garments, exotic and fragrant spices and so much more. We spent days getting lost in the streets and exploring the different souks, meeting shopkeepers and bathing in the Moroccan culture. There was so much more to see from gardens and tombs to mosques and palaces.

In the day time, the Djemaa El-Fna (main square in the Medina) is packed with street performers, dancers, snake charmers and story tellers, filling the area with life and colour. As the sun sets, the square transforms into a massive open-air market where authentic Moroccan fare is served. We opted to skip out on restaurants and riads for food most nights and join the locals and tourists at the food stalls in the square, eating anything from lamb’s head to snails. To this day I still dream about warm inviting tangine stews washed down with hot mint tea.

Beyond the tastes and sights of Marrakech, my fondest memory of the city is the people. I still remember entering into a tea shop to buy some mint tea leaves to take home and staying to chat with the shopkeepers over tea for an hour and walking out with complimentary supplies for the hammam. Eating at food stalls in the main square, we would frequently have engaging conversations with workers and chefs, often being served extra food and tea (free of charge). We felt more a friend than customer in many places we went, and shopkeepers and food stall operators would remember us the next day and invite us for tea and food. We were invited to ride with locals into other parts of town to explore the night life and have a drink and ended up making many friends on our trip to Marrakech, some of whom I still keep in touch with.

If you’re looking for adventure, food, culture, sights and sounds, definitely consider visiting Marrakech. To plan your adventure there, I recommend JESS Kalinowsky who has traveled to Maroc. There is so much more of Morocco to tell of – watch out for future articles. I promise you will fall in love a thousand times.

MOROCCO@FriendsTravel.com

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Culinary Tour in Morocco An Extraordinary Experience Friends Travel LLP JESS Kalinowsky

moroccowithfriendstravel — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 03:37:46 +0000

An Extraordinary Experience
17 meals- 3 Cooking Classes- Visits to Markets and Communal Oven From $2499" hspace="0" vspace="0" width="75" height="75" />
Tour Number
295

8 Day Culinary Tour in Morocco
An Extraordinary Experience
17 meals- 3 Cooking Classes- Visits to Markets and Communal Oven
From $2499
RT Non-stop air from JFK, Boston or Washington DC to Morocco, All transfers and transportation, Porterage of luggage in the hotels, 6 nights accommodation in the 4 star hotels, 17 meals, 3 cooking lessons and demonstration, Visit to the food markets of Rabat and Marrakech, Typical Moroccan Tea ceremony, A private a/c car at disposal during the whole tour with an English speaking driver

Although many of our trips are for specific date, they can usually be arranged for your travel dates.

Add on airfares from any city in the USA are available at reduced fares.

JESS Kalinowsky Professional Travel Consultant

MOROCCO@FriendsTravel.com 24/7/365

Secret Garden Boutique Hotel Marrakech, Morocco Friends Travel LLP JESS Kalinowsky

moroccowithfriendstravel — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 23:27:25 +0000

Secret Garden Boutique Hotel
Marrakech, Morocco

Privacy and pleasure are paramount at the Secret Garden, which is located within the Palmeraie Hotels & Resorts complex in Marrakech. The 23 villas comprise a secluded, self-contained universe where the focus is on total comfort. Styled with lustrous leather furniture, intricate rugs, and elegant tile work, these sumptuous three-bedroom, three-bath residences (which comfortably sleep six and feature a special kids’ room) also include access to a heated pool, hammam, and terrace equipped with a Jacuzzi…

Reservations EMAIL MOROCCO@FriendsTravel.com 24/7/365

Resort and Airline Reservations, First Class, Business Class or Coach reduced fares

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moroccowithfriendstravel — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 20:05:45 +0000

http://twitter.com/#!/FriendsTravel

Tourism is top priority for Morocco says King Mohammed VI

moroccowithfriendstravel — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:10:28 +0000

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has reaffirmed his strong commitment to tourism as one of Morocco’s top national priorities. In a meeting attended by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, on the occasion of the 10th Tourism Convention Day, the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism set the stage for the official launch of Morocco’s ‘Tourism Development Strategy Vision 2020’ (Marrakesh, Morocco, 30 November).

In 2001, King Mohammed VI announced a new national tourism strategy for Morocco, ‘Vision 2010’, a long-term programme to trigger the sustainable and accelerated development of tourism. Since then, thanks to a range of strong tourism policies and actions including a well-structured product development strategy, the liberalization of air transport and increased promotional efforts, international tourism to Morocco has increased significantly.

International tourist arrivals grew almost two-fold in less than a decade and are expected to reach 9.3 million in 2010, while earnings from international tourism, a key export in the country, tripled in the same period. Moreover, in 2009, a challenging year for the tourism sector worldwide given the adverse global economic conditions, Morocco, as one of North Africa’s leading tourism destinations, was among the world’s top performers with arrivals up by 6%.

JESS Kalinowsky has been to Morocco, from top to bottom and back again!

Come experience the FOOD! and the Culture of this wonderful North Africa nation!

JESS Kalinowsky says ” You cannot buy experience but you can buy from the people that have experience “

JESS@FriendsTravel.com

MOROCCO@FriendsTravel.com

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