Morocco Travel Diaries

Hotel in the palm grove of Zagora Morocco

Joao Leitao — Mon, 16 May 2011 06:51:11 +0000

This time I come to give information of a hotel in Zagora. It is true that here in my blog Morocco I do not have many tips on lodging and things to do in this region of the Draa Valley and Zagora but, here it is a very good site located within an authentic ksar – a fortified village with over 500 years.

Ksar Tissergate on the way to Zagora in southern Morocco

The hotel is called Ksar Ziwana and has 15 rooms with en-suite bathroom, restaurant, terrace with a beautiful view. It’s worth staying here a night or two and explore the region. It is ideal for a short trip from Ouarzazate.

The Hotel Kasbah Ziwana in Zagora

Kasbah Ziwana – Hotel Zagora

KASBAH ZIWANA, HOTEL TISSERGATE ZAGORA

Address: Ksar Tissergate KM 8 Route Ouarzazate, 45900 Zagora Morocco
Phone: 00212.66.61.77.610
Email: kasbahziwana@gmail.com
Website: www.kasbahziwana.com | click here: Hotel Zagora

The terrace of the Hotel Kasbah Ziwana in Zagora

Riad Marrakech, Riad Paula

Joao Leitao — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:57:57 +0000

Again I share information about a NEW riad in Marrakech, this time is called Riad Paula, a 6 rooms private Moroccan riad, located inside the old Medina of Marrakech in the calm and traditional district of Riad Zitoun Jdid.

Riad Paula was just recently renovated and mixes an impressive decoration and exotic ambiance at a very good, cheap and affordable price. Room price starts at 59 euros 2 people + breakfast; other rooms go until 89 Euros per night on double occupancy.

RIAD PAULA MARRAKECH - Address: Riad Zitoune Kedim, Derb Jdid, 40040 Marrakech Medina Morocco; Phone: +212 (0) 524.427.349; Mobile: +212 (0) 661.887.801. If you want more information about this Marrakech riad visit their new website also recently online: Riad Marrakech – Riad Paula.

Hotels in Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate Hotels

Joao Leitao — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:22:40 +0000

Many people ask me for some hotel addresses in Ouarzazate. In the last couple of years I understood travelers needs in terms of accommodation in Morocco, so I end up collecting 4 Ouarzazate hotels that you can chose from during your holidays in Morocco. Ouarzazate is a terrific holiday destination just 200km south from Marrakech.

Photo of the Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, some kms from Ouarzazate.

I make a small list of 4 hotels in Ouarzazate, featuring different hotel styles, hotel prices, hotel quality and hotel location. I’ll give you information of Riad Dar Rita, Hotel la Vallée, Hotel Amlal and Auberge la Terrasse des Delices.

Riad Dar Rita – Riad Ouarzazate

This great riad hotel in Ouarzazate is a fantastic place to stay while in Ouarzazate. It’s decoration and warm ambiance makes of Riad Dar Rita probably one of the best places to stay and Ouarzazate accommodation. Prices are cheap for the quality as you get room + diner + breakfast as low as 35 Euros per person. Dar Rita is a 7 room private Riad style Guest House located in Tassoumate district in Ouarzazate entrance coming from Marrakech.

Riad Dar Rita – Riad Hotel Ouarzazate

Address: Rue de la Mosquée 39, Tassoumate Ouarzazate, Morocco
Phone: +212.654.164.726
Email: darritamaroc@gmail.com
Web: Hotel Ouarzazate | www.darrita.com

Hotel Amlal – Nice Cheap Hotel Ouarzazate

Hotel Amlal is a small family hotel consisting of 28 en-suite Rooms rooms, all different in size and shape designed to accommodate you during you stay in Ouarzazate. Hotel Amlal – hotel Ouarzazate, also offers a great restaurant on the first floor where you can taste all Moroccan specialties. Restaurant Amlal serves you with quality and professionalism.

Hotel Amlal is perfectly located in the center of Ouarzazate facing the great mosque, 2 minutes walk from the main covered market, restaurants, banks and shops. You can get a single room with diner and breakfast as low as 26 euros, and a double room with breakfast and diner for the price of 39 Euros.

Hotel Amlal – Hotel Ouarzazate center town

Address: Rue du Marché Nº24-25 Centre Ville, 45000 Ouarzazate, Morocco
Phone: +212.524884030
Email: hotelamlal@gmail.com
Web: Ouarzazate Hotel | www.hotelamlal.com

Hotel la Vallee – Hotel Swimming Pool Ouarzazate

Hotel la Vallee in Ouarzazate is one of the oldest Ouarzazate hotels. Located Tabounte – one of Ouarzazate’s entrance on the way to Zagora in Sahara Desert, Hotel la Vallee is a great escape to relax from your exciting adventures in Morocco. You have swimming pool, nice but simple rooms, and a cool swimming pool.

Hotel la Vallee in Ouarzazate offer s suites with air conditioning, in-suite living rooms and private bathrooms, also different types of accommodation quality, suitable for every pocket: Suites, big rooms and standard rooms.

Hotel la Vallee – Hotel in Ouarzazate

Address: Km 1 route de Zagora,Taboute Ouarzazate, Morocco
Phone: +212.524.85.40.34
Email: hotellavallee@gmail.com
Web: Hotel swimming pool Ouarzazate | www.hotellavalleemaroc.com

La Terrasse des Délices, Hotel in Fint Oasis Ouarzazate

La Terrace des Délices is a small familiar hotel located right on the edge of the mountains viewing the amazing Fint Oasis. Fint is located 15km from Ouarzazate and stands for a great alternative to the big hotels found in the city. This hotel has 13 rooms all traditionally decorated. Prices range from 30 Euros for a single room, 50 Euros for a double room, breakfast and diner included. Oasis Fint is an amazing place you have to visit in Ouarzazate.

Terrasse des Délices – Hotel in Fint Oasis Ouarzazate

Address: Douar Fint Taharbile Ouarzazate, Morocco
Phone: +212.668515640
Email: aub.laterrasse@gmail.com
Web: Ouarzazate Hotel | www.terrassedesdeliceshotelouarzazate.com

Rent a Car in Morocco

Joao Leitao — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:07:25 +0000

For all those who ask me for information about renting a car in Morocco, I finally come with the necessary information so you can explore and self drive in Morocco.

Rent a car in Morocco is not difficult to achieve, there are plenty of agencies scattered throughout the country. In this article I give you the information to rent a car in Morocco in the cities of Agadir, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Erfoud and Zagora.

A normal city car costs 35 Euros per day. Contact the company Fox Cars to arrange and confirm your car rental in Morocco. To book your car need to send a deposit of 50% of the rental car. I know the manager of this car rental company, so I strongly recommend renting a car in Morocco with him. You can choose to have the car delivered in the cities of Agadir, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Erfoud and Zagora. You can also rent a 4wd / 4×4 Land Cruiser or Pajero. See their web site of car rental to see options and prices.

Car Rental Morocco, Rent a Car in Morocco

Logan Dacia 1.4 – A/C

1 to 3 days of rental = 450 DIRHAMS / 45 EUROS
4 to 7 days of rental = 400 DIRHAMS / 40 EUROS
8 to 15 days of rental = 350 DIRHAMS / 35 EUROS

Fox Cars – Rent-a-Car Morocco

Rent-a-Car Office Ouarzazate
Nº1041 Kissariat al Ahbass
Avenue Mohammed 6
45000 Ouarzazate – Morocco
+212.678.010.570 Mr. Mimoune
Email: rentacar.ouarzazate@gmail.com
Website: Rent a Car Morocco

Auberge la Forestiere, Mountain Hotel in Timahdite 33km south of Azrou Morocco

Joao Leitao — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:44:34 +0000

I stayed at this hotel in December 2007. Several times I passed here and was always curious to know how the facilities of this lonely mountain hotel would be. Hotel Auberge la Forestiere is located at the entrance of the Timahdite, 33km south of Azrou in the Atlas Mountains. The kindness of hotel owner Mr. Mohamed’s is fantastic.

Auberge Forestiere it is a place of extreme quality and certainly a pleasant surprised since it’s all done in wood and all materials and finishes are of excellent quality, something that is not normal to find in mountain hotels in Morocco. Looks like we’re in another country, and with a very quiet environment in the Atlas Mountains.

This mountain hotel in Morocco is the ideal place to stay for people who want to sleep after Azrou – for those driving towards the south to the Merzouga desert; or to sleep before Azrou for those who drive direction the north of Morocco.

Auberge la Forestiere is an Hotel in Timahdite, 30 minutes from the ski resort of Meshlifen and 25 minutes from Lake Agelman, a great fishing place par excellence.

Prices Auberge la Forestiere Morocco

1 single room w / private bath + breakfast = 25 euros
1 double bedroom w / private bath + breakfast = 20 euros per person
Lunch and dinner = from 6 Euros to 8 euros per person for a full menu

Contacts Auberge la Forestiere Morocco

Auberge la Forestiere from Mohamed el Graimy
Address: KM33, Route d’Errachidia – Timahdite, Morocco
Phone: 212 (0) 6 35 56 04 03 / 212 (0) 6 62 09 68 99
Email: elgraimy46@yahoo.fr
Web Page: Hotel Azrou | http://auberge-laforestiere.freehostia.com

Best Hotels in Morocco, 13 best places to stay in Morocco

Joao Leitao — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:56:38 +0000

Morocco has a huge accommodation diversity, suitable for most pockets. either you want something cheap or expensive, you will always find exactly what you need. Most cities in Morocco are already prepared to receive tourist, therefor, finding accommodation in Morocco is not that difficult.

Hotels in Morocco follow the normal international 1 start, 2 stars, 3 stars, 4 stars and 5 stars classification, also you have plenty of Guest Houses called Riads, and many Inns called Auberges.

One this page I make a nice selection of hotels in Morocco, all approved by me. I was on all of these hotels and I can advise you to stay there during your holidays in Morocco. These hotels in Morocco of this page differ from price and quality but still all are worth to stay.

Best Hotels in Morocco, 13 Best Hotels

Auberge du Sud – Inn in Merzouga Dunes

Auberge du Sud has new Luxury rooms decorated with pure Saharan style that Combine traditional Sahara decoration with comfort. This Merzouga Hotel offers camel trekking, bivouac nomad camps, swimming pool and restaurant services. Auberge du Sud is located in Merzouga Dunes in southeast Morocco.

Auberge du Sud | www.aubergedusud.com | Camel Trekking Morocco

Riad Jona – Guest House in Marrakech

Riad Jona, probably the most charming place to stay in Marrakesh. This Marrakech Riad is located in the center of the medina, a few steps away from the famous Jemaa el Fna square, the typical markets, or souks, and the the oldest Jewish quarter called Mellah.

Riad Jona | www.riad-to-marrakech.com | Riad Marrakech

Riad Dar Thania – Bed & Breakfast in Marrakech

Riad Dar Thania is a private 3 bedroom luxury Bed & Breakfast in Marrakech. This Marrakech Riad is located in a particularly quiet, secure and easily car-accessible neighborhood; 10 minutes of peaceful strolling away from the famous Jemaa El Fna Square.

Riad Dar Thania | www.riad-darthania.com | Riad Medina Marrakech

Sel d’Ailleurs – Hotel in the Atlas Mountains

Sel d’Ailleurs offers 6 rooms spread across the area, inside separated buildings, providing excellent nature escape and privacy in the Atlas Mountains. The mountains neighboring Imarigha village are amazing and you’ll be astonished by its unique splendor. This hotel in the mountains of Morocco is not far from Marrakech; in fact it’s located only 52km away. This Atlas Mountains Hotel is the perfect city getaway where you can enjoy nature, swimming pool and healthy life during your vacations.

Sel d’Ailleurs | www.seldailleurs-maroc.com | Hotel Atlas Mountains

Riad Nomad – Hotel in Foum Mharech

Riad Nomad has fully equipped rooms, restaurant and offers several other activities such as camel trekking, bivouac camping, mountains hiking, desert exploration. This Foum Mharech Hotel is located in south-east Morocco 15km from Remlia and 20km from Daya el Maider on the southern Sahara tracks from Merzouga and Taouz to Zagora.

Riad Nomad | www.riadnomad.com | Hotel Foum Mharech

Dar Rita – Riad in Ouarzazate

Dar Rita is a 7 room private Riad style Guest House located in Tassoumate district of the southern Moroccan city of Ouarzazate. This Ouarzazate Riad is European owned Guest House and offers you the combination of great comfort and a traditional decorated house in a typical Moroccan neighborhood.

Dar Rita | www.darrita.com | Riad Ouarzazate

Hotel Yasmina – Hotel in Erg Chebbi Dunes

Yasmina Hotel offer great lodging while in South Morocco in Erg Chebbi Dunes – Merzouga region. With excellent ambiance, swimming pool, camping and car parking facilities, our hotel is ideal venues for pleasure, family vacation, short breaks, offering high standards of accommodation and service within Sahara desert. This Morocco Hotel has 20 rooms available: Single Rooms, Double Rooms, Triple Rooms and Family Rooms.

Hotel Yasmina | www.hotelyasminamerzouga.com | Hotel Erg Chebbi

Haven la Chance – Hotel in Hassilabied

The hotel has 12 Modern Bedrooms with showers and toilets en suite and most of them with A/C equipped. This Merzouga Hotel is located 4 kilometers from Merzouga village in the Oasis village of Hassilabied (Hassilybied) in south-east Morocco.

Haven la Chance | www.desert-hotel.com | Hotel Desert Morocco

Kasbah Ennakhile – Hotel in Nkob

Kasbah Ennakhile is a hotel located in Nkob village – south of Morocco, 360KM from Marrakesh. Kasbah Ennakhile offers 15 rooms, restaurant area, leisure terrace tent and private parking. This Nkob Hotel is located on a panoramic edge where you can sight all Nkob village and its kasbahs, the Tamazight Oasis and surrounding mountains.

Kasbah Ennakhile | www.kasbah-nkob.com | Hotel Nkob

Chez l’Habitant – Homestay in Nkob

Chez l’Habitant have a fully decorated and equipped room with good quality furniture, bed sheets and air conditioner. Breakfast is served by the house owner early in the morning. Nkob is the heart of the southern Moroccan Berbers so you’ll have the change to experience a different type of accommodation within a local Berber family. This Morocco Home Stay is located right in the center of the old district of Nkob, surrounded by ancient Kasbahs build in mud brick architecture creating an astonishing scenario.

Chez l’Habitant | www.chezlhabitant.net | Hotel Zagora

Kasbah Meteorites – Hotel in Alnif

Kasbah Meteorite has restaurant and swimming pool, also accommodation available with 16 rooms and 2 fully equipped suites. All rooms have private bath-rooms, TV and cooling/heating system.This Alnif Hotel is located on a volcanic stone region and just 13km away from Alnif, mostly known by the “Fossil Capital” for its impressive quantity and quality of fossil beds.

Kasbah Meteorites | www.kasbahmeteorites.com/ | Hotel Alnif

La Terrasse des Délices – Inn in Fint Oasis

La Terrace des Délices is a small familiar hotel located right on the edge of the mountains viewing the amazing Fint Oasis. Fint is located 15km from Ouarzazate. This Hotel in Morocco has 13 rooms all traditionally decorated and from the terrace of the hotel you can enjoy the entire Fint Oasis and appreciate different local Berber villages and palm trees river sceneries.

Hotel Terrasse des Délices | www.terrassedesdeliceshotelouarzazate.com | Hotel Ouarzazate

Hotel Amlal – Hotel in Ouarzazate

Hotel Amlal is a small family hotel with 28 en-suite Rooms rooms, all different in size and shape designed to accommodate you during you stay in Ouarzazate. This Hotel Ouarzazate also offers a great restaurant on the first floor where you can taste all Moroccan specialties.

Hotel Amlal | www.hotelamlal.com | Hotel Ouarzazate

New Year in Morocco, 13 Days Tour, New Year Holidays in Morocco

Joao Leitao — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:21:35 +0000

For fantastic New Year Holidays in Morocco I got acquaintance of a 13 days tour in Morocco during New Year holidays 2010. This tour will mix asphalt and great off-road excursions in gorgeous and hidden parts of Morocco.

Make your New year’s Eve in Merzouga dunes, a fabulous part of Sahara Desert where you will enjoy a party with music and local dance, tasty traditional food and quality accommodation, hotel in Sahara desert. In bigger cities like marrakech, the tour will accommodate you in a Riad Marrakech, for better and exclusive quality. Prices include fuel, 4X4 and driver, half-board in all hotels. No hidden fees or taxes, contact the company for more details and reservations.

New Year in Morocco Tour – 13 Days

Day 28 December: arrival in Marrakesh
Day 29 December: Marrakech – Ouarzazate
Day 30 December: Ouarzazate – Todra Gorges
Day 31 December: Todra Gorges – Merzouga
Day 1 January: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi
Day 2 January: Merzouga-Rissani – Alnif – Tazarine-Zagora
Day 3 January: Zagora – Tamegroute -Erg Chegaga
Day 4 January: Chegaga – Foum Zguit – Taznakht – Ouarzazate
Day 5 January: Ouarzazate to Marrakech
Day 6 January: Marrakech to Marrakech
Day 7 January: Marrakech to Essaouira
Day 8 January: Essaouira to Marrakech.
Day 9 January: Marrakech Menara Airport

In the upper photo you can see Mr. Youssef Bakabou, the owner of the company Ligne d’Aventure, settled in Ouarzazate south Morocco. Youssef is my personal friend and I trust his professionalism to travel with people in Morocco.

Prices of New Years Eve in Morocco

Private 4X4 for 2 people 1335 Euros x 2 = 2670 Euros
Private 4X4 for 4 people 900 Euros x 4 = 3600 Euros
Private 4X4 for 6 people 765 Euros x 6 = 4590 Euros

Prices include fuel, 4X4 and driver, half-board in all hotels. No hidden fees or taxes, contact the company for more details and reservations.

Gnawi Music Show and Mechui Dinner Party Under the Stars in Merzouga Dunes

Joao Leitao — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:14:43 +0000

Dec 31, 2010 – Last year was a great success! Visitors from different countries enjoying the stars, music, bonfire, company and champagne after a great meal. What a way to bring in the New year!!)

Gnawi Music Show and Mechui Dinner Party Under the Stars in Merzouga, Morocco

2010 celebrating the New Year in Sahara Desert !!! Regular dinner included. Soup, Couscous with Chicken or Beef, Fruit and Mince Meat Pies (courtesy Elena) Water, Mint Tea, coffee and soft drinks included. Alcoholic Drinks extra. Champagne and Party favors at Midnight!!

Mechui is a special way of preparing Lamb in the desert in Merzouga. A young succulent lamb is prepared with spices and inserted into an adobe “mud” oven and slowly roasted over a wood fire. When ready, the lamb is ceremoniously carried inside the Big NOMAD tent (or Hotel Haven La Chance if the weather is windy) and carved while everyone is listening to the famous black G’nawi Music and watching them dance their traditional dances. Bivouac Merzouga with real nomad tents and great New Year party ambiance in Sahara Desert.

While waiting, one mingles under the stars in Merzouga next to a huge bonfire (to keep warm!) and enjoys the atmosphere of the desert and the music.

75 Euros per person in Hotel rooms..
65 Euros per person in Nomad tents by Hotel. Toilet facilities inside hotel.

Really an Adventure! Limited space available!! Reservations in Progress.

NYE Music Show with Mechui Fete

Sahara Desert- Merzouga, Morocco
contact: Edna Elena G Hall
Phone in Spain: +34.610.477.228
Phone/Fax: +34.952.467.562
Website: http://www.desert-hotel.com/
Email: info@desert-hotel.com
E. Elena Hall and Hmad Ourdaras
Co owners of Haven La Chance in Hassilabied, Merzouga,
Co Directors Blue Men of Morocco Co.- tour operator in Morocco

Home Stay Morocco, Room with Moroccan Family

Joao Leitao — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:53:29 +0000

Nkob Family receives travelers inside their house. Great opportunity to get to know Amazigh culture better. 2 weeks stay is cheaper. Usually 30 Euros per night half-board with dinner and breakfast included.

If you’re looking for a Hotel in Nkob, this might also be a good choice as you will experience a whole different approach of south Morocco.

Photo of Nkob Village with Traditional Moroccan Casbahs in South Morocco. During your Vacations in Morocco this a great place to explore this type of mud casbahs and adventure inside the surrounding oases. Also possible to make Mountain Trek in Morocco if you like this type of activity.

Home Stay in Morocco is a easy and direct way of getting deep inside peoples ancient Berber / Amazigh culture, learn their values, language, gastronomy etc.

Home Stay Morocco

Website of Chezl’habitant: http://www.chezlhabitant.net/

Mr Lahcen and his son and wife welcome you to their house. Live among Moroccan Berbers in Nkob village.

Arabic Vocabulary: The Head & Face

Joao Leitao — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:23:29 +0000

HEAD | RAS

ALWAJH – face
NYF – nose
FOUM – mouth
3AYNIN – eyes
3AYN – eye
CHNAIF – lips
ASNAN – teeth
SNA – tooth
HAJBAN – eyebrows
HAJB – eyebrow
CHFAR – eyelashes
MNAKHAR – nostrils
LSAN – tongue
HNAK- cheeks
JBHA – forehead

FI RAS KEIN ALWAJH WA FI ALWAJH KEIN 3AYNIN BASH NCHUFK
In the head there is the face and in the face there are eyes for me to look at you