INTERNET – “THE JOURNEY LE BALADIN” – ESSAOUIRA HOME:

Welcome to the trip “Le Baladin”-
“Bessalama” to Morocco!

After your visit to „Birreria“ and „Casa Baladin“ in Italy, we invite you to the Riad „Le Baladin“ – it’s a journey of 1001 nights...
Experience an adventure in South Morocco:

• Fly to Marrakech & stay overnight in “the pearl of the South”
• Travel to the sea, to Essaouira & spend some nights in the Riad „Le Baladin“ in this fantastic fishing-village on the atlantic coast
• Travel along the coast to Aourir/Agadir & sleep in a Villa directly overlooking the beach
• On the way to the desert you will spend a night in Ouarzazate, the city of cinema
• Drive down the palm-valley “Vallée du Draa” to the first dunes of the Sahara to the village of M’Hamid & sleep in nomad-tents in a Bivouac
• Experience a Camel Caravan through the Sahara & sleep out on a bed of sand under million of stars…

Or

Just relax at the Beach, take a swim or Surf, visit the market „Souk“, a place full of colours, eat fresh fish for lunch at the port, spend the nights in the Riad „Le Baladin“ and enjoy a drink at the sunset and breakfast on the roof-top with a fantastic view over the old town, the „Medina“ and the Sea!

If you choose to travel for a week or 10 days, we can offer you different Tours. There are direct flights from London, Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Paris, Nice, Madrid & Milan with the flight-companies atlas-blue & easyjet.

RIAD „Le Baladin“:

The Riad „Le Baladin“ is situated in the nicest part of the old town of Essaouira, in the district of „la Skala“, just a few meters away from the sea and a couple of minutes away from the main place and port. There is no traffic allowed in the „Medina“. This oasis offers 5 double-rooms with ensuite bathrooms in a typical Moroccan style, combined with a contemporary design. Breakfast will be served from sunrise till brunch-time on the roof-terrace which benefits from a panoramic view over the old town to the sea – in the evening you enjoy the Apéro (with the self-brewed „Baladin“-Beer) at the sunset, and if you’re still in the mood, you can also visit the house Hammam (Turkish bath), before you retire to bed… The lounge in the basement offers Internet access and is a pleasant place to chat with other guests! The hostess of the Riad is a Swiss person called Nicole Pavlin – she speaks English, German, French and Italian fluently.

Prices:

Double-room with bath & breakfast incl.: 70€/night
(60€ without breakfast). Additional bed: 30€/night
Total Riad to rent (for courses, parties, birthdays, weddings etc.)
1200€/week incl. breakfast (max. 10 persons)
The house Hammam: 10€/person/session (min. 2 persons)
Next to it is a massage-salon with manicure & pedicure.

TRANSPORT:

Both companies atlas-blue (Royal Air Maroc) and easyjet fly regularly to Marrakech. The prices depend on the day of departure, they’re around 200€ to 400€ for a return-ticket incl. taxes. (Book in advance! If you’re lucky, there are tickets from 8€ & taxes onward…)
From England, Ryan Air, Thomson Fly and British Airways also fly to Marrakech.

www.ryanair.com www.thomsonfly.com

www.atlas-blue.com: www.easyjet.com:

Flies from: Flies from:
London London
Geneva Geneva
Madrid Basel
Milan Madrid
Nice Milan
Paris Paris

Taxi-transport from Marrakech airport to the hotel: 10€/person.

The trips from Marrakech to Essaouira (150km), Agadir, Ouarzazate and M’Hamid (Sahara) can be made by taxi (Mercedes) or by rental-car (PW / 4x4).

Taxi: (Min. 2, max. 4 persons) Rental-car:

Marrakech – Essaouira: 40€/person Min. 40€/day (PW)
Essaouira – Agadir: 40€/person Max. 180€/day (4x4)
Agadir – Ouarzazate: 40€/person
Ouarzazate – M’Hamid: 40€/person
M’Hamid – Marrakesch: 60€/person (min. persons)

DESTINATIONS:

Marrakech:

Fly to Marrakech, “the pearl of the South”, and experience the world-famous market-place “Djemaa el Fna” with all its mystical charm of oriental story-tellers, snake-charmers and jugglers… In the evening, sample the food stalls on the market square with all their fresh ingredients cooked before you.
Spend the night afterwards in one of the wonderful Riads (small hotels) in middle of the old part of the town, the „Medina“.

Riad „Amazighen“:
The Italian host Paolo Pautasso has a wonderful Riad with 5 rooms and a Hammam in a still very authentic district of Marrakech.

Riad „Zitoun“:
The Swiss hostess Marlies Röthlisberger is looking after the Riad Zitoun with 3 rooms, which is located just a few minutes by foot from the main place „Djemaa el Fna“.

Essaouira:

Is a very romantic harbour-town on the Atlantic-coast (150km to the west of Marrakech) with white houses, blue shutters and many narrow and tiny alleys. Thanks to this splendid back-drop there has been many movies made (for example „Othello“ from director Orson Welles and „Kingdom of Heaven“ from Ridley Scott). Since 2001 the city has been registered on the list of UNESCO, world-heritage sites.

The traditional industry of fishing is now secondary to the booming tourism industry but is still an important source of income and one can enjoy eating freshly grilled fish down at the port, the market „Souk“ with all the colourful textiles, aromatic spices and attractive living-accessories, is calling you to make a Shopping trip, and the numerous coffee-shops and restaurants in the alleys and on the roof-terraces are the best place to just watch the world go by and relax.

The highlight of the year is the gnaua-music-festival, which takes place every year (www.festival-gnaoua.net, 22.-25. June 2008) with more than 100'000 festival-visitors!

Essaouira is, because of it’s frequent wind and beach, a well known place for Surfers (best known for wind surfing and kite surfing!!). Slightly further south down the coast, the beautiful nature-reserve „Sidi Kaouki“ is a peaceful place to swim and sunbathe.

Agadir/Aourir - Villa Mandala:
The Villa Mandala is situated 11km north of the town Agadir at the beach of Aourir, far away from mass-tourism but still close enough to enjoy the town. The generously proportioned house is an island of freedom and calmness. 5 double-rooms with a shared bath-room with 2 showers and 2 toilets and a huge lounge are inviting you to relax. Two big terraces and a nomad-tent on the roof-top give you enough space to sunbathe. From here you can also enjoy the sun-set and the wide view of the Atlantic-coast!

Ouarzazate:

This movie town is situated between the High Atlas and the Antiatlas-mountain ridge at more than 1000 meters! Outside the town, there is one of the most impressive Kasbahs of Morocco and close to the town is situated the charming Riad where you are invited to stay.

Riad „le petit riad“:
The comfortable Riad offers 5 double-rooms, a huge terrace, a generous Pool, a Patio with a fountain and internet access.

M’Hamid – the Sahara desert :
Along the tortuous route you can feel your heart racing as you wind your way through spectacular mountain scenery and the lush green palm-valley „Vallée du Draa“, before arriving at the last southern village called M’Hamid – here starts the desert-track into the Sahara and the real adventure: the life of the Tuaregs! You’re sleeping in authentic nomadic tents (with beds), in a bivouac (with showers & toilets), situated amidst rolling sand dunes and you’re eating traditional Tajin or a real Couscous. In the evening, you can take part in the traditional music and singing sessions in front of the camp fire or you can take a romantic stroll barefoot into the dunes to study the magnificent night sky in all its glory with a milky way like you have never seen before.

Caravan:
The camels and the guides will be ready and waiting at the bivouac for your caravan experience: they are members of a music-group called „Zaila“ (www.zaila.ch), an association which has a philosophy of non-profit making and environmentally friendly tourism. They’re protecting the Sahara, that’s why you’ll not be travelling by car or 4x4 jeep, instead you’ll travel by foot or on camel back! The caravan will head through the nicest parts of the desert to the dunes of „Chegaga“ or, depending on your choice of tour, to the higher dunes of „Erg Smar“, which are part of a nature-reserve. During the day and in the evening, you’ll enjoy great food thanks to the wonderful Tuareg cooks cooking over the open fire and you’ll drink the tasty peppermint-tea. Finally, by the end of the day, you’ll sleep under the starry sky or depending on the temperature, in a tent.

TOURS: (variable)

Tour A: South-Morocco – 11 days:

1 night at the Riad in Marrakech (incl. breakfast)
2 nights at the Riad „Le Baladin“ in Essaouira (incl. breakfast)
1 night at the Villa in Agadir (incl. breakfast)
1 night at the Riad in Ouarzazate (incl. breakfast)
1 night at the bivouac in M’Hamid (incl. dinner & breakfast)
2.5 days caravan with camels in the Sahara (incl. everything)
1 night at the bivouac in M’Hamid (incl. dinner & breakfast)
1 night at the Riad in Marrakech (incl. breakfast)

Total: 10 nights / 11 days

Total: 1'010 € / 1'700.- CHF per person (incl. flight + taxes & transport in a private taxi!)
(Price can change, depending on the flight-ticket and dates)

Tour B: City-trip Marrakech / Essaouira / Agadir – 7 days

1 night at the Riad in Marrakech (incl. breakfast)
3 nights at the Riad „Le Baladin“ in Essaouira (incl. breakfast)
1 night at the Villa in Agadir (incl. breakfast)
1 night at the Riad in Marrakech (incl. breakfast)

Total: 6 nights / 7 days

Total: 695.00 € / 1'200.- CHF per person (incl. flight + taxes & transport in a private taxi!)
(Price can change, depending on the flight-ticket and dates)

Tour C: City-trip Marrakech / Essaouira (evtl. Beach/Surfing) – 7 days

1 night at the Riad in Marrakech
4 nights at the Riad „Le Baladin“ in Essaouira
1 night at the Riad in Marrakech
(Price can change, depending on the flight-ticket and dates)

Total: 6 nights / 7 days
Total: 630.00 € / 1'050.- CHF per person (incl. flight + taxes & transport in a private taxi!)
(Price can change, depending on the flight-ticket and dates)

USEFUL INFORMATIONS:

Climate:
The variety within Morocco can be clearly seen by the different climatic zones. For instance, in one day you’re passing through snow in the High Atlas and you’re ending finally at the dunes of the Sahara. Throughout the trip towards there, you can experience all seasons!
At the sea, there is an all-year-round constant mild temperature because of the wind - in contrast, it might be a bit warm in land and very hot in the south. In the desert, the temperature can increase in summer to 45 degrees in the shade. That’s why it’s better to travel in springtime, autumn or even in winter, when the temperature is still reaching 20 degrees during the daytime and towards evening it’s getting a bit chilly…

Geography:
Morocco is reaching a distance of more than 3400km, there is the Atlantic in the West and the Mediterranean Sea in the North. In the South the Sahara desert forms the natural boarder.

Time-difference:
Wintertime: 1 hour difference, Summertime: 2 hours difference (for example: Europe 12.00am, Morocco 10/11am).

Population:
Morocco is estimated to have approximately 30 million inhabitants in total.

Language:
Arabic is the classic and official language. The different dialects can be heard all over the country. French of varying abilities can be spoken throughout.

Kitchen:
Moroccan cuisine is said to be one of the best in the world: from fresh fish, Méchoui (a whole lamb), Tajines (all kinds of meat with vegetables), Couscous, honey- or almond-cake, yoghurt, to the Moroccan wine (white, rosé, red) and of course the imported Italian beer „Baladin“ should not be missed! But peppermint-tea is still considered to be the national drink…

Clothes:
The huge changes in temperature demand a range of clothing which should protect from the heat during the daytime as well as providing for the cooler moments during night times.

Desert-Equipment:
Sun protection is very important (the „Chech“ or headdress which you can buy there), sunglasses and sun screen are necessary, and a small knife, torch, sleeping bag, sandals and closed but light sport shoes (no heavy mountain boots) are useful. Other additions to your luggage include a first aid kit, wet wipes, toilet paper (which should not be left in the sand but burnt on the fire) and you may wish to take a camera and a book with you for the camel caravan.

Shopping:
Morocco is famous for its traditional handicrafts: pottery, textiles, carpets, jewellery, wooden statues, iron(lamps) and leather goods (bags, shoes) can all be bought everywhere! Most of the shops are in the old part of the city, the „Medina“, or you can find all these things on the market, in the „Souk“, where bartering is a normal and expected way of life. For those who prefer fixed prices one can go to the “Ensemble Artisanals“ to shop.

Formality:
To enter Morocco you need a valid passport (longer than 6 months), a certificate of identity is not good enough! (You need to have your passport stamped when you enter and when you leave Morocco). Without a visa you can stay up to 3 months in the country.

Driving licence:
The European driving licence is acceptable in Morocco, and will be required for car-rental. If you’re driving your own car, you should have the car licence and the green card (assurance) with you.

Money:
The currency in Morocco is called Dirhams. Import and Export of their money is not allowed! It is best to take Euros with you in cash, to exchange on arrival. With the EC-Card you can withdraw money from every bank and in some shops or restaurants you can even pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard). Down in the South of Morocco (M’Hamid) there are no banks just post-offices and you should take enough cash with you for the duration of your stay there.

PRICES:

Price in Euro per person:

Flight - Marrakech:
The flight companies atlas-blue or easyjet 300.00€
from following destinations: (average price)
London, Basel, Geneva , Madrid, Milan
Nice or Paris

Transport:
Always with the Grand Taxi (Mercedes, mind. 2, max. 4 persons)

Taxi airport – Hotel/Riad 10.00 €

Taxi Marrakech – Essaouira 40.00 €

Taxi Essaouira – Aourir/Agadir 40.00 €

Taxi Aourir/Agadir – Ouarzazate 40.00 €

Taxi Ouarzazate – M’Hamid 40.00 €

Taxi M’Hamid – Marrakech 60.00 €
(mind. 4 persons)

Hotels:

Riad „Le Baladin“ - Essaouira:

1 night in double-room incl. breakfast 35.00 €

1 night in double-room without breakfast 30.00 €

Riad „Amazighen“ – Marrakech:
1 night in double-room incl. breakfast 40.00 €

Riad „Zitoun“ – Marrakech:
1 night in double-room incl. breakfast 40.00 €

Villa „Mandala“ – Aourir/Agadir
1 night in double-room incl. breakfast 60.00 €

Riad „le petit Riad“ – Ouarzazate
1 night in double-room incl. breakfast 40.00 €

Bivouac „Le petit Prince“ – M’Hamid
1 night in a nomad-tent incl. dinner
& breakfast 30.00 €

Caravan – Desert Sahara
1 night under the sky/in tent
all inclusive & camel transport 60.00 €

Conditions:

Booking:
The booking should be made over the Internet (see Reservation). The whole amount of the travel costs will be paid in advance into the bank account of Nicole Pavlin no later than 10 days prior to your departure date or it can be paid by cash on arrival at the Riad „Le Baladin“. Every customer is expected to book his own flight (through the Internet by credit card and carry a print out of the ticket). The price of the flight ticket (300 € average price) will be deducted from the total amount of the travel costs (on providing paper evidence of the purchased air ticket).

Cancellation:
In the case of cancellation, within 30 and 10 days before your planned departure day, a 10% charge of the total amount of the travel costs will be due. If cancellation is made within 9 days prior to the arrival date there will be a fee of 30% of the total amount of the travel costs due.
If payment has been made in advance, the administration fee will be taken off automatically and the outstanding credit will be returned. If no payment has been made the administration fee will be invoiced.

PHOTOS:

LINKS:

www.atlas-blue.com
www.easyjet.com
www.riadamazighen.com
www.riad-zitoun.com
www.villa-mandala.com
www.lepetitriad.com
www.cherg.com
www.saharia-services.com
www.bivouaclepetitprince.com
www.mhamid-travel.com
www.essaouiranet.com
www.essaouira.costasur.com
www.festival-gnaoua.net
www.windsurfing-morocco.com
www.webcams.travel