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All About
north africa March 2012
Your one-stop guide to all the latest news and developments in North Africa
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www.travelbulletin.co.uk
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MOROCCO A place of contrasts - modern, chic and luxurious. Stay in hand picked exquisite riads or larger 5 star resort hotels. Perhaps a few nights in the beautiful countryside or on the coast? Prestige Holidays can tailor-make the holiday to suit your clients. We have many offers to tempt you to this exotic land...free nights, discounted rates, free meals, free spa treatments...let us know your preference. More affordable luxury holidays... from your local airport. Love to shop vouchers for each booking made.
Prestige Holidays on 01425 480400 or www.prestigeholidays.co.uk
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All About
north africa CONTENTS
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his time last year, when I was putting the finishing touches to Travel Bulletin’s North Africa supplement, it was very hard to know what 2011 held in store for tourism to Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. The impact on tourism of the Arab Spring was difficult to quantify with scenes of people taking to the streets of Tunisia and Egypt in protest against the ruling governments being televised all over the world. A year on, the unpopular governments are gone, the protesters are off the streets and tourists are starting to return to the muchtreasured tourist destinations of Egypt and Tunisia. The tourist offices have played a big role in getting visitors back with a series of global marketing campaigns. In the UK alone, they have teamed up with operators to get agents out on educationals to show them that it is business as usual. UK operators are working with hotel groups to ensure they can deliver the best-value prices to customers, and there is without question some great deals to be had. Morocco, which was untouched by the unrest, is proving to be as popular as ever, with new luxury hotel openings helping to keep the country in the headlines. To find out what the operators and hotels are planning for this year, turn to page 4, for our What’s New section. In our Culture Club feature on pages 8-11, we speak to the experts to find out which tours are the best way to experience the history and heritage of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, whether you are a first-timer or a repeat visitor. In our On the beach feature (pages 12-14), we get the lowdown on which beaches are best for families, water sports lovers and couples looking to chill. From Hurghada in the Red Sea, Agadir in Morocco to Tunisia in Hammamet, there is definitely something for everyone. Fancy a bit of star gazing in the Sahara, or is mountain trekking in North Africa more up your street? The activity specialists talk to us about the niche activities that are growing in popularity with customers who prefer to broaden their minds then top up their tans on holiday. Finally, our page on travel essentials offer up some must-know facts before you go. So make sure you grab a few minutes to read our All About North Africa supplement so you can ramp up your knowledge of this amazing region – and your bookings. Enjoy! Angela Cronin Supplements editor Travel Bulletin
All about North Africa
What’s new 4
Culture club 8
On the beach 12
Niche holidays 16
Travel essentials 19
Published by
Lower Ground Floor, University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX Tel: 020-7834 6661 Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe Written and researched by: Angela Cronin Email: angelacronin2003@yahoo.co.uk Design/Layout: Nicky Valsamakis Printed by: Wyndeham Grange Limited Cover Picture: iStock ISSN: 0956-2419
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what’s new
What’s new
Operators are putting last year’s challenges behind them to pull out all the stops to get Brits back to Tunisia and Egypt, while new hotels and product are helping Morocco go from strength to strength
Djemaa El Fna Square is the highlight of an evening in Marrakesh
Tunisia National Tourist Office The TNTO is running a series of trade workshops over the spring with a week’s holiday for two up for grabs at each event. The workshops will take place on: April 16 in Glasgow; April 17 in Middlesbrough; April 18 in Manchester; April 19 in Liverpool; April 23 in East Midlands; April 24 in Birmingham; April 25 in Cheltenham; and April 26 in Brighton. For more details, email trade@cometotunisia.co.uk Meanwhile, Wahida Jaiet has been appointed as the new UK and Ireland director. Morocco National Tourist Office The Morocco National Tourist Office and partners will be hitting the road this spring to spread the word about the destination to agents up and down the country. The roadshows kick off in Gatwick on 30 April, then head off to Birmingham on May 1, Manchester on May 2 and Norwich on May 3. Agents will be invited to meet the tourist office and partners, create bespoke client itineraries in an informal reception before enjoying dinner. Following dinner the Moroccan Champions quiz will take place with a number of prizes to be won. To request your place or for further information email events@destination-representation.com Classic Collection Holidays Classic Collection Holidays has teamed up with the Moroccan National Tourist Board to cover trade activity for the 4
destination with an educational going out to Marrakesh at the end of April. The operator says sales for winter 2011/12 are broadly in line with winter sales last year with summer 2012 bookings 8% up year-on-year. Classic Collection has also added new hotels in Morocco including the Four Seasons Marrakesh, the Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf and Spa in Essaouira, and the Sofitel Thalassa Sea and Spa in Agadir for summer 2012. Prices lead in at £785 per person for three nights’ bed and breakfast this June including flights and private transfers. Cosmos Cosmos is meeting customers’ demand for flexibility on holiday durations by including British Airways’s Gatwick to Tunis route in its package offerings for summer 2012. The operator is also planning to include a scheduled service from Manchester to Monastir, although details have yet to be confirmed. Commenting on the success of incorporating scheduled services in Cosmos’s Tunisia programme, product manager Gemma Carroll said: “We believe customers are looking for more flexibility and the scheduled programme enables us to offer exactly that – as we know some people don’t want to be tied down to one or two-week breaks.” She added: “With the wide selection of all-inclusive hotels in Tunisia, it’s still a popular choice due to the fact you can pre-budget and save money on all the extras such as drinks, ice creams and activities. It is also a good option if you are looking for a hassle-free holiday.” All about North Africa
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what’s new Meanwhile specialist Morocco has opened its second property in Marrakesh, Maison Africa. The four-bedroom, 18th-century property is located in the heart of the Medina. Just Sunshine Tunisia specialist Just Sunshine is stepping up its trade activity for 2012 with a number of fam trip. The first two leave from Heathrow and Manchester on April 13 and 14 respectively. Agents interested in joining these groups should email national sales manager Tony Blakey at tonyblakey@justsunshine.com. In a further development, Just Sunshine has acquired the El Mouradi Beach Hotel in Hammamet. The operator has also added weekend flights from Newcastle and Glasgow and short breaks from Heathrow and Manchester in to Tunis.
Kuoni The operator has added a number of new hotels and products to its Egypt, Dubai, Morocco and Arabia brochure. In Egypt, these include the new seafront Stella di Mare Beach Hotel and Spa in Sharm el-Sheikh, right at the edge of Naama Bay, with prices from £429 per person for five nights’ B&B. In Morocco, guests who stay four nights at the riad of La Maison Arabe in the heart of Marrakesh’s medina will receive one extra night free, plus a room upgrade, complimentary wine and daily access to the hammam. Meanwhile, honeymooners will receive special treatment at the five-star Four Seasons, with a welcome amenity on arrival, VIP status and a complimentary couples massage for 50 minutes, when staying five nights or more. Specialist Morocco Operator Specialist Morocco has reopened its four-star safari eco-camp in the Sahara Desert. The camp is located in the south of Morocco, in southern Draa Valley and M’hamid. It consists of eight, safari-style Caidal sleeping tents, with a Moroccan twist. Guests can go on camel trekking tours, visit the dunes of Chegaga, enjoy guided walks to adobe villages, 4x4 desert discovery tours, nomad encounters and star gazing. The camp can be reached from Marrakesh by car or by air from Ouarzazate. Prices start at £45 per person per night. All about North Africa
Discover Egypt Discover Egypt has relaunched its website combining both Egypt and Jordan products for the first time. The specialist has made navigation easier, with each section highlighting the best deals on offer in each category. The look of the site has also been improved using evocative photography to inspire people. Agents looking to offer their clients the best deals also benefit from a new special offers page which is regularly updated with some of the top deals available. The site also features a whole range of tailor-made suggestions split up into 12 different categories. One of the cheapest deals currently being advertised is a seven-night all-inclusive to the Sharm el-Sheikh from £549 per person staying at the five-star Rehana Royal Beach Resort on an all-inclusive basis including flights and transfers. This is valid for travel from 26 April until 30 September 2012. Abercrombie and Kent The tailor-made specialist has added a private desert camp in the dunes of Merzouga in Morocco, which can be accessed in a 4WD vehicle or on a camel from Ourzazate. Each tent has rugs, a small table between beds equipped with flashlight, a small wash basin with running cold water, and another small table. Between every bedroom tent, there is a bathroom tent with hot and cold running water, and a toilet and shower area at the back. A five-night tour of Morocco including a stay at the A&K desert camp, Les Jardins de la Medina and Le Berbere Palace leads in at £2,160 per person including flights. Red Sea Holidays Red Sea Holidays has launched its 2012/2013 programme featuring its biggest ever choice of holidays including new resorts such as Dahab, Taba and Taba Heights and new hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh, El Gouna and Makadi Bay. The Red Sea specialist is also increasing its activity with the trade. Sales director Jason Hilton said: “We will continue our comprehensive education programme this year, giving agents the chance to experience the main Red Sea resorts and our new cruise offerings that include Luxor.” 5
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what’s new Prices lead in at £379 per person for seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Ghazala Beach, Sharm el-Sheikh. Agents interested in taking part in a fam trip to the Red Sea resorts should call 0845 072 2477 or email traderelations@redseaholidays.co.uk Anatolian Sky The specialist has expanded its Morocco and Egypt brochure following the success of its first-ever programme to the countries in 2011. New additions include three-centre holidays that combine a few days in Marrakesh with a trip out to the High Atlas Mountains followed by some time in Agadir. Also new for this year is the stylish retreat of L’Oliveraie, situated among olive groves in the High Atlas Mountains. Anatolian Sky is offering eight nights’ bed and breakfast for the price of six on its Marrakesh and High Atlas Mountains twin-centre break which includes four nights at the five-star Les Borj de Kasbah in Marrakesh and four nights at L’Oliveraie from £599, a saving of £165 per person. In Egypt, the operator has introduced luxury Nile cruiser the Mayfair, one of the new breed of spacious, stylish and elegant ships operating on the Nile. Anatolian Sky is offering savings of up to £278 per person on a seven-night cruise on the Mayfair departing on April 16, with prices leading in at £1,125 per person.
Longwood Holidays Longwood has announced plans to add more affordable hotels to its portfolio of properties in Morocco and Egypt. A spokesman for the Red Sea specialist said it is keen to introduce more affordable, many of them all-inclusive, hotels to reflect the current demand in the market and to differentiate our offer. “The goal is to be able to offer agents a good range of properties to sell to a varied range of customers, covering different requirements, as well as different budgets,” he added.
Prestige Holidays Prestige is offering agents a cash incentive to sell Morocco. Agents will receive £10 for every passenger booked to the North African country before 30 April. Commenting on how bookings to Morocco are performing, marketing manager Nicky Shafe said that business remains steady. “The destination certainly attracts a high proportion of repeat business partly because it's constantly reinvesting in new hotels, riads and updating existing properties. "Jardines de la Medina is one of our best-selling properties and has recently made considerable investment in refurbishing its rooms, public areas and spa. Our newest Riad Ksar Anika in Marrakesh is selling particularly well." Prestige Holidays offers four nights’ B&B at Kasbah Tamadot from £879 per person including flights and transfers. Cox and Kings Cox and Kings has rolled out a ‘buy one get one half price’ offer on a range of Egypt tours. Bookings must be made by 30 April and the tours included in the offer are: the eight-day Wonders of Egypt, with prices from £1,679 per couple (a potential saving of £675 per couple); the 11day Egyptian Grand Tour package which now leads in at £3,035 per couple (a potential saving of £1,012 per couple); the Sonesta Dahabeya Nile Cruise, which starts at £3,195 per couple, (a potential saving of up to £1,400 per couple); the eight-day Egypt in Style tour costs £3,000 per couple (a potential saving of £1,250 per couple); and the eight-day Footsteps of the Pharaohs tour now starts at £2,106 per couple (a potential saving of £752 per couple). 6
All about North Africa
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what’s new Sunset Faraway Holidays Sunset Faraway has introduced Morocco to its 2011-2012 collection, featuring the new Mazagan Beach Resort by Kerzner International. Prices for five nights’ bed and breakfast at the Mazagan lead in at £499 per person. Planet Holidays Planet Holidays’ 68-page Egypt 2012/13 brochure will be available online by the end of April The operator has been working hard to promote the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh, Taba, Dahab and El Gouna, and the lesser-known resorts of El Quseir, Makadi, Sahl
Hasheesh and Soma Bay to the trade as the perfect destinations for winter getaways. The main highlights of the programme include an expanded Nile cruise section with a Lake Nasser cruise as part of one of the three Fly, Cruise and Stay itineraries, together with a Luxor to Aswan cruise and two nights in Aswan, with excursions. Prices lead in at £1,079 for seven nights on the five-star Deluxe Jaz Royale. Meanwhile, La Résidence des Cascades in Soma Bay has been introduced for 2012 with prices from £798 per person for seven nights’ bed and breakfast.
Hotel hotline Despite the upheaval that North Africa experienced last year, hotel groups are putting their faith in the destination by investing in new properties. Let’s get the lowdown on what is opening where. Egypt Hilton Worldwide has unveiled plans to open two hotels in Egypt – the 635-room Hilton Heliopolis, located near Cairo International Airport in 2014 and the 660-room Hilton Makadi early next year. Red Sea Holidays has opened two new all-inclusive hotels in Dahab. The Makadi Spa Hotel is a great Red Sea destination for couples with three outdoor freshwater swimming pools, a spa, fitness club and four restaurants. The new Sunwing Waterworld Makadi Hotel is geared up to cater for the family market with an on-site water park, lots of activities to keep the kids busy and six restaurants to choose from. Morocco The all-inclusive, 444-room Riu Palace Tikida Agadir has opened in a beachfront location, boasting two heated swimming pools, an indoor swimming pool, gym and spa which will offer special treatments, massages, sauna and hammam. A new Design Hotel has opened in Marrakesh. The Great Getaway Medina is an intimate six-room hotel located in the heart of Marrakesh’s historic Sidi Ben Slimane quarter.
Originally a palace, it has been refurbished to preserve its traditional architectural style. The Palais Namaskar is due to open in Marrakesh next month. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the five-star hotel will feature 41 villas and suites, including a pool palace, mountain palace and water palace. The Taj Palace Marrakesh is set to open this summer. The fivestar hotel will have 161 guestrooms with views of the Atlas Mountains and palm gardens of the Palmeraie district. The hotel will also have a Jiva Grande Spa with 14 treatment rooms. The five-star, 173-room Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea and Spa has opened in Agadir with a focus on wellbeing that includes a thalassotherapy centre with a beauty and fitness area. The Rocco Forte Assoufid, Marrakesh is due to open next year. The luxury golf resort will have 80 villas, each set on at least one hectare of land, a luxury hotel and spa, and an 18hole private golf course, with a clubhouse and Golf Academy. The Selman Marrakesh opened earlier this month on a 15-acre spot just outside Marrakesh. The hotel has 56 rooms, five exclusive riads, a couple of restaurants, a spa and a stable of Arab horses. The 72-room Pearl by Hivernage, is opening in Marrakesh this year. Finally, the Kasbah Tamadout has unveiled a range of special offers for 2012 including kids go free deals, spend four nights for the price of three, an Escape to Morocco three-night break and three and five-night spa packages. The new family-friendly Sunwing Waterworld Makadi Hotel has opened in Dahab
All about North Africa
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culture escapes
Culture club
Tourists are heading back to the Pyramids of Giza after last year’s uprisings in Cairo
Special offers and expanded programmes are the name of the game this year as operators look to get travellers heading back to North Africa
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his time last year, Egypt and Tunisia were right in the eye of the Arab Spring storm with the people’s uprisings changing the political landscapes in both countries forever. The knock-on effect for tourism was immediate with many operators and airlines forced to cancel tours and flights even though most of the resorts in Egypt and Tunisia were unaffected by the protests. A year on, the picture is completely different; everywhere is open for tourists again, although Brits are slightly nervous to return. To drum up business, operators are pulling out all the stops with a raft of great offers. Anatolian Sky managing director Akin Koc says that following the unrest in the region, clients are still uncertain about booking holidays to Egypt, and for winter sun breaks, there was a notable rise in demand for other destinations such as
Cyprus as alternatives to Egypt. “However, the demand is starting to come back for Nile cruising itineraries and there are great-value offers to be found.” he adds. Red Sea Holidays sales director Jason Hilton agrees that all-inclusive Nile cruises are likely to draw back the crowds as they allow clients to explore the cultural highlights of Egypt from the comfort of a luxury cruiser. Cox and Kings has seen a revival in demand for Morocco and has recently taken a group of agents on a fam trip to Marrakesh (see separate story). The specialist also held an Egypt workshop for agents, and consultants told them that clients are still happy to travel to Cairo but the majority want to spend less time in the city and are opting to head to Luxor or Aswan for Nile cruises instead. So with this in mind, we spoke to the All about North Africa
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culture escapes Camel trekking in Morocco
experts to get the lowdown on what tours can deliver when it comes to discovering the cultural highlights of North Africa. Journeys of Distinction Luxury travel company Journeys of Distinction has launched a range of tours for people watching the pennies. The New JOD Light holidays are more affordable without sacrificing on the adventure element of the operator’s holidays. One of the new Light tours is the nine-day Treasures of Egypt, which takes in the pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and four nights’ full-board on a Nile cruise on board cruiser Hamees. A four-day cruise extension from Abu Simbel to Lake Nasser and Aswan is available for guests who want to experience a bit more of what Egypt has to offer. How much? The nine-day tour starts at £999 and must be booked before 30 April. The price includes flights, accommodation, guides and some meals. Tours depart on 12 October, 23 November, 1 February 2013 and 29 March 2013. Exodus For a whistle-stop tour of Morocco to give you a taster of what this amazing country can offer, adventure specialist Exodus has put together an eight-day Imperial Cities and Coast tour. Tailor-made for clients who want to see a little bit of
everything, the tour starts off in the city of Fez for visits to the Medersa Bou Ananiya and the impressive medina before heading off to the imperial city of Meknes and Roman ruins of Volubilis. Rabat, Morocco's capital, is the next city to visit on day three followed by Casablanca on day four for a peek at the Hassan II Mosque. The tour then sets off for Marrakesh before heading out to the beach resort of Essaouira for the final day. How much? Eight nights cost from £829 including flights with seven departures available throughout the year. For those among us who are really keen to find out what life was like in ancient Egypt, Exodus has put together a 14-day Egyptology tour. As well as visiting all the usual ‘must-see’ sites of Egypt including the Egyptian Museum, Citadel and Old Town of Cairo, the Pyramids, Elephantine Island, Philae and Kalabsha Islands, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu the Valley of the Kings and the temples of Karnak and Luxor, this tour strays slightly off the well-trodden paths of the more popular guides with visits to the workmen's village on Luxor's West Bank, the funerary temple of Ramses III and El Fayoum, Egypt's largest oasis. There are also options to visit the temples of Dendara and the vast necropolis of Abydos, before heading back to Cairo by train. How much? Prices start at £1,299 and include flights with five departures planned for later this year and more in 2013.
M
F E OFPRIC % ON 50PANI
Prices from £699
CO
NILE CRUISES
UP O T
5-STAR
2012/2013 Brochure OUT NOW • NEW – Weekly charter every Monday from Gatwick to Luxor commencing 10 September • Departures also from Manchester and Heathrow • Tailor made tours to Egypt and Jordan ATOL PROTECTED Book your holiday with confidence
All about North Africa
0844 880 0461
To order brochure email brochures@discoveregypt.co.uk
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culture escapes Discover Egypt to launch charter service Discover Egypt has teamed up with Monarch to offer a weekly charter service from Gatwick to Luxor to meet demand for classic Egypt breaks. The specialist has decided to offer the charter service, which will operate from September 10 to October 29, following an increase in forward bookings for this period Kuoni The operator has a number of options that allow customers to combine a bit of culture with some sun, sea and sand. In Egypt, visitors can go on a whistle-stop tour of Cairo that serves up a taste of what this amazing city has to offer, including a visit to the Egyptian Museum, a trip out to the Pyramids of Giza followed by a Pyramids Sound and Light Show at dusk. How much? Three nights’ B&B at Le Meridien Pyramids cost from £584. The Cairo Highlights tour costs from £55 per person Encounters Travel Adventure specialist Encounters Travel has put together a 13day tour of Morocco that offers visitors the chance to get under the skin of the destination. Called Spicy Tagine, the 13-day tour starts off with three days in Marrakesh, taking in the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, the Mausoleum, the Bahia Palace, the sights and sounds of the souks and Djemaa El Fna Square. The tour then embarks on a trip through local Berber villages,
Seven-night Nile cruises are available on the fivestar Viking Princess and deluxe Royal Viking and, with prices from £899 and £1,099 per person with the 2nd traveller going for £449 and £549 respectively. All cruises include return flights, transfers in Luxor, full-board accommodation plus 10 guided excursions. crossing Tizi N’tichka col, which is the highest pass in north Africa and onward, through the Atlas Mountains. Next is a 4WD desert trip through the dunes to Merzouga, where guests can watch the sun set over the desert before sleeping under the stars in a traditional Berber camp. In addition, the tour takes in the oasis town of Tinghir, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou with three days at the end to enjoy the beaches of the coastal city of Essaouira. How much? For April and May departures, prices lead in at £949 per person, excluding flights. Encounters Travel also has a 13-day tour of Egypt that offers just the right mix of sightseeing and adventure. The Sacred Sands tour starts off in Cairo before heading south to explore Luxor, followed by Aswan and the temples of the Nile Valley, including the Philae temple. There is also time to experience the souks and markets found in the town or watch the sun set over the Nile. In addition, the tour includes a night on a felucca boat before returning to Luxor for an overnight sleeper train connection to Cairo for the flight home.
‘It was great to step foot in such an exotic place’ Cox and Kings assistant sales manager Thomas Saunders recently took a group of agents (pictured) on a five-day fam trip to Marrakesh. The agents spent two nights at the Le Pavilion du Golf, an all-suite hotel in the Palmeraie district of Marrakesh, two nights in riads in the city’s Medina before heading out to the High Atlas Mountains on the fourth day for lunch at Kasbah Toubkal. Thomas says the trip was most memorable with many highlights including a visit to an hammam for a scrub down in a steam room followed by a Jacuzzi and some chilling-out time in a relaxation room. “The day in the High Atlas mountains was also superb. The food was incredible with lots of different tagines and the ultimate highlight was spending time with a good group of like-minded travel agents all enjoying Marrakesh.” Gary Wardrope, from Get Cruising, who was one of the agents on the educational, said the amazing thing about Marrakesh is that it is only three hours away but it is a complete culture shock, so is the perfect place to send clients who want something a little bit different. “The trip was amazing from beginning to end.
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From being inside the Medina, shopping in the souks, the snake charmers in the main square and escaping to the oasis of our riad in the afternoon,” says Gary. “The highlight of the trip was sitting on the roof of our riad, looking across the city and hearing the call to prayer in the evening. Sample product: Cox and Kings’s eight-day Imperial Cities private tour leads in at £1,755 person and visits the imperial cities of Meknes and Fez, ending in the vibrant and colourful city of Marrakech.
All about North Africa
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culture escapes How much? From £669 per person, the price includes transfers, 12 nights’ B&B in four-star hotels, a night on board a sleeper train and a night on a felucca. Flights are excluded. Abercrombie & Kent A&K suggests a number of tour options to really experience Morocco, including tours that take in the buzz and the vibrancy of Marrakesh with the coastal laid-back town of Essaouira. Alternatively, take in the beautiful Islamic city of Fes and the Moorish capital of Rabat or combine a few days exploring the kasbah of Ouarzazate with the sun, sea and sand of Agadir. For the best of both in Egypt, head down the Nile on a cruise followed by four or five nights at the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada for some snorkelling, diving and relaxing. How much? The seven-day Classic Morocco tour that visits Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, the Roman city of Volubilis, Fes, and Marrakesh costs from £2,295 per person. A&K is offering savings of up to £1,000 per couple on selected departures for the eight-day Classic Egypt tour, with prices starting at £1,995 per person. The tour takes in Dendarah, Luxor and Aswan, entrance inside one of The Great Pyramids and see the cliffside Temple of Hatshepsut.
The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract, where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile, has reopened
News in brief It is 90 years since archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun and holidaymakers in Luxor can visit the house where he lived while working in Luxor. Howard Carter’s house has been open to the public since 2010 and has many interesting artefacts on display, including his hat, shaving box, camera and umbrella, plus there is a 3D cinema with Carter himself telling the story of his life and discoveries. A seven-night Nile cruise with Discover Egypt including a visit to Howard Carter’s house leads in at £849 per person for the first traveller and £424 for the second traveller. Agents can advise their clients that the Avenue of Sphinxes that stretches between Karnak and Luxor Temples, has partly reopened to the public this month, following excavation and restoration work. The five-star Sofitel Legend Old Cataract in Aswan
All about North Africa
has reopened in the heritage hotel that has been an iconic building overlooking the Nile in Aswan since 1899 and welcomed many famous guests including Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie who wrote Death on the Nile during one of her stays. Discover Egypt offers a four-night Nile cruise and three nights at the Old Cataract from £1,199 per person. Morocco is hosting a number of festivals this year kicking off with the Caftan in Marrakesh in May. The event, which launched in 1996, will showcase the new trends in traditional women’s clothing. The city is also hosting a Comedy Festival from 6-9 June starring the biggest names in French and Arabic comedy. Ouarzazate is hosting the Rose Festival in May. The village will be covered in rose scents and colors to honor the flower. Finally, El Jadida will provide the backdrop for the Chevald’El Jadida Horse Show later in the year. 11
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on the beach
Sun,
If white, sandy beaches are high on your client's agenda, suggest they consider the Tunisian resort of Hammamet for some real down-time
sea and souks From the Red Sea resorts in Egypt to the Tunisian coastal favourite of Hammamet, there is a sun, sea and sand holiday to suit all budgets
W
hile the beach resorts of Egypt and Tunisia were hundreds of miles away from any of the cities and towns that were swept up in last year’s Arab Spring uprisings, they have felt the ripple effect of the drop-off in visitors. UK operators, who over the last 10 years have really built up their presence in the resorts across North Africa, are keen to show their continued support to the region by putting together a wide range of special deals, including early-booking discounts and free nights’ deals to get Britons back out to Egypt and Tunisia. We asked some of the operators to pick their favourite resorts in Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia. For families All about North Africa
For families who want to combine their love of beach holidays with a bit of adventure, Exodus recommends its eight-day Red Sea Adventure break in Hurghada, Egypt. Families can go on quad-bike excursions, boat trips out to coral reefs, day trips to Mahmya resort on Giftun island for snorkelling or relaxing by the sea, or enjoy a submarine experience to discover marine life at 22 metres underwater. While camel safaris are on the agenda, there is also the opportunity to indulge in a little bit of culture with a visit to Luxor to the Valley of the Kings and Queen Hapshetsut's temple combined with a cruise down the Nile on a traditional felucca sail boat plus a
horse and carriage ride in Luxor. How much? The eight-day Red Sea Adventure leads in at £999 per person including flights. Red Sea Holidays sales director Jason Hilton believes Egypt is the ideal family holiday destination because the locals really make the whole family feel welcome. Hilton says the hotels in Red Sea resorts are family friendly as most have their own kids’ clubs or access to one. “Also, when staying at a Red Sea hotel, children can enjoy an allinclusive meal upgrade, applicable to any board basis,” he said. “New for 2012 are family and interconnecting rooms in many Red Sea hotels, which can be pre-booked and 12
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on the beach Morocco is the perfect place for a twin centre city and beach break, combining a short stay in Marrakesh with a few days on the beach at Essaouria
guaranteed. Family suites at the Makadi Palace Family Star are available and sleep up to six people. “Child friendly restaurants with early sitting and separate children’s pool are also available and we offer a complimentary late check-out – making the last day stress free,” said Hilton. How much? Red Sea Holidays offers six nights at the Makadi Palace Family Star Hotel from £2,728 based on two adults and two children sharing a junior suite. Four Seasons Resort Sharm el-Sheikh is the perfect place for families to spend a week or two relaxing, according to Kuoni. Children receive a personal invitation to visit the Kids For All Seasons Club where a range of activities are tailor-made for them. These include mini-chef cooking class, pirate-ship building, kids' yoga, fish talk, beach games, jungle gym playground and tennis. How much? Kuoni offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast for a family of four from £4,844 during the school summer holidays. The Mazagan Beach Resort in El Jadida is also highly recommended by Kuoni. Situated on four miles of beach off the tourist track with an array of facilities including three different kids’ clubs offering age-appropriate activities for babies all the way through to teenagers. How much? Kuoni offers seven nights’ B&B including flights from £2,868 for a family of four, based on two adults and two children aged two to 11 sharing. Built on six miles of beach spread across islands and lagoons, and known as the Venice of the Red Sea, Holiday Designers recommends the Red Sea resort of El Gouna for families. The destination boasts a wide range of water attractions including Liquid Park, an inflatable water park with slides, trampolines and a number of other activities right on the water. The Adventure Company’s agency sales manager Vicky Rodford recommends the Moroccan resort of Essaouira as an accessible and good value option for active families keen to get something more from their holidays. “Famous for its water sports, Essaouira’s long beach continues for miles, 13
wrapping itself around the bay and leaving plenty of room for kite-surfers, swimmers and sunbathers to take advantage of the sweeping coastline. “When not wandering the sandy beach or taking advantage of the chance to enjoy a camel ride, the nearby harbour offers a Mediterranean feel with locals bringing back their day’s catch and grilling the fish along the shore. One of the things we find inspires younger travellers most about the town is its history as – being a former Portuguese port – it was once used as a lair by pirates who would steal the treasures of passing ships on the main trade route to western Europe. The maze of streets in this preserved walled town are now a treasure-trove of hidden corners, while the old town also holds a huge draw for families as the colourful markets are ideal for perfecting their haggling skills.” How much? The Adventure Company has an eight-day Kids in the Kasbahs holiday that leads in at £769 per adult and £709 per child, which includes visits to Marrakech, the small Berber villages in the Atlas Mountains and Essaouira. Olympic Holidays commercial director Photis Lambrianides suggests families should consider the Tunisian resort of Hammamet for a week or two’s fly and flop. ""Hammamet is best known for its lovely beaches. There's lots for families to do in the way of activities, a wide range of restaurants, good shopping and many hotels dedicated to families," he says. How much? Olympic Holidays offers seven nights' all-inclusive at the four-star Houda Yasmine Hotel in Yasmine Hammamet for £495 per person in June. The price includes flights and transfers. Water sports lovers El Gouna’s spacious beaches, excellent winds, and shallow waters are perfect for kitesurfing and attract droves of kite-surfers, including world champions, says specialist operator Holiday Designers. The resort’s five kite stations All about North Africa
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on the beach provide the latest facilities, equipment and internationallyrecognised courses for both beginners and advanced surfers. Water sport specialists, The Orange Concept, also offer beginner courses for wakeboarding, waterskiing, wakeskating and wakesurfing. Taba Heights is home to some of the world’s best dive sites and has amazing opportunities for underwater photography. The resort’s award-winning water sports centre, Waterworld, offers a range of water sports including wakeboarding, parasailing, waterskiing and diving. Olympic’s Photis Lambrianides recommends Dahab, between Sharm el-Sheikh and Nuweiba at the foot of the Sinai Mountains along Egypt's Red Sea Riviera, for its top-quality water sports. "Like all the Red Sea resorts, Dahab attracts water sports fans, but it particularly appeals to divers for its fine dive sites and windsurfers for its highly favourable conditions," he says. "In addition, Dahab is attractive to holidaymakers for its striking desert landscapes, beautiful turquoise sea, fine hotels and general relaxed ambience in which to chill out." How much? Olympic Holidays offers seven nights' all-inclusive at the Tropitel Dahab Oasis Hotel in Dahab for £504 per person in September, including flights and transfers. Couples looking to chill Holiday Designers recommends a stay at the five-star InterContinental Resort Taba Heights as a great place to enjoy some welcome R&R. Its prime waterfront location, views of the sea, pools and desert mountains as well as a private sandy beach make it the perfect location for a romantic getaway. The hotel also has its own saltwater lagoon and health club, providing sauna, steam bath, Jacuzzi and massage facilities. Abercrombie and Kent suggests that couples looking to get away from it all should head to La Sultana Oualidia on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. It is an authentic Moroccan riad
dating back to the 19th century. Surrounded by orange, olive and jacaranda trees, terraces, fountains and flowered balconies, it is positioned on the edge of the ocean sheltered by cliffs and bordered by green pastureland and salt-water marshes. The heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and aromatherapy area of the interior of the hotel are akin to an underground cathedral. Planet Holidays recommends the Egyptian resort of El Sokhna – a resort that is a popular weekend retreat with Cairo city dwellers as it is only a two-hour drive from the city. Planet has recently introduced the five-star Jaz Little Venice Golf Resort to its programme. The hotel has 60 rooms, two restaurants, three bars, access to a pristine beach and an 18-hole championship golf course. How much? Planet offers seven nights’ B&B for £2,285 for two people including flights. Olympic’s Photis Lambrianides recommends the Egyptian resort of El Gouna for some down time. "El Gouna offers a wonderfully relaxing holiday, with top-quality resorts such as the Sheraton Miramar catering to a couple's every whim," he says. "There's excellent diving, golf, water sports, fine cuisine and a buzzing nightlife, too." How much? Olympic Holidays offers seven nights' half-board at the five-star Sheraton Miramar in El Gouna for £705 per person in July, sharing a standard room. The price includes flights and transfers. Cox and Kings suggests a twin centre in Morocco for couples looking to combine a bit of culture with some time on the beach. The specialist offers an eight-day/seven-night,twincentre holiday combining Marrakesh with the Atlantic coastal town of Essaouira. The itinerary includes four nights at Palais Sebban in Marrakesh and three nights at the Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf and Spa, which boasts its two 18-hole golf courses stylish rooms, suites and villas with ocean views. How much? Cox and Kings offers this eight-day twin-centre holiday for £1,045 per person including flights and transfers.
Exodus’s Red Sea Adventure includes a few days on the beach in Hurghuda with a trip to Luxor and an overnight cruise down the Nile on a felucca
All about North Africa
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Enjoy being a star in magical Tunisia
With its rich history, beautiful coastline and warm Mediterranean waters, Tunisia is a country that will take your breath away. As the smallest country in the Mahgreb it’s brimming with brilliant colours, contrasts and splendid aromas that are sure to stimulate your senses. Then there’s the unique cuisine and awe-inspiring sunsets - where the sun appears to melt into the endless golden sand of the Sahara desert. You can experience all this magical country has to offer at a choice of 10 heavenly Iberostar hotels. SPAIN • GREECE • TURKEY • BULGARIA • CROATIA • HUNGARY • MONTENEGRO • TUNISIA MOROCCO • CAPE VERDE • JAMAICA • DOMINICAN REPUBLIC • CUBA • MEXICO • BRAZIL
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Exodus offers keen mountain climbers the chance to scale North Africa's highest mountain, Mt Toubkal in a one-week trekking holiday
The learning curve As operators have discovered, there’s more to North Africa then beaches, souks and pyramids
W
hile the two-week fly and flop serves its purpose for allowing hundreds of thousands of people to leave behind their daily grind and relax for two weeks, more and more travelling Britons are looking to broaden their minds as well as enjoying some down time. We find out what operators are up to when it comes to combining the right destination with the appropriate activity to deliver the perfect nice and niche package. Photography Last year, The Adventure Company introduced a series of family photography holidays designed to inspire young travellers to look at their holidays through a lense. The eight-day Kids in the Kasbah Family Photography Holiday will give children and grown-ups the opportunity to get
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snapping at the souks, snake charmers and spectacular architecture of Marrakesh before heading out to the Berber villages of the Atlas mountains, the coastal resort of Agadir and the old pirate’s haunt of Essaouira. And let’s not forget the obligatory photo or two of a camel. Professional photographer Sam Oakes will help children aged 5 upwards learn the basics as they enjoy this photographic journey. How much? From £949 adult and £939 child includes flights, seven nights’ accommodation, transport, some meals, expert tuition and an experienced local group leader. Volunteer holidays For those of us who feel that actively contributing to the communities in the destinations that we visit should be high on our agenda, Exodus offers a 10-day Morocco Volunteer experience. All about North Africa
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Niche holidays Participants get to visit the remote community of Tijhza in the High Atlas Mountains, where they spend three days helping with various schemes requested by the local Village Association before heading out to explore the Sahara Desert. Accommodation is at Kasbah Oliver in the evening for the three days spent in Tijhza before the tour heads out to the Sahara for a stay in the Kasbah in N'Kob. The tour also visits the city of Ouarzazate, home to Ait Benhaddou, one of the bestpreserved kasbahs and Marrakesh. How much? The 10-day holiday leads in at ÂŁ979 per person including flights. Arts and crafts Travelling with children and looking for something interactive to keep kids busy, Wild Frontiers recommends that parents check out one of Egypt’s best-kept secrets – the Fagnoon Village. Close to the pyramids take out of Giza, visitors can take part in a variety of activities such as painting, drawing, jewellery-making, pottery, ceramics, baking, carpentry and iron smithing, along with camel and donkey riding. Children are free to choose whatever they want from the various workshops available at Fagnoon. Painting is available everywhere, on walls, ground, and even on clothes. Wild Frontiers includes a day at the Fagnoon Art Village in its Egypt family trip, allowing kids – and grown-ups – to indulge their creative sides while enjoying a view of Abusir pyramid. The tour also visits Luxor and Aswan on a cruise down the Nile. How much? Prices lead in at ÂŁ1,590 per adults and ÂŁ1,350 per child. Golf Keen golfers who are a slave to the 18-holes are willing to head all over the world to get their fix. And according to YourGolfTravel.com head of product, marketing and strategy Euan Gillon, North Africa has its fair share of championship golf courses. “Not only is North Africa serviced by a pretty comprehensive network of charter and scheduled flights from the UK, it is also blessed with a climate about as golf friendly as you could hope for,â€? says Gillon.
Variety is the spice of life Abercrombie and Kent has a number of experiences that will whet the appetite of those who shun the sunlounger for the cultural guide book. It offers a day tour out to the Atlas mountains to the Berber village of Asni – travelling options are a 4WD vehicle or a helicopter – before heading off road to the village of Imlil on the foot hill of the Djebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in the Atlas. From Imlil, visitors take some mules and walk or ride for about 15 minutes to a remote village for an authentic Berber breakfast inside a Berber house before heading off to Sir Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot, for a lovely lunch! Alternatively, take part in a perfume workshop at the Palmeraie Museum in Morocco where guests can design their your own perfume under the direction of Mr Benchabane the artist who created the Soire de Marrakesh perfume. “We've got some great products on our books for this year, including some outstanding value half-board offers in Tunisia, plus getaways to Egypt's Red Sea resorts. “We're seeing the biggest surge in interest in Morocco, where the opening of new courses in the likes of Marrakesh, Casablanca and Essaouira is really marking the country on the international golfing map.â€? How much? YourGolfTravel offers seven nights’ half-board at the five-star El Mouradi Hotel Hammamet in Tunisia for ÂŁ319 per person including four rounds of golf. Trekking If climbing mountains floats your boat, then Exdous has just the climbing holiday for you – a one-week trek to the summit of North Africa's highest mountain, Mt Toubkal. Standing 4,167 metres above sea level with magnificent views of the High Atlas Mountains, this walking holiday in Morocco passes through impressive landscapes on well-
RED SEA & EGYPT SPRING SPECIALS 5L
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SOFITEL TABA HEIGHTS
7nts all inclusive from
5L
HILTON TABA RESORT
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MOVENPICK EL GOUNA
7nts half board from
7nts bed & breakfast from
5L+ THE SAVOY SHARM EL SHEIKH 7nts bed & breakfast from 5L
RA2 NILE CRUISE
7nts full board from
ÂŁ549 ÂŁ679 ÂŁ549 ÂŁ649 ÂŁ579 ÂŁ699
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0844 7704874 Key Istel L# www.longwoodholidays.co.uk All about North Africa
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Niche holidays
defined paths and is not too strenuous. As the climb heads higher up the mountain, climbers will be rewarded for their hard work with views of Marrakesh, the AntiAtlas Mountains and row after row of sharp granite peaks. This Mt Toubkal trekking trip passes through remote villages and terraced fields offering an insight to the life of the Berber people. The trek ends in Marrakesh. How much? This eight-day trek leads in at £649 per person including flights. Astronomy Love him or loathe him, TV presenter Brian Cox, who also happens to be a professor of particle physics, has ignited a passion for star-gazing with his hit TV series Wonders of the Universe. Specialist operator Explorers is making the most of the increasing interest in astronomy with the introduction of a new range of star-gazing holidays, including one in Morocco. Commenting on the new tours, Explorers operations and planning manager David Phillips says: “The phrase ‘the sky’s the limit’ perfectly sums up the potential for incorporating astronomy into year-round adventure holidays all across the world. “While this November’s Total Solar Eclipse in Australia is 18
sure to prove another ‘must-see’ experience, we’ve also introduced new 2012 stargazing trips closer to home that take advantage of the wonderful desert skies of destinations such as Jordan, Turkey and Morocco.” Explorers‘ new eight-day Nights Sky and Caravan Trail starts off in Marrakesh before travelling across the Atlas Mountains to the remote fringes of the Sahara desert. This stargazing tour of Morocco will take guests to the palm oases of the Draa Valley far from light pollution and with an excellent 360 degree panoramic view. The tour will visit the Sahara Sky Observatory, which is equipped with an impressive range of telescopes. How much? From £1,099 per person including flights, six nights in a hotel and one night in a Bedouin camp, some meals, transport and an experienced local leader. Kuoni Take Kuoni’s advice and head out to the western desert of Egypt to leave all the white noise. Go off the beaten track with four nights discovering the western desert, stopping at Bahariya Oasis, White Desert, Dakhla Oasis and Kharga Oasis. The tour also stops in at Luxor and Cairo. The perfect package for repeat visitors or adventurous first-timers. How much? The nine-night itinerary leads in at £1,095.
All about North Africa
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North Africa
Travel essentials An at-a-glance guide to the must-know facts about travelling to North Africa Egypt Flying time: Cairo, four hours and 45 minutes; Luxor, five hours and 15 minutes; Sharm el-Sheikh, five hours and 45 minutes. Time difference: GMT +2 hours. Visas: all UK passport holders require a visa, which are available on arrival. Best time to visit? From February to April and October to November when the weather is warm. Summers are exceptionally hot and dry from May to August. Key events: during the months of July and August, Egyptians celebrate various saints birthdays with lively processions in Cairo. Twice a year in February and October, the Abu Simbel Festival celebrates Ramses II’s birthday. The celebrations include music, dancing, markets, and food and drink stalls. From July 20-August 18 this year, Egyptians mark the holy month of Ramadan. During this period there may be restrictions on alcohol consumption, restaurant facilities and entertainment. Morocco Flying time: Agadir, four hours and 30 minutes; Casablanca, three hours and 30 minutes; Essaouira, four hours and 30 minutes; and Marrakech, three hours and 45 minutes. Time difference: GMT + 0 hours Visas: UK passport holders do not need visas. Best time to visit? Morocco is generally best visited in the spring months of March to May and autumn from September to November. July and August can see temperatures soar to 40˚C in Marrakesh. On the coast in Agadir, Casablanca and Essaouira summers are cooled by the winds from the Atlantic. Key events: Marathon de Sables takes place in April. The seven-day, 151-mile race across the Moroccan Sahara desert by foot from Ouazazateis one of the toughest
All about North Africa
courses in the world. Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival takes place in July. The five-day event is packed with traditional cultural and folk events including Berber musicians and copious belly dancing. The Timitar Festival takes place in Agadir in July and is a lively annual festival of both traditional and modern Berber music. As in Egypt, from July 20-August 18, Moroccans mark the holy month of Ramadan. Tunisia Flying time: two hours and 30 minutes to Tunis. Time difference: GMT +1 hour. Passports/visas: EU citizens need a full passport valid for stays up to six months. For more up-to-date visa details, visit www.cometotunisia.co.uk Getting there: Tunisia has seven international airports: Djerba, Enfidha, Monastir, Sfax, Tabarka, Tozeur and Tunis. Both Tunisair and British Airways operate several flights a week from Heathrow and Gatwick to Tunis. There are charter flights flying to Enfidha from all over the UK. Charter operators include Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways with flights from Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands, Gatwick, Glasgow, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Stansted and Sheffield. Tunisair Express is Tunisia’s domestic airline, operating from Tunis to Djerba, Tozeur and Sfax. Best time to visit: with temperatures during the summer months hitting 40˚C, the ideal times to visit are from April to June, and September and October when the edge comes off the summer heat.
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Experience Egypt with the Egyptian experts Enjoy the many faces of Egypt with Red Sea Holidays. We only sell holidays to Egypt that’s why we’re the Egyptian experts. Best advice
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Best experiences In relaxing surroundings and with all inclusive service, it’s all too easy to forget about life beyond the pool. But Egypt can offer so much more. Our extensive range of excursions, cruises, tours, and cruise and stay holidays ensure you get to experience Egypt’s many treasures.
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