Rensina Van Den Heuvel organises tours in Morocco, Queensland and Mongolia – here she writes about a day in Marrakech
Mohammed came to pick me up in the Touristique van at 10.30am on the dot and the music that was wafting loudly from his stereo was very calming. The type of music which can make you relax and feel at ease. Thank goodness for that because Mohammed has a lead foot and he drove the three Germans and I, at breakneck speed, through thick traffic into the Souk in the centre of Marrakech. Read more
Gaz 66 Takes us Over the Atlas Mountains
The weather being cold and wet, got us moving to get over the Atlas Mountains in Morocco as soon as possible. We were looking for sunshine but could not forego an opportunity to visit the ‘blue’ mountain village of Chefchaouen along the way. We stayed in the campground high up above the village and I wandered the 600m down a zillion stairs to look for a hotel for next year’s tour. I found a lovely place right in the town with views looking down over the mountains.
More on Rensina’s Tour to Morocco 6-30 May 2014 Read more
Harem Retreat
Harem is a luxurious getaway for women longing to reinvigorate the body, mind and soul. Our guests are invited to escape into an oriental paradise where they leave behind the stresses of the world and let themselves be pampered with massages, facials, footbaths, hammams, body masks, yoga, meditation and deliciously healthy meals. The concept of a harem, which in Arabic means forbidden, or kept safe, has been turned on its head to create a unique experience that is both fun and fulfilling.
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Guest Post by J. Suzanne Frank
Islamic countries are sometimes challenging for Western women to visit because the expectations for dress and behavior are so different. But with a bit of mental adjustment you can enjoy places and experiences that our fellow men just can’t imagine!
This is a realization that my hero in newest book, Laws of Migration, comes to after a series of challenges. Laws of Migration on Kindle
Into the Desert
I did a trip with Morocco with Julie Paterson and Venus Adventures and it was the trip of a lifetime – fabulous.
Julie has some last minutes spaces on her trip in March this year – so here is your chance to live a dream
Meeting 30 March in Casablanca and travelling for 18 amazing days – including Fez, Marrakech, sleeping in the Sahara, shopping and more. INFO about the Trip
Read some stories on this blog about women travel in Morocco
More Trips with Venus Adventures
Julie from Venus Adventures for women reflects on Tea
Recently I was visiting some nomadic Bedouin friends in the Sinai, Egypt. As we sat cross-legged round the fire sipping sweet tea from small tea glasses, the teapot simmering away on the hot coals, I thought about how often tea had been an important focal point in so many countries I had visited.
A solo tour mostly around the Atlas Mountains
Jill Lundmark – solo woman cyclist – 728 km (452 miles) over 64 days
I was excited about going to Morocco and hoped some people would speak English. I’d felt isolated in Spain. Outside my hotel the market was going full blast. The fruit and vegetables looked superb arranged in piles, just a riot of colour. I got some bread and bananas then went looking for the tourist information. They directed me to the ferry ticket offices. The fare to Tangier was 32 euro for me and the same for the bike one way. I’d been carrying my bike up to my room in the hotels and was well versed in manouvering it so I did’nt think it was odd to get a lift up to the waiting room for foot passengers when of course it was a vehicle and belonged with the cars. I didn’t realise until I handed my ticket to the officer and he said ‘Where’s your bike?’ ‘Here.’ He led me to the window and said I had to hurry to get it in line with the cars. Read more
Venus Adventures is a NZ and Swiss based company which focuses on women travellers. They can help you organise your own custom trip (mixed or women-only) to Morocco! Read more
Julie of Venus Adventures for women reports that that Emirates has released a special deal for those who live Down Under and who yearn for a trip to Morocco…
“Emirates have released an early bird special for sales in NZ until the 17th of December 2009. For your Morocco trip, a fare ex Auckland would be $2310 including taxes.” Read more
Julie Paterson from Venus Adventures travel for Women writes:
Salam from Morocco!
Well, we have just completed another 14-day extravaganza of Morocco and thought you might enjoy a few photos!
Highlights of the trip were riding camels across the orange dunes of the Sahara whilst the sun set in the distance and then sleeping under an African sky, hiking up into the Atlas mountains to stay in the basic home of a Berber family and see how they live, experiencing the old medinas of Fez and Marrakech, meeting lots of friendly locals including Nezha who is a Moroccan 5W member (5W = Women Welcome Women Worldwide, an international hosting network) who lives in Fez and joined us for dinner one night. It was great to meet Nezha, who is an English teacher at the American school in Fez, and to learn more about Moroccan life from her. Read more
