16 days Barcelona to Marrakech From Barcelona's towering Sagrada Familia to the colourful medina of Marrakech, join us on this spectacular 16-day journey through northern Spain and Morocco. Indulge in San Sebastian tapas and tour the museums of Bilbao in Spain, before crossing the Mediterranean to Morocco for Imperial Cities, Sahara camel trekking and amazing Ait Benhaddou. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Small group tour, with maximum group size of 16, and unique hotels Barcelona - visit the city's most famous landmark, the Sagrada Familia Castell Del Remei vineyard - learn about the production of local wines and enjoy wine tasting at this historic winery Pamplona -enjoy a walking tour in this beautiful Basque city close to the Pyrenees mountain range with a bustling old town. San Sebastian - explore Spain's beautiful gastronomic capital, with its incredible Old Town tapas and our wonderful mountaintop hotel Bilbao - discover wonderful contemporary art at the world famous Guggenheim Museum Bodegas Marques de Riscal vineyard - taste the fine wines of the Rioja region Salamanca - visit Spain's oldest university, with its stunning architecture Avila - roam around one of Spain's oldest towns, surrounded by an imposing, medieval wall, with more than 2500 turrets Madrid - take in the highlights of Spain's vibrant capital on a tour of the city Marrakech wander through the UNESCOlisted medina, mosque, palaces and souks Casablanca - enjoy the spectacle of Morocco's largest city, also home to its largest mosque (the Hassan II Mosque) Rabat - take in the sights of the lively capital city such as the Chellah necropolis and whitewashed kasbah Meknes - roam the streets of a great Imperial city, once dubbed the "Versailles of Morocco" Fes immerse yourself in the oldest medieval city in the world, its medina packed with dye pits and tanneries Sahara Desert - camel trek across the dunes and camp under a blanket of stars Todra Gorge - the towering red canyon with spectacular limestone walls on the road to the High Atlas will leave you speechless Ait Benhaddou - gaze upon this UNESCOlisted ancient kasbah, immortalised by Hollywood in film and television Volubilis admire the UNESCO-listed ruins of this ancient Roman provincial town What's Included 15 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 7 dinners (including a traditional Berber meal at our Sahara camp) Spain - 7 Nights 3 & 4 star hotels. Morocco - 7 nights 3-4 star hotels & riad, 1 night camping - Berber desert camp in the Sahara Desert (Hotel Upgrade available) Escorted by English speaking Spanish tour leaders and an English speaking Moroccan tour guide (or a driver guide in Spain for groups of 2 6) Specialist local guides for scheduled sightseeing All private transportation in air conditioned vehicles in Spain and Morocco Arrival transfer from Barcelona airport on day 1 and Marrakech airport on day 8 Transfer to Madrid airport on day 8 Guided sightseeing: Barcelona, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Burgo, Salamanca, Avila, Pamplona, Madrid, Casablanca, Rabat, Volubilis, Fes, Merzouga, Todra Gorge, Ait Benhaddou and Marrakech Cider House visit & tasting San Sebastian Vineyard visit and wine tasting in Zaragoza and Rioja Guggenheim Museum entry Camel trek into the Sahara -1-
What's Not Included Tipping Kitty: Euro 55-60 (for Morocco, paid locally in Euro, USD or Dirham) Entrance Fees: Euro 40-50 (for Spain, paid locally) International flights and visas Tip for your tour leader and guides - an entirely personal gesture Please note the flight between Madrid and Marrakech is not included and needs to be booked separately - see Trip notes for more information DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Arrival into Barcelona Saturday. Welcome to Spain and the beautiful coastal city of Barcelona. You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel, or for those already in Barcelona make your way to our hotel for check in. This afternoon at 2pm we meet our guide for a tour of Barcelona. We visit the Hill of Montjuic, where we'll be treated to a wonderful view of the Barcelona harbour, then continue on to visit the spectacular and iconic Basilica of Sagrada Familia, an unparalleled architectural gem, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. Tonight we enjoy a group dinner/tapas in local restaurant. Note: if you'd like more time to explore Barcelona we can arrange pre tour accommodation upon request. Overnight Barcelona (D) Day 2 : Zaragoza & Vineyard Barcelona - Zaragoza. Early this morning we leave Barcelona and head west to Zaragoza. En route we will visit Castell Del Remei, a vineyard near Lleida, where we'll enjoy a tour of the vineyard with wine tasting, and then lunch in the vineyard restaurant. We continue on to Zaragoza, and after check in we'll have a walking tour with our local guide. We visit the spectacular multi-domed Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar which rises over the Ebro River, and the Palace of Aljaferia, which dates back to the 11th century, with a history of Islam, Christianity and Catholicism. Later there's free time to explore and perhaps taste some of the delicious local tapas. Overnight - Zaragoza (B) Day 3 : Pamplona & San Sebastian Days 4-5 : Bilbao & Rioja Wine Tasting San Sebastian - Bilbao. After breakfast on day 4, we join our local guide for a city tour of the seaside town of San Sebastian before heading eastward to our next stop, the port city of Bilbao. En route we stop to visit a traditional family run Sideria (Cider House) for tasting. Arriving into Bilbao, we'll take in the sights of the city on a guided tour and visit the famous Guggenheim Museum, with its display of modern and contemporary masterpieces. The rest of the day is free to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the old town with its charming streets and quirky bars. Bilbao is another city of gastronomic delights, so there's no shortage of wonderful restaurants to dine in during our stay. Zaragoza - San Sebastian. After a leisurely breakfast we travel to Pamplona, a beautiful Basque city made famous by the Ernest Hemingway novel 'The Sun Also Rises'. We enjoy a walking tour with our local guide and there's time for a drink and tapas in the old town before we continue on to our stop for the night, San Sebastian. San Sebastian is a beautiful and charming city which tops the list of the world's best places to eat. After check in at our hotel, which sits atop Monte Igueldo, with wonderful panoramic views of the city and the bay, you have time to wander to the lively Parte Vieja (Old Town) and see why it's known as the food capital of Spain, with its plethora of Michelin star restaurants. Take a stroll along the lovely white sandy beach or relax by the rooftop pool. Overnight - San Sebastian (B) The following day we venture into the world famous Rioja region, renowned for its exceptional wine. The towns and villages are set amid vineyards and wineries and are almost exclusively involved in wine production. We visit the region's most famous Bodega, Marques de Riscal, where we learn about its history, with its oldest cellar dating back to 1858, and of course enjoy a tasting session. Later this afternoon we travel on to Logrono, which is part of the famous Camino de Santiago trail. Here we enjoy a local dining experience in Calle Laurel, before returning to Bilbao where you have free time at your leisure. Overnight - Bilbao (B:2, D:1) -2-
Day 6 : Burgos & Salamanca Day 8 : Marrakech Bilbao - Salamanca. Bidding farewell to the Basque Country we continue on to Burgos, to see the World Heritage Listed Gothic cathedral of Burgos, which looms large over the city skyline. After our walking tour we travel on to Salamanca, which is home of Spain's oldest University. The old town is an ensemble of monuments, with beautiful examples of different architectural styles, and we explore the back streets of this beautiful city with our local guide. This evening there's free time to discover the local bars and restaurants. Overnight Salamanca (B) Saturday. Madrid - Marrakech. Your tour of Spain ends today. Complimentary transfer to the airport for your flight to Marrakech in Morocco. Day 7 : Avila Medieval City Please note: The flight from Madrid to Marrakech is not included in the cost of this tour. Ryan Air and Iberia both fly direct. Please provide us with your flight details so we can arrange your arrival transfer in Marrakech. Overnight - Marrakech (B) Upon arrival at Marrakech airport, you ll be met and transferred to our hotel in the centre of town. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore Marrakech - why not head to the medina and discover the delights of Djemaa el Fna, the exuberant market place, which is a hive of activity, sights and smells at both day and night. Later on there will be a welcome meeting at the hotel at 19:30hrs. Day 9 : Marrakech City Tour Salamanca - Avila - Madrid. After breakfast we drive on to Avila, a UNESCO city which is famous for its well-preserved medieval city walls, which include eight monumental gates, 88 watch towers and over 2500 turrets. After our walking tour there's time for a leisurely lunch in one of the local Castilian restaurants. This afternoon we travel on to Madrid, where we're joined by a local guide for a coach tour of this cosmopolitan capital city, taking in sights such as the Royal Palace of Madrid. Spend your final night in Spain at leisure, sampling Madrid's wonderful nightlife. Overnight - Madrid (B, D) After breakfast we head over to the beautiful Majorelle Gardens just a short drive from the hotel. These botanical gardens were designed by the French Artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and 1930s. He used a distinctive shade of cobalt blue for the majority of the garden and although a lot of his other work has largely been forgotten this garden is seen as his greatest master piece. The garden has been owned by Yves Saint Laurent since 1980 and his ashes were scattered here after his death in 2008. The garden contains an extensive collection of exotic plants and trees and is home to 15 species of bird. There is also a Berber Museum representing the various indigenous tribes of Morocco including over 600 artefacts. This afternoon you will meet up with the rest of the group who are coming in from Casablanca before embarking on a guided tour of Marrakech. Inside the rose coloured medina walls is a tangle of winding streets and alleys that open onto verdant gardens and bustling souks. At the heart of the medina is Djemaa El Fna, the city's exuberant market place and towering over it, is the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the tallest building in the city. Overnight - Marrakech (B, D) Day 10 : Ait Benhaddou Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate. Departing the city this morning we travel across the plains of Haouz and reach the great High Atlas mountains. Climbing over the pass of Tizi n Tichka, we stop for lunch and then continue onwards with great views over the Mountains and valleys to Ait Benhaddou. This incredible ancient fortified Kasbah was built for defence purposes high on a hill and is a stunningly well preserved medieval city which has famously featured in many blockbuster movies, including Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia as its beauty is unequal to any other fortified kasbah in south Morocco. We continue south to the Hollywood of North Africa Ouarzazate (pronounced war-zazat). Ouarzazate is famous for being the filming location for many other Hollywood blockbusters and famous TV shows including James Bond The Living Daylights, The Mummy and -3-
more recently Game of Thrones. Overnight Ouarzazate (B, L, D) Day 11 : Camel trek into the Sahara Chebbi sand dunes mid afternoon. Your tour guide will not escort you to the hotel as he will be accompanying the camel trekking group to the Berber Camp. After check-in and time to freshen up (for those who are interested) please re-group prior to sunset at reception to depart for your camel trek into the desert. The safari runs for approx 1 hour, with short stops along the way for photos. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening as is breakfast in the morning. Your guide will inform you of the time you will be picked up in the morning. Overnight - Berber Camp (B, L, D) Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world and its medina is a cacophony of aromas, sights and sounds. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Fes el Bali - the old walled city. This fascinating medina is a veritable rabbit warren of 9400 alleys that often finish with dead ends so be sure to stay close to the group! We also visit the dye-pits and tanneries before lunch in the medina. The remainder of the day is at leisure why not take part in an optional Tagine Making Class or a night of Moroccan entertainment and food at a restaurant in town (both payable locally). Overnight - Fes (B) Day 12 : Journey to Fes Day 14 : Volubilis & Meknes Merzouga (Sahara) - Fes. Departing early, we climb back on our camels disembarking for a truly stunning sunrise. After freshening up and breakfast in Merzouga we re back on the road heading for Fes. It s a long drive today however there is a lot to see on the way. We ll pass through cedar forests full of Barbary Macaque monkeys on our way through the Moyen Atlas mountains. Just before Fes we stop at Ifrane a beautiful town often likened to a Swiss Alpine resort. Along the way we also start to see our first glimpse of Morocco s nomadic Berbers travelling across the mountains and often staying in make shift tents as they head to their next destination. We arrive into Fes in the early evening. Overnight - Fes (B, D) Fes - Volubilis - Meknes - Rabat. Departing Fes this morning we visit the fascinating UNESCO listed Roman ruins of Volubilis, which date back to AD40. Continuing on we stop at the Imperial City of Meknes, which became known as the Versailles of Morocco due to its impressive buildings and elaborate monuments. After lunch and some free time our final stop of the day is Rabat Morocco s capital where we overnight. Overnight - Rabat (B) Ouarzazate - Todra Gorge - Merzouga (Sahara). This morning we begin our journey into the Sahara with a medley of palm trees, rose fields and magnificent gorges. Travelling from Ouarzazate, there is a possibility of visiting the kasbah Amherdhil in Skoura before seeing the rose fields and reaching scenic Todra Gorge. Surrounded by towering vertical limestone cliffs reaching heights of 1000ft, it is known as Morocco s Grand Canyon. The charm of Todra lies in its changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. After time to wander through Todra we hit the road again for Merzouga our base before we head into the Sahara. Depending on the time of year, spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming before climbing aboard our camels for an incredible trek into the Sahara Desert to watch a beautiful sunset and spend the night at our remote Berber Camp, nestled amongst the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi. We enjoy local food, music and an amazing night camping in the Sahara. For our trip into the desert you ll need to prepare an overnight pack for the essentials you will need for the night. The remainder of your luggage will stay in Merzouga this evening and we will collect it in the morning Sahara Hotel Upgrade If you have purchased our Sahara Hotel Upgrade you will not need to pack an overnight bag as all your luggage will remain with your this evening. Hotel Upgrade travellers will be transferred to their auberge (simple hotel) with en-suite facilities located in the shadows of the Erg Day 15 : Rabat & Casablanca Day 13 : Fes Sightseeing Rabat - Casablanca - Marrakech. This morning we take a guided tour of Rabat and visit some of the capital s highlights, including the impressive Chellah - a necropolis and complex of ancient, medieval ruins, the Royal Palace and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After lunch -4-
we continue to Casablanca where we visit the Hassan II Mosque, which has the tallest minaret and is the third largest mosque in the world it can hold 25,000 worshippers at any one time. After our visit to the mosque we say goodbye to our fellow passengers leaving us in Casablanca and continue on to Marrakech for the night. Overnight - Marrakech (B) Day 16 : Marrakech Sunday. Our amazing tour of Morocco ends today after hotel check out. (B) Morocco Optional Activities During your free time in Morocco you are welcome head out and independently explore, relax or take part in any of the following optional activities, time permitting. These activities are not operated by On The Go Tours and it is important that you make sure that Quad Biking and Hot Air Ballooning are covered by your Travel Insurance Policy. Prices vary and bookings can be made locally. Marrakech - Hammam (starting from) - MAD150 Marrakech - Hot Air Ballooning - MAD2000 Ouarzazate - Visit to film studio - MAD50 Ouarzazate - Quad biking - MAD450 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Entrance Fees In Spain and Portugal selected entrance fees are included, however all others must be budgeted for by you. The total cost of the entrance fees which need to be paid locally is noted under Exclusions on the first page of this document. Entrance fee amounts can change and as such upon arrival to Spain your tour leader will highlight the exact total entrance fee cost for the tour. Entrance fees are to be paid in Euros cash. you don t leave a tip. Hotel staff don t usually expect a tip but leaving 1-2 Euro if someone carries your bags or delivers food to your room is a nice gesture. With taxis, tips aren t expected but rounding up the total bill or leaving loose change is appreciated. It is customary to tip your tour leader and driver at the end of the tour, for a job well done. As a guideline we recommend that you budget the following: Tour leader - 3-4 euros per person per day Driver - 3-4 euros per person per day This information is given as a guide, as many travellers are unsure and uncomfortable about how much to tip. Tipping is an entirely personal gesture and the amount you tip is at your own discretion. Tipping in Morocco In Morocco it is customary to tip and a tipping kitty (the amount is noted under 'what is not included' on page one of this document) will be collected by your guide at the welcome meeting on the day you arrive. This is payable in Moroccan Dirhams. USD, Euro or GBP can also be accepted, at the current exchange rate. The tipping kitty is used for the following; hotel porters, hotel waiters, local guides for city tours, airport transfer drivers, Berber camel herders and local restaurant tips. The tipping kitty does not include a tip for your Moroccan tour leader or driver and as a guideline we recommend you budget approx Euro 2-3 per day for your tour guide and Euro 1-2 for the driver for a job well done (payable in Moroccan Dirhams. Naturally the amount is up to you though, this is simply a suggestion. Essential Packing On our tours which combine Spain/Portugal with Morocco, please note that entrance fees are included in Morocco. Tipping Tipping in Spain & Portugal There isn t one simple rule for tipping in Spain and Portugal. If you are happy with the service in restaurants then a 10% cash tip is common. However, you aren t likely to cause offence if A small daypack for your day-to-day needs Either a rucksack or suitcase is suitable Travel insurance documents A photocopy of your passport data pages Spare camera batteries & memory cards Mobile Phone and phone charger Lightweight clothing (check the forecast before you travel and pack appropriately) A lightweight water/windproof jacket A small umbrella Comfortable walking shoes Sandals or flip flops/thongs/jandals Electrical adaptor. Standard voltage is 220V, 50Hz AC. Sockets require a Continental or European style plug (two round pins) DEET based mosquito repellent and antihistamine cream Personal first aid kit including Dioralyte Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swimming costume A towel for swimming Antibacterial hand cleansing gel Pocket size phrasebook Additional items required for Morocco: A torch for the Sahara Desert camp A lightweight sleeping bag for the Sahara Desert camp or a cotton sleep sheet will be adequate if travelling from May - Sep. If booking our 'Sahara Hotel Upgrade', you will not need to bring either of these. Arrival on day 1 Upon arrival in Barcelona/Madrid airport, after you have attended to customs and immigration formalities, please proceed to the arrival hall. An On The Go representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall, holding an On The Go Tours logo signboard, ready to transfer you to our start hotel. Please have your tour voucher handy and make it available to our representative. If, for any reason you have trouble locating our representative (after waiting 20 minutes in the arrival hall) or your flight to Spain has been delayed please call the emergency contact number as stated on your tour voucher. Please do not leave the airport or go to the hotel on your own. Call our emergency contact number and follow the advice given by our local team. Tours Starting in Madrid In the evening you will meet your tour leader and the rest of the group in the hotel lobby at 7.30pm, to walk to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner and briefing. Please have your tour voucher with you. Tours Starting in Barcelona Meet your tour leader and the rest of the group in the lobby of the hotel at 2pm for a city tour and in the evening you will go to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. -5-
If you flight does not arrive in time to join the city tour please let us know and you can meet your tour leader in the hotel lobby at 7.30pm to join the group for dinner. Alternatively, we can arrange pre tour accommodation for you upon request. Travelling on to Morocco</p> In Morocco we include an airport to hotel arrival transfer (if you have provided us with your flight details). Arrangements are as follows: Arrive Marrakech (Menara) International Airport. After attending to customs and immigration formalities, proceed to the Arrival Hall and exit the airport. Please have your tour voucher handy and make it available to our On The Go Tours representative who will be waiting for you in the arrivals area outside the main building holding a prominent On The Go Tours logo signboard. After meeting with our representative you will be escorted to our awaiting transportation and transferred to our tour start hotel If, for any reason you have trouble locating our representative (after waiting 30 minutes) or your flight to Marrakech is delayed please call or send a text message to our 24 hour contact persons, as stated on your tour voucher. Please do not leave the airport or go to the hotel on your own. Call our 24 hour contact persons and follow the advice given by our local team. Pre Tour Accommodation If you have booked pre-tour accommodation with us an airport arrival transfer will also be provided. If arriving prior to 9am on day 1 (essentially on a flight that arrives very, very early in the morning) consider purchasing a night of pre-tour accommodation to save you waiting until hotel check in time, which is generally from 2pm onwards. Departure Transfers Departure transfers are not included but can be booked upon request. Spain Country Guide Spain Visas UK, AUS, NZ, USA and CAN passport holders do not require a visa at present to enter Spain for touristic purposes, for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For passport holders of other nationalities not included here, please check the http://www.projectvisa.com/ visainformation/spain website for more information. South African Residents South African passport holders require a Schengen visa in order to enter Spain. A passport valid for at least three months from your departure is required and a visa will only be issued if blank pages are available. BLS International is the authorised service provider to The Embassy/Consulate of Spain in South Africa and they have a visa application centre in Cape Town and Pretoria. Please visit https://sa.blsspainvisa.com for further information. Climate The climate in Spain varies between temperate in the north and hot in the south. The southern region of Andalucia as well as most of the eastern coast of Spain enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The sun can be particularly fierce if travelling to the south in July or August, where temperatures in the cities, away from the cool breeze of the coast, can reach up to 40 degrees. In the northern Spain, the summer months are generally pleasantly warm and winters are mild but because of its elevation, the weather can be more unpredictable so be prepared for some cloudy days and rainfall. Time & Voltage Standard voltage is 220 volts, AC 50Hz. Primary sockets generally require European plugs of the two round-pin variety. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances. Spain in the Central European Time Zone (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1). In Summer, Daylight Saving Time is observed in Spain. During this period time is shifted forward by 1 hour to make Spain 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2 ). After the summer months the time in Spain is shifted back by 1 hour to Central European Time. Daylight savings runs between 26th March and 29th October. Health Requirements You should seek medical advice from your local health practitioner before travelling to Spain and ensure that you re up to date for recommended vaccinations for your home country. Other vaccines to consider are Tetanus. Visit the NHS Fit to Travel page or the CDC Traveler s Health page for more information. Currency & Holiday Money The official currency in Spain is the Euro. Check OANDA for latest exchange rates. British Pounds, US Dollars and other major currencies can be easily exchanged locally in banks or bureau de change or prior to departure. Credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in most of the major hotels, restaurants and shops. Use of American Express is not as common. Traveller's Cheques are not recommended as they're often difficult to exchange and incur high fees. Spain is a relatively affordable destination as far as Europe is concerned. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around Euro 8-12 and it will usually be of a very high quality. A pint of domestic beer will cost around Euro 2. If you are making use of public transport in the cities, a one-way train ticket will set you back about Euro 1.4. Shopping Spain is a great place to shop with a wide choice of souvenirs to bring home from your visit. Cities like Seville, Madrid and Barcelona have high streets bursting with designer and boutique stores that are some of the best in Europe. For something a little different, the flea markets in Spain are great for a bargain. The Calle Ribera de Curtidores in Madrid takes place every Sunday and has a great vibe. You could even -6-
stroll down Barcelona s Las Ramblas and find some interesting bargains. If you're after something distinctly Spanish, consider a colourful fan. Folding hand fans may have originated in ancient Egypt but Spain has well and truly made them their own, making them a prominent feature in flamenco dancing and offering a stunning selection of colours, patterns and textures. The food markets in Spain are particularly good. Olive and olive oil go for dirt cheap yet it s also some of the best quality in the world. Wine is another thing to stock up on should it be your tipple as you can get a seriously good bottle for less than 5 Euro. Bargaining in Spain Bargaining is not generally accepted in Spain, although in the flea markets and with street vendors a bit of bargaining is appropriate in Spanish culture. Spanish Cuisine For many of us, Spanish food needs no introduction. Tapas is loved the world over and, of course, it s best when it s authentic. Tapas are basically appetisers and snacks, served hot or cold. Patatas bravas and croquetas are popular ones. Although tapas aren t the only type of food that Spain features. Spanish cuisine differs regionally and is heavily influenced by the history of that area. As an example, gazpacho is a typical Andalucían dish. It s a type of soup that includes tomato, cucumber, onion, bell pepper, garlic, olive oil, water, wine vinegar, salt and stale bread. In La Rioja the locals enjoy Rioja potatoes, which are basically potatoes with chorizo, garlic, olive oil, salt and the spice pimento, a Spanish sweet paprika. It s in Valencia that paella hails from. It s a delicious dish that combines white rice, chicken and rabbit, white beans, green beans, snails, rosemary and saffron. Seafood paella (replacing seafood with meat) and mixed paella (combining the two) are two popular varieties, although there are many more across Spain. Safe eating while travelling in Spain Food hygiene standards in Spain are generally very high so travellers are unlikely to fall ill from food posioning during their trip. As with anywhere in the world, it is important to be wary of any meat or fish that has not been cooked thoroughly. If food looks old, unclean or poorly prepared, it is best to avoid it. Tap Water Tap water is safe to drink in the major cities in Spain, although it should be avoided in rural areas where the sanitation quality isn t as good. It s best to play it safe with bottled water in these areas. Morocco Country Guide Morocco Visas Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Morocco. UK, EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and USA nationals do not require a visa at present to enter Morocco. Please check if you are from another country. RSA (South African) passport holders need to obtain visas in advance of arrival. Please check your personal visa requirements with the embassy. Climate Morocco is a great year round destination, blessed with lots of sunshine and a temperate climate. It can become incredibly hot in the summer months with temperatures 38 C or higher, particularly in July and August so use plenty of sun screen, cover up and drink plenty of water. The nights can be cooler especially in the mountains or in the desert and it is windy along the coast throughout the year. During the winter months (November to February), temperatures usually remain pleasant in the cities, averaging around 20 C, but it is very cold at nights, in the desert and in the Atlas Mountains. There is often snow in the Atlas Mountains from November through until March and temperatures can drop to below freezing - so take plenty of warm clothes including jacket, long-sleeved tops, jumper, gloves and trousers. Time & Voltage Morocco is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Daylight Savings is currently being observed; however, it changes frequently and is not observed during the holy month of Ramadan. Standard voltage is 220 volts. Primary sockets require the European, 2 pronged variety. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter, and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances. Health Requirements You should seek medical advice before travelling to Morocco from your local health practitioner and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide, Tetanus and Hepatitis A are strongly recommended. While tap water in Morocco is generally considered safe to drink in main cities, it is not advisable in smaller towns and remote areas. It's recommended to only drink bottled mineral water, which is readily available in hotels, shops and restaurants. Currency & Holiday Money The currency of Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham. Pound Sterling, US Dollars and Euro can be exchanged in Morocco at various bureau de changes in major cities and towns (please note Australian and New Zealand Dollars as well as South African Rand are often tricky to exchange and often not accepted so we advise against bringing them for exchange), and most banks have ATMs. Credit cards are virtually useless outside main cities and towns. It's advisable to request bank notes in smaller denominations, as it can sometimes be hard to get change from large notes and smaller notes are handy for smaller purchases and gratuities. Traveller's Cheques are not recommended as they're often difficult to exchange and incur high fees. How much you spend depends largely on individual tastes and often how much you eat, drink or shop. We currently recommend an -7-
average of Euro 20-30 per day on top of optional excursions. Mosques & Religion Shopping Although freedom of religious faith is permitted by the Moroccan law, about 99% of people are Sunni Muslim. About 1% of the population is Morocco is a shoppers' paradise. The souks of Fes, Marrakech and Meknes are full of pottery, carpets and kilims, leather goods, spices and cloth. Keep space in your backpack for your purchases! Our best buys are: carpets from the High Atlas mountains or a woven and embroidered Kilim; the burnoose, an elegant hooded cape; spices; or traditional pottery and leather from Fes. IMPORTANT: Set your budget and don t be swayed, remember the caveat Let the buyer beware. Any purchases made whilst on holiday with us, irrespective of whether the store is recommended by us or other, are at your own discretion. Please make sure that you are completely happy with the product you are purchasing and the delivery arrangements (we would recommend you take away with you any purchases rather than rely on shipping services). On The Go cannot be held responsible or accountable for items bought in country or shipping arrangements. Proceed with caution. Hotels in Morocco The hotels on our group tours in Morocco are simple, clean, comfortable and centrally located. We try to use local and traditional hotels with plenty of character wherever possible. In smaller towns, the choice of accommodation may be limited, but we will always book the best accommodation available for our groups. Please be aware that hotels in Morocco are not of the same standard as Western hotels and facilities are often basic. Christian, and less than 0.2 percent is Jewish. With the exception of the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, it is not permitted for non-muslims to enter mosques in Morocco. If you are entering the Hassan II mosque, please remember to dress conservatively. Ensure limbs are covered and shoes removed when entering any mosque. Men must refrain from wearing shorts, as must women. RAMADAN Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world and adherents of the Muslim faith fast during daylight hours and break their fast with lavish meals and lively celebrations in the evening. Ramadan culminates a month later in a 3 day celebration called Eid al - Fitr. Many shops (excluding those which cater mainly to tourists) and attractions close earlier during Ramadan. As such we will start our tour earlier during this period to make the best use of time, leisure time will be offered in the late afternoon. Forthcoming Ramadan dates are as follows, (approximate) 15 May - 14 June 2018 05 May - 04 June 2019 Many shops (excluding those which cater mainly to tourists) and attractions close earlier during Ramadan, so our itinerary is slightly altered to ensure we visit all itinerary attractions. Non-Muslims are not expected to fast over Ramadan, but it is considered impolite to eat food or drink on the street. It's not like home Etiquette Travel to far-flung corners of the earth involves lifestyles and conditions that are sometimes very different from what you are used to back home. You must come prepared to cope with unusual situations, local inadequacies and unpredictable events as and when they occur. Foreign travel is definitely not suitable for people who expect or demand everything to go exactly as planned. With the greatest respect and in the interest of your ultimate enjoyment you must understand this. Things can and do change in foreign countries. Despite the inevitable ups and downs of travelling abroad, you will generally be shown great hospitality in Morocco. In return, please demonstrate sensitivity and respect for the local customs. Morocco is a Muslim country; so care should be taken to dress respectfully in local towns or villages. Take care to dress conservatively and ensure that limbs are covered and remove footwear prior to entering a mosque Ex-military style clothing should not be worn Ask permission before taking photographs of people The standard form of greeting is a handshake. Men and women do not kiss at any time as a form of greeting Calling home from Morocco It is currently not always possible to use VoIP (voice over internet protocol) services like Whatsapp, Viber, Skype and Facebook Messenger in Morocco. The text options on these services are still fine to use but the calling functions might not always work. It is understood that the Moroccan telecom providers have done this in order to push as much voice calls onto their networks rather than people being able to use these free services. Troubleshooting These things will most likely never happen, but it s good to be prepared if they ever do. Here are a few tips to keep your trip hassle-free. Morocco is no worse than anywhere else when it comes to crime. The biggest problem seems to be petty theft, including pick-pocketing and bag snatching. Minimise your chances of being robbed with these tips: Leave valuables in the hotel safe deposit or better still, at home Carry your passport on your person or a photocopy as ID Carry your bag close to your person rather than over your shoulder Travel in a group or pair, especially if you are female Don t catch cabs late at night on your own Never drink anything offered to you in the street, unless you opened it yourself Please note On The Go Tours will not be held liable for loss or damage to personal property under any circumstances Ladies should avoid wearing clingy, tight or suggestive attire, and stick to cool, flowing, cottons in small towns, local villages and in rural areas -8-