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Showing posts from 2017

Vibrant Women Retreat Morocco - January 2018

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INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY in Morocco:  The terrain of Morocco has informed my dreams since I was a child, as a magical and wondrous place. I would like to invite you to join me on and enchanted journey to re-awaken the magic in your life, through listening to the heartbeat of Morocco. By staying in the medina and engaging with this ancient cities rhythms and customs. Being mystically transported (or just woken up) by the call to prayer, drinking mint in the souks, finding exquisite restaurants, walking through beautiful gardens and staying in the Sahara desert under a million stars and much more ……    3 rooms left 10 – 17 January 2018 Please contact Emma: 00212 661215062 or email team@campadounia.com for more details. This inspirational journey is for you if: You want to explore an ancient and magical place. You want to travel to an exotic location, but perhaps wouldn’t do it on your own. You adore learning about different cultures and peoples. You really enjoy

Stunning vintage Beni Ouarain with long shag pile

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Whilst foraging this week.  I stumbled upon this stunning old Beni Ouarain.  It is a superb example of an authentic Beni Ouarain with long shag pile.  The colour and design are gorgeous, It is 3 x 2 meters and totally a one off special piece. Beni Ouarain is a region in Middle Atlas.  These Beni Ourain carpets with their double knot weave are made to sleep on.  The long pile adding warmth and insulation. Phone or email me to reserve - team@campadounia.com - 00212661215062

Voted in the best 10 attractions for Morocco - 29 October 2017

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Thank you Telegraph Travel - 29 October 2017 Located three hours from Marrakech, on a pristine stretch of unspoilt coast between Safi and El Jadida, Beach Camp Adounia is an ocean-lover’s alternative to Sahara glamping. Billowing white tents pitched among the dunes provide the base for a range of activities, from galloping (or lolloping) along the sand on a horse or camel, to learning to surf or serenely practising your asanas as the sun sets over the Atlantic. Nightly campfires, barbecued fish and star-spangled night skies enrich the experience.  Camp Adounia (00212 661 215 062;  campadounia.com/camp/ desert-camp) offers affordable retreats with prices from £100 per night for adults, £55 children under 10, full-board. Our ecological camp works closely with the local community.  Come and experience the real Sahara desert of Morocco within a camp that has minimum impact on the environment.  Share stories at night around the camp fire under millions of shooti

Nomads of the Sahara Desert Video

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I thought given my last post this short video is really interesting to watch.  It shows you the Tuareg Mats but it also gives you an idea of nomad life and what you can expect to experience when you come and visit us at Camp Adounia in the Moroccan Sahara Desert. We believe in providing clients with the real desert experience.  If you are lucky enough the nomads will welcome you into their tents and share their culture and way of living with you.  They will not let you leave until they have baked you a loaf of bread to take with you on your way. Tuareg mats from FJ Hakimian on Vimeo . Camp Adounia philanthropic travel. Email us for bespoke itneraries and information. Moroccan Berber Carpets 

Tuareg Mats - Moroccan Berber Carpets

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I'm pretty obsessed with these Tuareg Mats, they are so earthy and powerful.  Any area or room is instantly transformed into a chic strong statement.  Photos below are from Fredieric Fekkai's holiday home the famous hairdresser and beauty stylist from France.  They give you an idea of how these mats just about go with anything. They are made from palm fronds and camel or goat skin.  Some of the women's weavings are incredibly intricate in design.  Many have ancient symbols woven into them. i Made by the Tuaregs of Mauritania and Sahara leading down to Niger and Nigeria.  These mats are  traditionally made by the nomads for their tents (some even have a lovely smoky smell).  They are very durable and roll easy for the caravans when moving on.  The Tuaregs are often called the blue men because of the Indigo they wear.  The indigo acts as a sun screen and insect repellant. At our Camp in the Sahara Desert we work with the nomads and their way of life,

Bespoke Beni Ouarain and Berber Carpets - made to measure

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We are making some beautiful bespoke Beni Ouarain Carpets - many designers and architects need these beautiful carpets made to measure - often square.  The new Beni Ouarain Berber Carpets are made from 100% wool.  They originated in the Beni Ouarain region in the middle Atlas of Morocco.  The carpets were originally made with a long insulating pile for families to sleep on.  They kept out the cold very well.  Many vintage and new Beni Ouarain are being made with a shorted pile.  We say they have a summer and winter side, turning them over in the summer enables the dirt and dust to fall out, a natural cleaning method.  The wool with its linolin makes them particularly stain protected as the liquid doesn't soak in. We have a wonderful supply of Moroccan and Berber carpets both new and vintage depending on your taste and requirements, from Boujad, Azilal, kilims, Beni Mguild.  We also adore the Tuareg mats made from reid and leather, woven in intricate designs.  Message us if yo

Moroccan Eggs - Berber Omlette - Riad Zamzam, Marrakech Medina

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This morning I decided to cook Berber eggs it is made with chopped tomato, garlic and Khlia (a dried meat preserved in fat) like the french with the duck confit, where it is stored in the jar in fat.  The Khlia is quite strong tasting so you don't need much and it needs to be cut fine.  It tastes a bit cheesy but is delicious with eggs.  Its slightly reminiscent of black truffle. The first photo shows cooking down the tomatos, with pink himalayan salt, garlic and the khalia.  Next you beat the eggs with some pepper and pour over into the pan and cook on low. Then enjoy this wonderful rich omlette with some warm bread and mint tea.  Another favourite with breakfast now is an orange and avocado smoothy.  Try it, its soooo good. Request these when you come to stay at Riad Zamzam & Spa

Yves Saint Laurent Tribute - Jema El Fnaa - 13 October Marrakesh

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Tonight in the Jema El Fnaa from 7.30pm. A film tribute to Yves Saint Laurent will be show on a big screen.  The film about 60 minutes is a compliation of the images of Yves Saint Laurent's inspiration - Majorelle Gardens, the Moroccan capes, the Sahara desert.  Many sequences of Marrakesh and photos never seen before will be included in the film. The event will be moderated by Mountassir Skalli in the presence of the Honorary Committee of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum soon to open.  The committee made up of famous personalities from the world of art and fashion. The museum will create a hub of tourism for Marrakech and further the cultural facination of this great Moroccan city.

New Marrakech Restaurant opening - Le Trou Au Mur

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I'm very excited to have been invited to a tasting at the new restaurant in Marrakech - Le Trou Au Mur (The Hole at the Wall)  - Chic, laid back, fun and intimate but, above all, totally serious about food. I'll be feeding back more on food and decor after my visit.  The menu is a combination of International and Moroccan Cuisine. Le Trou Au Mur is fully licensed and will be open 18.00-00.00 every day except Tuesdays, from October 18!  www.letrouaumur.com Sample Menu looks fantastic and super fun.

New flights from Marrakech to Ouarzazate starting in November 2017 with Royal Air Maroc

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The Sahara Desert Camp Adounia is now even easier to reach - flights are commencing over the Atlas Mountains between Marrakech and Ouarzazate - you will then be able to stay a night and explore Ait Ben Haddou or continue your journey directly with landcruiser and driver down into the Sahara - cutting a 9 hour journey into a 5 hour journey for those who want to do less road. Come down to Tagonite and Mhamid and see the real Sahara - a desert still unpacked with camps unlike Mazouga - here you can feel and experience the real Sahara in a fully respecting Eco Camp.  Visit the ancient kasbahs of Mhamid, the wonderful museum and women's cooperatives.  We encourage clients to bring clothes and school equipment for the nomad school.  email team@campadounia.com for more information and follow us on facebook for more information on the region and Moroccan tours - https://web.facebook.com/saharacampmorocco/ . Three flights per week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) . Flights

New Season at Camp Adounia - Sahara Desert Morocco

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We are excited to be launching our new season and 4th year of Camp Adounia 'Life'.  Twinned together with our Zamzam Riad the 6 or 7 day tour down to the Sahara is unforgettable giving you a chance to experience the whole of Morocco. The ancient Medina of Marrakech is where our hotel is based in a magical riad.  Here you can take a tour of the Medina with a guide or enrol in one of our fun cooking courses which includes a trip to the local market to buy your vegetables, spices and meat.  Enjoy a glass of wine as you learn how to make simple tagines or more difficult pasteries such as briouattes filled with cheese or msemen. After your tour of the souk enjoy a dip in our pool or relax with our brilliant spa ladies and their natural treatments including a cleanse in the hammam leaving you feeling born again. Our partners AXS can take you up to the mountains for a day on their super Giant bikes - the scenery is breathtaking and you get a chance to see