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The University of Delaware Library, Paul Bowles Collection On-line Internet exhibition of the University of Delaware Library Paul Bowles Collection of acquired and archived Paul Bowles papers, manuscripts, books, first edition books, letters, photographs and documents. The Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, Paul Bowles Collection University of Texas at Austin archives of Paul Bowles papers, manuscripts, letters, tape recordings, photographs and documents. The Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, Jane Auer Bowles Collection University of Texas at Austin archives of Jane Bowles papers, manuscripts, letters, tape recordings, photographs and documents. Also of relevance are the Millicent Dillon Papers and an addition to her papers in the manuscript collection. The Paul Bowles Moroccan Music Collection, 1959-1962, The Library of Congress Paul Bowles's tape recordings of Moroccan vocal, religious and instrumental music, including tribal, folk and dance sounds of ceremonies or performances―in the languages and dialects of Arabic, Hebrew, Maghribi, Tachelhait, Tamazirht and Tariffcht—with accompanying photographs. The Library of Congress sponsored this work under a grant Bowles was awarded from the Rockefeller Foundation. The first recordings for this project were made in 1959 on a four-month trip throughout the Kingdom of Morocco. Bowles made further recordings during the time period of 1960–1962—in 23 locations throughout Morocco. Paul Bowles Papers, 1940-1988, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Contains correspondence and manuscripts (three short stories and some poems, letters from Frank Roberts, Irving Stettner and Ira Cohen), a short story by Mohammed Mrabet, and one tape recording of a Bowles' musical composition, "Wet and Dry". The Library of Congress Online Catalog The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world. To locate books, electronic resources and materials by or about Paul Bowles, do a subject browse search for: Bowles, Paul Moroccan Sojourn: A Visit with Paul Bowles World traveler, artist and author Annette Solyst describes her October 1995 visit with Paul Bowles in Tangier. Paul Bowles on Music This book contains a collection of Paul Bowles' music reviews and essays and was published by The University of California Press. It includes the last interview with Paul Bowles that was conducted by Irene Herrmann who later was designated by Paul Bowles as his musical heir. (Edited by Timothy Mangan and Irene Herrmann.) Obituary of Paul Bowles On November 19, 1999, the New York Times featured a full-page obituary: "Paul Bowles, Elusive Composer and Author Known for 'Sheltering Sky,' Dies at 88." Obituary of Jane Bowles From the May 31, 1973 edition of the New York Times.
GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR MOROCCO Moroccan National Tourist Office (Office National Marocain du Tourisme: ONMT) This comprehensive Web site about Morocco is filled with useful travel information to help you plan a customized trip to Morocco, find places to stay, view panoramic photographs of travel destinations in Morocco, see maps, current weather, get details on festivals and moussems, and learn about upcoming events. [Français et Anglais] Welcome to the Kingdom of Morocco General information on the Kingdom of Morocco provided by the Ministry of Communication in Rabat. [in Arabic, French, Spanish and English] TIME AND WEATHER IN MOROCCO Current Time in Morocco:AIRLINES, FERRY BOATS–HYDROFOILS AND TRAIN AND BUS SERVICES IN MOROCCO AIRLINES Royal Air Maroc The national airline of Morocco, Royal Air Maroc (RAM), provides direct international flights to Morocco from major cities in Europe, from New York's JFK airport in the United States, Montréal, Canada and from cities in the Middle East, with connecting service to all regions and major cities in Morocco, via its hub at Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca. Aéroport Tanger Ibn Battouta, formerly Boukhalef, has a beautiful state-of-the-art terminal building that was inaugurated in 2008 by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The spacious airport terminal in Tangier has WiFi Internet access in the departures lounge area. Tangier's airport code is TNG. Airport codes for other major cities in Morocco are: either CAS or CMN for Casablanca; RBA for Rabat–Salé; AHU for Al Hoceima; FEZ for Fez; OUD for Oujda; RAK for Marrakesh; OZZ for Ouarzazate; and AGA for Agadir. From Tangier's Ibn Battuta Airport, Air Arabia Maroc has two non-stop flights each week to Paris (Charles de Gaulle), France, two non-stop flights each week to Brussels, Belgium, one non-stop flight each week from Tangier to Amsterdam (Schiphol Airport), Netherlands, one flight each week from Tangier to Barcelona, Spain, and one flight each week from Tangier to Montpellier–Méditerranée (MPL), France. Other Air Arabia Maroc routes are from Fez to Paris (Charles de Gaulle), Montpellier, Barcelona and Brussels; from Nador to Montpellier, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and Cologne; and from Oujda to Brussels, Montpellier and Paris. From its hub at Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport, Air Arabia Maroc provides direct flights to Brussels (South Charleroi airport) Belgium; to Lyon, Montpellier and Paris (Charles de Gaulle), France. There are also several non-stop flights each week from Casablanca to Barcelona, Spain; to Amsterdam (Schiphol Airport), The Netherlands; to Cologne, Germany; to Tunis, Tunisia; to Istanbul, Turkey (Sabiha Gökçen Airport); to Milan–Bergamo, Rome (Fiumicino Airport), Turin–Cuneo and Venice, Italy; and to Alexandria, Egypt. [Web site is in English. Arabic, French, Russian, Spanish, Italian and German.] Jet4You Jet4You is yet another lower-cost airline that has flights to Morocco from various European cities: Brussels Sud, Belgium; Cologne–Bonn, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Hanover and Munich, Germany; Paris-Orly, Lyon, Toulouse and Marseilles, France; and Bologna and Milano, Italy. Jet4You has three direct flights a week to Tangier from Barcelona (BCN), Spain, in addition to its direct flights to Tangier from Brussels (BRU), Belgium and Cologne-Bonn (CGN), Germany. Jet4You also has flights to and from Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Nador, Oujda, Marrakech and Agadir, Morocco. [Web site is in French, English and Italian.] easyJet easyJet is one of Europe's major discount airlines with flights to numerous destinations in Europe, throughout the Mediterranean region and Morocco. easyJet has daily nonstop flights to Tangier (TNG), Morocco from Madrid (MAD), Spain and from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), France. From Marrakech (RAK), Morocco there are flights to: London Gatwick Airport (LGW), to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), to Lyon (LYS), France, to Milan (MXP), Italy, to Geneva (GVA) and Basel-Mulhouse-Frieburg (BSL), Switzerland, and to Madrid (MAD), Spain. There are direct also direct easyJet flights from Casablanca, Morocco to Madrid (MAD), Spain and Lyon (LYS), France. Germanwings, a low-cost European airline and subsidiary of Lufthansa, begins service to Nador, Morocco in March 2012 with weekly round-trip, non-stop flights from Cologne–Bonn (CGN), Germany to Nador (NDR). In June 2012, service begins to Tangier and Casablanca, Morocco, with one weekly non-stop flight from Cologne–Bonn (CGN), Germany to Tangier (TNG), Morocco, and one weekly flight to and from Casablanca (CMN). Germanwings operates a fleet of new Airbus A319 aircraft. FERRY BOATS–HYDROFOIL SERVICE FROM TARIFA, SPAIN TO TANGIER, MOROCCO FRS Ferry Service The fastest and easiest way to get to Tangier, Morocco by boat from either Tarifa or Algeciras in southern Spain is to use the FRS Ferry Service, which operates a reliable and modern fleet of very fast, comfortable and air-conditioned ferry boats–hydrofoils. The travel time from Tarifa to Tangier's downtown port is about 35 minutes, but it may actually take up to one hour, depending upon the weather, winds and sea conditions. There are many FRS Ferry departures every day from Tarifa, Spain direct to either the downtown port of Tangier or to the Tanger-Med port, across the Strait of Gibraltar. Please note that all ferry boats, cruise ships and hydrofoils from Algeciras, Spain and from Gibraltar now arrive only at the new Tanger–Med Passagers terminal, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of the city. A free shuttle bus will take those having a boat ticket to downtown Tangier, and taxis are also available. You may make your reservation and purchase your tickets online. Please read below about changes in port of arrival in Tangier. [In English, Spanish and German]BOATS FROM ALGECIRAS, SPAIN TO TANGER–MED PASSAGERS PORT Arriving passengers on Acciona-Trasmediterránea, Balearia, Comanav, Comarit, IMTC ferries, boats or the faster FRS hydrofoils from the port of Algeciras (Algésiras), Spain arrive only at the new Tanger-Med Passagers terminal situated north of the town of Ksar Sghir, between Tanger–Med Port 1 and Tanger–Med Port 2―about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of the city of Tangier. After you have gone through Moroccan Customs you can take a free shuttle bus (just show your boat ticket stubb or receipt) to downtown Tangier. Taxis are also available. For those travelers bringing cars, there are easy connections to Morocco's modern toll autoroutes and highways. A train connection is now being planned for the Tanger–Med passenger port. The passenger and container ports are operated by l'Agence Spéciale Tanger Méditerranée (TMSA), Royaume du Maroc. (The Tanger-Med Port 1 and 2 complex is now the largest container shipping port in Africa.) The old downtown port area in Tangier, Morocco is now being transformed into a world-class yachting marina with construction of new residential housing, deluxe hotels, and cultural and shopping areas, while expanding the fishing port and creating more jobs. It is anticipated that these new major port facilities will help to make Tangier a more leisurely and more cultural city that will attract many new visitors from Europe and the rest of the world. (See renditions of downtown Tangier port transformation. And also here.) TRAIN AND BUS SERVICE IN MOROCCO
ONCF trains (Office National des Chemins de Fer) ONCF is the national railway company in Morocco, with daily train services that connect many cities at a reasonable cost. The modern train station in Tangier is one of the most beautiful in all of Morocco and in the world. The ONCF Web site gives schedules and times of departures and arrivals, and you can see how much a ticket will cost, in Moroccan Dirhams, to various cities. For destinations in Morocco which do not
yet have train service, ONCF has modern buses (coaches) with its Supratours subsidiary, so you may comfortably continue your journey by bus for a modest supplement in fare. [In Arabic,
French and
English] Morocco is now building Africa's and the Arab world's first high-speed (TGV) train system that will connect the modern Tanger Med Port passenger terminal with downtown Tangier and the cities of Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech. These trains will travel at speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour (200 miles per hour). The high-speed train system is scheduled to be operational by December 2015. The cities of Rabat–Salé and Casablanca also have modern tramways, in addition to the regular train services provided by ONCF. CTM (Compagnie de Transports au Maroc) is the largest bus service operating in Morocco. CTM has a large, modern fleet of air-conditioned buses with numerous daily routes to all major cities and areas not having train service. TRAVEL AGENCIES AND TOURS IN MOROCCO Gazelles Destination Travel Agency A quality travel agency based in Tangier and managed by Sam Aaqiq, whose courteous and experienced staff at Gazelles Destination will arrange for travel, tours, hotels, and customized itineraries for individuals, groups and cruise-ship passengers to many cities and towns throughout Morocco. These include: Tangier, Tétouan, Chefhaouen, Fès, Marrakech, Casablanca, Essaouira, and the southern Atlantic beach resort city of Agadir. [French, English, Spanish, Italian and Russian] Travel-Exploration Discover and explore the best that Morocco has to offer with Travel-Exploration Travel Agency. It offers two-to-ten-day tours from Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Casablanca or Fez. It arranges for airline flights, hotels and plans a complete itinerary for a memorable trip to Morocco. Customized and private tours can also include the Gnawa Festival in Essaouira and Festival of World Sacred Music in Fez, visiting Berber villages in southern Morocco and the opportunity for travelers to spend time with a traditional Moroccan family in a fortified Kasbah village. RESTAURANT IN CASABLANCA, MOROCCO Rick's Café, Casablanca Rick's Café restaurant and piano bar, opened in 2004 by Kathy Kriger, is located at the edge of the medina in Casablanca. It was inspired by the classic 1942 Hollywood film Casablanca. Enjoy your stay or stopover in Casablanca, Morocco at Rick's Café. The city of intrigue described so vividly in the film Casablanca was actually based on Tangier, and Rick's Café Américain was modeled after the famous bar at the Hôtel El Minzah. FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS IN MOROCCO
Fès Festival of World Sacred Music
The 18th Fès Festival of World Sacred Music (programme de la 18ème édition du festival de Fès des Musiques Sacrées du Monde) will be held in Fez, Morocco from June 8–16, 2012. [In French and English] Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du Monde d'Essaouira Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du Monde d'Essaouira is held each year in June in Essaouira, Morocco. This very popular music festival in Morocco first began in 1998 and is attended by tens of thousands of people each year from Morocco and all over the world. The 15th Gnaoua and World Music Festival 2012 will be held in Essaouira, Morocco from June 21–24, 2012. Tarab Tanger 2011 Tarab Tanger Festival was held from June 22–26, 2011. Festival de musiques traditionnelles du monde au Tanger, Maroc. Festival International de Musique de Tanger ("Les Nuits de la Méditerranée") The 11th International Music Festival in Tangier―Les Nuits de la Méditerranée―was held from June 30–July 4, 2011, at the Palais des Institutions Italiennes (Palais Moulay Hafid), under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. TANJAzz: le Festival de Jazz de Tanger TANJAzz is an annual festival of jazz music in Tangier, Morocco, with performances and concerts held at various places throughout the city. The 12th Tangier Jazz Festival was held from September 21–25, 2011. BOOKSHOPS IN TANGIER This legendary Tangier bookstore was established in 1949 and is now owned by Pierre Bergé. The shop now offers a wide selection of books in French, Spanish, English and Arabic. Librairie des Colonnes has undergone major renovation and reopened on December 16, 2010. Librairie des Colonnes also has regular programs of meetings, lectures and book signings by various authors. Address: 54, Boulevard Pasteur; Tanger, Maroc. Téléphone: 05.39.93.69.55Librairie Les Insolites This book store in Tangier has a good selection of books in French, English, and Spanish, and it also has regular programs of readings, discussions, and photographic and art exhibitions. Librairie Les Insolites is located off the Boulevard Pasteur near the Place de France, at 28, rue Khalid Ibn Oualid (ex-Rue Velazquez). Téléphone: 05.34.59.29.83 Page et Plume An established bookshop in Tangier, with many titles and authors, mostly in French and Spanish. NEWS MEDIA (NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO) IN MOROCCO
Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb
One of Morocco's national daily newspapers, Le Matin is distributed throughout the Kingdom and has an online edition. [in French] Le Journal de Tanger A weekly newspaper in Tangier published each Saturday, Le Journal de Tanger has news for the region of Tanger and Tétouan, Maroc. [In French and Arabic]
Aujourd'hui le Maroc A Moroccan newspaper based in Casablanca with feature articles and news. [in French] Radio Mediterranée Internationale (Medi1)
Medi1 is a popular Moroccan radio station broadcasting live in
Morocco and internationally with news, music and other programs 24 hours a day from Tangier, Morocco, in French and Arabic. You can listen to live
radio programs on Medi1 from its Web site. Tanger Pocket: Le Guide de la ville du détroit This glossy monthly guide book to Tangier has an online edition which has accurate and up-to-date information on all current events held in Tangier. Coleurs Tanger Pocket Guide has comprehensive listings of restaurants, hotels, art galleries and shopping, and general details on what's happening in the city. CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL WEB SITES FOR TANGIER
The American School of Tangier
An international school founded in 1950, for grades 1–12, based in Tangier, Morocco. The students are from many countries throughout the world as well as Morocco.
The American School of Marrakesh is a branch of The American School of Tangier, established in Marrakech, Morocco in 1995. Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM) Sometimes referred to as the Old American Legation, TALIM is a museum, library and research and cultural center that specializes in North African and Arabic language studies. This historic property in the medina of Tangier, Morocco was a gift from Sultan Moulay Suliman to the United States in 1821, and it is the oldest U.S. diplomatic property in the world and the only property on foreign soil that is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as a National Landmark. When visiting Tangier, don't forget to visit the museum's Paul Bowles Wing, inaugurated in October 2010. Please note that this wing is devoted to Paul Bowles (who was not a "Beat" writer). The Tangier American Legation museum is open to the public free of charge from Monday through Friday, 9AM to 1PM and from 3PM to 5PM (closed during lunch hours) and on weekends by appointment. American Institute for Maghrib Studies (AIMS) is a private, non-profit educational organization which works to facilitate research in North Africa and encourage the free exchange of information between American and North African scholars. AIMS supports the Tangier Summer Advanced Arabic Language Program (TSALP). International Centre for Performance Studies (ICPS) holds annual international literary and performance studies conferences in Tangier. Instituto Cervantes de Tánger This major Spanish cultural center in Tangier has regularly-scheduled events that include art and photograph exhibitions, lectures, music and films. [Español and Arabic] Institut Français du Nord The French Cultural Center in Tangier and Tétouan presents a diverse schedule of cultural activities including cinema and dance. Monthly art exhibitions are held at the Galerie Delacroix at 86, rue de la Liberté, across the street from Hôtel El Minzah. The Institut Français also has occasional concerts and theatre events and it provides French language courses throughout the year. [in French] DARNA A charitable organization in Tangier, Morocco which helps women at risk and children in need. DARNA provides homeless girls and boys with food, shelter, education, activities and counseling. It also operates a gift shop and restaurant, located in the Maison Communautaire des Femmes building near the Grand Socco, which during lunch-time hours serves traditional Moroccan food to the general public in its courtyard restaurant for about 50 Moroccan Dirhams. The restaurant is open from 12 Noon until 3 PM, but it is closed throughout the month of Ramadan. [in French and English]
Cinémathèque de Tanger A non-profit organization based in the restored Cinéma Rif on the Grand Socco in Tangier, Morocco. It presents national premieres of important new films, along with historic Moroccan, independent and world cinema. La Cinémathèque de Tanger (Cinéma Rif) was inaugurated by its founder Yto Barrada on February 24, 2007. The official opening's honored guests included Mohamed Nabil Benabdellah, the writer Tahar Ben Jelloun and several consul-generals. The first film shown at the new Cinéma Rif was Juanita de Tanger, produced by the talented Moroccan filmmaker Farida Benlyazid. The popular interior café–snack bar at Cinémathèque de Tanger offers mint tea, coffee and other drinks and a variety of fresh salads, soups and light snacks, and it also provides free WiFi Internet service for its customers. Sign-up for its mailing list to receive a weekly e-mail news bulletin of films and other activities. [Français, Anglais] Tanger: Histoires, culture et documentation A comprehensive Web site about the city of Tangier, Morocco with information on its history and cultural heritage. [in French] Tánger Express Tánger Express provides information about Tangier, its history and culture, writers, artists, books and films about Tangier, photos and more, with homages to Mohamed Choukri and Paul Bowles. [In Spanish] WHERE TO STAY IN TANGIER, MOROCCO: HOTELS AND GUEST HOUSES Maison Arabesque In the heart of Tangier's Medina is Maison Arabesque, a beautiful maison d'hôtes (guest house) located at 73, rue Naciria. This former merchant's house dating from 1898 and built in Spanish-Moorish style, has been carefully restored and modernized by its helpful and friendly owner Peter. Maison Arabesque is an oasis of tranquility in the Medina, and it has comfortable beds and tasteful furnishings in a mixture of traditional Moroccan and contemporary décor. Maison Arabesque has five rooms or suites, each with a modern bath, and Paul Bowles provided the inspiration for two: The Sheltering Sky room and Paul's room. You may relax on the sun-filled rooftop terrace, use the free WiFi Internet connection, read an assortment of books and magazines, or rejuvenate in the hammam. Breakfast is included. Reasonably priced. [Dutch, English, Spanish, French] Hôtel Continental When the Hôtel Continental opened its doors in 1870, it became Tangier's first luxury establishment. Ever since, visitors to Tangier who want to explore the city but prefer to be in the Medina have often stayed in this hotel. The Hotel Continental is located at 36, Dar Baroud, within easy walking distance to the Kasbah, the beach and the port. Many of Its rooms have views of the port and ocean and are comfortably furnished, with full baths, satellite television, telephone and air-conditioning. There is a gift shop and the large dining room serves excellent European and Moroccan cuisine, and breakfasts are included. [Affordable] La Tangerina (Maison d'hôtes) La Tangerina is a 10-room riad-style hotel at 19, Riad Sultan in Tangier's Kasbah. Painstakingly restored by owners Jürgen and Farida, there is an intimate dining room, a lounge for reading, a hammam, and a rooftop terrace with views of the ocean and southern coast of Spain to die for― perfect for relaxing, sunning, having a cocktail or merely enjoying. All of La Tangerina's unique rooms are furnished in an eclectic mixture of European colonial and traditional Moroccan styles, and each room has its own bath. Breakfasts are included, free WiFi Internet service is provided, and the riad is heated during the winter months. [English, French, Spanish and German] Dar Nour (Chambres d'hôtes à Tanger) Dar Nour is a guest house (bed-and-breakfast) in Tangier, located at 20 rue Gourna in the Kasbah. It provides comfortable and modern indoor living areas and the ten unique bedroom suites have plenty of hot water. There is a private rooftop terrace for sunning or merely relaxing and enjoying the views. [in English and French] Rif & Spa This oceanfront hotel is located on Avenue Mohammed VI (formerly Avenue d'España) with its majestic palm trees and promenade, and a wide range of beach restaurants, shops and discothèques. The Rif & Spa hotel is air-conditioned and provides a fine restaurant, conference facilities with wireless Internet (Wi-Fi), a bar, spa and swimming pool. The Rif & Spa is ideal for those wanting to enjoy Tangier's large, crescent-shaped beach. El Minzah Hôtel Since 1930, the Minzah has been the preeminent luxury hotel in Tangier, Morocco. Conveniently located near the Place de France, its rooms and suites are all air-conditioned, many with sea and garden views, and it boasts several excellent restaurants providing Moroccan and European cuisine. Additionally, there is a popular piano bar and a large fitness and wellness center, a boutique, and a central courtyard where occasional art exhibitions are on display. Buffet luncheons on the terrace are popular, overlooking the hotel's swimming pool and flowering gardens set amidst scattered palms. El Minzah provides gracious Old World charm and comfort―a haven of tranquility in downtown Tangier. [Moderate to Expensive.] Hôtel Le Mirage The luxurious Mirage is located several miles from Tangier, directly overlooking the Atlantic Ocean near the Grottes d'Hercules and the white-sand beaches of Sidi Kacem and Achakar. Le Mirage is an intimate hotel, providing the ultimate in privacy and comfort in its beautifully decorated rooms, suites and bungalows. The Mirage has a large swimming pool surrounded by gardens and sunning areas and a gymnasium and fitness center with sauna and spa services. Excellent food is served in the indoor restaurant or outdoor dining terrace overlooking the ocean, and there is an intimate paneled bar. WiFi service is provided. [Expensive. Web site is in English, French and Spanish.] This modern luxury hotel is located in a quiet area of the city, near the Royal Golf de Tanger, and about 10 minutes from downtown Tangier. Its comfortable rooms and suites are well equipped with all you would expect to find a quality establishment, including room service and free WiFi. The Hotel Andalucía Golf Tanger has spa and beauty services, a well-equipped fitness center and hammam, three restaurants and two bars. You may make your hotel reservation online. [Web site is in English, French and Spanish.]Villa Josephine This sprawling, classic Mediterranean-style villa was originally built in the early 1900s as a residence for Times of London correspondent Walter Harris and later the summer residence for Pasha Thami El Glaoui of Marrakech. Villa Joséphine has ten spacious and tasteful suites, five with private terraces or balconies and ocean views. Its large swimming pool and sun terraces are surrounded by well-landscaped tropical gardens, flowers and palm trees. Villa Joséphine provides some of the best French and Moroccan cuisine in Tangier in its large elegant indoor dining room, or outside on the terrace, with impeccable service. There is also an intimate wood-paneled bar. Villa Joséphine is located in Sidi Masmoudi, a quiet and exclusive area on the Old Mountain, with views of the Strait of Gibraltar and Bay of Tangier. [Expensive] ART GALLERIES AND SHOPS IN TANGIER, MOROCCO Boutique Majid When exploring Tangier's Medina, you should at least look at Boutique Majid. It has long been regarded as the best antique shop in the Medina and one of the finest in the city. Here you will find one-of-a-kind souvenirs from Morocco and a large selection of antique jewelry, embroidery, carpets, chests, and more. For over 40 years, the English-speaking owner Abdel Majid Raïss el Fenni has sold unique items to many celebrities and world-renowned visitors to Tangier. Galerie Volubilis Located in Tangier's Kasbah, the Volubilis Art Gallery, run by Karla Raïss El Fenni, has regular exhibitions of Moroccan and other artists' paintings. For fashionable clothing and art works, visit Boutique Volubilis, run by Mohamed Raïss El Fenni (Majid's brother) and wife Karla. Boutique Voubilis is located on the Petit Socco in the Medina, directly opposite the ever-popular Café Central or Café Tingis. At Volubilis you may look at or purchase items of clothing and accessories for women and men and paintings by the talented Moroccan designer and artist Mohammed Raïss El Fenni.Galerie Dar D'art Tanger is a modern, contemporary art gallery in downtown Tangier located at 6, rue Khalil Metrane, a short walk from the Place de France. Dar D'art has regular exhibitions of art works by Moroccan and other artists. The gallery is owned and managed by Chokri Bentaout. For information on current exhibits and vernissages, see the Galerie Dar D'art Web site, or telephone 05.39.37.57.07. Medina Art Gallery The Medina Art Gallery in Tangier has exhibitions of paintings by artists from Morocco and other countries. It is located at 30 Avenue Abou Chouaib Doukali in the Bel Air area of Tangier, in the vicinity of the Mohammed V Hospital. TOUR GUIDE IN TANGIER, MOROCCO Aziz Begdouri If you are looking for an experienced, knowledgeable and friendly Moroccan guide in Tangier, Morocco, look no farther than Aziz Begdouri, who is, without a doubt, the best official tour guide one could possibly hire to see Tangier. He is highly recommended by travel expert Rick Steves and by innumerable delighted and happy clients. Mr. Begdouri speaks excellent English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. Aziz will meet you at the Tangier port or airport and will give you or your group a private tour of Tangier―walking through the Medina, the Kasbah and other areas, or he will drive you in his air-conditioned van, or a combination of both. To telephone Aziz Begdouri in Morocco, from Europe dial 00 212 6 61 63 93 32; or if calling from Canada or the United States, telephone 011 212 6 61 63 93 32. To telephone Aziz Begdouri from Spain, dial 00 34 607 89 79 67. When calling from within Morocco, dial 06 61 63 93 32. You may also contact Aziz Begdouri by e-mail for further details and various tour options: aziztours@hotmail.com.PLACES TO STAY IN THE SAHARA AND FAR SOUTH OF MOROCCO Chez le Pacha If you want to follow in the footsteps of Paul Bowles and take a trip to the far south of Morocco or venture into the dunes of the Sahara, consider staying at auberge–hôtel Chez le Pacha―a strikingly beautiful, comfortable and reasonably-priced oasis of tranquility that is the creation of Youssef Dakhamat. Located south of Zagora, Morocco near Ouled Driss, and eight kilometers north of M'Hamid el Ghizlane. All of Chez le Pacha's air-conditioned rooms have bath rooms with plenty of hot and cold water and showers, and the dining room pavilion serves traditional Moroccan cuisine for dinners, lunches and breakfasts. The large swimming pool is surrounded by palm trees, perfect for cooling off and relaxing in this hot and arid area of Morocco where daytime temperatures can reach 125 degrees Fahrenheit (about 50 degrees Celsius) during the summer months. There is amazingly fast WiFi Internet service in the reception area. Jeep (4X4) or camel treks into the Saharan sand dunes are easily arranged, as well as other excursions to various kasbahs, ksars or the verdant Drâa valley and nearby oases. The large walled compound at Chez le Pacha has terraces, flowers, peacocks, and even a camel and a donkey. Nora, Chez le Pacha's helpful and friendly receptionist, speaks very good English. Highly recommended. [In French, German] Dar el Janoub Another comfortable place to stay in the Sahara is auberge-hôtel Dar el Janoub, located in the tiny village of Hassi-Lbied, near Merzouga, Rissani and Erfoud in the far south of Morocco. Paul Bowles could not have found a more comfortable place to stay in the Moroccan desert so vividly described in his short story "The Baptism of Solitude". Explore the Erg Chebbi dunes, nearby oases, and enjoy the peace and quiet which the desert uniquely provides. Dar el Janoub has a swimming pool, and its accommodations are in 17 air-conditioned rooms, two junior suites, or two suites, each with a lounge and a private terrace that directly overlooks the dunes. The restaurant provides traditional Moroccan food, and there is a bar, but no televisions or telephones, thus ensuring a quiet and relaxing experience. Upon request, you may also take a jeep excursion (4x4 vehicle) or camel trek into the dunes for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation in the Sahara region of southern Morocco. Dar el Janoub is open year around, and the rooms have individually-controlled heating and cooling systems. [Español, English, Italiano, Français] HOW TO CALL TELEPHONES IN MOROCCO Morocco's international telephone country code is 212. When calling from outside Morocco, do not dial the first 0 after the 212 country code. To connect to a fixed telephone, you dial 212 and 5, and then the rest of the number (omitting any 0 after the 212). From abroad, to dial a portable or mobile phone in Morocco, you dial 212 and 6 and then the rest of the number (omitting any 0 after the 212). To dial a fixed telephone from within Morocco, first dial 05 and then the number. To dial a mobile or cellular phone from within Morocco, first dial 06 and then the number. Morocco's two main telephone and Internet service providers are Maroc Telecom (also known as Itissalat Al-Maghrib or IAM), and Méditel. |
[Recommended]
[Web site is in English and many other languages.]