Saharan Sands - Family holiday

The camel trek and booking a hamam on the last day.

The adverse weather conditions meant that in the desert there were no stars at night.Therefore the berber stories and campfire were also aborted even though something else could have been arranged. The vegetarian food was dreadful in the restaurants and the service was always awful. Many meals were forgotten, usually my sons. Ed's birthday was in his words the worst. His lovely cake was presented at 11pm after another horrible meal. Edward just thought noone cared. He had travelled much of the day and the guide had never mentioned it until then.He said that in his culture birthdays were not celebrated. The cake was lovely but I was saddened that Ed hadn't enjoyed himself. He may be 14 but he's still young.

I didn't wnat to write a negative report as the Indian holiday had been amazing. This holiday was wondeful in other ways. The camel trip was just what I wanted and I had such fun in the hamam which I booked myself. More time should be spent in Marrakesh. I thought the guide lacked initiative for entertainment when things are different to the usual like weather or birthdays. Although he enjoyed talking to some guests I felt overlooked as a single person and often very left out. It wasn't a great holiday and I really hope that China will be as amazing as the India one last year.

I have made my comments in another box.

Mrs F travelled in April 2012

The highlight for our children was definitely playing on the sand dunes with the other children on the tour. For the adults it was either bartering in the souks of Marrakech or the amazing number of stars visible at night in the desert. The pace of life in the desert was also a real plus. Within days of being on the tour work felt a million miles away.

The wait in Casablanca airport on the first night was the least enjoyable part of the trip. A three hour wait late at night with children when you don't have any currency is not the best way to spend the first evening. It does add a sense of getting of the beaten track however. 

At first I thought that perhaps more could have been put into the itinerary than just going to Tazzarine and essentially just waiting there for a night either side of the camel trek. On reflection though it really helped set a relaxed pace that made the trip more enjoyable.

The hotel in Marrakech was a bit of a disappointment. It was a reasonable distance from the Medina (although there was a direct bus) and the rooms were not that great. In particular a hotel with reliable hot water after a few nights in the desert would be appreciated. 

Our group leader Slimane Aziz and his assistant Mohamed Mazoz were bout outstanding and I would recommend them to any group. They were particularly good with the children teaching them Moraccan cards and learning some their games. Slimane's knowledge in particular was excellent and he answered all questions confidently or would find an answer if he didn't know. His organisation skills were outstanding and the trip ran very smoothly. None of the group wanted to do the tour of the Atlas Studios and he dealt with this easily, ensuring we got to see other things in the extra time this generated. Both of them are highly recommended.

Mr R - Travelled in February 2012