Holiday Extras are a travel service website that allows their customers to choose the best
deals on services such as an airport hotel to finding the best value airport parking for when they are planning their trip away.

It is this expert industry knowledge that makes Holiday Extras the perfect hosts for the Holiday Extras Customer Awards 2011 and it really captured the interests of their customers, who voted in their thousands to pick the companies that they thought offered the best service throughout the holiday industry.

66,000 people voted and here is who they thought came out on top:

Category
Winner
Best airline
Emirates
Best airline cabin crew
Emirates
Best airline for value for money
easyJet
Best airline for travelling with babies Virgin Atlantic
Best airline for disabled travellers Virgin Atlantic
Best airport
Belfast International
Best airport hotel
Gatwick Sofitel
Best airport hotel restaurant
Manchester Premier Inn
Best airport hotel for families
Manchester Premier Inn
Best airport car park
Edinburgh Park and Fly
Best airport lounge
Edinburgh Servisair
Most inspirational travel film
Shirley Valentine
Best travel guide publisher
Lonely Planet

The awards have been running for three years now and they are going from strength to strength each year. This is proof of how well they have been received by the public who clearly appreciate the way in which the awards allow them to see who their fellow travellers
believe to be the best companies that you can travel with. The number of voters this year almost tripled from the number of people who voted last year, again more proof that awards were something that was lacking from the travel industry.

This year’s awards were held on the 15th September in London.

Because the winners were voted for by the people who really matter (their customers) it gives a true reflection of the companies who give the best service without any industry bias being involved.

There were two new categories introduced this year and they were the categories for the most inspirational travel film, which was voted to be Shirley Valentine and the second new category was the best travel guide publisher which was voted as the Lonely Planet guide books.

Holiday Extras are not planning on stopping here though; they have bigger and better plans for next year. They want to add more categories and are planning on getting more people involved with the voting. This year the voters were put into a draw to say thank you for taking part and the winner received a fantastic package that tallowed them a stay in one of the luxury airport hotels with a meal before their flight the next day plus 2 week’s airport parking.

Watch this space because these awards are starting to set an industry standard!

Photos of Morocco – A selection of photos from Morocco archived by city.

Photos of Morocco

Here is a look at why this blog was nominated for the 2011 Bombies.

To nominate a blog for the Best of Morocco Blogs, just make sure it fits the criteria at this post and then let us know about it!

Raising Rabat – The journal of a woman raising a child in Morocco.

Raising Rabat

Here is a look at why this blog was nominated for the 2011 Bombies.

Everyday, more traffic. Silly amounts of traffic, all of these drivers, in all five rows are jocking for placement in the one lane that leads into the middle of the city. I would have liked to taken a more pictures of the one lane, but there is a traffic officer watching the mayhem. I don’t want to be the crazy lady with a camera caught taking pictures of the police. Which is a HUGE no, no.

To nominate a blog for the Best of Morocco Blogs, just make sure it fits the criteria at this post and then let us know about it!

2010 has been an incredible year for blogging in and about Morocco. We’ve seen some favorite blogs disappear and some new blogs that were born and have become new favorites.

We are sure that the 2011 Bombies will be even more exciting and rewarding than last years Best of Morocco Blogs contest. We are now accepting nominations for the 2011 Bombies. Our criteria are as follows:

1) Blog must be about Morocco or written in Morocco.
2) Must have posted at least ten times in 2010 about or in Morocco.
3) Not overly focused on commercial ventures. We don’t mind if you sell things, but nominations must be more than a sales blog.

This year there will be a few changes to our categories :

1) Best Overall Morocco Blog
2) Best Morocco Travel Blog
3) Best Expat in Morocco Blog
4) Best Morocco News/Commentary Blog
5) Best Morocco Food/Cooking Blog
6) Best Morocco Art/Culture Blog
7) Best Morocco Non-English Blog
8) Best Morocco Twitter to Follow
9) Best Morocco Facebook Group/Page
10) Best Morocco Photo Blog

We will accept nominations until midnight on December 31, 2010. Voting will begin one week later and run for one month. (Approximately January 7th, 2011 – February 7th, 2011.

Wouldn't you like to put this badge on your site? Wouldn't it be even better to put Winner?

In addition we are looking for sponsors of the Bombies. If you or your business would like to sponsor the awards with either cash or a prize please contact us using the form below.

Sponsoring the contest or advertising during the Bombies is a great way to let the world know about your Morocco business or product.

To nominate a blog, make sure it complies with our policies above. Use the contact form below to send us the following:

CATEGORY OF NOMINATION (from the list above)
NAME OF THE BLOG
URL OF THE BLOG
(optional) REASON WHY THIS BLOG IS THE BOMB

If you would like us to use your design for the 2011 badges, please contact us with your sample.

To see a complete list of nominees and winners for the 2010 Bombies you can check out this link:
http://moroccoblogs.com/2010/02/the-2010-bombies-best-of-morocco-blogs-complete-list-of-nominees-and-winners/

Life in Marrakesh – The chronicles of an American lady who grew up in Marrakesh, Morocco, has two degree, three children, speaks four languages. Laugh, cry or roll your eyes as you read her chronicles of what life is really like in Marrakesh.

Life In Marrakesh

Here is a look at why this blog was nominated for the 2011 Bombies.

Ramadan has made the transition back to Morocco, after two months in the states, very kind. Most people are being the best they can be. Those who generally “know better”, in Ramadan actually “do better”. When I walk by, I can recognize the young men who might, if they weren’t fasting, make boorish cat-calls to me and any other female. But because it’s Ramadan, they just lower their gaze (and I don’t need to puke, thank you very much).One of the Islamic teachings about Ramadan is that “demons are chained up, and the gates of heaven are thrown open”. It does seem that people are freed from their demons, because when you give up food, smoking, sex, drinking and drugs, for 14 hours a day, what demons are left? I drove through the empty streets of Marrakesh, and really that was a treat in itself. There is no other time when the driving is that pleasant.The Koutoubia mosque was built some 1000 years ago (ok, I’m a little loose with dates), by the founders of Marrakesh, the Almoravids. It was then partially destroyed and rebuilt by the Almohads around 1150 C.E. It stands at an impressive 69 m (221 ft) which was quite an architectural feat for its time. Tonight, the towering minaret is all ablaze with lights. Atop the minaret are 4 decorative golden balls, tour guides will often perpetuate the urban myth that highest ball was donated by the wife of Sultan Yaqoub el Mansour, who melted down all her gold jewelry, as penance for breaking her fast. (I find this Arabian nights-esque tale rather implausible, as there are 3 ways of atoning for a fast that is broken for no reason: either freeing a slave, or if that’s not possible, then feeding 60 poor people, or fasting 2 months back to back).

To nominate a blog for the Best of Morocco Blogs, just make sure it fits the criteria at this post and then let us know about it!

Air Arabia offers a no frills flight from Casablanca to Istanbul for just about 750 dirham each way! If you’re a Moroccan national, you don’t even need to have a visa, they stamp you on arrival. Those from the UK, US, Australia, and other countries will need to get a visa upon arrival which ends up costing about $20 U.S.

Once you arrive in Istanbul, you can visit famous sites such as the Blue Mosque and the Aya Sofya in Sultanahmet and enjoy yourself in a culture that is different from Morocco’s but still familiar enough to make it a great travel destination for both first time travelers and old salts alike.

Our recommendation is to book a room at the Hotel Ayasofya. The owner Gaye Reeves has Moroccan family in Fez and comes to Morocco several times each year to visit. It’s a great place and is close enough to all of the major attractions that you can walk with ease.

So what are you waiting for? Give yourself a post Ramadan treat and visit Istanbul for a weekend or longer! The price is right and the timing is perfect!

For airline tickets go to AirArabia.com
To book a room go to http://ayasofyahotel.com/

Eid Mubarak is a traditional Muslim greeting reserved for use on the festivals of Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. The phrase translates into English as “blessed festival”, and can be paraphrased as “may you enjoy a blessed festival”. Muslims wish each other Eid Mubarak after performing the Eid prayer. This celebration continues until the end of the day for Eid ul-Fitr (or al-Fitr) and continues a further three days for Eid ul-Adha (or Al-Adha). However, in the social sense people usually celebrate Eid ul-Fitr in the same length as Eid ul-Adha, such as family visits, and exchange greetings, such as “Eid Mubarak”. It is notable that saying these exact words is a cultural tradition influenced by deep roots of religion in it; however, it is not part of any religious obligations. Speakers of Arabic might also add “kul ‘am wantum bikhair.” Which means “[May] you be well every year”

Eid refers to the occasion itself, and Mubarak means ‘Blessed’.

Throughout the Muslim world there are numerous other ways of greeting for Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. The Companions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad used to say to each other when they met on Eid ul-Fitr:

Taqabbalallâhu minnâ wa minkum Which means “[May] God accepts from us and from you” which means “may God accept from us and you [our fasts and deeds]“.

An exception to this use in the Muslim world is Turkey where ‘Eid Mubarak’ is not common at all. The Turkish Bayramin Mubarek olsun, meaning may your holiday be blessed is common. Whereas in Pashtun areas of Afghanistan and Pashtunkhwa, the Pashto Akhtar de nekmregha sha, meaning “may your festival be blessed” is common.

-from wikipedia

Jess Stevens of Culture Vultures Fes is having an exhibition of the unusual and fresh work of…Jess Stephens! The show includes sculpture, art jewelery, painting and other 2D, 3D and electronic marks.

Please note that LIFE SIZE opens on Wednesday 15th of September and runs until the 25th and since we’ve already seen some of Jess’s work, we can tell you that you don’t want to miss this.

As long as we’ve known Jess she has dedicated herself to getting the word out about Moroccan artists, musicians, poets, performers, and crafters. If there was an award for Welsh women who have contributed to the growth and appreciation of the Moroccan art scene, we are sure that His Majesty, the King would bestow it upon her.

Now is a chance to see some of what Jess has been doing with her diverse talents, diverse background, and diverse self! Go, go, go!

Morocco Blogs is proud to be working in concert with Rough Guides to bring you the best Moroccan travel and tourist advice available anywhere. Look forward to more great Morocco travel information in the future from Rough Guides and Morocco Blogs!

Morocco: things not to miss in Marrakesh

For Westerners, Morocco’s perceived foreignness gives it an immediate and enduring
fascination – even though it’s just an hour’s ride on the ferry from Spain. And visiting Marrakesh, or Morocco City as early travellers called it, is a good way of getting a taste of the country. This pleasure city, a marketplace where the southern tribesmen and Berber villagers bring in their goods, spend their money and find entertainment, is packed with things to do. So we’re taking the hassle out of trip planning and bringing you the places not to miss in Marrakesh – taken from The Rough Guide to Morocco and The Rough Guide Marrakesh.

The Majorelle Garden

The Majorelle Garden, or Jardin Bou Saf, is a meticulously planned twelve-acre botanical
garden, created in the 1920s and 1930s by French painter Jacques Majorelle, and now
owned by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. The feeling of tranquillity in the garden is
enhanced by verdant groves of bamboo, dwarf palm and agave, the cactus garden and
the various lily-covered pools. Don’t miss the pavilion – Majorelle’s former studio is now a
museum of Islamic arts exhibiting Saint Laurent’s fine personal collection of North African
carpets, pottery, furniture and doors.

The Koutoubia Mosque

The symbol of Marrakesh, the Koutoubia’s twelfth-century minaret is a dramatic
landmark in the otherwise architecturally sparse Djemaa el Fna square. At nearly seventy
metres high, the minaret is visible for miles on a clear morning and is the oldest and most
complete of the three great Almohad towers. Work on the minaret probably began shortly
after the Almohad conquest of the city, around 1150 – you’ll see in it many of the features
that were to become widespread in Moroccan architecture.

The Bahia

By far the most ambitious and costly of the mansions north of the Mellah was the Bahia
Palace, originally built in 1866–7 for Si Moussa, a former slave who had risen to become
grand vizier. Visitors enter the palace from the west, through an arcaded courtyard which
leads to a small riad (enclosed garden), part of Bou Ahmed’s extension. The riad is decorated
with beautiful carved stucco and cedarwood, with salons leading off it on three sides. The
eastern salon leads through to the council room and then through a vestibule – where it’s
worth pausing to look up at the lovely painted ceiling – to the great courtyard of Si Moussa’s
original palace.

The Djemaa el Fna

There’s nowhere in Morocco like the Djemaa el Fna – no place that so effortlessly
involves you and keeps you coming back for more. You’ll be fascinated by the remedies
of the herb doctors, with their bizarre concoctions spread out before them. Or for a more
traditional entertainment there are performers, too – the square’s acrobats have for years
supplied the European circuses, though they are perhaps never as spectacular as here,
thrust forward into multiple somersaults and contortions in the late afternoon heat.