Quinta Sao Domingos holiday apartments in Guimaraes, central Portugal

Lynn and Tom Hart are pleased to announce that Quinta Sao Domingos in Guimaraes, near Viseu Portugal is now open for business.

Swimming pool, BBQ, terrace and gardens with your own luxurious apartment

A restored farm house and adega (wine house) on the edge of a small village in Central Portugal. The village, Guimaraes, is located about 8 miles north east of the town of Viseu about three miles off the road to Satao.

The Viseu skyline

There are two apartments in the Quinta, (farmhouse) one 2 bedroom, and one 1 bedroom.

Quinta Rosa is on the ground floor and has a kitchen, utility room, toilet, large lounge, and double bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Across the small internal courtyard there is a further double bedroom and ensuite shower room suitable for people with disabilities. It should be noted that the rooms are on different levels so internal access with a wheel chair is limited.

Quinta Azul is on the first floor with access up the staircase at the front of the Quinta with 14 steps. There is a large open plan kitchen and living room, double bedroom and ensuite bathroom.


We offer four self catering apartments, 2 x 2 bedroom and 2 x 1 bedroom. There is a 12m x 6m outdoor swimming pool, with an outside kitchen to enjoy barbecues and the local wine. This is a beautiful largely unspoilt area and is ideal for a quiet restful holiday. The apartments have been refurbished over the last two years, and furnished and equipped to a high standard, they are kept meticulously clean.




Adega Tinta is on the first floor up 10 steps to an open plan kitchen and lounge. There are two bedrooms with shower rooms, one double with a view of the lagar (wine making room) and one twin.

Adega Branca is an upside down apartment, reached up six steps,†with the double bedroom and ensuite bathroom underneath the lounge and open plan kitchen

The village is quiet and peaceful with virtually no traffic and looks over a beautiful rolling landscape to the Serra de Estrela Mountains in the east.

Our garden contains orange, tangerine, lemon, grapefruit, peach, apple, pear, fig, pomegranate, walnut and chestnut trees, together with a small vineyard and flowers.



For more information please visit our website or contact us.



Quinta Sao Domingos

Guimaraes

Sao Pedro De France

Viseu 3505-350

Portugal

00351 232 924 154

lynnhart49@gmail.com

www.quintasaodomingos.com

Skype tomatmill

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Gulf of Hope the childrens charity in El Salvador

Esther and Omar Mendez are raising funds to bring education, medical supplies, food and clothing to less privileged children in El Salvador.

* By Ramola Talwar Badam,Dubai-based freelancer, Friday

What Gulf for Hope charity
Where La Union, El Salvador
Who Esther and Omar Mendez, a couple based in Abu Dhabi
Why Helping educate less privileged children in El Salvador so that they might improve their circumstances by realising their potential
How Turn the page to find out how the Mendezes are setting up a charity, which was inspired by a trip to El Salvador three years ago...

German-born Esther Mendez still remembers looking into the bright brown eyes of a little girl named Iris whom she met while visiting her husband Omar's hometown, El Salvador three years ago. The six-year-old had been abandoned by her parents and as a result was being raised by a distant relative in the city of La Union.

Although little Iris was attending a school, which had very few facilities, and Mama Martha - the lady who looks after her - was earning a meagre $5 a week on which they had to survive, her eyes were brimming with optimism and hope. She was staying in a small windowless home adjacent to where one of Omar's relatives lived and had picked up a smattering of English words which enabled her to communicate with Esther and Omar.

It was the innocence in Iris' eyes that got Esther thinking about ways to help less privileged children like her. She wanted to do something, which would help children receive a proper education and be taught life skills to help them break free from their circumstances.

"It really started with Iris," says Esther. "We got to know her during our trip to South America in 2007. But even after I returned home, I simply couldn't forget her." When Esther and Omar returned to La Union in January last year, they took two suitcases full of children's clothes with them to distribute to the needy.



They also enrolled Iris in a private school, paying $380 for the year, which would take care of her books and uniforms.

Esther is a safety consultant in the oil and gas industry while Omar is an electrician. Education is the foundation that the couple want to build on. They moved from Houston in the US to live in Abu Dhabi a year ago.

Helping Iris get a proper education got them thinking about around 30 other children living near a railroad track close to Iris' home. "We found out that these kids were being ridiculed in school because they didn't have paper to write on. They used scrap paper picked up from bins to write on," recalls Omar. The couple decided to buy some school supplies - crayons, notebooks, and so on - to distribute to these children on their next visit.



The beginning

Omar had left El Salvador at the age of 16 for the US where most of his family have now settled. He returns once a year to La Union because he knows that there are many families who need help.

But it was only after he visited his home country with his wife that the idea of changing the lives of children by setting up a charity began to take concrete shape. "I didn't realise how many children we could actually help. When I went back with Esther, that's when we thought of making a difference," he says.

Registering a charity in El Salvador costs $2,000. To raise funds this, the couple shaved off their hair in exchange for sponsorship. They have decided to name the organisation Gulf of Hope.

After seeing the difference they were able to make in Iris' life when she started attending a better school, they decided to approach the local authorities so they could set up a more formal system of offering local children better education.

They also paid for the schooling and supplies for five girls who live near Iris' house. These girls go to a government school where they pay between $20 and $50 per child for the whole year.

Once the charity is officially registered with the authorities in El Salvador, the couple plan to pay for the hiring of an extra English teacher at the school. They also intend to fund two computers so that the children can learn more about technology. The couple also plan to have a local doctor pay monthly visits to the school.

Explains Esther: "If the children improve their English language and computer skills, they have a better chance of improving their circumstances. Our vision is to give them the opportunity to get away from $5-a-week jobs.

"I don't expect all of them to become fluent in English and move around the world,'' she says. "We only hope we will be able to facilitate in unlocking their potential."

Esther points out that without proper schooling, the children will end up in poorly paid jobs and would not be able to improve their lives.



Raising funds

But all of this costs money. To date, the couple has been dipping into their personal savings to make these changes. But they have now reached a point where they need help with funds to register the charity and to pay for the doctor and teacher. They are in the process of finding sponsorship to fund the children's education expenses. They have also been in touch with several companies to donate computers as well as an airline that they hope will waive excess baggage charges when they transport the clothing donation boxes to El Salvador.

"Sourcing funds to make the changes is priority," says Esther. "But even if we are not able to raise money, we will continue using our savings to help these kids as far as possible."

They are focusing their energies on community efforts. "We need a teacher from the area who can teach the kids and maybe even the parents too. We want these changes to be sustainable. The changes need to focus on the long-term, so that the initiatives can continue to develop even when we're not there," says Esther.

She then returns to the topic of Iris. "She (Iris) believes she is special. She has Mama Martha, the relative who looks after her. She also now has Mama Esther and another Mama, the mother of the girls who live next door," she adds.

But there is a tinge of sadness in her voice as she explains that Iris' case is not an isolated one. "There are many other kids who have a story similar to hers. I think there are only a handful of kids who still live with both their biological parents."

According to Omar, many young people left the country to search for work in the US due to the political instability that prevailed between 1980 and 1992.

"The reason I - and many others like me - left was because of the war," he says.

The couple calls the families once a month to keep track of the girls' progress in school. On visits to El Salvador, Esther checks their school books to gauge how well the children are being taught.

The couple and the girls share a strong bond even though they are physically separated.

Esther says it is touching to see Iris do so well in her studies. Not only does she lap up all that she is taught in school, she also imparts what she has learnt to her neighbourhood friends who are unable to attend a private school.

"She likes to share her knowledge," says Esther fondly. "She explains things to the other kids in her neighbourhood who are not attending a private school. I think they might know as many English words as she does by now!"



Setting an example

Before they embarked on setting up Gulf of Hope, the couple contributed extensively to international charities. Esther says she hopes their new drive will encourage like-minded people to volunteer.

"If you send money to charities, you don't always know exactly what is happening to your money. Here I know exactly where it's going because I directly influence how it is used."

She would like potential donors to visit La Union and see how their money can change lives.

"Come with us and see for yourself. I'm hoping to bridge this gap between just sending money and being involved hands-on. We have a house there and all are welcome to stay with us. You can speak to the kids and get to know them better and in turn get to know how your efforts are making a difference."

‘My hobby: studying'

Education is the key to their charity succeeding in its mission and for Esther, it defines who she is.

A principal engineer, she started out as a mathematician and now has three Master's degrees - in operations research, oil and gas engineering and in holistic nutrition. "While other people have hobbies, I study," she says. Omar, meanwhile, is busy studying German and Italian.

Esther was born in Cologne, Germany and has a British passport. She has worked in England, Scotland and the US, while Omar is from La Union and has a US passport. The two met in Houston.

So, what will draw others to help children in a country many people know little about? "I'm hoping that people will realise how fortunate they really are," says Esther. "I'm hoping that people will simply be touched by these kids' stories. If we can help even one child in the world in some little way, wonderful changes are possible."

Her eyes light up as she speaks of the children. "We want more for them so they may improve their lives. They need education to break away from the lives their parents lived."

Imparting life skills to children is also part of their long-term plan. While Omar will teach older kids handyman skills, Esther will teach the girls sewing so that they could one day set up their own small businesses.

Small steps that will go a long way:

Gulf for Hope's sponsor list so far includes relatives, colleagues and friends but you too can help. Esther regularly updates their blog with news at http://gulfofhope.blogspot.com. You can contact her at gulfofhope@gmail.com.

"Any contribution helps; it doesn't have to be money," says Esther. "Little things really can make a big difference in their lives. It's not about flashing money around and saying, ‘Look, we can get these kids into college.' It's about taking little steps... and we need to keep on walking."

Consider that...

* $5 provides school supplies for two children for six months.
* $25 provides school fees for a child for a month.
* $40 a doctor and dentist check-up for a child.
* $500 will provide quality, private education for a child for a year.

If you would like to help Esther and Omar visit their blog, donate or contact them

Gulf of Hope, childrens charity in El Salvador

A face full of future hope

Gulf of Hope is a new charity, providing support to the children of La Union, El Salvador. We currently provide schooling for six little girls, and school supplies to about 30 boys and girls, as well as clothes and other needs we identify when we get there.
We are aiming for nonprofit humanitarian organization status which we hope to achieve in 2010. We are focusing on providing the means for education to impoverished children. We are hoping that caring donors the world over give these poor children an opportunity at a better life.
As an organization, we are fairly young. In the future, we are hoping to impact every aspect of a child's life, providing assistance to ‘our children’ in areas such as:
Health: access to a doctor, dentist, vaccines and medicine
Education: uniforms and school supplies, tuition assistance, access to tutoring
Nutrition: malnutrition screenings, feeding programs, supplements and educational programs
Youth: peer education, civic responsibility and scholarships
Community: clean-water initiatives, sanitary latrines and micro-enterprise programs
Family: household items, income-generation programs, educational opportunities and housing and home-repair assistance

She has the chance at a good education thanks to our donors

WHO IS GULF OF HOPE?
Gulf of Hope: education as a tool against poverty, violence, drug and alcohol abuse.
She has the chance at a good education thanks to our donors

DONATIONS
Every little helps!
$5 provides school supplies for two children for a full six months.
$5 provides food for a child for a week.
$25 provides school fees for a child for a month.
$40 a check-up at both the doctor and the dentist for a child.
$500 will provide quality education for a child for a whole year – the basis for a better tomorrow for the child and the family!
Donations are accepted year-round and will be distributed when appropriate. For further information, keep an eye on this blog or just ask!

Visit Gulf of Hope and give them your support

Mini Hummer comes to the Malaga region

Visit the new blog of Mini Hummer today

Mini Hummer Spain have ordered a new blog site from mediamorocco to help introduce the new GM licensed range of Electric cars.

Based in Marbella Costa del Sol we're proud to exclusively offer you
the GM licensed H1, H2, H3 HUMMER™ the Roadster and Cadillac™Escalade™.

The GM™ Hummer™ Design

Even at a glance you immediately know the Mini HUMMER™ H3™ is a HUMMER™. The signature 7 -slot louvered grille, oval head lamps, large tyres, the near vertical lines of the rear sides of the vehicle are all classic HUMMER™ cues.

The Mini HUMMER™ H3™ is the first proportionally correct and only officially licenced custom estate/golf car styled after the H3™ HUMMER™. The Mini HUMMER™ H3™ is built with all of the quality assurances that an officially licenced GM™ engineered product should have and is built so that it can display the H3™ HUMMER™ emblem proudly.

It includes distinguished features such as 15 inch custom built and proportioned HUMMER™ wheels, rugged all aluminium I-beam chassis and genuine HUMMER™ chrome grill. Standard features include functional headlights, rear lights, indicators, four / six seats and the industries leading batteries - Trojan T-875's.



Built-in Safety Features
The HUMMER™ H3™ is built using reliable safety features that most other Custom Electric Vehicles don't offer. Features include extra large mirrors, head lights, brake lights, turn signal lights, fog lights, a reverse warning buzzer, safety horn and hazard lights.

To ensure a safe an reliable stopping distance the HUMMER™ H3™ Estate/Golf Car is equipped with a standard 4 wheel braking system that features front hydraulic disk brakes and self adjusing rear drum brakes.

Great for sponsorship and events rentals available

The Mini HUmmer is availabe from
Garden Solutions and JHK Special Garden

Mamounia Hotel Marrakech auctions 5000 lots of colonial history

The Mamounia, one of the world's great old hotels, is selling off its furnishings -- curtains, crockery, sheets and all -- at a four-day auction in Marrakech in May expected to bring in 5.5 million euros.


The hotel frequented by the rich and famous since opening in 1923 has been closed for three years for a revamp and is due to reopen next summer or autumn.

Auctioneer Claude Aguttes said Tuesday that 5,000 lots representing 99.5 percent of its contents will go under the block at the May 21-24 auction.



Winston Churchill, who liked to stay there during the European winter, is among its most celebrated guests along with Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, Omar Sharif, the Reagans, Nelson Mandela and Princess Caroline of Monaco.

Scenes from Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 movie "The Man Who Knew Too Much" were shot there.

A second sale of 3,000 lots is to be held in June.

Thanks to View from Fez

CRM Solar shower be green and clean this summer

Be green and save energy with a CRM solar shower

The CRM Solar Shower for garden or pool area is now available in the tangier area.
The best place to install one of these superb solar showers is close to the pool but facing South so it catches the most sun during the day. The shower will heat your water to up to 25 degrees and will even work on dull or overcast days.

Available in three types for home and garden use

CRM also have commercial solar showers perfect for public beaches or pools contact CRM Tangier on 00 212 (0) 39 94 03 00 for more details.

A tour of Tangier with Cesar from Savoir Vivre

For more details on Atlantic Magna development as featured in this video please contact Noa.

Bin Fishing a Rhythmic Balanced Interchange company

To find out more book a trip

Hotel Bin el Ouidane, Azilal features on 2M

Hamid Oullam the charismatic owner of Hotel Bin el Ouidane launched his 2M TV debut video today and from all at Media Morocco we would like to congratulate him on some great exposure for the region and the small but growing tourism industry that is growing in the region, keep up the good work Hamid



visit Hamids web site

Atlantic Magna luxury 2 bed apartment offered for Sale or rent on Tangiers Atlantic coast Kings Beach

Atlantic Magna 5 star luxury on the Kings beach Tangier

Atlantic Magna is located in the most prestigious and exclusive area of Tangier, close to Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules yet only 10 mins from the airport and 15 from Tangier Centre.
This large 2 bedroom 2 bathroom ground floor apartment sleeps 6 people and is finished with traditional Tadelakt walls and Travatino marble in the bathrooms. The finishing throughout is of exceptionally high qualities.
As a ground floor apartment you can walk out to the landscaped gardens and pools, yet still have magnificent views to the Atlantic.

Bathrooms are finished in wall to ceiling Travatino Marble

The apartment is available for rental short or long term from January 2009. The apartment is also offered for sale immediately.

Technical Specification:

2 bedrooms 2 Bathrooms (1 en suite)

Fitted kitchen, living room, dining area, tea room

Berber lounge - could be converted to 3rd bedroom with access to:

interior and exterior patios.

Build surface 120.60 m2

Terrace and interior patio 45.57 m2

24 hour gated security, underground parking, storage room.

Architects: Gonzales & Jacobson.

41,130 m2 site, 72 apartments of 2/3 bedrooms

Atlantic Magna is perched front line above the beach and only a pleasant stroll to the Caves of Hercules and the magnificent Mirage Hotel with a wonderful al fresco dining terrace and a colonial feel club house bar. The Mirage has 25 suites built into the cliff side and it really is a special place to enjoy a civilised lunch or sundowner or two.

Rental
The Apartment is managed by Jurgen and Farida the owners of La Tangerina Hotel in the Kasba of Tangier. La Tangerina handle all rental bookings and the day to day management of the apartment in the same profesional way they manage their excellent hotel.

The apartment will be furnished to the highest standards and available for rent from the 1st January 2009.

For bookings of less than & week a 2 night minimum applies.

Long Term Rental 2000/month min 6 month contract.

Prices in Euros

Per night/min 2 per week 2 Bed sleep 6: 220 night / 1400 week

Additional bed +20% taxes included

+20% High season (March April /July & August)

Offer: For Sale

This 2 bedroom ground floor apartment of 165 sq metres situated in the residential complex of Atlantic Magna, Tangier is due for completion in October 2008.

Price:

Reserve price range of 295,000 - 335,000+ depending on the progression from uncompleted property with private contract to furnished rental apartment with ongoing rental bookings. (Prior to completion developer guarenteed finance available up to 150k)

Please contact me through the reservations system if you are interested in purchasing the property for a price update and progress report.

Morocco
While most house buyers are initially drawn to Morocco for its cheap property prices and its low cost of living, it does not take them long for them to become enamoured by the country, which has since the Romans, charmed and fascinatedthose that land on its shores. In 1999, the new King Mohammed VI came into power vowing to modernize Morocco, strengthen civil libertiesand democratise the country. Foreigners are warmly welcomed and their are no restrictions on foreign investment.

Investment bullet points:
Tangier superport, Europe's biggest port managed by Maersk opens 2008.

The straits of Gibraltar tunnel from Tangier to Tarifa (Spain)

20 Bn USD Direct foreign investment into Tangier mainly from the Gulf countries.

Spain only 14 km and 35 minutes on the fast ferry.

Unspoilt Atlantic beach coast with glorious 300 days of sunshine

The region still in infancy.

Prices significantly cheaper than Spain.

Favourable tax regime. e.g no tax on rental income for 5 years. No IHT if passed on to a family
70% mortgage available subject to usual requirements

Only three hours flight from major UK airports

Open sky agreement signed therefore low cost airlines fly and cheaper fares

High Quality and Prices still affordable Property hot spot Fabulous Sports facilities, Golf Courses, Yachting, Tennis Clubs, Water skiing, Sailing, Scuba diving and Camel treks etc.

Luxurious life style at low cost For more information leave a comment with your email on this post and I will get back to you:

Hotel Bin el Ouidane launch promo video for the Azilal region

Hotel Bin el Ouidane promo video

A great little video of the stunning scenery and natural wonders of the Azilal region in the middle Atlas mountains. Azilal is situated between Fez and Marrakech and Hotel Bin el Ouidane makes a logical stop of point for those travelling between the two.
The mountain scenery and lake make for a calm and relaxing stay with plenty of opportunities for those that wish some excercise, like mountain biking, quads or kayak. Hotel Bin el Ouidane also offers Carp fishing through Morocco Carp and there are some very big fish being caught from the water with the lake record currently at 29.5 kg.

Enjoy this little trip to the middle Atlas mountains of Morocco

Moroccan Govt. announces 08- 2012 economic strategy

economics minister Salaheddine Mezouar

Casablanca - Economy and Finance minister, Salaheddine Mezouar, unveiled the main aspects of the 2008-2012 strategy for socio-economic development to cope with the current global economic situation.

Speaking at a conference on "the current economic situation and the 2008-2012 prospects," Mezouar said despite a gloomy global economy that is characterized by soaring prices of raw materials and energy, notably oil, Morocco continues to achieve major steps forward at all levels.

The North African country needs an innovative private sector to reduce the unemployment rate and poverty rate that currently stands at 21% of the total population, he said.

Highlighting the economic prospects of Morocco in 2008, the minister assured the economic players that inflation will remain under control in a range of 2%, the budget deficit will be reduced to 3% of GDP, and global economic growth will reach 6 ,8%.

Iberia's Air Nostrum announces new flights from Spain to Tangier and Casablanca

Madrid - Spanish low-cost air company "Air Nostrum", Iberia's subsidiary, will launch new air routes linking Malaga and Barcelona to Tangier (North) and to Morocco's economic capital, Casablanca, the company announced on Wednesday.

The Tangier-Malaga and Tangier-Barcelona flights, are scheduled to start as of July 25 at a rate of two flights a week for each air route, a press release of the company said, noting that the flights between Malaga and Casablanca will be launched, starting from October 26, at a rate of four flights a week.

These new air routes are part of Air Nostrum's ambition to contribute to developing trade relations between the two countries and giving impetus to bilateral exchanges as regards the social, cultural and touristic fields, wrote the same source.

Established in 1994, "Air Nostrum" is a regional airline based in Valencia, Spain. It operates an extensive network of 91 domestic and international routes to 51 destinations.

Zapatero the Spanish Prime Minister visits Morocco

The Spanish premier is leading a delegation that includes mainly Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, Secretary General of the Government Presidency, Bernardino Leon, State Secretary for External Affairs, Angel Losada and State Secretary in charge of communication, Nieves Goicoechea.

Today’s is the fourth visit of Zapatero to Morocco since he was elected prime minister in 2003, and his first travel after re-election earlier this year.

It confirms the intense, permanent and regular nature of links between the two kingdoms.

A Picasso Photo album slide show

Property market still bullish in Morocco

Tangier is one of six Moroccan locations identified by the government to boost visitors from six million annually to 10m by 2011. There will be 600 miles of new roads and a 24-mile tunnel linking Tangier to Punta Palomas in Spain, 25 miles west of Gibraltar. There is now a daily hydrofoil from Malaga and car ferries take only 35 minutes from Tarifa.

Tangier is like an unspoilt Spanish city, but is slightly further south so even sunnier. There is plenty to do, too, and there is little sign that this is a Muslim country.

Traditional Riads make Tangier a pleasure

There are plenty of traditional riads, each built around an ornate courtyard, while outside the main town there is a major redevelopment of the coast. Part of this is the 2,500-home Tinja scheme. "These homes can be used throughout the year because of the good climate and facilities," says Majid Bennouna of Emaar, the Dubai-based developer.

Stephen Moss of the Hideaways Club, which offers fractional ownership of homes across the Mediterranean and has two properties in Morocco, says: "There is winter sun from September to April. A range of activities allow for different trips throughout the year, from trekking or skiing in the Atlas Mountains, to the history, culture and shopping opportunities in Marrakesh.

luxury developments on Tangier Atlantic coast nearing completion

"Being able to use the property during the year has a number of advantages," he adds. "For instance, you are not obliged to pay peak rates for plane tickets - and you are not restricted to a certain time of year to visit."

Government figures show that that since property became such an important part of Morocco's agenda for economic diversification and expansion, foreign direct investments have reached 0.91 billion U.S. dollars - from 245 million dollars back in 2002.

There has also been an almost 33% increase in the numbers of jobs in the construction industry in the same period.

Tangier a property investment hotspot close to Europe

Real estate agents report that the numbers of investment buyers have increased. The Marrakech property market, for example, has seen a growing influx of French, Spanish, American, Russian, Belgian, Italian, Kuwait, UAE, and British property investors, eager to cash in on this emerging market.

Land prices are also soaring. Since 2004 land prices have increased by 2% in areas like Marrakech and Tangier. But buying land is not easy. 'Many pieces of land on which luxury Moroccan properties can be built, are owned by large families or cooperatives and to sell it would require an agreement from every single one of them. It takes a long time, and often doesn't happen,' said a spokesman for Luxury Living in Morocco.



In Morocco, foreigners cannot buy and then resell land. They can only buy land to which they are going to add value. They can do this by building a residential building or tourist development. Agricultural land is sold to foreign investors together with a binding contract between the developers and the Moroccan local authority.

Thanks to the Telegraph and Propertywire

Tangier To Benefit From New High Speed Rail Link

In a move that is sure to have a positive effect on future prices of Tangier properties, Morocco’s state railway company are planning to invest millions of Euros in a new high speed rail network. Initially, the massive investment project will link the vibrant port city of Tangier to Casablanca which is a major centre for commerce and industry.

The vibrant port of Tangier is an investment hotspot for 2008

Work is scheduled to start this year on the new rail link. When complete prices of Tangier properties to expected to rise due to demand from wealthy citizens of Casablanca looking for second homes in the north of the country. It can be confidently expected that the high speed line will see greater numbers of visitors passing through Tangier’s ferry port, further adding to the local economy.

The company also envisage that the improved transport links to the rest of Morocco will encourage more international corporations to join the growing numbers of businesses locating in Tangier free zone, thus further fuelling the demand for quality new-build Tangier properties.

This is the first phase of a project costing 100 billion Moroccan Dirhams (10 billion Euros). The project aims to increase rail usage from its present level of 52 million passengers, to 133 million by 2030.

According to Morocco’s state railway company (ONCF) Director Strategy & Development, Azzedine El Amraoui, the new line is required to increase Morocco’s network capacity and tackle congestion on existing routes.

He went on to explain: “Building these lines for high speed operation will improve the network’s competitiveness and support the increasing demands for mobility in a sustainable way”. When complete, the 1500 km network would comprise two main corridors: The Atlantic route connecting Tanger, Casablanca and Marrakech with Agadir and Laâyoune, and the Maghreb line from Rabat to Fès, Oujda and potentially Alger. El Amraoui continued: “The new rail lines will improve links between the north and south of the country, encourage economic development and support the tourist industry, as well as facilitating international integration”.

Construction work on the Tangier – Casablanca section of line is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2009, with the first two sections of 320km route totalling 370km to be completed by 2015.
The introduction of a high speed line will cut the Casablanca - Tangier journey time from 5 hours to 2 hours 10 min. The new line is expected to handle 8 million passengers per year.

Thanks to Moroccan Sands for the article

La Tangerina Hotel has stunning new web site

Was just checking back to my favourite little hotel in Tangier perched on top of the Kasbah and I noticed their new web site was up online.
The web site like the hotel is really something special with 360 virtual tours and a radio player that for anyone that's visited La Tangerina this front page only music selection will travel you back to mint tea and cakes in the foyer of this wonderful little hotel.

The Virtual Tours of all the rooms, roof terrace and excellent little Hamman really take the guess work out of reserving a room and I the photos throughout the whole site are excellent.

Bravo La tangerina and looking forward to seeing you soon.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco and Princess Lalla Salma with son Moulay Hassan

King Mohammed VI and family in January 2008

A photo from January 2008 of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, 44, his wife Princess Lalla Salma, 29, and their son Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, 4 ½, welcomed King Abdullah II, 45, and Queen Rania of Jordan, 37, on an official visit to Morocco. Mohammed VI and Lalla Salma also have daughter, Princess Lalla Khadija, 11 months. The prince and princess are the first children of the Moroccan royal family whom the media are allowed to photograph.

Princess Lalla Salma and Queen Rania are both campaigners for child welfare causes. Both women have an unusually high profile in their countries, as Queen Rania is a spokesperson for women's rights in the Arabic world and Lalla Salma was the first female member of the Moroccan royal family to be publicly acknowledged and given a royal title.

Thanks to Kaisa for the info

La Tangerina Hotel luanch video and showcase new web 2.0 internet marketing package

La Tangerina Hotel perched on top the Kasba overlooking the straights of Gibraltar and the souk of Tangier has launched a promotional video called "What a difference a day makes"

The video marks the launch of a the mediamorocco hotel web 2.0 marketing package that includes a flickr photo album and blog/online guest book

Check out the new site featuring 360 virtual tours of all the rooms.