Gardens of Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains

Morocco
Gardens of Marrakech
and the Atlas Mountains
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street – 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495
215.988.8800
PHSonline.org
April 2 –10, 2017
Dear PHS Members and Friends,
Join PHS as we explore the history and tradition of Morocco’s gardens and
together we’ll discover that Morocco is a country of contrasts. From the
buzz of the medina and exotic souks in Marrakech there are hidden gardens
and long views to the mountains with warm, hospitable people who are
happy to share their history over a glass of mint tea.
The gardens on this 9 day tour will give a balance between intimate
courtyard gardens with vibrant plants, colourful tiles, splashing water and
country gardens known as jnane (gardens of paradise) with an emphasis on
orchards and decorative herb gardens.
Our first hotel in Taroudannt, south of the Atlas Mountains, is a riad*
guest house with an amazing garden designed by Eric Ossart and Arnaud
Maurières, well-known French garden architects and designers. For the
second part of our journey, we’ll stay at Le Beldi a property located in the
countryside near Marrakech surrounded by extensive gardens with views to
the mountains.
Susan Worner (who led PHS on an extraordinary tour in September 2016 to
Normandy and Brittany in France) has created this itinerary exclusively for
PHS. Our group is small with no more than 16 participants and we’ll travel
by minibus as most travel is very local except on the transfers through the
Atlas Mountains.
Suzanne Betts, PHS Membership Director and Susan Worner will be your
hosts on this trip. If you have questions please contact Suzanne at
[email protected] or call 215-988-8819. We look forward to having
you travel with us!
Sincerely,
Suzanne W. Betts
Membership Director
*A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard.
PAGE THREE
DAY
1
Sunday,
April 2, 2017
Depart Philadelphia to Marrakech Menara airport.
DAY
2
Monday,
April 3, 2017
After a morning arrival in Marrakech, we will depart Menara Airport and
travel south across the Atlas Mountains and through the Argan tree growing
region where we will arrive at medieval Taroudannt and to Dar al Hossoun,
our base for three nights. A welcome aperitif and short talk on the week’s
schedule before dinner together.
(D) Hotel: Dar al Hossoun (3 nights)
DAY
3
Tuesday,
April 4, 2017
Guided visit to nearby privately-owned gardens with succulents and
grasses, water rills and courtyards designed by Ossart and Mauriėres.
We leave for the southern slopes of the Atlas for lunch. Visit to a fascinating
estate of the late Claudio Bravo, a renowned artist. We visit the superb
gardens and interiors. Return to the riad for dinner.
(B, L, D)
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DAY
4
Wednesday,
April 5, 2017
Morning visit to an exceptional private walled garden on the outskirts
of Taroudannt continuing to the bustling, colourful souks. Lunch at the
fabulous La Gazelle d’Or followed by a visit to their extensive garden.
(B, L, D)
DAY
5
Thursday,
April 6, 2017
We depart in the morning across the Atlas mountains to Marrakech.
Afternoon visit to a peaceful garden created by Abderrazzak Benchaabane
with a good collection of plants. We’ll check into L’Hôtel Beldi before
heading out for a late afternoon guided walk through the sumptuous
gardens with orchards of pomegranates, figs and orange trees, potagers
with aromatic herbs. An air of tranquillity, bird song, and water trickling
along seguia create the perfect atmosphere for an aperitif and dinner
together (each evening).
(B, D) Hotel: L’Hôtel Beldi (4 nights)
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DAY
6
Friday,
April 7, 2017
We leave for Marrakech with our guide, Hafid, for a fascinating introduction
to the extensive medina with its farmers’ markets and local craftsmen.
Hafid takes us down bustling little streets at lunchtime until we reach an
enchanting riad garden with rambling bougainvillea, jasmine, glazed pots,
decorative tiles and water fountains. We’ll enjoy an afternoon visit to
the striking Jardin Majorelle, created in the 1930s and restored by
Yves St Laurent.
(B, L, D)
DAY
7
Saturday,
April 8, 2017
A day in the Atlas Mountains to the snow-capped Toubkal mountain
(13,671 feet) towering above the Berber village of Imlil. Our guide, Hassan,
takes us on foot (or Berber mules) up the valley with blue iris and cherry
orchards in blossom to his outlying Berber village for mint tea at the family
home. We continue along the valley up to the Kasbah du Toubkal. The
stunning and dramatic scenery can be viewed from the rooftop terraced
garden where we enjoy lunch. Walk down to Imlil village through walnut
woods. We continue through remote mountain scenery to a lake to
discover a garden before enjoying dinner together.
Return to Le Beldi.
(B, L, D)
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DAY
8
Sunday,
April 9, 2017
Morning visit to the country garden of La Maison Arabe to enjoy a cooking
course in their well laid out kitchen. We’ll start with bread making in typical
wood stove and then onto individual stations to prepare the menu for
lunch. It will be very educational and lots of fun.
We enjoy lunch in the garden under the olive trees. Continuing in the
afternoon back to Marrakech, we discover the sumptuous gardens of Hotel
La Mamounia, traditional and immaculately kept within the medina walls.
The produce of their kitchen garden is for their own restaurant. Moroccan
style afternoon tea is served in the garden.
(B, L, D)
DAY
9
Monday,
April 10, 2017
Following breakfast we’ll go by group transport to Marrakech Menara
airport for return flights.
(B)
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FLIGHT
ARRANGEMENTS
At time of printing, flights have not been posted. Please do not purchase
airline tickets until you receive official confirmation that the minimum
number of guests has been reached.
Please contact Kathy Reed at Travel Answers for flight arrangements.
Kathy Reed
Travel Answers
828 Lancaster Ave
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-525-2801
[email protected]
RESPONSIBILITY
CLAUSE
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Susan Worner Tours act only as
agents for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotels, and all
matters of reservations and tour operation. We and our agents accept no
responsibility for loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularity, expense,
or liability caused by the defect of any vehicle or negligence or default of any
independent contractors, their employees, agents, or representatives. Nor do
we accept responsibility for losses or delays arising from sickness, pilferage,
labor disputes, machinery breakdown, quarantine, government restraints, war,
acts of terrorism, weather conditions, or acts of God. All such losses or expenses
shall be borne by the tour participant, as tour rates provided for arrangements
only for the time stated and as described in this brochure.
We reserve the right to substitute services, features, and hotels of similar quality
without notice. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure in
which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on
our part. We likewise reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any tour
participant at any time without being under any obligation to assign any reason
therefore. In the event of the exercise of this right, we shall be under no liability
to such person(s) except to refund such amount as our absolute discretion
deems reasonable to attribute to the uncompleted portion of the tour. No
refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are
made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner’s
risk entirely.
It is understood that air, ship, or train tickets when issued shall constitute the
sole contract between the passenger and carrier concerned. The airlines and
all other transportation companies involved in this tour are not to be held
responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time that the passengers
are not on board their planes or conveyances. All services are subject to the laws
of the country in which they are rendered.
The tour participant agrees, on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs,
executors, administrators, and assigns, to abide by the above conditions and
to release and hold harmless the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Susan
Worner Tours, and any of their representatives from any and all liability for any
delays, damage, loss, injury, or death occurring in relation to this tour. Any
payment constitutes agreement by the individual tour participant with the terms
and conditions contained in this brochure.
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PAGE THIRTEEN
TERMS &
CONDITIONS
This trip has been organized by Susan Worner Tours for members of the
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). Please read this information
carefully, as payment of a deposit represents your acceptance of the
following terms and conditions.
Reservation and Payment
A deposit of $500 per person confirms your reservation. You will receive
confirmation of your reservation by mail within 30 days of receipt of your
deposit. If you make your reservation after the final payment due date,
payment in full will be required when you make your reservation. Final
payment is due 90 days prior to trip departure and an invoice will be sent in
advance of this date. Final trip payment is due January 30, 2017.
Cancellations and Refunds
Trip cancellation insurance (with no exclusion clauses) is required and
may be purchased through Travel Safe or another carrier. Please note
that to ensure coverage due to any pre-existing medical conditions you
must purchase insurance within 15 days of your initial deposit.
In the event that you must cancel, your deposit is refundable (minus a $100
processing fee) up to 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations must be
received in writing by January 30, 2017. After this date, no refund will be
made unless a substitute participant is obtained. No refund for cancellations
made less than 90 days prior to departure. There is no refund for any
unused portion of the trip.
Tour Price
Tour price for PHS members is $3,200 based on double occupancy; $3,400
for non-members. Single occupancy of a room requires additional payment
of $800. The price has been determined in accordance with currency
calculations as of April, 2016.
PAGE FOURTEEN
TERMS &
CONDITIONS (continued)
Includes
Hotel accommodations based on two people sharing a room with
private bath, hotel service charges, tips and gratuities, taxes; ground
transportation; meals per itinerary; local guides; entrance fees; cooking
course; services of professional tour leader from Susan Worner Tours; and
$300 tax-deductible donation to PHS.
Tour Price Does Not Include
Airfare; required travel insurance, immunizations and prescription
medications required for travel, visa/passport processing costs, beverages,
use of hotel telephone, laundry, meals, tours and entrance fees not
specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
Number of Guests
A maximum of 16 guests can be accommodated. A minimum of 12 guests
are required to operate the tour at the quoted price. Purchase of nonrefundable services outside of tour itinerary (such as airline tickets) before
minimum number of guests have registered is at the sole risk and expense
of the guest.
Scheduled Activities
Every effort will be made to provide such services as listed, but where
unavoidable circumstances necessitate changes, the best substitute
alternatives will be made at the discretion of Susan Worner Tours and PHS.
Physical Capabilities
The tour includes a moderate amount of walking and occasional use of
stairs or steeply sloped pathways and walking surfaces may be uneven or
unpaved. Smoking is not permitted on vehicles, inside accommodations or
restaurants; seat rotation on the vehicle is encouraged.
PAGE FIFTEEN
RESERVATION
FORM
Morocco – Gardens of Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains
April 2 -10, 2017
Name as it appears on passport _________________________________________
Passport # and expiration date _________________________________________
Date of birth ____________________________________________________________
Name for name badge _________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________
City __________________________________________________________________
State ______________________________________ Zip _______________________
Phone (home/cell) ______________________________________________________
Email _________________________________________________________________
Emergency contact name _______________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________________________________
Relationship ___________________________________________________________
Room type
Double Room—one large bed
Double—two beds
Single—willing to share
Single—sole occupancy ($800 supplement applies)
Roommate’s name _____________________________________________________
Special Medical or Dietary Needs ________________________________________
Payment Information
AmEx, Visa and MasterCard accepted. If paying by check, please make
payable to PHS. Send check to: Suzanne W. Betts, PHS, 100 N. 20th St,
5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Amount ___________________________________ Check # ___________________
Credit Card # ______________________________ Exp Date ___________________
Amount to be charged _________________________________________________
Signature _____________________________________________________________
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PAGE SEVENTEEN
WAIVER
FORM
I/we, the undersigned member(s)/guests(s) of the Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society, do desire and intend to participate in one or more trips and/or events
as the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society may, from time to time, arrange for
members and/or guests.
I/we hereby authorize the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and such officers,
employees and agents thereof as my be appropriate, (a) to enter into and
execute such arrangements, applications and contacts for the charter of
buses, vans, automobiles, boats and other means of transportation as may,
in their opinion, be required in connection with such trips and/or events, and
(b) to make such arrangements or decisions as may be required to deemed
appropriate by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society or any of them in
connection with such charters and such trips and/or events.
In consideration of my/our agreement to participate in such trips and/or events
and undertaking of such arrangements on my behalf, I/we hereby release
and discharge the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and each of its directors,
officers, employees and agents from all suits, causes, claims of any kind that
might arise as a result of or in the course of or in connection with any such trip
and/or events, such as charters or arrangements. I/we understand, of course,
that this agreement will in no way effect any liability that may arise on the part
of any third party.
This release and discharge shall remain in effect until revoked by me/us
in writing.
Signature__________________________________________ Date ______________
Name (print)___________________________________________________________
Signature__________________________________________ Date ______________
Name (print)___________________________________________________________
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