Quality Holidays For Single Parent Families

Single Parent Holiday - Sample Itinerary

This page contains useful information about Morocco, its history and culture that we hope you will find useful and interesting.

SAMPLE  ITINERARY FOR MOROCCO - Christmas 2007
 
Hotel El Pueblo Tamlelt (Caribbean Village Agador)

TRAVEL ITINERARY

Your Small Families Host for this holiday will be Fran
 

TRAVEL ADVICE

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE
The luggage allowance for this flight is 23 kg per person (except for infants under 2 years of age who do not have an allowance).  You may be charged by the airline for any excess luggage. 

Please Note:  Recently a maximum weight restriction has been imposed of 32kg for any one piece of luggage; any one piece of luggage in excess of 32kg may not be carried by the airline. 

HAND LUGGAGE (Important, please read)
From July 1^st 2006, strict regulations have been implemented regarding the size of hand luggage allowed to be carried in the cabin.  The maximum dimensions are as follows: 22” (56cm) long, 18” (45cm) wide and 10” (25cm) deep.  All bags larger than this must be checked in.  Strict regulations also apply on what can and cannot be carried in hand luggage, please read the regulations printed on your tickets. 

Once your luggage is checked in at the airport, you will not have access to it again until you are in Agadir. We therefore recommend that you carry any medication and refreshments that you or your children may need, in your hand luggage.   

LUGGAGE LABELS
Please ensure that the enclosed 'Small Families' luggage labels are clearly visible on each piece of luggage, especially your hand luggage, for easy recognition by Small Families staff and your fellow travellers. Remember, when you arrive at the airport, everyone displaying these labels are your companions for the week so please introduce yourselves. 

(IMPORTANT INFORMATION)
CHECK-IN:  Flight timings can be subject to changes at short notice, please ensure you check your tickets for exact timings. 

AIRCRAFT SEATING: Occasionally a situation occurs where the aircraft seating process splits up family members, please check the seat allocation on your boarding card when issued at check-in to ensure you and your family members are seated together.  Please try to arrive for check-in in plenty of time. 

CHECK-IN
Check-In is at London Heathrow Terminal 2 and we recommend you do so no less than 2 hours before the published flight departure, please allow for possible traffic delays!   The check-in for Royal Air Maroc is usually at the extreme left hand end of terminal 2, as you face the check-in desks upon entering the building, however, do please check the TV monitors for full and up to date information.  

MEETING POINT IN DEPARTURES
Your Small Families host will be travelling with you to Morocco and will be at check-in to meet you. If you miss your host at check-in, you can meet up at the meeting point in the departure lounge which is the seating area outside the BOOTS store approx. 1 hour before the advertised departure time.  In case of problems (on the day of travel only), please call Keith on mobile telephone number 07712 007052

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid passport. If you are travelling on a British or Irish passport you will not need a visa, however other passports may be different in which case you should contact the Embassy of Morocco, Tel: +44207 581 5001.  Children, including babies, who are not already included on a valid 10 year passport, will need to hold their own passport to travel abroad.

Where a visa is not required passports must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry.  For security reasons it is very important that you check that the NAMES ON YOUR FLIGHT TICKETS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE NAMES IN YOUR PASSPORTS.  Please be aware that you may be denied travel should the two not match. (Middle names excepted, note: airlines prefer the use of the title Ms for all adult females on airline tickets).  

CASABLANCA
On arrival into CASABLANCA, there is spare time before the onward domestic flight, it will be sensible to make sure you have reading material, soft drinks and anything to keep your child occupied.  Your luggage will be transferred to the domestic flight by Royal Air Maroc.  You can buy light refreshments in Casablanca airport.

PLEASE NOTE:  As the Moroccan Dirham is protected, you will not be able to purchase it in the UK, there are no facilities in Casablanca for exchanging money, sterling is accepted for the purchase of refreshments at Casablanca airport.  There is an exchange office in the hotel which will be open on the morning that you arrive.  

Moroccan Visitors cards will be distributed during the flight and you will need to complete ONE PER PERSON, this also applies if two people are on the same passport but should not be handed in until you reach Passport Control in Agadir.  

ARRIVAL INTO AGADIR
On arrival into Agadir you will first have to pass through Passport Control.  The Moroccan Visitors cards should be handed in with your passport to passport control.  Immigration in Agadir can sometimes be a little tedious so please try to be patient.

After immigration, pass into the Baggage Hall and collect your luggage from the carousel and then pass through the customs channel where a Small Families representative will be waiting to show you to the transport for the 30 minute transfer to the hotel. 

CURRENCY
The official unit of currency is the Dirham, the exchange rate is established and regulated by the government; therefore it is the same wherever you wish to change your money.  Each dirham is made up of 100 centimes, which come in the form of small coins – 10c, 20c, ½ dirham, 1, 5 & 10 dirham and bank notes of 20, 50, 100 & 200 dirham.

It is not possible to exchange money until the first morning of your arrival into Agadir; however, there is a cash machine just outside the hotel for immediate cash needs.  Please check with your bank or building society before you travel to see if you are able to withdraw money when abroad.

Major credit cards are accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants, but please check the establishment before making a purchase.

Please be aware that you are not allowed to bring Moroccan Dirham out of the country and it is not accepted in the Agadir or Casablanca airport Duty Free shops. (All prices are in euros, all major credit cards & euros’ are accepted)

First Night – As our arrival at the hotel will be late, rooms will be arranged immediately and we will say ‘Good Night’, see you in the morning.  Please remember that although you will have had a meal on the aircraft earlier in the evening, it may be a good idea to carry a few snacks ‘just in case’. 

Day One – Breakfast is served in the ‘Oasis’ Restaurant from 7.00am to 10.30am in the morning. Those who wish to breakfast together should please meet your host at 9.30am outside the restaurant on the patio area, this is by no means obligatory and should you wish to dine earlier or later that’s fine, (this is also a good time to arrange a tour of the complex if you wish). 

Day before return travel – Don’t forget to return any towels etc to receive your deposit back and to change any excess dirham back to sterling, keeping just a small amount for the airport bars/cafes only. 

Travel Day – Remember to hand in your room and safe keys at Agador Reception

WELCOME TO AGADIR BOOKLET – Enclosed is a booklet provided by our agent in Agadir giving you lots of important and helpful information, please read it carefully.

EXCURSIONS - Whilst we do not openly promote excursions you will find at the back of the booklet a selection of recommended excursions provided by our agent ‘Complete Tours’.

NOTE: - If you are approached on the beach and in the street by other companies selling tours, we cannot recommend them nor guarantee your safety or the quality of the excursion.  If you should purchase from one of these people it will be at your own risk.

ALL INCLUSIVE WRIST BAND – On arrival, wrist bands will be placed on you and your children for complete access to the All-Inclusive facilities.  This will be removed when you check out of the hotel.  Bottled water for your room can be obtained from reception.

ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE FEATURES: - All meals and snacks including a midnight snack – themed restaurants – Unlimited local alcoholic beverages and soft drinks – Daily activities program by the pool: Aerobic, Step, Gymnastics etc. – Nightly entertainment program featuring local acts and hotel entertainment team. – Non motorised water sports as per activities schedule e.g. windsurfing, sailing and catamaran (weather permitting) – Sunbeds and sunshades – Hammam (Turkish Bath) extra cost for body scrub and massage – Towels for beach and pools – Kids Club, Activities programme for children and playground area under adult supervision (Age 4-12yrs) – 6 clay tennis courts – mini golf – Boccia – 3 outdoor squash courts – tennis tables – *fitness room – multi sport court, handball, basketball, soccer, volleyball and badminton.

*There is also a new fitness room available, however, there is a small charge to use this facility.

NOTE:  Small refundable deposits are required for towels and equipment.  Courts should be booked in advance.

FACILITIES NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE – Massage – Boutique, gift shop, photo shop, chemist and hairdresser – laundry service – doctor service – Golf Course ‘Les Dunes’ (12km) 27 holes – drinks in disco – pool tables, soccer – telephone – safety deposit boxes (in room) cost approx. 25 dh per day.

NOTE:  Major credit cards accepted: Diner’s club, American Express, Master Card and Visa. 

LITTLE VILLAGE KIDS CLUB - Age 4 – 12 Years – An extremely well organised playground area and club house where many activities are organised each day from 9.00 to 21.00.  A good size child’s bathing pool within the club.  The club is under full adult supervision and your child will have to be signed into the club and signed out when you wish to collect them.

CHILD CARE – Baby sitting or child care arrangements can be made at reception at small extra charge.  This service is available almost 24 hours per day.

CHILDREN’S DISCO – Especially for the youngsters but all are welcome takes place at approx 8pm by the main pool each evening.

CLIMATE & CLOTHING – You can expect a semi-arid desert climate in Agadir, very similar to the Canary Islands.  In the grid below you will find the daily maximum temperatures in centigrade as quoted in the Berlitz Pocket Guide, but please remember that these are a guide. 

Although it will be warm during the day, remember a jacket or sweater for the evenings.  Respectable clothing should be worn if you are away from the beach or hotel, especially in mosques and other Islamic monuments – long trousers or skirt and long sleeved shirt or blouse are best and good walking shoes or trainers if you intend to do any sightseeing. 

HEALTH HAZARDS – The main hazard in Morocco is sunburn.  Take a sun hat, sunglasses and plenty of high-factor sunscreen.  It is recommended that you limit your sunbathing sessions until you begin to tan.  Sunburn can seriously ruin your holiday. 

HAIR DRYERS – Are not provided, we advise you take along your own if required. There is a hairdresser in the complex. 

POWER SUPPLY – 200v/50hz is standard.  An adapter for two-pin sockets will be needed. 

MEDICAL CARE - There is NO free health care for visitors to Morocco - all medical services must be paid for.  The EHIC (formally the E111 form) is not valid in Morocco.

The hotel has a doctor on 24 hour call.  You MUST NOT leave home without adequate insurance, preferably including cover for an emergency flight home in the event of serious injury or illness.  

TRAVEL INSURANCE - It is essential that you are all covered by travellers insurance.

SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES – Are available in your room at a cost of 25 dh per day (approx. £1.60 per day). 

TOWELS - Are supplied in the rooms and towels for use at the beach or around the pool are available free of charge with a refundable deposit of 100 dh (approx. £6.50). 

TELEPHONES - There are phones in each room.  Please note the charges before making international calls. 

To call the UK, dial 00 44 then the number you wish to call, omitting the initial 0. (i.e. 0044 1234 56789).

SHOPS – There are a number of small shops, cafes, bars etc close to the hotel. 

TIPPING - Gratuities for the hotel restaurant, airport coach drivers, airport and hotel porters have already been paid by Small Families; however, please note that gratuities are not included for your room maid, (as a guide, the equivalent of about 40/50p per day per family is sufficient).  
It is customary to offer a tip for services rendered.  About 10% when eating in outside restaurants and for metered taxis, however, if you agree a fare beforehand, no extra will be expected. 

 And finally - worth remembering…

 The Tourist Ten Commandments

1    Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast left them at home, for thou hast left home to find things different. 

2    Thou shalt not take anything too seriously, for a carefree attitude is the basis for a fine holiday. 

3    Thou shalt not allow other tourists to get on thy nerves, for thou art paying good money to enjoy thyself.

4    Remember to take only half the clothes thou thinkest thou needest and twice the money. 

5    Know at all times where thy passport is, for a person without a passport is a person without a country. 

6    Remember that if we had been meant to stay in one place, we would have been created with roots. 

7    Thou shalt not worry, for he who worrieth hath no pleasure. 

8    When in Morocco thou shalt be prepared to do somewhat as the locals. 

9    Thou shalt not judge the people of a country by one person who hath given thee grief. 

10   Remember, thou art a guest in other lands and he that treateth his host with respect, shall be honoured.

 We would like to wish you a most enjoyable holiday in Morocco