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The Venue – Marrakech, Morocco
The Congress will be held at the Mansour Eddahbi Hotel - Palais des Congres, a complex with conference centre,
situated in the heart of Marrakech, amid gardens and next to the medina. This hotel offers 5 star luxury at a
reasonable price. Most of the presenters will be staying here.
PTI’s mission is to expand the adoption of play therapy throughout the world. One of its current priorities
is the emerging economies of Africa. Starting in 2007 we have, in partnership with UNICEF, carried out
successful missions in Ethiopia. These have enabled us to adapt our western model to benefit African children.
Play Therapy Africa has been established, as a PTI affiliated organisation, to spread play therapy and filial
play throughout the continent. One of the main aims of the Congress is to launch this ambitious programme.
So we had to have an African country as our Congress venue. We also had to choose one that is easily
accessible, attractive and safe for our members from the UK, Ireland, other European countries, Canada and the
USA. PTI also has a reputation for running its conferences with some style. Morocco fits the bill perfectly!
Exotic, safe, good value accommodation and in Marrakech, international conference facilities.
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The Kingdom of Morocco is a country located in North Africa with a population of nearly 32 million and an area
just under 447,000 square kilometres On November 18, 2006, Morocco celebrated the 50th anniversary of its
independence from France. The influence of the French upon the architecture, efficiency of services and
cuisine has been considerable.
Many French people take their holidays in and retire to Morocco, despite the many attractions of France’s own
climate and country. In this respect Morocco is to France as Spain is to the UK. This results is a wonderful
fusion of European, African and Arab cultures.
Take the opportunity to have a marvellous, different type of holiday, before or after the Congress – it will be
one of your most memorable life time experiences. Visit the Official Marrakech Website for more information.
At 172,402 square miles Morocco is the fifty-seventh largest country in the world comparable in size to Iraq,
and is somewhat larger than the US state of California.
Mountains, sea and desert. The Rif mountains occupy the region bordering the Mediterranean from the north-west
to the north-east. The Atlas Mountains, one of Marrakech’s outstanding views, run down the backbone of the
country, from the south west to the north east. Most of the south east portion of the country is in the Sahara
Desert and as such is generally sparsely populated. The terrain is such that the coastal plains are rich and
accordingly, they comprise the backbone for agriculture. Forests cover about 12% of the land.
Climate
The climate is Mediterranean, which has warm to hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. This type of climate
prevails in much of California, in north western Mexico, and in parts of Western and South Australia. May is
the perfect time to come.
Morocco is known for its wildlife biodiversity. Birds represent the most important fauna. The avifauna of
Morocco includes a total of 454 species, of which five have been introduced by humans, and 156 are rare or
accidental.
Marrakech Weather in May
| Average High | 27.5 C (82F) |
| Average Low | 13.8 C (57F) |
| Rainfall | 23.7 mm ie less than an inch over the month |
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Snake charmers sit outside refined palaces. Riotous marketplaces sell all kinds of wares, and the mysterious
Medina (old town) contains nearly two miles of secret passages. Mopeds, mules and Mercedes dart around, yet
time seems to have slowed. The snow capped Atlas Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop and make a thrilling
day trip, while city sights include tombs, souks, palaces, mosques and baths. Enjoy the balmy nights. Marrakech
has a sunny, Mediterranean climate. May is an ideal month to visit, with pleasant temperatures and little rain -
the average temperatures are: low 57F/14C high 80F/27C
You could extend your visit by a few days. Take a trip from Marrakech to visit the valley of the Ourika River in
the Atlas Mountains or the valley of the Draa River in the south near the Sahara desert, – discover a large film
studio in the middle of nowhere – experience the calm of the waterfalls of Beni Mellal, see the largest sand dune
in the Sahara and enjoy a day trip to Essaouira on the Atlantic ocean with its superb marquetry craftsmen. Order
a table, to your design and size, inlaid with mother of pearl and different types of woods for a fraction of the
price you would pay outside Africa.
One of the star attractions of Marrakech is Djemaa el Fna a square and market place in the medina quarter. It is
the main square of Marrakesh, used equally by locals and tourists. During the day it is predominantly occupied by
orange juice stalls, youths with Barbary apes, water sellers in colourful costumes with traditional leather
water-bags and brass cups, and snake charmers who will pose for photographs for tourists. As the day progresses the
entertainments on offer change: the snake charmers depart, and in the afternoon and evening the square becomes more
crowded, with Chleuh dancing-boys, story-tellers (telling their tales in Berber or Arabic, to an audience of
appreciative locals), magicians, and peddlers of traditional medicines. As dark descends the square fills with
dozens of food-stalls, and the crowds are at their height.
The square is edged along one side by the Marrakesh souk, the traditional North African markets which service both
the common daily needs of the people of the city, and the tourist trade. On other sides are cafe terraces to escape
from the noise and confusion down in the square, and on yet other sides are hotels and gardens. Narrow streets lead
into the alleys of the medina quarter, the old city where you book an entire riad to accommodate up to a ten people –
very economical!
The Menara gardens are located to the west of Marrakech, Morocco, at the gates of the Atlas mountains. They were
built in the 12th century (c. 1130) by the Almohad ruler Abd al-Mu'min. The name menara derives from the pavillon
with its small green pyramid roof (menzeh). The pavilion was built during the 16th century Saadi dynasty and
renovated in 1869 by sultan Abderrahmane of Morocco, who used to stay here in summertime.
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| Djemaa el Fna in the evening | Djemaa el Fna in the day time |
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| Djemaa el Fna at night | Menara Gardens with the Atlas Mountains in the background |
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The most convenient location is the Mansour hotel which is a part of the Palais de Congres facilities.
Palais des Congres - The hotel is luxurious with three
swimming pools and three restaurants. The hotel is extremely popular with holiday makers but is reserving 100
bedrooms for PTI Congress delegates. Already (August 2009) nearly 40 of these have already been taken by presenters
and "very early birds". You may either book direct Mansoureddahbi (we have
a booking form available below, click here) or by
using a package from a travel agency that includes flights, which may be a cheaper option.
Note that £1 is equal to about 13 DHS, but is subject to exchange rates and other factors when booking.
A good value hotel is the Residence Amalou which is about a 10 minute walk from the Palais de Congres.
Hotel Amalou - This offers a one person room at 390 dirhams
(£30) including breakfast or 490 dirhams for a double (£38 ie £19 each). You can have an apartment for 720
dirhams (£55) per night.
Opposite the Palais de Congres there are two hotels, Atlas Asni and Atlas Medina.
Atlas Asni is a **** (4 star) hotel, double room 520DHS per night, 420DHS per night for single all inclusive of taxes and Breakfast, extra person 270 per night.
Atlas Medina is a ***** (5 star) hotel, double room 820DHS per night, single 720DHS per night for single, supplement per extra person 370 per night.
For both hotels you need to register. We have a registration form that you can download, available as a MS Word document or PDF document.
Please e-mail and book directly with the hotel, details as follows:
E-Mail: akaddouri@hotelsatlas.com
Telephone: +212 524 339999/00
Website: www.hotelsatlas.com
Riads
A Riad is a traditional moroccan house or palace with an interior garden. The word riad comes from the Arabian term
for garden, "ryad". Many have been restored in Marrakech and are available to rent They are mostly in the souk –
about a 10 minute taxi ride to the Palais de Congres. Ideal for families or groups of delegates – can be very
economical accommodation as well as an authentic experience.
A typical example with an excellent web site is: www.darnaima.com
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From the UK
EasyJet has budget prices from Gatwick direct to Marrakech.
From Ireland
Details to follow.
From the USA
(We are very grateful to Carol Norton, one of our eminent presenters for this information)
No airline offers direct flights from the United States to Marrakesh. Royal Air Maroc, (800) 344-6726,
www.royalairmaroc.com, (in a partnership with Delta) flies from New York
City (J.F.K.) and Montreal to Marrakesh via Casablanca most days of the week. According to its Web site, coach
round-trip fares are generally around $750 (including taxes). Check the total travel time for Air Maroc – don’t forget to allow for time changes!
British Airways, (800) 247-9297, www.britishairways.com, flies to
Marrakesh via London, from both Newark Liberty and J.F.K. Web fares for mid-February start at $793.
Others flying from New York to Marrakesh with a single connection are Iberia (through Madrid), (800) 772-4642,
www.iberia.com, and Air France (which generally is the cheapest, but often
requires changing airports in Paris), (800) 237-2747, www.airfrance.com.
BA sounds the most convenient especially if you want a break in the UK.
Another option would be to fly to London Gatwick using a low cost carrier and then use EasyJet for the Gatwick Marrakech leg. EasyJet often have very low rates – but you will need to book early.
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Mansour Eddahbi Hotel booking form
A booking form for the Mansour Eddahbi Hotel at Palais de Congres is available as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
HERE or a PDF HERE. Please ensure you
read both pages of the PDF.
Visit the Official Marrakech Website for more information about other hotels and details about the area.
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Galleries of the outstanding venue and surrounding area
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