Hello, friends!
Of course, traveling has become easier now. But there are some not entirely pleasant and troublesome moments in preparing for a trip, such as obtaining a visa.
Maybe (and most likely it is) in reality all this is not so scary, but for the second year now, for this reason I have been postponing a trip to Germany to visit our friends.
There is no visa center in our city. And, of course, you need to go somewhere to get this document.
It is more convenient and easier for me to obtain a visa in Moscow. Moreover, there The visa center of the German Embassy was opened on January 1, 2013., and you can sign up to submit documents by phone (free) or through the visa center website. But that's a topic for another time.
And it’s May and I want to relax now or go on a trip very soon.
Where can you go without thinking about a visa if you couldn’t plan your trip in advance?
There are a lot of interesting options and great opportunities to spend summer holidays with children in countries where a visa is not required at all or where there are special or easier conditions for entering the country.
Let's start with exotic and not entirely explored destinations by Russians.
For a fairy tale in the Maghreb
Maghreb- this is how North Africa was called in ancient times, on whose territory it is located Morocco.
Remember the beginning of the fairy tale "Aladdin's Magic Lamp"? A young man, bewitched by the spell of a Maghreb sorcerer, embarks on a journey full of amazing adventures to find treasures.
Re-read this fairy tale again, and I am sure that “meeting with the powerful sorcerer of the Maghreb” will push you to travel to an oriental fairy tale in Morocco.
Maghreb, Marrakech, Morocco...
A mysterious country with a unique history, culture, way of life and unique nature. Amazing pictures emerge before your eyes, in which real events are intertwined with fragments from famous Arabian fairy tales.
In the south of Morocco, the hot Sahara Desert approaches the borders, the northern part of the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean approaches from the west.
Here you can swim and sunbathe on numerous beaches almost all year round. Winter is very warm - the temperature is not lower than +15 degrees, in summer it is not hot (not higher than +35 degrees).
Agadir(“white city”) is the largest beach resort on the Atlantic Ocean. Tourists from Russia most often vacation here. The climate is almost the same as on the neighboring Canary Islands. Lots of sun, good conditions for surfing.
Agadir– rather a European than an eastern city. But from here it is very convenient to go on excursions to old cities: Marrakesh, Fes, Meknes. And this is the living history of Morocco with a unique fabulous oriental flavor, amazing culture and art.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wanted to visit these places. Africa attracts and beckons. After reading many reviews, I made some conclusions for myself.
Morocco– this is not a place where you can go without hesitation with children (especially small ones).
Morocco is a country for enthusiastic travelers who are interested in exploring the world in all its diversity.
And in this case, a trip with children who will already be able to appreciate the beauty and unique flavor of Arab cities, architecture, and unique way of life will be useful not only for improving health (swimming in the ocean, playing golf, horseback riding and quad biking, surfing, water parks and safaris), but also for the soul and development of the intellect.
In addition, the conditions for holidays with small children (again, according to reviews) are not very suitable. Children's animation is almost absent or in English and French (perhaps because there are not many tourists from Russia). There may be problems with baby food and water.
My opinion: it is best to go to Morocco with older children. But this, I emphasize once again, is purely my opinion. Well, think for yourself, decide for yourself: to fly or not to fly.
For those who decide to travel to the Kingdom of Morocco, some general information:
- State capital: Rabat city
- Distance from Moscow: approximately 4550 km
- Travel time: about 6 o'clock
- -3 hours
- Language: French, Arabic
- Currency: Moroccan dirham, 1 MAD ≈ 3.72 rubles.
- Visa: not required for a trip of no more than 90 days
Tunisia
Russian tourists visit here more often than in Morocco. The tourism industry is well developed, including in terms of organizing children's holidays. But, nevertheless, I would also classify Tunisia as an “exotic” tourist destination.
Africa again, with unique nature and climate, healing sandy beaches and thermal waters. And, in addition, tourists are attracted here by the ancient history and numerous historical monuments.
Resorts of Tunisia– these are excellent hotels with their own beaches, parks, water parks, golf courses and SPA centers, professional animators. In short, there is everything for a great holiday with children.
Sus- An ancient Phoenician year on the Mediterranean coast and the most popular resort in Tunisia, which is famous for its famous sandy beaches, upscale hotels and excellent service.
Here, for the first time in the 60s, the idea of creating tourist complexes combining hotels, restaurants, and swimming pools in one place was realized.
This resort is good for a family holiday because here you won’t have to choose: relax, lie on the beach, or devote most of your time to excursions to interesting places (which is not always easy to do with small children).
In Sousse, everything is compact and you won’t have much time to visit architectural monuments.
Hammamet(translated from Arabic as “a place for swimming”) is a quiet and peaceful resort in a small old town with low-rise hotels. There are excellent beaches and SPA centers, dive centers, good conditions for windsurfing and water skiing.
Not far from the old part of the city (Medina) there is a new resort area Yasmine Hammamet.Here more attention is paid to organizing children's leisure: there is a water park and a children's entertainment center.
Information for tourists:
- State capital: Tunis city
- Distance from Moscow: approximately 3000 km
- Travel time: about 4 hours
- Time difference with Moscow:-3 hours
- Language: English, Arabic, French
- Currency: Tunisian dinar, 1 TND ≈ 19.7 rubles.
- Visa: not needed if you are traveling on a tour package for no more than 30 days. In other cases, the visa is issued at the Tunisian consulate in Moscow
That's all for now.
Next time we'll talk about those that are well known to us.
See you! Bye bye…
When planning a summer vacation and choosing the African coast for this purpose, you will probably wonder which country to choose: Tunisia or Morocco. There is, however, also Egypt on the list of tourist favorites, but it deserves special attention.
If you find it difficult to choose, which is better: Tunisia or Morocco, take a look at the geographical location of both countries. Morocco offers holidays on both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Tunisia is washed only by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, it is natural that the temperature in Tunisia will be slightly higher. In addition, on the Atlantic coast of Morocco the wind almost always blows, raising small waves. This may appeal to surfers, but is not entirely suitable for those who prefer a quiet family holiday.
Both Tunisia and Morocco are very hot in June-July, so you need to go there in August-September, when the heat is not so intense, but the sea in Tunisia is always much warmer than the ocean in Morocco, but swimming pools can solve the problem here.
In general, Morocco is a more vibrant country, but also more European. Tunisians are not as loyal to women walking the streets in short skirts and with open faces as Moroccans. Thinking what's interesting in Morocco, don’t forget about the local markets, the prices for the abundance of fruits here are simply ridiculous, and crafts from craftsmen can be bought by everyone you know without much damage to your wallet. And all Arabs, without exception, love to bargain, and there are plenty of thieves everywhere.
If someone chooses an Arab country for a vacation, it means they definitely want to get acquainted with the culture of the East. And he does the right thing. A choice for any tourist, what to visit in Morocco quite complex, the main attractions, apart from the fabulous and lush resort towns themselves, are located in the interior of the country, and you can’t do it without a local guide. But there will be more than enough impressions. Tunisia can also boast of many interesting historical and cultural monuments, the splendor of its palace buildings will not leave anyone indifferent.
The tourism infrastructure is rapidly developing in both countries, but if you need to improve your health through thalassotherapy, it is better to visit Tunisia: such services are cheaper here.
Restaurants and hotel complexes in Morocco do not shy away from European traditions; in Tunisia you will get a unique opportunity to enjoy spicy oriental dishes and unique drinks, of which wines are most often served. But only in Morocco can you taste real gray wine, whose homeland is France. The staff of establishments in both Morocco and Tunisia will be waiting for tips.
If you are not yet tired of asking experienced tourists about what to see in Morocco, it’s better to go there yourself, after reading a little about the culture and customs of this country, and also learning a few polite phrases, because Muslims really like the interest of Europeans in their culture.
Morocco or Tunisia?Choosing an African resort for a summer holiday.
Taking advantage of the situation with Egypt, they are actively fighting for the title of the number one African destination for Russians. The most popular resorts in these countries are Sousse and Agadir. Both are famous for their beaches, a decent range of entertainment and interesting excursions. Let's figure out what their similarities and differences are.
Short
. This city is akin to Egyptian Hurghada: fun, crowded, civilized. Women here go without hijabs, the bars are crowded with Europeans, and the discos roar until the morning. People come here to sunbathe, splash in the warm waves, walk along streets lined with shops and fashionable hotels, and enjoy fish tagine. The main attraction of Agadir is the wide 6-kilometer city beach, where life is in full swing both day and night.
In the 60s of the last century, it was here that the idea of “resort areas” was first implemented - unified complexes of hotels, restaurants and swimming pools surrounded by gardens (this is what, for example, Port El Kantaoui looks like). Today Sousse is the most popular resort in Tunisia with good hotels, impeccable oriental service, a marina for private yachts and spa centers, as well as vibrant nightlife. 
Visa
Russians do not need a visa to visit Morocco (the duration of the trip should not exceed 90 days). When crossing the border, you will be asked for your international passport (the main thing is that its validity exceeds the duration of your trip) and a completed migration card. There is no need to pay a consular fee. If you have an Israeli visa in your passport, don't worry: this won't be a problem when crossing the Moroccan border.
. Russian tourists can enter Tunisia without visas - for a period of no more than 90 days. Upon entry into the country, you must present a travel voucher, as well as round-trip plane tickets. An important point: it is advisable that the flight be direct (without transfers), otherwise you may be required to obtain a visa upon arrival. If you are planning an independent trip to Tunisia (with transfers and without the participation of a travel agency), or intend to stay in the country for more than three months, then a visa must first be issued at the Tunisian Embassy in Moscow. To do this, you will need a minimum set of documents (copy of passport plus hotel reservation) and one photo. The visa is issued in about 5 days, the fee is 1800 rubles. 
How to get there
Agadir. Flights to the resort town in the summer months are operated by Royal Air Maroc (with a transfer in Casablanca), the flight time is about 8 hours. You can get to other Moroccan cities - Rabat and Marrakech - with transfers in Barcelona (Vueling), Madrid (Iberia), Paris (Air France) and so on. Charters to Agadir are sent by VIM-Avia, AZUR Air and Nord Wind.
Ferries from Spanish Tarifa (operators Inter Shipping and FRS) also go to Morocco (Tangier) through the Strait of Gibraltar; the travel time is one hour, the ticket price is about 40 euros.
Sousse. Russian charter flights to Tunisia land at three international airports: Enfidha-Hammamet, the capital Tunis-Carthage and Monastir. The latter is the oldest and smallest, but from it you can get to Sousse quite quickly by bus. The flight time takes just over 4 hours. You can also get to Tunisia from Moscow by regular flights - but only with transfers. Turkish Airlines flies through Istanbul, Air France - through Paris, Lufthansa - through Frankfurt, Alitalia - through Rome. From the capital of the country you can get to Sousse by train or bus - in one and a half to two hours. 
Weather
Agadir. The city is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and thanks to the cool current and constant winds, there is no sweltering heat here. The average temperature from May to October is about 25-28 degrees Celsius (sometimes up to plus 35). The water in the ocean warms up to 21 degrees. The remaining months are good for excursion trips: it gets cold in the evening, and you can’t do without a sweater (especially since it’s very windy in Morocco), but during the day it’s warm. Driving through the Atlas Mountains, you can see several seasons change within one day: summer heat, autumn with yellow leaves and even snow.
Sousse. The best time for a beach holiday is May-June and September. In July and August, the heat at the resort is 32-34 degrees, but it is quite easily tolerated due to the dry air. The water in the Mediterranean Sea warms up to 26 degrees in the summer months. September and November are good times for trips to the Sahara: the date harvest is just finishing in the oases, and harvest festivals are held on this occasion. 
Hotels and beaches
Agadir. The sandy beaches of Agadir are famous along the entire coast. Those that are far from the city are especially good: there is clean water, few people and a lot of space. The wide city beach of Agadir is patrolled by police around the clock and is famous for its fine sand and cleanliness, which is mainly ensured by the hotels facing it. Due to the shallow entrance to the water, you have to walk for a long time to get to the depth, especially during high tide. On weekends, not only tourists relax on the beach, but also local residents play football, sing songs and go on picnics with whole families. In the evenings you can watch a beautiful sunset over the Atlantic, and at night the promenade along the beach comes alive with clubs and restaurants, where everything sparkles and sparkles, there are a lot of people and loud music.
10 kilometers from Agadir is Taghazout Beach, which is considered the cleanest in the vicinity of the city, with crystal clear water and a predictable bottom. There are no beach cafes or hotels here, but surfers ride the long waves, and Berbers with camels walk along the edge of the beach. Connoisseurs of a beautiful shot will appreciate the fishing boats pulled ashore against the backdrop of colorful houses on the coast.
Mostly five-star hotels have their own beaches in Agadir. “Fours” offer sunbathing on the municipal beach. Local hotels are famous for their therapeutic procedures, mud baths, seaweed wraps, manual massage and so on. Most hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis; their cuisine is European and traditional. 
Sousse. Conventionally, the city consists of two parts: Sousse itself and its satellite - the resort of Port El Kantaoui, in the vicinity of which the best four- and five-star hotels, as well as beaches, are concentrated. The city's 10-kilometer white sand beach stretches from the center of Sousse to Port El Kantaoui. Most sections of the beach are private and belong to hotels - however, many of them are open to everyone. In summer, the beach is crowded with vacationers until the evening - including the aborigines.
Most hotels are located right on the Mediterranean coast. Some have their own parks, beaches, water parks, golf courses, spas and full-fledged thalassotherapy centers. It is better to choose a hotel not by the stars, which the owners often assign to themselves, but by the prices: anything that costs more than 150 dinars ($70) is good. There are also hostels in Tunisia - inexpensive and quite decent. By the way, the Tunisian Institute of Tourism has a special department of resort animators, where students are taught acting, vocals and other tricks of entertaining guests. Therefore, Tunisian animators are considered among the best in the world. 
Things to do
Agadir. For those who come to the Moroccan resort, attractions are mainly limited to water activities. There are quite a lot of them: windsurfing, fishing (including sharks), and sailing. Other activities include horseback riding, camel riding, and walking in the dunes around the city. For shopping, you can go to the local souk - Agadir market, where there are a lot of souvenir shops and antique shops. The Agadir Zoo boasts a collection of exotic birds. The most famous nightclubs are located at four- and five-star hotels. There is also a casino in Agadir. 
Sousse. The medina of Sousse is a well-preserved example of ancient fortified Islamic cities and is definitely worth exploring. Construction of the medina began in 859. The oldest building here is the 8th-century fortress-ribat, which served as a shelter for a military garrison. The main entertainment at the resort is sunbathing and active sports: scuba diving, windsurfing, fishing in the open sea, water skiing, paragliding, or the “sport of millionaires” - golf. Excursions are conducted on yachts with special viewing windows to observe the life of marine life. At night, a wide selection of establishments for every musical and gastronomic taste is available to everyone: clubs, discos, casinos, restaurants. 
Excursions
Agadir. You can go to the Ufella fortress, which was built in 1572 by the second Sultan of the Saadian dynasty, Abdallah I al-Ghalib. Half a century ago, an earthquake severely destroyed the fort, turning it into ruins, and today the remains of the fortress serve mainly as a place from which a beautiful view of the city can be seen. Legzira is a little-known beach among tourists, 120 km south of Agadir. It is notable for its clay and sand arches along its entire length. It seems that powerful limbs have grown off the coast and stride widely into the ocean. To get to the beach, you need to turn off the main road and wind along the road towards the ocean for a long time, and then go down a steep slope. In case of difficulties, the natives will always show the way. In the vicinity of the city there is another interesting attraction - the Paradise Valley Nature Reserve. There you can see a beautiful waterfall and a deep mountain lake. 
And an hour and a half drive from Agadir is the fishing town of Essaouira, which has not lost its Moroccan romance - with white houses spotted with blue windows, an ancient slave market, handicraft shops and fishermen chattering on the embankment. In the 70s, Essaouira was a place of pilgrimage for hippies. Jimi Hendrix came here more than once with his guitar and hatched the idea of buying a plot of land in Morocco. Best places to walk: the promenade, the shopping districts of the medina and the port fortress. 
Sousse. Place number one is the ancient amphitheater in El Jem, the best preserved in the world and the third largest in the entire Roman Empire (accommodating 30 thousand spectators). Under the hundred-meter arena there is an entire underground city - a machine for providing spectators with blood and spectacle. Cages for wild animals, closets for gladiators - all these rooms are open to visitors. According to one legend, the amphitheater is connected by underground passages to the seaside town of Mahdia, which is 40 km away. 
Place number two is the ruins of the Phoenician city-state of Carthage, Rome’s rival for power over the ancient world. All the ruins and remains of buildings now called Carthage were later built by the Romans on the site of the destroyed city. Modern archaeologists have partially restored here an entire quarter of Roman villas and an amphitheater for 50 thousand spectators.
It is also worth seeing the well-preserved fortress in Monastir, in which the warrior monks lived. This is the only ribat in the country where women were allowed to enter. 
