Latest news with #Berber
Ya Biladi
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Hassan Ouakrim, champion of Moroccan and Amazigh culture in New York, passes away
New York-based Moroccan choreographer and cultural ambassador of Amazigh heritage Hassan Ouakrim has passed away, as announced on Tuesday by Morocco's ambassador to the United States. «Deeply saddened by the passing of Hassan Ouakrim, a true cultural pioneer and lifelong ambassador of Moroccan identity in the United States», Ambassador Youssef Amrani wrote on X. «For decades, he devoted his inspiring life to preserving and sharing the soul of Morocco through ancestral dances like Ahwach, Guedra, and Gnaoua (…) he introduced generations of Americans to the beauty of Berber and Saharan expression, not only through movement, but through spirit», Amrani recalled. Hassan Ouakrim played a pivotal role in promoting Moroccan culture in the United States. Born in 1947 in the village of Aday near Tafraout, he moved to Tangier as a child to join his father, a charcoal vendor in the kasbah of Tangier, and to pursue his studies. He later continued his education in Marrakech, where he was deeply influenced by street performance and Sufi mysticism. In 1968, Ouakrim founded Inossis, a Berber ballet theater group blending Amazigh folklore with modern performance, recounts US-based Moroccan academic and music journalist Hisham Aidi in his documentary about Ouakrim, A Thousand and One Berber Nights. In 1972, he moved to New York after being invited by Ellen Stewart, the legendary founder of La MaMa Experimental Theater. He went on to become a longtime artistic director there, introducing American audiences to traditional Moroccan dances such as Ahwach and Gnawa. He mentored countless students, organized cultural events, and lived in New York's East Village, surrounded by North African artifacts and memorabilia. His memoir, Memoir of A Berber, Part I, traces his early life, artistic journey, and deep spiritual convictions.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
'I've visited all 195 countries on Earth and these two stand out from the rest'
Cameron Mofid has recently completed his mission to visit every UN-recognised country and territory in the world and has now named two surprising countries among his favourites An intrepid explorer who's visited every country on Earth by the age of 25 has named two surprising countries among his favourites. Cameron Mofid, who hails from San Diego, California, set out on a mission to visit every UN-recognised country and territory in the world (a total of 195) while he was battling obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) during the pandemic. In April, the plucky traveller ticked off his final nation when he and his friends visited the hermit kingdom of North Korea. With nearly 200 countries under his belt, picking a favourite may seem like an impossible task. However, two nations stood out in particular for Cameron, both of which carry some strong warnings from the Foreign Office (FCDO). The first nation that he highlighted was Algeria, a destination he described as "unbelievable". He told CNN: "It's one of my favourite countries in the whole world. The countries that receive the least amount of tourism are often the ones where you have the best experience, because you feel totally immersed in their culture." Cameron also expressed his appreciation for the Middle Eastern nation of Yemen, having visited the country in February 2023. He noted that walking through the streets was like "going back in time." He added: "To see people dress the same way that they were hundreds if not thousands of years ago. To see people living in mud houses, to see people still using flip phones." Algeria is in the north of Africa and is largely encompassed by the Sahara Desert, with the exception of the north, which is situated along the coast and is home to most of the population. Its rich history includes a number of Arab and Berber dynasties that ruled between the 8th and 15th centuries, prior to its links to the Ottoman Empire and later annexation by France in 1848. In terms of travel to Algeria, the FCDO has highlighted much of the country in green on its website. It means "see our travel advice before travelling", but the border areas carry orange and red advisories. It advises against all travel to within 30km of the country's borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and certain provinces of Tunisia. In addition, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 30km of the rest of the Tunisian border. A comparatively new state, Yemen is located in Western Asia on the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering both the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, south of Saudi Arabia. It has experienced a political crisis since 2011. It continues to be in the throes of a brutal civil war that has reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 150,000 people and led to a humanitarian crisis that has seen 23 million people requiring aid. The Foreign Office's travel advice for Yemen is resolute. It advises against all travel to Yemen and urges anyone in the country to leave "immediately", citing "unpredictable security conditions". It said terrorist attacks are very likely in Yemen, as well as a "very high and constant threat" of kidnapping, noting that propaganda produced by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has urged the kidnapping of westerners.
Time Business News
5 days ago
- Time Business News
Discover the Magic of Morocco with Morocco Private Photo Tours
Morocco is a land of contrast and beauty — from the golden dunes of the Sahara to the labyrinthine medinas of ancient cities like Fez and Marrakech. For photography enthusiasts, it offers an unparalleled canvas. And there's no better way to capture the country's rich visual tapestry than through Morocco private tours specifically designed for photographers. Whether you're a professional photographer seeking editorial shots or an amateur wanting to improve your travel photography skills, Morocco Photo Tours provides immersive and personalized experiences that combine adventure with creativity. Standard group tours can be restrictive, especially for those wanting to spend extra time composing the perfect shot or waiting for the ideal lighting. That's where Morocco private tours shine. With Morocco Photo Tours, every tour is customizable — tailored to your pace, interests, and level of photography expertise. You'll explore a mix of iconic locations and hidden gems, with flexibility to follow the light and shift plans as photographic opportunities arise. Your guide will be an experienced local who knows both the terrain and the best times and spots for photography. These tours typically include visits to: The bustling souks and mosaicked alleys of Marrakech The ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis The blue-washed walls of Chefchaouen The vast Sahara Desert at sunrise and sunset The dramatic Atlas Mountains and Berber villages Each destination provides a unique backdrop, enriching your portfolio with a wide variety of subjects—from architectural symmetry and colorful textiles to camel caravans and natural landscapes. A private photography tour is more than just sightseeing. It's an educational and inspirational experience designed to help you see Morocco through a new lens. 1. Expert Photography Guidance Professional photo guides on Morocco Photo Tours are passionate photographers themselves. They offer personalized coaching on composition, lighting, camera settings, and storytelling techniques. Whether you shoot with a DSLR, mirrorless, or even a smartphone, you'll gain skills that elevate your visual storytelling. 2. Local Insight and Cultural Access Unlike typical tourists, photographers often seek intimate moments and real-life scenes. With a private tour, you'll get access to off-the-beaten-path locations and the chance to interact respectfully with locals. Your guide can facilitate these connections, providing cultural context and language translation where needed. 3. Comfort and Flexibility Private tours are typically conducted in air-conditioned 4×4 vehicles or comfortable vans, allowing easy access to remote locations. Accommodations are selected not just for comfort but also for their photogenic qualities — think traditional riads, desert camps, or lodges with panoramic views. 4. Ideal Timing for Shoots Photography is all about light. Tours are scheduled to make the most of the golden hours at sunrise and sunset, and sometimes include night photography sessions, especially in the desert where the starry sky is mesmerizing. Morocco is a year-round destination, but certain times of the year offer better conditions for photography: Spring (March to May) : Ideal for photographing lush valleys, blooming wildflowers, and comfortable weather for travel. : Ideal for photographing lush valleys, blooming wildflowers, and comfortable weather for travel. Autumn (September to November) : Offers soft light and warm tones, perfect for desert and mountain landscapes. : Offers soft light and warm tones, perfect for desert and mountain landscapes. Winter (December to February): A good time to photograph snow-capped Atlas Mountains, but the desert can get chilly at night. No matter when you go, Morocco private tours ensure you're prepared and in the right place at the right time to capture the shot of a lifetime. A private photo tour with Morocco Photo Tours is more than just a vacation. It's a creative journey that sharpens your skills, enriches your cultural understanding, and fills your camera (and soul) with the colors, textures, and emotions of Morocco. Whether you're aiming to publish a photo series, build your portfolio, or simply create beautiful travel memories, Morocco private tours offer a level of access, insight, and inspiration that you won't find in a standard tour group. So pack your gear, charge your batteries, and get ready to see Morocco not just as a traveler, but as a storyteller with a camera in hand. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Departure Lounge: Take a solo trip to Morocco's Medinas, mountains and coast
Doing it solo Solo travellers are finding an increasingly diverse and sophisticated offering for holidays and adventures. Solos' new women-only tours for 2026 offer private rooms with no single supplement, small group sizes, female tour leaders, and women-focused experiences designed for mature, independent travellers. Their 13-day female-only Moroccan Medinas, Mountains & Coast looks great, with Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakesh and Essaouira all on an itinerary mixed with visits to Hassan II Mosque, the Bahia Palace and Yves Saint Laurent's glorious Majorelle Gardens. Expect cultural encounters with Berber women in the Atlas Mountains, a Moroccan calligraphy workshop, a cooking class at La Maison Arabe with a local female chef, and visits to embroidery, pottery and argan oil cooperatives run by women. Departs March 31 2026, costs £4,399; Korcula, Croatia Sail away Sailing holidays are on the up, with the Greek Isles and Croatia firm favourites. For next summer, plan a seven-night Adriatic expedition on a five-star Croatian yacht with just 19 cabins. Journeying along the Dalmatian coast, you'll visit historic Split, Makarska, Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Mljet, Šipan and Dubrovnik. €1,590 including flights from Dublin, pre-stay hotel in Split, all transfers, seven-night cruise in a premium superior cabin with ensuite, welcome reception, breakfast, lunches onboard, captain's dinner, olive oil and wine tasting and three guided tours. Departs May 16 2026; Geneva, Switzerland Winter routes Aer Lingus revealed three new winter routes last week, with flights from Dublin to Turin (perfect for accessing Italy's alpine slopes) and from Cork to Prague and Geneva. Nestled between the Alps and the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland's second largest city is a scenic and cultural treat, but also ideal for ski trips. A gateway to Morzine, and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, including the famous Vallée Blanche, flights will operate once a week from Cork Airport to Geneva on a Saturday, from December 20 to March 28, with one-way fares from €49.99. Fitzpatrick's Castle, Killiney Deal of the week Experience two sides to Leinster with Fitzpatrick Hotel Collection's new two-centre escape. Combining rest and adventure, enjoy one night B&B with dinner at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, with padel courts, an ice bath and Scandinavian sauna and steam room (and just a DART ride from Dublin city). Explore Killiney Beach, Bray Head and Killiney Hill before high-tailing it to the rolling hills of Wicklow to stay at Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge, Ireland's oldest hotel for one night's B&B with dinner. Overlooking the Aughrim river and enveloped in scenic walking, hiking and cycling routes you can explore, relax or play golf. Ideal for families or couples, the package can be booked on a non-consecutive basis if desired. Available September and October, from €419 midweek and €493 on weekends; Irish Ferries is offering great deals for 2025 with the added advantage of a 25% discount on your 2026 sailing to Britain or France. Ferry good deals Irish Ferries is offering great deals for 2025 with the added advantage of a 25% discount on your 2026 sailing to Britain or France. The deal applies to new motorist bookings on the Dublin–Cherbourg route and includes Economy and Flexi fares only. The award-winning Irish ferry company sails from Dublin to Holyhead and Cherbourg, from Rosslare to Pembroke, as well as from Dover to Calais.
Time Business News
6 days ago
- Time Business News
Epic Desert Days: Tours & Quad Treks in Morocco
Morocco's desert is not only sand and sun; it's a whole big adventure waiting. Long dunes, ride camels slowly in silence, or go fast with a quad bike across a desert like in a movie. Every day in the Moroccan desert feels like a story. Sunset on a dune, Berber tea in a tent, stars like a sky full of lights. From Merzouga to the Sahara, a big part of the journey gives a feeling of old times and wild freedom. This is not only a tour; it's a life memory. Morocco desert tours and Merzouga quad treks show the real side of this land. For the first time or more, these desert days always feel epic. The desert in Morocco means adventure with calm. Tours begin from cities like Marrakech or Fes and take you profoundly into the holiday. Ride camels through the Erg Chebbi hills, observe the sun go down behind brilliant slopes, and rest in a camp beneath the stars. A few visits are as it were for 2-3 days; others go long, like 5 to 7 days. You meet nearby migrants and eat Moroccan nourishment like tagine and couscous. Jeeps ride across rocky plains, visit oases, and explore old kasbahs. Guides on these tours are mostly Berber people; they know the desert like the back of their hand. They tell stories, play music at night, and show true Morocco. The tour also goes to Dades Valley, Todra Gorge, and the Atlas Mountains. Most time travelers want a mix of driving, camel riding, and culture:these tours give it all. The Sahara Desert is the biggest hot desert in the world. The Morocco Sahara Desert Tours are magical. Sahara Desert tours go deep inside Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga dunes:both very tall and wide. These Sahara Desert tours start from cities, but the main magic happens near Merzouga or M'Hamid. The tours have a mix:camel trek, 4×4 jeep, and quad biking. A few days are full of hush and peace, others with speed and wind. Sahara visits too incorporate evenings in camp with fire, music, nourishment, and a sky full of stars. It's the best way to experience the ancient caravan course and learn about wanderer life. Visit Khamlia town, where Gnawa artists play ancient African beats, meet forsake metal forgers, and drink mint tea in a conventional tent. The Sahara Leave visit is not fair approximately sand; it is around feeling time moderate down. The Merzouga quad tour is high-speed fun in the desert. These quad bike tours start in Merzouga village, take you across dunes fast, make you feel the wind, and make you bounce on sand like waves. You go to Erg Chebbi dunes, the Black Desert (Hamada), fossil areas, and sometimes oases. You do not need a license to drive a quad in the desert. The guide goes with you, gives you a helmet and goggles, and shows you how to drive. Most tours last 1 to 3 hours. But a full day is also possible. The sunset quad tour is the most famous golden sky and the fast ride makes dream memories. The best thing is you stop at the top of the dune, take a photo, and see all the sand around you. The Merzouga quad tour mixes thrill and nature. nice for families, couples or friends who want adrenaline in the desert. Erg Chebbi Dunes :.Giant orange dunes up to 150 meters tall, sunset here is magical. :.Giant orange dunes up to 150 meters tall, sunset here is magical. Todra Gorge :Huge rock walls with a river inside a great place to stop before the desert. :Huge rock walls with a river inside a great place to stop before the desert. Dades Valley :Winding roads and red rock, also called Valley of 1000 Kasbahs. :Winding roads and red rock, also called Valley of 1000 Kasbahs. Khamlia Village :Gnawa music and warm Berber hospitality. :Gnawa music and warm Berber hospitality. Nomad Camp :Sleep in a tent under the stars, enjoy a fire, and dance. :Sleep in a tent under the stars, enjoy a fire, and dance. Black Desert & Fossils :Dark rocky area with ancient sea fossils, a good quad stop. :Dark rocky area with ancient sea fossils, a good quad stop. Oasis of Hassi Labied :Palm trees in the middle of sand, cool and green. :Palm trees in the middle of sand, cool and green. Merzouga Sunset & Sunrise:The whole sky changes color, the best photo time. These scenes are not only beautiful but also show the soul of the desert. Every place speaks its own story. The best time to go to the desert in Morocco is Spring (March to May), Warm days, cool evenings, blooms in desert spring, idealized weather. Autumn (September to November):Same as spring, less visitor crowd. Winter (December to February): Great sun amid the day, but at night it is exceptionally cold, so bring warm clothes. Summer (June to August):Very hot, not simple for long camel or quad rides. But early morning or nightfall visits are affirmed. Try to avoid Ramadan time if you want a full food and music experience. Clothes :Light in the day, warm for the night. Scarf for wind and sun. :Light in the day, warm for the night. Scarf for wind and sun. Shoes :Closed, strong shoes for sand walks or quad rides. :Closed, strong shoes for sand walks or quad rides. Sunscreen :.The desert sun is very strong. :.The desert sun is very strong. Sunglasses & Hat :.Protect from sun and sand. :.Protect from sun and sand. Camera or Phone :So many photo spots; keep battery charged. :So many photo spots; keep battery charged. Water Bottle :.Stay hydrated all the time. :.Stay hydrated all the time. Backpack :Small bag for your things. :Small bag for your things. Cash :Small markets or tips need cash; no cards in the desert. :Small markets or tips need cash; no cards in the desert. Power Bank :No electricity in camp sometimes. :No electricity in camp sometimes. Toilet Paper & Wet Wipes:For personal clean use. Also bring a smile and open heart:the desert is more beautiful when you feel it inside. Go with a Trusted Guide:Don't try solo; the desert is tricky. Local guides always help. Start the tour early:morning light and cool air are better for riding and camels. Ride Camel Slowly:Hold tight, lean back a little. Not like horses, it's different. Quad Biking Safety First:Always wear a helmet and follow the guide. Drink Water Often:Desert dry, body needs water even if it is not felt. Watch Your Step on Dune:Sand shifts; walk slow and steady. Ask Questions:Local guides are happy to explain culture and history. Respect Nomad Life:Be polite in the tent; ask before taking a photo. Don't Rush:Desert needs time to feel. Enjoy silence. Pack Light:You do not need a suitcase. One bag is enough. These tips help make desert trips smooth and happy. The desert of Morocco is not as it were sand and heat:it is domestic to peace, experience, and excellence. From Morocco leave visits to profound Sahara trips and quick quad rides in Merzouga, each visit brings something extraordinary. Ride camels like ancient wanderers, eat beneath stars, move around fire, and tune in to stories of biking gives a rush, a camel ride gives peace, and a camp night gives dreams. Even first-time travelers feel welcome in the desert. Local guides, Berber people, warm food, and hot tea:all make the journey unforgettable. The best time is spring and autumn, but the desert is always open with heart. Just pack well, follow the guide, and let the desert show you magic. Epic desert days in Morocco are not only travel:they are a memory forever. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
