Sat 4 Oct - Thu 18 Oct 2024 (14 nights)

• Marrakech, The Sahara, Essaouira

• A once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll never forget

• Perfect blend of lessons, activities and adventure

• Accommodation options to suit your taste and budget

• Free time to shop, eat and explore

• Possibility to combine with Paris trip

If French and travel are part of who you are, Lingua Franca’s Summer School is a dream come true.

Take the very best of learning with Lingua Franca, add the invaluable authenticity of being sur place* and you have yourself a mélange magique*. Lessons in the morning, an activity every other afternoon, lunches, dinners and plenty of free time.

For this very special trip to Morocco, we’ll also be taking an all-inclusive, four-day trip out to the Sahara desert, before stopping off for two nights in Essaouria to catch the sea breezes on our way back to Marrakech.

You’ll be surprised and delighted by the leaps and bounds your French will take, the connections you’ll make and the memories that will last long after you’ve put your suitcase away.

Exotic and exciting, Morocco is an intoxicating blend of French, Arab and Berber cultures. Chaotic marketplaces, bedouin tents and salty sea breezes await and you’ll get to experience it all.

Located in North Africa, Morocco is just 13kms from Europe, across the Strait of Gibraltar. French is widely spoken and serves as a lingua franca (common language) for its people. The Mediterranean and Atlantic seas and the Atlas Mountains and Sahara desert serve as spectacular natural borders.

Our time will be split between the Marrakech, the Sahara and the coastal town of Essaouira.

The storied Red City is where we’ll be spending the majority of our time with four nights at the start of the trip and four at the end.

This is also the location of our summer school, while our time in the Sahara and coastal town of Essaouira will be lesson-free, leaving you the time and space to practise your French with the charmants* characters we’ll meet along the way.

MARRAKECH

In Marrakech, it’s not about sight-seeing, per se. It’s more about taking the time to absorb it all: the colours, the smells, the tastes, the history and the world-famous hospitality of the people.

There is something to be said for just wandering the streets and alleys of the medina* appreciating the architecture, activity and characters you’ll find. We’ve gone light on the sight-seeing (though the Majorelle Gardens and new YSL museum are unmissable) in favour of experiences such as a cooking class with a women’s collective and a guided souk* tour.

LE SAHARA

Who has not dreamed of riding a camel across the Sahara in a scene straight from Lawrence of Arabia? Your destination? A bedouin tent in the middle of the desert for an unforgettable night of dramatic sunsets, traditional berber music and gazing at a sky thick with étoiles*.

Our route to this dreamscape will take us up through the Atlas mountains and beyond, stopping at gorges, a UNESCO heritage-listed site, date groves and argan oil collectives, staying in kasbahs and boutique hotels and eating olives, tagines and preserved lemons.

ESSAOUIRA

Popular with wind-surfers, a two-night stay in this coastal town will provide the respite we’ll need after our time in the desert. Arriving dusty, tired and elated, make the most of the roof-top sea breezes with a cool gin and tonic in hand or book yourself straight into a hammam* for an invigorating scrub with Morocco’s famous savon noir*.

There’s great shopping to be had in Essaouira, so be sure to leave some time to wander the medina in search of ceramics, leather good, artworks and resort-style clothing.

See below for full details of inclusions and exclusions.

*right there | | *magic mix | *charming | *old, walled part of city | *marketplace | *stars | *traditional bath house | *black soap

Each morning in Marrakech starts with coffee, pastries and a lesson, in small groups with lessons tailored to your level. We’ll focus on arming you with the language and confidence to become an independent French speaker, able to navigate the myriad opportunities to speak French just outside the riad door.

Three cultural activities are included to give you a fuller appreciation of this unique place and its fascinating history. We’ll again be working with our long-standing local suppliers and friends to give you the inside running on what it means to be marocain* today. If you’re anything like us, it’s their smiling faces and the conversations you’ll have with them that will stay in your memory long after you’ve returned home.

Otherwise, your time is all yours to spend as you wish. Whether indulging in a scrub in the hammam*, visiting a mosque, shopping, reading your book in the shade up on the rooftop terrace or perhaps even indulging in an afternoon sieste*, you’re guaranteed to come home relaxed, re-energised and with a fresh perspective on this beguiling continent.

*Moroccan | *bath house | *nap

The following activities are all included:

To suit a range of tastes and budgets, there are three levels of accommodation in Marrakech to choose from. All three are convenient to the school, which will take place at Le Tarabel.

We’ve chosen riads to give you the most authentic experience. Since they’re (very large) converted homes, the size of the rooms varies quite significantly. The smallest are the size of a typical European hotel room, while the largest can feel like mini palaces! Therefore, there will be some variation in prices from room to room in the same riad.

We have based the packages on a standard double room rate at the time of publication. 

All other accommodation is included.

Please see La FAQ for more information on how riads work and why it’s important to get in quickly to secure the very best room for your needs.

LE TARABEL - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
An incredibly beautiful riad* in the loveliest part of Marrakech with original decor that blends Moorish architecture with French Empire style. The charming French management will ensure you never want to leave this havre de paix*. It is truly a sublime experience to stay here, one you’ll never forget.
Le Tarabel website

RIAD TIZOU - MID-RANGE
Ideally situated in the antiques district of Dar El Bacha, this converted traditional home which dates from 1750 was totally renovated in 2022 in a pared-back, contemporary style. There’s an on-site chef, winter garden and open air rooftop terrace. Your very own cocoon away from the hustle and bustle of the streets.
Riad Tizou website

DAR ETERNITY - ECONOMICAL
Magnificently and completely restored by renowned architect Christophe Siméon, this early 19th century riad opened its doors in October 2019. Run by a charming French couple, Samuel and Sophie, the rooms are decorated with refinement in the purest Moroccan tradition, around a pleasant patio offering a pool for cooling off and several lounges.
Dar Eternity website

The accommodation for our desert road trip will be of a more basic nature, but welcoming, clean and utterly charming nonetheless. It will include centuries-old kasbahs, family-run guesthouses and of course, a traditional Berber tent for our night in the dunes of the Sahara. Think glamping, north African style.

For the Essaouira accommodation, the group will be split between two lovely properties (both raids), within easy walking distance from one another.

NB: We’ll contact you to talk to you about your accommodation preferences once you’ve secured your spot by paying a deposit (see below).

*colonial style home with a central courtyard, many of which have been converted into hotels | *oasis of calm

Friday 04 Oct 2024 - Friday 18 Oct 2024 (14 nights)

Please note: The single rate is for one person travelling alone. For couples, the price is calculated on 2 x twin rate. Let us know if you have any questions.

ALL PACKAGES INCLUDE:

Lessons
Accommodation
Two out of three meals
Activities and guided tours
Five-day Sahara tour
Two nights in Essaouira
Bespoke Lingua Franca materials
Welcome gift pack

NOT INCLUDED:

Flights
Traveller’s insurance (compulsory)
Tips and personal expenditure
Airport transfers*

*Your riad may offer complimentary airport transfers in Marrakech.

Flights are not included in this package as we imagine many of you may wish to extend your stay at either end.

Below are the carriers that fly to Morocco from Australia. If you’re coming from our Paris Summer School, or elsewhere in Europe, you’ll find a large range of flights and carriers. Marrakech is 3hrs 20 mins from Paris.

FROM AUSTRALIA

Emirates
Etihad
Qantas
Air France
Qatar

and others

Feeling adventurous? Why not extend your stay by heading up north to the blue city of Chefchaouen and then onto the coastal city of Tangiers? Or perhaps you fell in love with the Atlas mountains on your way to the desert and would like to add a mountain trek to your trip. If you’re a romantic, it’s hard to pass up a side trip to Casablanca to drop in at Rick’s Café. Here’s looking at you, kid.

If you’d rather leave the organisation of flights, extra tours or alternative accommodation to a professional, we can put you in touch with a great travel agent we use. Please contact us for her details.

Here’s are des informations supplémentaires* for you to digest. If we haven’t covered something and you’d like to know, please contact us.

Is it safe?

There is rarely violent crime in Morocco and it almost never targets foreigners. The Moroccans are very welcoming and love to share their traditions and culture with foreign tourists.

I’ve never felt unsafe in Morocco. It has a stable government, there is a police presence and for all the chaos of the cities, there is an order of sorts. It may be confronting at first simply because it’s so different from a first-world country, but the longer you’re there, the more at home you’ll feel.

However, the official safety risk in Morocco does fluctuate and some of the more remote areas can be dangerous. Please be assured we will not be venturing into these areas which tend to be along the borders to the east.

In Marrakech particularly, the government has formed the brigade touristique in recent years. This is a tourist police force who step in if they spot locals hassling and haul away persistent nuisances, who may be fined.

Everyone’s risk threshold is different, however, so if you have any concerns at all, please consult the appropriate travel advisory organisations before committing to the trip.

What is a riad and why have you only recommended this style of accommodation?

A riad is a large traditional house built around a central courtyard, many of which have been converted into boutique hotels and guesthouses.

In the centre of Marrakech (the medina) riads make up the vast majority of the accommodation available. Bigger, more western-style hotels are mostly found outside of the city walls and while they can be larger and more luxurious, we feel nothing beats the authentic charm of a riad.

We highly recommend you stay within the city walls, as this is where you’ll really feel the buzz of being in such an exciting city and it makes getting around very easy. Rest assured, though, the riads are designed to eliminate both heat and noise, so after a full day meandering through the maze of streets, stalls and markets, once you open the heavy door to your riad, you’ll be entering into a veritable oasis of calm and tranquillity.

Can friends and family attend?

Absolument*! It is a fantastic trip to share with someone you love. 

Do they have to speak French?

No, in fact when we last did this trip, we had a couple of partners come along, and they found more than enough to do while we did our morning lessons. Hearing about their morning adventures when we met up later for lunch was a real highlight of the trip.

I have a friend who is learning French but not with Lingua Franca. Can they participate in the lessons?

Of course. We’d love to have them join us.

Do you have to be an advanced student to join in?

Not at all! For bigger groups, we’ll divide you up according to level and for smaller groups, we’ll ensure the lessons will be pitched to benefit all levels. All you need is a desire to improve your French and a sense of curiosité*.

Where are the lessons held?

Our lessons in Marrakech will be held at Le Tarabel, the recommended accommodation. It’s centrally located so it’s easy for you to get to school each morning, no matter where you choose to stay.

What can I expect from the lessons?

The best things about doing lessons sur place* is how immediately useful the content is. The minute you step out the door of the school, you’ll be able to put into practice what you’ve just learned. 

Lessons will start at 9:30am and will go through to 12:30pm with a pause-café* (think coffee and pâtisseries*) included so you can clear your brain and stretch your legs. We’ll focus on the vocabulary, grammar and essential phrases you’ll need to communicate effectively while you’re in Marrakech, with bespoke materials tailored to our destination. These skills will become part of your toolkit for your travels further afield, too.

We’ve been so inspired by the huge improvement we’ve seen in the students who took part in our previous trips and we know you’ll benefit enormously, too, from the semi-intensive format. Never fear, though, Lingua Franca lessons will always remain relaxed and friendly, as we believe happy brains learn best. Plus, you’re en vacances*.

Payment schedule.

You’ll need to pay a $1500 deposit to secure your spot. The deposit will be fully refundable until !st March 2024. Balance payments will be due 90 days before the departure date and are non-refundable.

Is there more?

There is so much more to tell you but we don’t want to detract from the anticipation and mystery of such an exotic destination: we want to leave you to discover what it is that makes Morocco so special. However, if you do have une question importante*, do not hesitate to contact us. We’d love to help you and answer any questions you may have.

*some extra information | *Absolutely | *an important question | *curiosity | *areas | *Teacher’s Pets | * on site | *coffee break | *pastries | *on holidays |*lunch | *Yes | *holidays

Please pay a deposit to reserve your place. We require a deposit for each person travelling.

Other questions? Please let us know. We look forward to seeing you on the trip.

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