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Your own Moroccan palace…Power on the fly…

By MICHELLE STRASHOON

L UXURY TRAVEL: When visiting the entrancing city of Marrakech you are faced with the decision to stay in either a hotel or riad (former mansion turned into a B&B)…if you are looking to relax your stay away poolside with a cocktail in hand, I would go the hotel route…but if you are longing to experience the real Marrakech, definitely stay in a riad.

Once that decision is made then you are faced with the painstaking task of picking which riad you want out of the hundreds Marrakesh has to offer.  Luckily you have me to guide you to the perfect one...Riad Amirat al Jamal, a former Alaouite palace.

Set right in the heart of the medina (oldest part of the city), next to the cities most famous landmark, the bustling plaza Jemma el Fna, Riad Amriat Al Jamal is found down a nondescript alleyway.  At first you will be cursing me and wondering why I took you down this dirt floored alley full of stray cats…but don’t judge this alley by its grunge…this area, the palace district, is actually home to some of the cities most stylish residents like Richard Branson.  At the end of the rustic alley you will happen upon the Riad’s door and once inside you will be in a completely different world, one that is decadent yet authentically Moroccan.

The Riad’s Californian owner, Peggy Ward Engh, and her adopted Berber family, instantly make you feel at home with a greeting of mint tea. After being mesmerized by the beautiful courtyard, more magic waits in Amirat’s five unique guest rooms, each decorated in a different style and full of antiques.

Once you are ready to venture out of your newly found palace-home, Peggy helps you organize your day and gives expert advice on how to navigate the streets of the medina…and best of all she reveals the secrets to expert Moroccan-style bargaining. Peggy and her staff can also arrange amazing day trips…and if you have the time, they can even organize spending the night with a Berber tribe who live in the Sahara.

At the end of a long day of haggling with vendors, Amirat is the perfect place to relax as the Riad has an actual pool in the center courtyard…not one of these bathtub-sized “dipping pools” that most riads have.  There are also two terraces on the roof to unwind on…and make sure to have dinner one night on the roof; the view of the Koutoubia Mosque’s Minaret is breathtaking.

Although Amirat offers super luxurious accommodations, the rooms are in the “affordable luxury” category with prices starting at $200. For more information visit amirataljamal.com

TECH ON THE GO: The Duracell Mobile Charger is the ultimate gadget for techies venturing far off the grid.

The innovative charger serves as a portable power hub, delivering power to a variety of high-drain devices, ranging from digital cameras and portable gaming systems to iPods, MP3 players and Blackberrys, through several methods:

1. It can charge AA or AAA batteries or devices via a wall or car outlet.

2. It can charge any device that is normally charged using a USB outlet, regardless of if it uses AA or AAA cells, via the USB socket on the charger.

3. You can use Duracell’s Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries (included) to charge USB devices if an electrical outlet is not available.

So when in the desert without an outlet in sight…don’t be afraid to rock the power out of your iPod…the Duracell Mobile Charger has got your back!  Available for $25 at most stores that carry Duracell.

TRAVEL WEB: LuggageForward.com takes the “lug” out of luggage with their door-to-door luggage delivery service.

Through innovative technology, a worldwide network of shipping partners and honest, unparalleled customer care, Luggage Forward carefully manages and monitors the shipping process to ensure on-time delivery. The company routinely goes the extra mile, even alerting travelers by cell phone or PDA as soon as luggage arrives at its final destination.

    Travelers can simply book online or by phone, select a convenient pickup time and leave the rest to Luggage Forward.  An agent will pick up the bags and send them on their way, no special packaging required. Their door-to-door rates start at $60 and include an unmatched domestic on-time guarantee.

BUDGET TRAVEL: Having visitors is par for course during the holidays…and at times you find yourself becoming a personal travel agent for your visitors.  Since Santa Barbara is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the west coast, budget travelers often get left out in the cold.

If you have guests visiting that don't have the $500 a night to stay in one of the many central and luxurious hotels/inn...I have a solution and it is the Hotel Virginia, a Holiday Inn Express.

The Hotel Virginia was originally built in 1916 and is a historical landmark.  The recent renovations have left the rooms looking like mini-Four Seasons digs.  

Not only are the rooms great, the location can't be beat.  Located on Haley between State and Chapala, the hotel is in the center of downtown and only a few blocks from the beach...it is so central that you can drop your guests off and be rest assured they will be able to entertain themselves.

Rooms start at $159 and although you might be able to find more budget accommodations in Santa Barbara, you would be hard pressed to find a place so central and with so much charm. Visit them at HotelVirginia.com

TIP OF THE WEEK: Have an old mismatched sock in your drawer that drives your inner "neat freak" crazy? Give that poor old sock a second chance on your next trip and use it as a last minute packing aid…socks (especially the thick gym type) make a great pocket camera cover or sunglass case, and prevent the items from getting scratched by other things in your bag.

Michelle Strashoon’s column appears every Thursday in the Daily Sound.  E-mail your travel tips and feedback to comments@hipcompass.com

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