OHMYGOSSIP starts collaboration with Moroccan National Tourist Office – Press trip to Morocco, Agadir

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November 11, 2016

NordenBladet – I am very proud and glad to announce that #OHMYGOSSIP starts collaboration with Moroccan Ministry and Government Tourist Office!

Last year I began cooperation with Israel Ministry of Tourism & Israel Government Tourist Office Nordics! I´ve been one of the Israel´s “media ambassadors” here in the Nordics over a year! This year I am honored to work also with Moroccan National Tourist Board & Moroccan Goverment Tourist Office to promote #VisitMorocco in my OHMYGOSSIP- websites!!!

Moroccan National Tourist Office will organize for me and my team a complimentary personal press trips to Morocco and will show us around. As the guests of Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, we will be provided with flights, hotel accommodation, with breakfasts and dinners in restaurants, with transport and travel guides.

The first trip will take me to Agadir – a very important centre for tourism to Morocco, and the city is the most important fishing port in the country. Agadir is a major city in Morocco, located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean near the foot of the Atlas Mountains, just north of the point where the Sous River flows into the ocean. It is at a distance of 508 km to the south of Casablanca. It is the capital of the Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane Prefecture and of the Souss-Massa economic region. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1960; it has been completely rebuilt with mandatory seismic standards. It is now the largest seaside resort in Morocco, where foreign tourists and many residents are attracted by an unusually mild year-round climate. Since 2010 it has been well served by low-cost flights and a motorway from Tangier. The city attracts all walks of life; it has had an annual growth rate of over 6% per year in housing demand while housing production barely exceeds 3.4%.

Agadir is filled with great hotels. We will stay in 5star “Atlantic Palace Agadir Golf Thalasso & Casino Resort” (atlanticpalace.com)! Set in the centre of Agadir, this hotel features an on-site casino as well as a private beach. It features a golf course, a sauna, a beauty centre and a Turkish steam bath. This modern Agadir hotel provides free Wi-Fi and outdoor tennis courts. It includes family-friendly amenities, with room layouts and services for families of any size, as well as a kids pool and a kids club. The peaceful rooms offer garden or pool views, and each is equipped with a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV and a mini bar. They feature wireless internet access, a telephone and heating. Atlantic Palace Agadir features both a restaurant and a bar where guests are able to relax at the end of the day. Room service is provided around the clock, and a wide selection of restaurants and cafés can also be found close by. Atlantic Palace Agadir Golf Thalasso & Casino Resort is ideally located for exploring Agadir with Casino le Mirage within walking distance. Agadir Stadium and Inezgane are only an easy drive from the hotel.

Hotel Atlantic Palace Agadir Golf Thalasso & Casino Resort (Photos: courtesy of AtlanticPalace)

When you start your travel from Scandinavia, one great place to make reservations for your trip to Morocco is: Marokko Eksperten (marokkoeksperten.dk) – Vermundsgade 38, 2. Sal – 2100 København!

I will blog, tweet and review about our trip, so you will also see via OHMYGOSSIP all the great places we will visit and experience and hopefully you´ll get great ideas for your next trip! I´ll be in Morocco soon, already next week (!) and will keep you updated with everything! Love you! Stay cool!

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Morocco, officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, is a sovereign country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Geographically, Morocco is characterized by a rugged mountainous interior and large portions of desert. It has Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. Morocco has a population of over 33.8 million and an area of 446,550 km2 (172,410 sq mi). Its capital is Rabat, and the largest city is Casablanca. Other major cities include Marrakesh, Tangier, Tetouan, Salé, Fes, Agadir, Meknes, Oujda, Kenitra, and Nador. A historically prominent regional power, Morocco has a history of independence not shared by its neighbours. Its distinct culture is a blend of Arab, indigenous Berber, Sub-Saharan African, and European influences.

Morocco claims the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara as its Southern Provinces. Morocco annexed the territory in 1975, leading to a guerrilla war with indigenous forces until a cease-fire in 1991. Peace processes have thus far failed to break the political deadlock.

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The King of Morocco holds vast executive and legislative powers, especially over the military, foreign policy and religious affairs. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Assembly of Representatives and the Assembly of Councillors. The king can issue decrees called dahirs which have the force of law. He can also dissolve the parliament after consulting the Prime Minister and the president of the Constitutional court.

Morocco’s predominant religion is Islam, and the official languages are Arabic and Tamazight. Moroccan dialect, referred to as Darija, and French are also widely spoken. Morocco is an influential member of the Arab League and a part of the Union for the Mediterranean. It has the fifth largest economy of Africa.

Read it in Estonian:
OHMYGOSSIP alustas koostööd Maroko Kunigriigi Välisministeeriumi ning Maroko Rahvusvahelise Turismibüroo Rootsi esindusega – Pressireis Marokosse, Agadiri

Read it in Finnish:
OHMYGOSSIP aloittaa yhteistyön Marokon matkailutoimiston kanssa – Lehdistömatka Marokkoon, Agadiriin

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4 FREE things to do in Bergen, Norway

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 28, 2016

NordenBladet – Bergen is a city on Norway’s southwestern coast. It’s surrounded by mountains and fjords, including Sognefjord, the country’s longest and deepest. Bryggen features colorful wooden houses on the old wharf, once a center of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire. The Fløibanen Funicular goes up Fløyen Mountain for panoramic views and hiking trails. The Edvard Grieg House is where the renowned composer once lived.

Norway is one of the most beautiful but also most expensive countries in Europe. Therefore I’m excited to share some tips of free things to do in Bergen. Bergen is the second largst city of the country and the port counts into the most busiest within Europe. Bergen is surrounded by 7 mountains which offer an amazing outlook to the nearby Fjords!

1) Bryggen
The most important sight of Bergen is called “Bryggen” and is totally for free! These old houses have been warehouses in the era of the german Hanse and are well preserved. Inside you can find cozy bars, art galleries and handcraft shops – Bryggen is a must-see when in Bergen!

2) Stoltzekleiven
What about some sport? You can get up there by using the 801 steps! The locals use the „Stoltzekleiven“ (this is how they call the steps) as their workout spot in the evening no matter if it is raining or not. From the top you will be rewarded with a great view!

3) Bergen from above
The Fløyen is the most visited of the seven mountains that surround the city centre of Bergen. You can get to the top by using the cable car “Fløibanen” for 85 NOK (around 11€) or use the free option: a well marked path which leads up here. At the top you’ll find a viewpoint, a restaurant and a kiosk.

4) Free festivals and concerts
Throughout the year you’ll find various festivals and concerts in Bergen which are free of charge. One of the largest is on May 17th – the Norwegian Constitution Day with parties all over the city.

Travel photos: Bergen, Norway (OHMYGOSSIP/ Helena-Reet Ennet)

Eating home cooked meals slashes diabetes risk

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 17, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP – Dining in cuts diabetes risk! New research from the Harvard School of Public Health conducted a 26 year study tracking the health of nearly 100,000 middle-aged men and women. Those who took part were all diabetes free at the start of the study, and were asked questions on their diet and lifestyle.

By the end of the research 9,000 of the participants had developed diabetes. By looking through the data it was determined that the more meals eaten at home, the lower the risk of developing diabetes was. It was found that eating both lunchtime and evening meals at home had huge health benefits, with home cooked suppers five to seven times a week slashing the diabetes risk by 15 per cent, and eating the majority of lunches at home saw a 9 per cent lowered risk.

Findings have been published in PLOS Medicine. Other notable results include the difference in weight gain between those who dine in and those who choose to eat out, with at home eaters putting on less weight and tending to consume more fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Fewer fizzy beverages are drunk by the people eating at home as well.

Differences between men and women who eat at home were also highlighted, with women exercising more and men chowing down on fry ups more regularly.

“Dining out has become increasingly popular in many countries,” authors said. “Meals prepared out of the home are usually high in energy and fat but low in micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin C and iron.

“From a public health perspective, actions are needed to encourage cooking meals at home, and to improve the quality of meals prepared out of the home, to facilitate diabetes prevention.”

Researcher Geng Zong adds that ordering take away counts as a meal out. It wasn’t determined whether the home cooked food was made fresh, or used pre-made goods like pasta sauces.

Photo: ©OHMYGOSSIP

10 Foods to eat to burn more calories

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 17, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP — There are many foods that you can eat each day to burn calories and lose weight. The great news is that these foods are super delicious and they boast amazing health benefits, Womanitely mediates.

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3 Tips how to lose weight fast, Based on Science — Your 3-step plan!

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 17, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP — There are many ways to lose a lot of weight fast. However, most of them will make you hungry and unsatisfied. If you don’t have iron willpower, then hunger will cause you to give up on these plans quickly.

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7 Tricks to snack healthier and exercise harder

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 17, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP — If you’re looking for the better results from your fitness routine, you need to learn how to snack healthier and exercise harder. No matter whether you are trying to lose weight, build muscle or improve your health, snacking smarter can always help.

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12 BUDGET travel secrets you need to know!

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 14, 2016

NordenBladet – Travel better, cheaper, longer by using these smart sites and deals! Some studies indicate that you can save about 30% to 40% when booking a vacation home or apartment versus a comparable hotel. That’s just the upfront price. You’ll save even more by eating some of your meals (breakfasts and dinners, perhaps) at your rental property. Shopping at neighborhood grocery stories, cheese shops and bakeries also lets you experience a slice of the local life. Rental units often have laundry facilities, which will help you pack light. And try haggling with a property’s owner or manager: Negotiate price, length of stay, arrival and departure dates — it’s all up for discussion. And those discussions can lead to great savings.

Accommodation

House sitting is an great way for animal-lovers to travel and live rent-free in exchange for caring for a house and pets.

Trusted Housesitters, in my opinion, is the easiest housesit site to use and navigate. They have a ton of international traffic. I have personally received requests from just about everywhere in the world. Sitters and Homeowners can pay $49.99 USD/month for 1 month, or $7.99 USD/month for an annual plan. Sitters can also pay $23.99 USD/month for a 3 month plan. Bonus: Annual plans include access to a 24/7 Vet Help Line staffed by vet techs.

House Carers also offers lots of international house sits and also have quite a bit of traffic, as I’ve also seen a lot of activity worldwide from this site. Sitters pay $50 USD yearly, homeowners list free.

Mind My House, out of New Zealand, has a very eye-pleasing website and is super easy to use. Sitters pay $20 USD yearly, homeowners join free.

WWOOF, or Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is the ultimate accommodation for your karma. You get to stay at a farm or homestead for free and in exchange you help out for a few hours a day farming, caring for animals, or doing odd jobs showcasing some of your awesome skills.

Couchsurfing, aka, the original homestay site. Find locals worldwide to stay with, for free. Can be used as a local meetup if you’re looking to go out!

Airbnb is a site where you can book a stay with a local in their home. It’s a great way to travel if you are super social, and enjoy meeting new people and sleeping their homes! I’ve seen everything from a boat to a couch to a private room to a guesthouse. Definitely some super cool, interesting and unique places.

Yonderbound is a super unique travel accommodation booking site. If Pinterest and Hotels.com had a baby, this would be it. Create Yonderboxes of plans, share, follow, and book. The coolest part – If someone books in your yonderboxes, you earn money!

Hotel Tonight lets you book hotel rooms right from your phone, anytime, anywhere, easy breezy.

Bon Appetour is a cool site you can use to dine with locals in their homes. If you want to immerse yourself with locals and you love food, then what better way to have locals cook for you in their homes- anywhere in the world! Find anything from classic old-world recipes to gourmet cuisine by chefs.

EatWith is a foodie’s dream site, full of really unique once-in-a-lifetime dining experiences. You can book a seat at a table to a shared event or private event where local chefs can create menus and even work with concierges to find locations.

Vayable is a super cool site you should definitely check out. It’s like Airbnb, but for activities! Be a tour guide for whatever your passion is! Travelers can meet up with local tour guides to learn, see and do things they probably wouldn’t otherwise do! It’s just brilliant.

5 BENEFITS of using Airbnb

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 14, 2016

NordenBladet – Hi! Megan here from Soup of the Day Blog! I just got back from a long weekend trip to Florida and after three snowstorms in Baltimore this year, I was very ready for the warmth! When I started making plans for our Florida trip we checked out hotels and were blown away by the prices! We wanted to stay somewhere close to everything we would be doing and seeing, but we knew that we didn’t plan to spend much time in our room. We were going to be out and about and really just needed a place to sleep at night and $200 a night wasn’t in our budget!

Steve, my boyfriend, liked the idea of Airbnb and wanted to check it out. After browsing the accommodations near Fort Lauderdale we settled on the most perfect little house. We had an entire home vs a single room, had a driveway to park our rental car, were within walking distance of restaurants and shops, and had a pool and hot tub to use. It wasn’t huge but had a kitchen, living room (with a murphy bed that pulled down), a bathroom and a laundry room to wash our wet towels and clothes. We were able to book 4 nights on Airbnb for less than HALF of what it would have cost to stay in a hotel in the same area.

Without a doubt we will be using AirBnB for our future trips and here are a few reasons why:

1. Price– The price is right, that’s for sure! Entire homes cost roughly the same as a single hotel room (price varies based on location). As I mentioned above, we were able to book a house for less than half of what we would have paid for a hotel room in Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

2. Customer Service– The person renting out their home wants you to have a good time. They don’t have the marketing or name recognition that most large hotel chains have. After staying in a rental you can write a review of the accommodations on AirBnB. Most places we considered staying in had high reviews from people just like us.

3. Local Recommendations– The owner of the home is also willing to recommend places to eat and things to see/do while you’re on vacation.

4. Flexibility– Most owners set a check-in time and a check-out time just like you would see at a hotel, however, they are more flexible. The owner was in contact with us regarding our flight in and out to make sure that the place was ready for us upon arrival.

5. Comfort– I don’t mind staying in hotels, but sometimes I want to be in a place that feels like a home not a hotel room. We had a kitchen and were able to make breakfast before heading out each day. We also brought back leftovers and were able to heat them up when we didn’t feel like going out.

I was skeptical at first that staying in someone’s home would be better than a hotel room, but I can say with confidence that it was great! You should look into Airbnb for your next trip!

Featured photo: Ohmygossip.com

Cultural experience: Jaffa Flea Market, where one can find everything + GALLERY!

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 13, 2016

NordenBladet — Flea markets are worth visiting, you’ll get a great cultural experience, see local arts and crafts and probably this is the place where you buy some souvenirs to take back home with you. Don’t forget to haggle for your purchases!

Jaffa Flea Market is open Sunday to Thursday 10am to 6pm and Friday 10am to 2pm. If your time is limited in Tel Aviv, the Jaffa area is very interesting to visit — not so much as a shopping area but as the place to get some ‘cultural experiences’. If you are all about ‘heavy brand clothes shopping’, I suggest to visit the Dizengoff Center instead! 😛

Jaffa Flea marketplace is filled daily with tourists and locals alike, all seeking the perfect (bargained for) purchase that captures the charm and magic of this unique shuk. Flea Market runs across the streets of Olei Zion, Yehuda Margoza, Beit Eshel and the alleyways connecting them.

Jaffa is the ancient port out of which modern day Tel Aviv has grown. Just next to Jaffa’s picturesque Old City and ancient Clock Tower, is a treasure trove of antiques, handmade and secondhand items over at the Jaffa Flea Market, or, in Hebrew Shuk Hapishpishim.

Jaffa’s Shuk HaPishpushim, or Flea Market, is an outdoor secondhand and antique shopping area. Founded in the early part of the 20th century, the Jaffa Flea Market has, in recent years, become a trendy spot for fashionistas, artisans and lovers of all things old or handmade. Today’s sprawling streets and central market area are an eclectic mix of indoor restaurants, stop by eateries, outdoor junk vendors, and shops with refurbished furniture, household items from earlier periods, and second hand clothes.

Read also:
Helena-Reet: A few tips to make your Israel visit perfect in summer time!
OHMYGOSSIP — I recently came back from my lovely vacation and must say that summer in Israel is hotter than hot! Last time I was in Israel in December and then the temperature was about 15 degrees colder. Now in August I experienced up to 42°C at Negev desert, in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem was around 36°C.

Helena-Reet: The very best outdoor pools that Israel has to offer
OHMYGOSSIP — Israel is the perfect destination to have a diverse and interesting holiday. There is plenty to do, but one of the best ideas in summer time is to visit a pool or a water park to cool yourself off. Here are my suggestions for the one’s who love the luxury, for families with kids and for serious sport lovers.

TOP food experiences in Israel: Dr Shakshuka’s Restaurant in Tel Aviv
OHMYGOSSIP — Dear Ohmygossip readers! I have another great travel experience to share with you! As most of you know, last year I started collaborating with Israel Ministry of Tourism & Israel Government Tourist Office Nordics. As their media ambassador I had a great chance to visit Israel with my husband Margus, meet many interesting people and visit many nice places.

Study in Israel in English (English programs at Israeli universities and colleges)
OHMYGOSSIP — Find out about all the different possibilities of studying abroad in Israel! Listing of programs taught in English for students from abroad at undergraduate and graduate levels, and summer programs.

Helena-Reet: OHMYGOSSIP started collaboration with Israel Ministry of Tourism & Israel Government Tourist Office Nordics!
OHMYGOSSIP — I have such great news! As a huge traveler, lover of different cultures and countries and as a great Israel patriot I’m so proud to announce that I started collaboration with Israel Ministry of Tourism & Israel Government Tourist Office Nordics! It is such a big honour to me and I couldn´t be happier!

Duchess Catherine flies economy

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 12, 2016

OHMYGOSSIP — Duchess Catherine flew back from the Netherlands on a British Airways economy flight. The 34-year-old royal surprised passengers as she made her way home following her first solo engagement abroad by boarding a public aeroplane back to London’s City Airport on Tuesday evening (11.10.16).

The brunette beauty was greeted with mobile phones as she took her seat at the front of the aircraft in a stylish lavender suit and sat next to her bodyguards.
A source told the MailOnline, she had “never seen so many iPhones pop up at once”.

Catherine – who has Prince George, three, and 17-month-old Princess Charlotte with Prince William – was the first to exit the plane and was picked up in a car, which was waiting on the tarmac to pick her up after the 50-minute flight.

On her first royal engagement without her husband, Catherine had dinner with King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and their three daughters at their royal residence near The Hauge, Villa Eikenhorst.

She then met with deprived children at the Bouwkeet Makers Space in Rotterdam, Holland and showed off her repair skills at the centre, which aims to keep children off the streets and prevent crime in the neighbourhoods of Bospolder and Tussendijken.

The Duchess of Cambridge was then shown robots made of Lego constructed by the youngsters.

Catherine was introduced to nine-year-old, Driss Ben Mira, who showed the duchess the robot he had made called Meganoid.

Catherine congratulated the boy on his “amazing” creation and made him laugh by talking to the robot. Looking at Meganoid, she said: “Very nice to meet you.”

Featured image: Duchess Catherine (REUTERS/Phil Noble/Scanpix)
Find more OHMYGOSSIP Royalty news HERE