We traveled about Morocco for 6 weeks this past January & February, visiting Casablanca, Féz, Chefchaouen, Asilah & Tangier. Our time in Morocco was during the off season so be aware that if you visit during warmer months, expect there to be lots of tourists.
Echoing previous posters, the food in Morocco is incredible. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Riyadhs in both Féz and Asilah. Glad that we only spent 2 nights in Casablanca. We found it to be very crowded. We enjoyed out time in Féz the most due to its history and culture. It is often referred to as the most authentically Moroccan of any city in the country. Based on the recommendations of friends (one of whom is Moroccan), we entirely skipped visiting Marrakech. During our trip, others who we spoke with that had spent time in Marrakech expressed their disappointment and stated that they felt constantly harassed by merchants in addition to the city having an overall feel of a tourist trap.
Chefchaouen - aka The Blue City - is beautiful, however, expect heavy tourism there during warmer months. Asilah - aka the White City - is located on the Atlantic coast. It is beautiful and tranquil. We stayed there for several weeks in the Medina and made a number of day trips to Tangier by train and/or taxi.
Our transportation in Morocco was entirely by train, bus and taxi - all were very affordable and convenient. We found the overall COL in Morocco to be ridiculously inexpensive. Rarely did we pay more than the equivalent of $20USD for a dinner for 2 of us.
Cash is king in Morocco. Larger stores, restaurants and merchants will take plastic. Not so in the markets. Bartering for prices in the markets is expected and welcomed. Purchasing tickets for buses and trains - unless you have a Moroccan issued bank/credit card - will have to be in cash.
Edited to add: Our travels in Morocco were entirely independent. We were not part of a tour group nor were we escorted.
Thanks! These comments are very helpful. Morocco has been on my list for some time. We spent a day in Tangiers a few years ago...just crossed from Tariffa. But...I have been reading the tour book and reviewing OAT, Gate1 offerings etc. We are very independent travelers and we travel light-carry on only. Thinking of going at the end of August and would plan for six/seven weeks, some of which would be spent in Portugal.
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Candrew, thanks for your description of your trip. Since you were there in January and February, what was the weather like? I prefer off season or shoulder season travel.
Thanks! These comments are very helpful. Morocco has been on my list for some time. We spent a day in Tangiers a few years ago...just crossed from Tariffa. But...I have been reading the tour book and reviewing OAT, Gate1 offerings etc. We are very independent travelers and we travel light-carry on only. Thinking of going at the end of August and would plan for six/seven weeks, some of which would be spent in Portugal.
My thought is to go to the Atlantic coast for a week or two while the weather is still warm, then do some touring inland for a few weeks. We were first considering an escorted tour but that ties us down a little. Renting a car for part of the touring does not phase me. French is just fine since I can read it and my oral proficiency increases to mildly acceptable after a week. Public transport is not issue. We have spent the last five winters doing exactly this type of travel in SE Asia.
I thought that based on how we travel it might be better to pick up local tours, even for two days, rather than go the whole schtick with a regimented 13 or 15 day tour. Besides, if we like somewhere on the tour we would probably prefer to stay longer.
I have moved my thoughts from doing a tour and spending time on our own by the coast to just doing it ourselves and moving around to our schedule.
Thoughts, comments, or warnings/advice on this?
I really do appreciate these comments...they are right on the mark as to what I was hoping the responses would be. This was supposed to be Greece and Israel. We have been to Greece numerous times. DW wants to go back to Portugal so this combo makes sense travel wise.
Thanks! These comments are very helpful. Morocco has been on my list for some time. We spent a day in Tangiers a few years ago...just crossed from Tariffa. But...I have been reading the tour book and reviewing OAT, Gate1 offerings etc. We are very independent travelers and we travel light-carry on only. Thinking of going at the end of August and would plan for six/seven weeks, some of which would be spent in Portugal.
My thought is to go to the Atlantic coast for a week or two while the weather is still warm, then do some touring inland for a few weeks. We were first considering an escorted tour but that ties us down a little. Renting a car for part of the touring does not phase me. French is just fine since I can read it and my oral proficiency increases to mildly acceptable after a week. Public transport is not issue. We have spent the last five winters doing exactly this type of travel in SE Asia.
I thought that based on how we travel it might be better to pick up local tours, even for two days, rather than go the whole schtick with a regimented 13 or 15 day tour. Besides, if we like somewhere on the tour we would probably prefer to stay longer.
I have moved my thoughts from doing a tour and spending time on our own by the coast to just doing it ourselves and moving around to our schedule.
Thoughts, comments, or warnings/advice on this?
I really do appreciate these comments...they are right on the mark as to what I was hoping the responses would be. This was supposed to be Greece and Israel. We have been to Greece numerous times. DW wants to go back to Portugal so this combo makes sense travel wise.
Starting to do some serious research. If we do it, we will do an open jaw. Fly into Lisbon, fly out of Paris six or seven weeks later. Then do relatively inexpensive flights into and from Morocco. We are spontaneous travelers so we can leave Morocco any time as long as we get to Paris a few days or more prior to our flight home. This is typically how we arrange many of our trips.
Thanks. Yes, I know. We have been to the Algarve on previous trips. Not sure that we want to loose a day doing this.