OnwardHo

I would so appreciate help regarding transportation choices i.e. self drive vs hire; trains, buses etc? and how many days to spend in a place:

We have roughly 15 days in Morocco arriving (Oct 30th) and below is our half-sketched itinerary:
Tangier - 2 nights
Chefhaouen - 1 day/1 night ?
Fes - 3 nights (will definitely pick up car post Fez)
Erg Chebii - 2 nights ?
Dates Gorge
High Atlas Mountains
Heading on toward Marrakesh wonder if we should
a. drive onto Taroudannt and Agadir and then up to Essaouria via Sidi Ifni and Legzira Plage arches before Essaouria and finally Marrakesh which will be our departure point.

b. drive to M’Hamid and Erg Chigaga or perhaps we will have had our taste of sand dunes already from Erg Chebbi

We do not want to spend more than 2 nights max in Marrakesh and maybe 1 max at Essaouria. We live by a beautiful beach so Fez and other Moroccan treasures are more interesting to us.

Thank you for any and all thoughts.

Kathleen

MmePerdu

I think, in general, you need to do more research and choose the places most of interest to you. Consider reducing the number of stops on your itinerary for just 2 weeks. I think you may be underestimating travel time.

Very few travelers in Morocco self-drive, although it isn't unheard of. I suggest though, for a first trip, that you choose destinations easy to reach by public transport, or grand taxi otherwise, for shorter distances.

Your dismissal of Essaouira as just a beach is indicative of a need to read up more. The beach is the least of its attractions and, presumably, bears little resemblance to your home.

MinnBeef

The first part of your itinerary makes good sense to me. While I skipped Tangier as there was nothing there that upon research really appealed to me, it will make it much easier for you to reach Chefchaouen, which was one of my favorite places in Morocco. Depending on what time of day you think you'd arrive there, I'd recommend giving it two nights. It's incredibly atmospheric, highly photogenic and a fun place to shop for all things textiles. 3 nights in Fes is about right. What about a day trip to Volubilis and perhaps a quick visit to the historic town of Moulay Idriss? I skipped all things desert as, as Mme. Perdu notes, travel times around Morocco are slower than what you are probably used to, particularly if you are comparing it to travel times within Europe. Finally, and interestingly enough, you're the second person I recall making a mention here that "we're not all that interested in Essaouira as we already live on the beach here at home." Be that as it may, but does your hometown on the beach have an old medina with Portuguese-influenced architecture, ramparts and North African cultural flavors? And finally, while Casablanca itself is pretty unattractive, the Hassan II Mosque is breathtaking both inside (the only mosque non-Muslims are allowed to enter) and outside. If flying into or out of Casa is an option, a 1/2 day there to see the mosque may end up being one of the highlights of your trip as it was mine.

MmePerdu

I'll add to MinnBeef's comments, if traveling from Chefchaouen to Fes by grand taxi, Volubilis is right on the way, stopping for an hour well worth the time.

And, yes, definitely spend 2 nights in Chefchaouen. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother, take the train from Tangier to Fes, add the night to somewhere else (I agree with your feeling about Chefchaouen, MinnBeef).

Bedar

Sidi Ifni is 112 mi. south of Agadir, not north in direction of Essaouira. Definitely go to Taroudant. Ifni is Art Deco and very cheap. Have fun !

tower

I will send you some pics which hopefully will be "worth a 1000 words"... I just don't do TR's. You're trying to do in
14 days what we covered (and more) in over 30. Distances are much longer than you expect. Maroc is not a small country. We drove the whole way and it provided us with independence which we always shoot for.

I would definitely cross Agadir off list and spend a few days in Essaouira where Orson Welles "shot" Otello...fascinating little city.

To experience very rural Maroc, try to get to remote Fintt get directions from any hotel in Ouarzazate.

Don't ignore the prospect of driving...decent roads and signage..adequate petrol stations but keep tank half full...no traffic o inter-city highways.. (see pix below)

OnwardHo

Thank you all! I am so impressed and humbled by the breath and generosity of your responses. For me, It's like peeling an onion - more research and I am seeing my trip with a little more clarity. More refinement or reality to ensue. We usually travel much longer but this trip is what it is.Obviously I would like more time and have extended us 2 more days. I know - whoopee!

And we are definitely going to Essouiria. I did not mean to sound dismissive; it's always been on my partners bucket list.

We still want to self drive from Fes on but wonder if anyone might share who has driven from Tangier to Chefchaouen stopping @ Meknes before continuing on to Fes and what is the real travel time.

Or any suggestions on a driver for that 1st leg and then we will pick up a car before departing Fes. I just thought self driving would cut out back tracking to Tangier for train.
I'm in the process of booking at Ali & Sara's in the Sahara. After that it's
Ait Ben Haddou
The High Atlas - any suggestions on where to stay -

I'm cutting Agadir, possibly have to shave away Sidi Ifni and Taroudant as well.
Going to spend at least 2 nights in Marrakesh.

Aside from self-drive/driver decisions to be determined, I'm wondering what's the minimum days driving to get from Merzougaa to Marrakesh with a stop at Ait Ben Haddon and the High Atlas.

Again, I thank you for your generous sharing and look forward to more enlightenment.
Kathleen

tower

Colleen Kathleen:

These are two segments of my Maroc pics...most everything you mention can be seen herein and in the 3rd segment which I will send once its retrieved.
https://goo.gl/photos/iftWNjWPXKbbMM9B6
https://goo.gl/photos/7XpYnwsJsZcBax2C8

tower

Here is Maroc 3...enjoy (Marrakech and Essaouira)
https://goo.gl/photos/jxxraqdMhpPspqek8
Stu

progol

I'm enjoying your planning thread, Kathleen, as I hope to visit Morocco in the not-too-distant future. Looking forward to reading about your experiences after you are back.

Stu, I love the photo tour! It's as if we are traveling along with you and your wife! When we finally have the opportunity to visit, this will help enormously.

Paule

OnwardHo

Hi all!
Tower, or whoever, did you drive to Chefchaouen.
Self drive from Chefchaouen to Fes via Meknes.
We are experienced mountain drivers but getting mixed reports on roads.
Thanks.

Bedar

The roads are fine. You can find unpaved, "rough" roads everywhere, even in NYC. Lived in Morocco for 5 yrs and never had any road problems.

OnwardHo

Thanks Bedar!

tower

OnWard:
Look at map in my first pics of Maroc and our route can be clearly seen. Having driven Yugoslavia in the 1970's-80's and experiencing potholes big enough to swallow the car, Maroc is easy. It's the best way of getting around Maroc IMO.

tower

@Paule....just put on your adventure cap and experience exotique Maroc. Any questions on pics, please write.
Stu Tower

progol

Stu,
No question, Morocco is on the top of a(very long) list of places that we plan to visit. Family issues are preventing us from making any plans for the immediate future, so I've got at least 3 trips planned depending on the time of year we can travel! Unfortunately, it's such that I can't finalize any plans at this time. And I'm having serious travel withdrawal symptoms!!

Bedar

And, I just had the grand idea of going there for three months to escape the nonsense of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Too late to escape Halloween. Now must decide where to settle in !

MmePerdu

Bedar, I've been thinking about a progress down the coast from Casa - El Jadida, Oualidia, Safi to Essaouira. Or north from Rabat to Tangier, though I think the ones to the south may appeal more. I'll be interested to know what you decide. It's a good idea, wish I'd thought of it before making commitments. Damn!

Ian

>The High Atlas - any suggestions on where to stay

The palmeraie at Skoura is a nice choice & the next day would be an easy drive to Ait Benhaddou & then on to Marrakech.

Look at Les Jardins de Skoura as a possible.

For all things driving in Morocco, Tim Cullis is the best resource. He is a poster here & on TA. Here is a forum he runs:

http://www.morocco-knowledgebase.net/forum/forum.php

Ian