Morocco and Portugal in Fall of 2015
Aug 9th, 2015, 10:31 AM
#1
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Morocco and Portugal in Fall of 2015
My wife and I, from California, USA, are planning a trip to Portugal and Morocco during last week of Sep thru first week of October. After spending a week in Lisbon we are either planning to drive to Gibraltar to take the ferry to Tangier or fly from Lisbon to Casablanca. The drive to Gibraltar may take two days but will give a chance to see south of Portugal while flying to Casablanca will give us more time in Morocco. We have been to Europe many times but never to Africa.The following are my quires for you folks:
1. Is a week in Morocco for the first trip a good enough time? If so what are the towns must to see.
2. If we get to Tangier by ferry how do we travel in Morocco to get to other destinations- bus, train, rental car, etc.
3. Is it safe to travel in Morocco without a conducted tour or a tour guide? What precautions we should take.
4. At present we are targeting Tangier, Casablanca, and Marrakesh as destinations. Should we add or subtract any destination with about a week of time to spend in Morocco?
5. Is English as a primary language an issue while travelling in Morocco?
6. What would be a good accommodation type- We normally travel by booking apartments thru Air B&B. Is it safe to do so in Morocco or should we stay at hotels?
I would sure appreciate your guidance on our exciting trip to Morocco.
Thanks in advance.
Only Travel
1. Is a week in Morocco for the first trip a good enough time? If so what are the towns must to see.
2. If we get to Tangier by ferry how do we travel in Morocco to get to other destinations- bus, train, rental car, etc.
3. Is it safe to travel in Morocco without a conducted tour or a tour guide? What precautions we should take.
4. At present we are targeting Tangier, Casablanca, and Marrakesh as destinations. Should we add or subtract any destination with about a week of time to spend in Morocco?
5. Is English as a primary language an issue while travelling in Morocco?
6. What would be a good accommodation type- We normally travel by booking apartments thru Air B&B. Is it safe to do so in Morocco or should we stay at hotels?
I would sure appreciate your guidance on our exciting trip to Morocco.
Thanks in advance.
Only Travel
Aug 9th, 2015, 10:49 AM
#2
1. No, I don't think so. But if it's all you've got, maybe stay in 1 city with day trips. See #4.
2. Train, shorter distances by "grand taxi, a car & driver, or fly if going between distant cities with little time.
3. Perfectly safe, no extraordinary precautions.
4. If only a week, arriving by ferry, Fez, Chefchaouen and day trips from Fez. If by air, Marrakech & Essaouira on the coast. Don't bother with Casablanca.
5. Young people in tourism-oriented jobs usually speak English. The older generation often speaks French as a second language.
6. Look for stays in "riads", kind of a Moroccan-style B&B with staff & breakfasts. You'll likely fins a number of them on Airbnb which is an easy way to book.
2. Train, shorter distances by "grand taxi, a car & driver, or fly if going between distant cities with little time.
3. Perfectly safe, no extraordinary precautions.
4. If only a week, arriving by ferry, Fez, Chefchaouen and day trips from Fez. If by air, Marrakech & Essaouira on the coast. Don't bother with Casablanca.
5. Young people in tourism-oriented jobs usually speak English. The older generation often speaks French as a second language.
6. Look for stays in "riads", kind of a Moroccan-style B&B with staff & breakfasts. You'll likely fins a number of them on Airbnb which is an easy way to book.
Aug 9th, 2015, 12:27 PM
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Do you know where the ferry from Gibraltar puts into ? Probably the new port of Tanger-Med which is about 40 kms from Tangiers. There's a ferry from Tarifa directly into the Port of Tangiers. You should go to Fez, forget Casa.
Aug 9th, 2015, 08:49 PM
#4
"The drive to Gibraltar may take two days but will give a chance to see south of Portugal..."
You may want to check drop-off fees for the car in Spain or Gibraltar before deciding. In any case, while I like the Tarifa ferry, I think in this case flying and adding the 2 days saved to your Morocco trip would be time better spent.
You may want to check drop-off fees for the car in Spain or Gibraltar before deciding. In any case, while I like the Tarifa ferry, I think in this case flying and adding the 2 days saved to your Morocco trip would be time better spent.
Aug 10th, 2015, 12:41 AM
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The ferry from Gibraltar to Tanger only runs on a Friday and returns on a Sunday. The easiest crossing to hook up with train/bus in Morocco is to Tanger Ville which means crossing from Tarifa. Buy a FRS ticket in Algeciras and hop on their free shuttle bus.
http://www.frs.es/en/book-your-ferry...t/shuttle-bus/
http://www.frs.es/en/book-your-ferry...t/shuttle-bus/
