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Morocco trip in a few weeks for holidays - is it safe???

Morocco trip in a few weeks for holidays - is it safe???

Old Dec 3rd, 2015, 12:17 PM
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Morocco trip in a few weeks for holidays - is it safe???

We have planned the trip to Morocco much in advance and are so excited to go but with the current situation in the world it is somewhat scary and we are torn - to go or to cancel?!
This is 10 days private escorted tour for the group of friends visiting all major sites : Casablanca, Rabat, Chaouen, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes ,Midelt,Erfoud, Merzouga , Tinghir, Dades,Kellat M’Gouna, Ouarzazate ,Marrakech,Essaouira.

Are these places safe enough in general? Should we avoid any of them? Thanks
Irina11 is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2015, 01:07 PM
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Why do you think they are not safe?

Where do you live? I live in the US and I would feel safer in Morocco.
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Old Dec 4th, 2015, 12:11 AM
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Sallam 'lekum Irina,
Your uneasiness is understandable given recent events world-wide. I guess that's the operative word though..."world-wide", as thursdaysd is perhaps trying to highlight. There are a few destinations that I would consider not visiting at the moment, but this is due more to a concern with kidnapping and the like (Libya and northern Syria, for example) rather than the somewhat media-hyped "terror" threat. While it is often generalized as being within the "terror hotspot" region of North Africa and the adjacent Middle East, Morocco is as safe as most other countries in the world at the moment...your decision is to work out if that is a safe-enough situation for you personally. To specifically answer your question regarding safety in each of the places mentioned in your itinerary...all of them are just as safe as the other. Again, you ultimately need to decide if that is safe-enough for you to be able to relax and enjoy your journey. I think you should go
Darren Humphrys
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Old Dec 4th, 2015, 11:21 AM
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Like the OP, I continue to monitor the world situation as any prudent traveler should do, but I am still planning to move forward with my Morocco trip in April, at this point. My greater concern for you would be how, even with a guided, private tour, you can possible visit all of those places in 10 days?
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Old Dec 4th, 2015, 11:43 PM
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I have just taken a group there last October. It was my third trip to Morocco within a period of three years. I have enjoyed every one of my visit. We did a 12 day tour covering nearly all the major tourist attractions. No one has reported feeling unsafe throughout our journey. I am planning to take another group there in April. I don't see the need for you to cancel your trip.
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Old Dec 7th, 2015, 08:41 AM
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Thanks to everyone for responding. I live in New York, so I understand very well what "world-wide" means. I guess I just needed some reassurance, as we all plan to go ahead with our trip
MinnBeef, the itinerary was planned by the owner of the travel agency in Morocco, of course with our input, but still... It is busy but does not feel unrealistic and gives us enough time to enjoy and relax, at least this is the plan.
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Old Dec 8th, 2015, 05:35 AM
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I am planning a trip for next year as well, and everyone's first reaction is "thats not safe right now". But everyone is usually a moron, so...
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Old Dec 12th, 2015, 05:22 AM
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have to say I fully agree with comments above that it is not realistic to visit that many places in 10 days...sorry but I have visited morocco many many times ,,,I would not just rely on someone to list these cities and areas off but rather get a detailed time line of each day...Morocco is as much about spending some time relaxing in a beautiful riad in Fes or Marrakech etc. as it is about ticking off places. Checking in and out of hotels takes up lots of time as well...as for safety at this time (it can change quickly) it should be fine. You have listed 15 places and cities for 10 days...this is worse than any European bus tour...frankly most good tour planners would not set you up for something like this...I would start asking some question...I am surprised your "group" is not questioning this.
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Old Dec 12th, 2015, 12:36 PM
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You need to be careful in Morocco just like you would in parts OF NYC. Violence is rare but pickpockets and hustlers in medinas are not. an official guide in the large medinas is your insurance policy of not being hassled. Just make sure the guide has an official card, can answer questions in your language and will not take you to any stores unless you request
We have lived in Morocco long ago for almost three years and are going back in March.My advice would be to get a driver and higher a guide for the Fez and possibly Marrakech medinas.
You do have too many places.
We have a ten day itinerary and then a full week in Marrakech. and I would be glad to forward our itinerary. A driver for us with four passengers is much less than if we hired a four wheel drive vehicle and stayed in the same places.
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