Skip Casablanca and Rabat?

Old Oct 10th, 2015, 01:24 PM
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Skip Casablanca and Rabat?

Hello Friends,
My wife and I are planning a trip to Morocco for next spring. Here’s our first thoughts:
After visiting southern Spain, we will:
1. Hop over to Taniger and then visit the areas in and around
2. Chefchaouen
3. Fez
4. Erfound
5. Ouarzazate
6. Marrakesh
7. Fly back to the US
Due to time, We would miss Casablanca and Rabat. These seem more modern and less interesting to me than the other places and we could spend more time at the locations above if I skip Casablanca and Rabat. Are we making a big mistake. We are not likely to return so this will be our one and only chance to see Morocco.
Thanks for your advice,
KSC
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Old Oct 10th, 2015, 02:09 PM
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Without knowing the number of days you have and what the whole plan looks like it's hard to say much except that your list looks OK. I will say that, yes, you can safely skip Casa but I like Rabat, the setting & ambiance are unlike any other place on your list. Ouarzazate isn't a favorite of mine but you seem to be doing a circuit and not knowing how long you have, modes of transport and why you're planning to go those places, I can't really comment further.
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Old Oct 10th, 2015, 07:40 PM
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I would say yes, you can skip Casablanca and Rabat. I'm glad I visited those cities, but found the other areas of the country (including those on your list) to be more interesting.
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Old Oct 10th, 2015, 08:16 PM
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Don't skip Rabat. It is an enchanting capital city.. Lived there for 5 yrs and would go back in an instant.
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Old Oct 11th, 2015, 12:05 AM
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Sallam KSC2003,

I wholeheartedly agree with Mme Perdu and Bedar regarding the charm of Rabat. However I note your conundrum, in that skipping Casa and Rabat will afford you more time to enjoy the sights on the circuit/itinerary you are proposing. As it appears that you will definitely arrive via Tangier, it may come down to a decision of traveling to Fès via Chefchaouen or Rabat. Chefchaouen offers a magical, photogenic medina and a glimpse into the Riffian way of life (check out previous threads on this forum regarding the charms of Chefchaouen), while Rabat's combination of historical monuments (Le Tour Hassan, Kasbah des Oudaïas, Medina, Chellah, Mausoleum of Mohammed V), contemporary sights (Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art, new riverside promenade), modern public transport (new tramway) and wide selection of accommodation and dining styles is perhaps second only to that offered by her fab-glam sister down south, Marrakech.
Without knowing the number of days available to you (as Mme Perdu mentions), some further suggestions include
- travel past Erfoud to stay on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes (Hassi L'bied or Merzouga) or even in the dunes themselves in a semi-permanent camp (rustic to luxury);
- stay in the palmeraie of Skoura rather than in the largely soulless city of Ouarzazate (apologies to friends and residents of Ouarzazate).

Southern Spain and Morocco are such a good combination of destinations. You'll be Andalucían experts by the end of your journey, well done!
Darren
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Old Oct 11th, 2015, 09:25 AM
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Hello Fellow Travelers
thank you so much for your suggestions. It will help us plan.
We are thinking of maybe 9 days in Morocco so we have to make them all count. Your suggestions are invaluable.

Best,
KSC
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