laartista

Looking for thoughts on Morocco as a destination. Anyone who's been want to share please. Info. seems hard to find and africa board is not so active. Thanks.

panecott

I visited Morocco some years ago and loved it. Stayed in Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech, and Agadir, and took side trips, to Volubilis,Meknes, and Tafroute.
The scenery, food, culture, customs, etc., were fascinating. Morocco is a very interesting destination with much to see and do and I highly recommend it.

jenmaroc

I live in Morocco and think its a great destination, but to be more helpful, I would need to know what kind of holiday you're looking for and what interests you have. Do you have specific questions?

laartista

Thanks you guys. Jen, I'll be going to Paris and Lisbon mid January and want to tack on a week in Morocco, I'm pretty sure I'll have 2 friends meeting me, so 3 gals. I was thinking 4 days Marrakech and 3 days somewhere else, either desrt or beach, having trouble deciding. Do you think that's a good split.or do you have a better suggestion. Just kind of want to hang out and soak up the local culture. Thanks again.

lerasp

since you'll be in Lisbons already and will have the beach there, I would suggest you visit MArrakesh and Fez (and maybe Meknes and Volubilis or some combo of those). Those are the most culturally intensive place in Morocco. This is a fascinating country and a week is a good way to get a feel for it. I also traveled with girls-only and had no problems. Definitely take care to dress respectfully, but oterh than that it's pretty low hassle. happy to answer any questions.

laartista

Good point on the beaches larasp. I've read best marrakech to Fez by car-do you agree? And do you feel it is safe for woman to drive between those cities. I hope that's not an ignorant question.

jenmaroc

I live in Fes and have driven all over Morocco by myself and with girlfriends - it'll be perfectly safe. I would avoid driving at night - not because of your gender - but because some drivers are a bit casual about using headlights and pedestrians and donkey carts sometimes appear from nowhere.

I think Marrakech and Fez are the best options (I'm biased towards Fez because I live there). How were you planning on getting to Morocco from Portugal? If you're coming overland, keep in mind that its a long trip and you may not want to go all the way down to Marrakech (its an 8 hour train from Fez- and Fez is 5 hours from Tangier). If that's the case, perhaps Chefchaouen, Asilah (small coastal town near Tangier) or Rabat would be good alternatives.

laartista

Hey jen,

thanks again. actually I was going to start my trip in Morocco fly from Newark to madrid and catch an Iberia flight to Marrakech first. and then onward. Maybe we should do Fes first, I'll check the flights.

lerasp

i don't think there's an airport in Fez. Flight to marrakesh is good, and the by car to Fez. I'm a girl and wouldn't hesitate to drive to Fez. the only issue would be finding the hotel once you are in town - lots of small twisty streets. don't know how much it would cost to hire a driver. From my memory, there weren't any car rental agencies in Marakesh airport - maybe that's changed?

jenmaroc

There is an international airport in Fes, with direct flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt and other European cities. Its about a 20 minute drive fro the airport to the medina.

There are car rental agencies at Marrakch airport.