Anyone used Authentic Morocco tour operator?
 

Just looking for feedback on this company. They sound very great but would like to hear of any first-hand experience. Thanks.

We leave on our trip planned by Authentic Morocco next Friday. They have created a completely customized trip for my mother, son, husband and me at an extremely reasonable price. I can not say enough wonderful things about the planning aspects of the trip. Liz is absolutely wonderful. I can tell you how my actual trip goes when I return on April 8th; but at this point, I can't image any company being better. She seems to specialize in charming places to stay instead of the large "touristy" hotels and knows Morocco inside and out.

Keep us posted, ventoso! I'm considering them myself for a trip next year. They sound great, from everything I've read. Thanks for asking, Leslie. I can't wait to go.

I did alot of my own research as far as riads/inns go... I would send my ideas to AuthMor and she would either "approve" or "kindly re-direct"....
If you like staying at smaller places with lots of character, here is a site which has lots of links to those types of places, etc. http://www.ilove-morocco.com
Authentic Morocco helped me arrange a customized 20 day itinerary with our own vehicle and driver. They also arranged 2 short city tours setup in Marrakesh and Ouz.

Wow, I had given up on getting a response on this post!! Thanks so much ventoso! I can't wait to hear how your trip goes - please don't forget to let us know. I've begun corresponding with Liz and I agree that she is great to deal with.

I'll check out that ilove-morocco link. My head is really spinning with the Marrakesh riad choices. I narrowed down the Fez choice quickly to Riad Mabrouka (it was between that or Riad Norma). But Marrakesh - really, my eyes are crossing trying to look at every one online and figuring out which reviews are valid (many one-hit wonder reviews on trip advisor that I'm leery of).
Can you tell me which you're going to use in Marrakesh?
Right now I'm sort of leaning towards either Les Cigognes, Elizabeth, Noir d'Ivoire, Meriem, Maison Arabe -- but every day I find another beautiful one online that makes me reconsider. I definitely want a small place with character. Also looking for a nice roof terrace if we want to chill out for a bit on the roof (some don't have loungers which seems a minor thing but maybe it would be nice to have that option to have a break in the day) -- some seem a little too glamorous for what I want - -some reviewers have said places don't have actual locks on doors. I need to do a spreadsheet to compare them I guess!

I'm so excited for you to get to go soon - I'm planning for next spring (I know, I'm weird, I'm always plannig like 3 trips ahead) -- so when I hear your experience that can help me shape our trip. Thank you for sharing and have a great time!

ventoso -- if you happen to check back in on this post -- if you don't mind a couple of questions about this trip would you email me at lesusms @ yahoo dot com (don't know what get's screened out on this board).
I'm just trying to decide on how many nights around the desert and don't know if you have any advice based on what you're doing. Anyway...if you have time drop me a line. Thanks!

ventoso-- How was your trip? My husband and I are in the middle of planning our trip to Morocco and we are considering using Authentic Morocco to organize our trip (the part when we'll go to the desert). Can you tell me about your experience with them? Thanks!

Use Authentic Morocco!!!

Hi, Ventoso~

Can you tell us more about your trip with them? We're all ears! Thanks.

Morocco was a 10 out of 10 trip due to Authentic Morocco. Be sure to use a GOOD guide and have it aranged before you leave. This will make or break your trip. If you have time go for a night in the Sahara desert... via Merzouga. Don't be cheap with the few extra dollars for the more exclusive hotels. There is a big difference. If you go to the desert try staying at Itran. It's a VERY COOL hotel 1/2 way and on the return trip you could stay at SAWADI. Both are great 1 night stays on the trip back and forth from the desert. Essaouira is also an excellent place to visit but our guide was from Fez and said we missed out by not going there.

Please be wary of the tour company ATLAS VOYAGES. They refused to speak in our language, English, because it would take too much time. The local guide slept on the bus for most of the time and we learnt nothing. The main guide was rude and abrupt when we asked for him to explain things in English to us. We booked through a canadian company (Anatolia) who gave us a 10% discount due to this experience, but ATLAS VOYAGES refused to even give us an apology!

We are also scheduled to go to Morocco this September and have been corresponding with Liz of Authentic Morocco re a customized 5-day itinerary from Casablanca to Marrakech. Do you recommend getting a HB (half board) or a BB (bed/breakfast) accommodation? can you recommend a particular tour guide or driver? can you also recommend a comfortable but not too pricey place in Casablanca?