Morocco, A Visual Journey
Aug 27th, 2018, 07:28 PM
#261
Well I came to this report late , like today.
So I started right at the beginning and 1 hour and 20 minutes later , I am finished.
Wow!!! What can I say that has not been said, lovely pictures , terrific commentary.
It was a pleasure reading your report.
Thank You so much for all the effort you put in to write this fabulous trip report
So I started right at the beginning and 1 hour and 20 minutes later , I am finished.
Wow!!! What can I say that has not been said, lovely pictures , terrific commentary.
It was a pleasure reading your report.
Thank You so much for all the effort you put in to write this fabulous trip report
Aug 29th, 2018, 02:27 AM
#262
Original Poster
Percy,
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the trip report as much as you have! And Morocco is so incredibly visual, it demanded a photo report for me to tell it right.
Thanks for letting me know.
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the trip report as much as you have! And Morocco is so incredibly visual, it demanded a photo report for me to tell it right.
Thanks for letting me know.
Aug 29th, 2018, 06:41 AM
#263
You did a Terrific Job with the Report.
Thank You
Thank You
Mar 24th, 2019, 02:20 PM
#265
progol.....just found your illuminating TR and stunning photos in time to help with my trip planning. Had browsed through Fodor's guidebook on Morocco to scope out our preliminary plan of attack..but your details and feelings about your experiences are invaluable.
First. I'm in love with Blue cities for their photographic value, so enjoyed reading your account of Chefchaouen which makes me rethink going there...however, worth it probably just for those pictures! Did you consider staying in Tangiers for a couple of nights? I'm considering that and then just one night in the blue city. Funny, I was going to skip Essaouia but need a second look after your preference for it. I also wasn't planning on Rabat, but again will think of it as an intro. I had already decided on using the services of Salem after reading later TR's based on your initial recommendation. I generally like to pick my own places to stay but it sounds like he can offer good recommendations. We had used a similar type local driving & arrangements service when visiting India also with excellent results and I prefer that it a more challenging environment.
I definitely want to stay at Dar Seffarine based on your experience. I especially like having a great restaurant where I'm staying to avoid going out after a long tiring day. And, I want a bit of a desert experience but don't want a whole day of driving...so more research on that. We will skip Volubous and Meknes....just not that into ruins and we did the see the mosaics at Villa Casale in Sicily.
Anyway, this is one to save and savor! Thanks so much for your diligence in posting!
First. I'm in love with Blue cities for their photographic value, so enjoyed reading your account of Chefchaouen which makes me rethink going there...however, worth it probably just for those pictures! Did you consider staying in Tangiers for a couple of nights? I'm considering that and then just one night in the blue city. Funny, I was going to skip Essaouia but need a second look after your preference for it. I also wasn't planning on Rabat, but again will think of it as an intro. I had already decided on using the services of Salem after reading later TR's based on your initial recommendation. I generally like to pick my own places to stay but it sounds like he can offer good recommendations. We had used a similar type local driving & arrangements service when visiting India also with excellent results and I prefer that it a more challenging environment.
I definitely want to stay at Dar Seffarine based on your experience. I especially like having a great restaurant where I'm staying to avoid going out after a long tiring day. And, I want a bit of a desert experience but don't want a whole day of driving...so more research on that. We will skip Volubous and Meknes....just not that into ruins and we did the see the mosaics at Villa Casale in Sicily.
Anyway, this is one to save and savor! Thanks so much for your diligence in posting!
Mar 26th, 2019, 01:29 PM
#266
Original Poster
Thanks so much, barefootbeach! I’ve seen your posts throughout the years and have always enjoyed them!
We only had a little over 2 weeks, so we had to be selective with our days, I would’ve liked to have included Tangiers, but it wasn’t possible to see everything.
Chefchaouen, of course, is as pretty as can be — very touristy, but yes, the blue photos are really fun.
My initial plan did not have us going to Essaouira, and I was SO glad I included it! It’s hard to pick favorites, but this was a place that has really stayed with us. An extra night would’ve been great, but even the one night was good enough, as we had most of the first day and till late morning the next day to wander. It’s just such a lovely place.
Dar Seffarine was one of my favorite places to stay! And their dinners were excellent. It was such a treat staying there - great owners who are fixing it up beautifully.
I really liked Rabat - we chose to stay there rather than Casablanca to put us in driving distance of Chefchaouen, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. And it’s not nearly as intense as Marrakech or Fes (although those are both amazing and crazy to see).
And Salem, of Moroccan Family, of course, is a gem! And others on Fodors have since worked with him, and have also found him terrific. I know his companionship made the trip as special as it was.
Feel free to ask away! I’m glad to answer what I can.
We only had a little over 2 weeks, so we had to be selective with our days, I would’ve liked to have included Tangiers, but it wasn’t possible to see everything.
Chefchaouen, of course, is as pretty as can be — very touristy, but yes, the blue photos are really fun.
My initial plan did not have us going to Essaouira, and I was SO glad I included it! It’s hard to pick favorites, but this was a place that has really stayed with us. An extra night would’ve been great, but even the one night was good enough, as we had most of the first day and till late morning the next day to wander. It’s just such a lovely place.
Dar Seffarine was one of my favorite places to stay! And their dinners were excellent. It was such a treat staying there - great owners who are fixing it up beautifully.
I really liked Rabat - we chose to stay there rather than Casablanca to put us in driving distance of Chefchaouen, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. And it’s not nearly as intense as Marrakech or Fes (although those are both amazing and crazy to see).
And Salem, of Moroccan Family, of course, is a gem! And others on Fodors have since worked with him, and have also found him terrific. I know his companionship made the trip as special as it was.
Feel free to ask away! I’m glad to answer what I can.
Mar 26th, 2019, 04:39 PM
#267
A nice report & great pictures progol. I have been off the forum for a while & it was nice to catch up.
On the subject of touts . . . I read here many years ago that the touts of Istanbul were just a warm up for touts of Marrakesh & that is so true.
Ian
On the subject of touts . . . I read here many years ago that the touts of Istanbul were just a warm up for touts of Marrakesh & that is so true.
Ian
Mar 26th, 2019, 05:22 PM
#268
Original Poster
Apr 2nd, 2019, 05:19 AM
#269
Hi progol, another question for you. When did you start using Salem for your journey? Did he pick you up at the airport in Casa and drive you to Rabat or did you start with him when you left Rabat? if he didn''t get you at the airport, how did you get to Rabat? Thanks for the info!
Apr 3rd, 2019, 01:07 PM
#271
Thanks MmePerdu for the info. I looked it up and it does involve a transfer. That's more than my jet lagged mind/body will want to handle on arriving so I'll look into some type of private transfer.
Apr 7th, 2019, 04:22 AM
#272
Original Poster
Hi, barefootbeach,
Salem picked us up at the airport and we drove to Rabat from there.
Just an FYI, Salem wasn’t my agent on the trip, but was the driver that my agent had hired. As I’ve said many times, Salem was an absolute gem, and if I do go back, I would hire him directly next time.
While public transportation is doable in Morocco, I was very happy to have a driver, as we covered a fair amount of territory in a relatively short time period, and we didn’t have to deal with city parking.
Salem picked us up at the airport and we drove to Rabat from there.
Just an FYI, Salem wasn’t my agent on the trip, but was the driver that my agent had hired. As I’ve said many times, Salem was an absolute gem, and if I do go back, I would hire him directly next time.
While public transportation is doable in Morocco, I was very happy to have a driver, as we covered a fair amount of territory in a relatively short time period, and we didn’t have to deal with city parking.
Aug 18th, 2019, 04:01 AM
#275
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Thank you
Your photos are absolutely breathtaking. One of my friends and I are thinking of going to morocco but are having trouble finding a tour. It will be two females traveling by ourselves so we would feel much more comfortable with the tour. Did the tour company set up your itinerary, I see that you did a lot of the hotel booking.
Aug 20th, 2019, 02:59 AM
#276
Original Poster
Hi, yeadonite,
Many thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying the photos! It is one of the most visually stunning places I've visited. It's almost impossible to take a bad photo.
I worked with a small agency (Berber Space Morocco), but I had a pretty good idea of my itinerary when I contacted him. Hassan, the agent, and I tweaked my itinerary, but it was essentially mine from the start. Our agreement was that he would book most, but not all, the hotels, and he offered me choices in each location. He didn't have relationships with some of the hotels I wanted, so I booked directly with the hotels in Fes (Dar Seffarine - amazing!!) and Marrakech.
I hired an agent primarily because I wanted to have a driver, and I wasn't comfortable hiring a driver from the states. I believe it's pretty easy to arrange drivers once you get to Morocco and it's also relatively easy to travel on your own. But hiring a driver turned out to be a godsend, as Hassan arranged for us to have Salem as our driver, who also has his own agency, Moroccan Family. Salem was a gem and we really enjoyed our time with him. In so many ways, his companionship made the trip and it was very personalized to our interests.
If you have any other questions, let me know!
Many thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying the photos! It is one of the most visually stunning places I've visited. It's almost impossible to take a bad photo.
I worked with a small agency (Berber Space Morocco), but I had a pretty good idea of my itinerary when I contacted him. Hassan, the agent, and I tweaked my itinerary, but it was essentially mine from the start. Our agreement was that he would book most, but not all, the hotels, and he offered me choices in each location. He didn't have relationships with some of the hotels I wanted, so I booked directly with the hotels in Fes (Dar Seffarine - amazing!!) and Marrakech.
I hired an agent primarily because I wanted to have a driver, and I wasn't comfortable hiring a driver from the states. I believe it's pretty easy to arrange drivers once you get to Morocco and it's also relatively easy to travel on your own. But hiring a driver turned out to be a godsend, as Hassan arranged for us to have Salem as our driver, who also has his own agency, Moroccan Family. Salem was a gem and we really enjoyed our time with him. In so many ways, his companionship made the trip and it was very personalized to our interests.
If you have any other questions, let me know!
Apr 1st, 2021, 10:24 PM
#278
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Thank you for a wonderful trip report and visual feast.
Hi Progol,
We are planning a trip to Morocco in September and I just stumbled upon your TR. It has helped me tremendously in planning our adventure, and your pictures are dazzling. Bravo!
Would you advice taking a DSLR given the antipathy to photographers you mentioned? If you did take one, what camera did you use?
Thanks again for a great report.
We are planning a trip to Morocco in September and I just stumbled upon your TR. It has helped me tremendously in planning our adventure, and your pictures are dazzling. Bravo!
Would you advice taking a DSLR given the antipathy to photographers you mentioned? If you did take one, what camera did you use?
Thanks again for a great report.
Apr 6th, 2021, 03:37 AM
#279
Original Poster
Hi, reddy2go! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this report and found it helpful in planning! Morocco is a stunning country and I hope you have a wonderful time!
As far as photography, of course you will be able to take photos! And a DSLR is fine. It’s more about being both sensitive and culturally aware - something we always need to be mindful of, though especially so in a traditional culture such as Morocco. Also, if you do go into the desert, know that sand gets into everything! Our poor little point-and-shoot wasn’t the same after being exposed in the desert during the windstorm!
Feel free to ask any more questions you might have.
As far as photography, of course you will be able to take photos! And a DSLR is fine. It’s more about being both sensitive and culturally aware - something we always need to be mindful of, though especially so in a traditional culture such as Morocco. Also, if you do go into the desert, know that sand gets into everything! Our poor little point-and-shoot wasn’t the same after being exposed in the desert during the windstorm!
Feel free to ask any more questions you might have.
Apr 19th, 2021, 02:03 AM
#280
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Hi,
Thank you so much for sharing the photos! They completely convinced me that a trip to Morocco is a great idea! My boyfriend and I are planning a trip at the end of the year
Hope Covid doesn't get in the way ... again
Thank you so much for sharing the photos! They completely convinced me that a trip to Morocco is a great idea! My boyfriend and I are planning a trip at the end of the year
Hope Covid doesn't get in the way ... again
