Hi everyone,

We are in the early stages of planning a trip to Morocco for next April and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the logistics. We will be traveling with our two kids (ages 8 and 11), and while we usually love independent travel, I am reading mixed things about navigating the country with a family.

A few random questions for those who have been:

1. Fes vs. Marrakech: If we only have 10 days, is it better to pick one as a base or is it worth the long haul to see both? I have heard the train between them is decent but long.
   
2. The "Blue City": Is Chefchaouen really worth the 4-hour drive from Fes? It looks beautiful in photos but I worry about the kids getting bored in the car.
   
3. Desert Camping: We definitely want to do the Sahara. Are the luxury camps actually warm enough in April? I know the desert can get freezing at night.
   
4. Agency vs. DIY: We were looking into Travel Sense for a private tour. Does anyone have recent experience with them, specifically regarding how they handle kids? We like the idea of a private driver to avoid the stress of grand taxis and train schedules, but we do not want to feel like we are trapped in a "tourist bubble."
   

Also, if anyone has recommendations for a good riad in Marrakech that has a pool (that is actually heated!), please let me know.

Thanks in advance for the help.

1. I’m very glad I saw both Fez and Marrakech; whether it makes sense for you and your family to try to see both is not a decision I can make! FWIW, I found the medina of Fez less touristy than the one in Marrakech. There certainly were tourists, but Fez hadn’t been “spiffed up” as much.

2. Friends convinced me not to go to Chefchaouen, telling me that it’s been overrun by tourists and that it’s become a bit shoddy. Because I didn’t go, I can’t say if that’s true or not. I can say that there are other cities in Morocco with blue-painted medinas – for example, in Rabat and Essaouira.

3. I glamped at Erg Chigaga and found it surprisingly comfortable, even in the cold of night (though I was there in October).

4. I did not use a travel agency, instead spending 3 weeks in Morocco on my own – and I found it easy to do so. (I did use a private driver to get to and from the desert; I arranged that through my camp.) I thought the trains quite comfortable and easy to take; buses, too. And although I took petit taxis, not grand taxis, I can’t imagine the grand taxis would be difficult – they are ubiquitous at train and bus stations and at major tourist sites and their rates are now fixed, at least in most parts of the country.

If you haven’t already seen it, you might find some useful information in my trip report:
Memorable, magnificent Morocco!

Thank you so much for all the details
I will take a look right now

Hello @viralworld5363,
Hope I’m not too late to reply. Planning a trip to Morocco can definitely feel overwhelming at first, especially when traveling with kids. Still it can be a wonderful family experience.
1. Fes vs. Marrakech
With 10 days, I’d really recommend seeing both. They feel very different from each other and each has its own vibe. Having a local guide in both cities helps a lot with discovering the cities. Personally, I wouldn’t suggest taking the train between Fes and Marrakech with kids. It’s really a long journey. Since you’re also interested in the desert, it could make sense to start in Marrakech, travel through the desert, and finish in Fes, then pass by Chefchaouen and then you can finish to Casablanca or go back o Fes.

2. Chefchaouen (the Blue City)
It truly is as beautiful as the photos, I personally loved it. The drive from Fes is long, so I’d only recommend going if you can stay at least one night. Taking it slow makes it much nicer for kids.

3. Desert Camping in April
I’ve heard that spring and autumn are the best times for the Sahara, so April is actually a great choice. Nights can be cool, but the desert camps usually provide warm bedding and blankets.

4. Agency vs. DIY
We traveled to Morocco last October as a family (4 adults and 2 kids, ages 13 and 5) and used the local agency Tours in All Morocco, and we were very happy with the experience. Having a private driver took away so much stress, the itinerary was flexible and the kids were well taken care of, and everyone really enjoyed the trip.
Hope this helps a bit, and happy planning.