Morocco with Kids
 

We live in Switzerland (we're American) and are considering traveling to Morocco with children aged 15,13,6. Suggestions on places to go, to stay or safety?

I can assure you that Morocco is a safe place to visit. Obviously, there are precautions that one should take no matter where you're travelling - and those apply here as well (keep your money and passports safe, etc). If you're concerned about the children, know that Moroccans adore children and they'll be positively fawned over.

As for where to go, it depends on how much time you have and what your interests are. There are a few general tips though:

Skip Casablanca - there are better places to spend your time and its NOTHING like the movie.

Marrakech is a must-see and ther are a lot of things to do there that are fun for children - the Chez Ali fantasia (a little touristy, but good fun nonetheless), the Jemaa el Fna (the main square with story-tellers, games, snake charmers). In general, Morocco is full of exciting and new stimuli for kids. I like the riads featured on www.marrakech-riads.net Abdellatif has several available at various price ranges and they are all beautiful with friendly staff. Two of my friend with younger children (8 and 10 stayed at one of his places and loved it).

Essaouira and Chefchaoen are two villages (the former on the beach near Marrakech and the latter in the Rif mountains north of Fes) that would be a nice place for a day or two of relaxing.

Fes is wonderful and a truly unique experience. Unlike Marrakech, the medina of Fes is not almost entirely geared for tourists, so it is a much better representation of an ancient medina. For accommodation in Fes, check uot the DMOZ open directory on google:
http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Moro...ses_and_Riads/

The desert is also a great experience with children...my favourite place is Erg Chebbi You can take camel trek out into the dunes (with a guide of course!) and sleep in Berber tents. Lots of auberges and hotels in the area (Rissani, Erfoud) can arrange for a camel trek for you.

Hope this is helpful, or at least a start!

Sorry, I forgot to add, there is also a website called www.fes-riads.com which is an accommodation service run by a South African woman named Helen Ranger who has lived in Fes for a couple years. She charges a small booking fee, but then a percentage of your total accomodation bill will be donated by the riad to a fund set aside for the preservation of monuments and public spaces in the medina. Its a great way to support a grass-roots community foundation.

Thanks for your thoughts. If we go we will have 1 to 1 1/2 weeks to travel in the spring.

I know you are interested in Morocco but Kasaka River Lodge in Zambia are launching a Bush Kids Educational Programme for next year. They are catering for all ages of children and their programme includes bush craft, children safari's, story telling etc...