Okay, I am sure I will get (rightfully) blasted by some for a question akin to "is an apple better than an orange?". For any Fodorites who have been to both, I would love advice on where to go for our 2010 adventure. We will likely pick either Morocco or Turkey.

My wife and I are in our late 50s. Well travelled, adventurous...not the backpacker or bicycler types. My wife MUST have a clean bathroon and safety. Otherwise, she is a great sport.

Our biggest interests are: history, architecture, local food, different cultures, nature. My wife is fluent in French, but our English and sign language seem to have worked out everywhere so far.

A 14-16 day trip. Likely with a local guide. All advice appreciated! I will soon need to decide whether to turn "left or right".

You picked two of our favorite destinations. If your wife didn't speak French and you weren't adventuresome, I would definitely vote for Turkey. Both are fabulous places to visit. We went on our own to Morocco two years ago, rented a car and drove from Marrakech to Essaouira, to Merzouga, to Fez and Chefchaouen..... But I would not recommend that to someone unless they spoke French or Arabic. (My husband and I speak French.) It was a challenging trip because we did not stay in pampered type places. You can usually find clean toilets somewhere, even if you have to stop at a 4 star hotel. But you do have to look for them. I do have a trip report somewhere if you want to email me for it. (We were 59 then.) Ten years before that we traveled on our own in Turkey and had a great trip--not difficult to get around except maybe in Ankara--where it was extremely muddy then. I would go back to either place. Photos of Morocco at www.pbase.com/pattyroth in four different galleries. I don't think I have my Turkey photos posted there. You can find my email address under profile at that site if you want more info. Patty

I answered your request on your other post - here is a copy. I have been to both. You're right, it is a little like comparing apples to oranges, but I will try to make some sense of our experiences for you. Firstly, we are of similar ages and experience as you, and I too find clean bathrooms important, although when travelling in this part of the world you learn to tolerate less desirable conditions out of necessity.

We visited Turkey a couple of years ago and found it exhilarating, interesting, fun. We spent five days in Istanbul at the start, took the overnight train east to Ankara, then wound our way south through Cappadoccia, staying in Mustafapasa and Guzelyurt, then on to Konya and Antalya before ending up in Kusadasi and Ephesus. If you're interested in history, architecture, culture, ancient sites, this is heaven on earth because there are layers and layers and layers of all of those.

The food is excellent at first, but it becomes repetitive after awhile because there simply isn't the variety of cuisines we're exposed to in the west. If you go in the spring, the wildflowers are exciting, if you're interested in doing any amateur botanizing. Everywhere we stayed was good or better standard, with comfortable rooms and clean, modern bathrooms.

The people are friendly and helpful, for the most part. There are a lot of touts in Istanbul and you learn quickly not to interact or make eye contact with them. Most people don't appreciate having their photos snatched but many will allow it if you converse with them for a few minutes and ask politely. I was in Istanbul again last autumn for a few days, stopping on my way to Iran, and enjoyed the city again very much. I'd return again, especially to travel along the coast during wildflower time, if I could.

Here are some of my images from Turkey, if you're interested: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/c1551688.html

I was in Morocco last spring. The tourist infrastructure in Morocco isn't up to the standards you find in Turkey, for the most part, although the hotels were excellent. It's a very interesting place to visit because of the culture, but doesn't have nearly the wealth of historic/archeological sites that Turkey does. The food again is excellent, and the tagines and couscous dishes give it more variety than Turkish cuisine.

The people are friendly and helpful for the most part, as in Turkey, but their second language, if they have one aside from Arabic, is usually French. If you speak some French, you will find you get along better. Many Moroccans will turn away or become angry if you photograph them without asking first, and when you do ask, many will say no or shoo you away or ask for money. But if you attempt to converse, you might find yourself invited in for a glass of mint tea. I look forward to returning someday to explore more of this very interesting country. Here are some of my images from Morocco, if you're interested: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/c1475634.html

Now I'll add a little plug for Iran because of all the places I've been, it is without question the most interesting, amazing, astonishing place to travel. The millenia of history, culture, archeology is a wealth beyond compare. And the people are the kindest, friendliest and most welcoming of all. They love to have their photos taken, with you, without you, with their friends and families and animals. Almost everyone has a cell phone or two and they love to take your photos with their cell phones and then share them with all their friends. The hotels are excellent, the food is as good as Middle Eastern food gets, I could go on and on. If you'd like to see some of my photos, here's a link: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/c1606257.html

Good question.
Most of my info. on Morocco is outdated and I went as a single albeit poor person. I'll leave it to those who have more up to date info. or have traveled similar to your style of traveling.

As for Turkey, it's not to be missed. We ferried from Rhodes Greece to Marmarias (sp.). We then hopped on a gualet boat (a renovated fishing boat) and explored the coast to Ankara. We stopped at many historical sites along the way.

After that we explored Istanbul by land - fascinating place with fascinating history and people.
We then took a road trip up to Ephisus. Another not to be missed location.
Whichever you decide on is all good.
Let us know what you decide.

Hey Julia, I loved your photos of Morocco and will visit your Turkey and Iran ones later. (I'm on my way to work.) It looks like we liked the same scenes in Morocco. I also agree with your comments on visiting the two countries. www.pbase.com/pattyroth

I've visited both - my Moroccan trip report is underway here. While Morocco has considerable geographic diversity - mountains, desert and coast, I would vote for Turkey. Turkey also has mountains and some very popular coastline, plus the remarkable landscape of Cappadocia.

I actually found the food in Morocco more boring than Turkey - a choice of couscous, tagines and brochettes twice a day gets pretty old after three weeks. Plus the couscous usually meant limp veggies and a lack of spice, while the tagines tended to be tough. I ate rather well in Turkey.

I agree that some French, however basic, is very useful if you're traveling solo in Morocco.

In both countries you need to be able to say a firm "no" to vendors if you're not interested, or bargain hard if you are. And both have famous markets.

When it comes to sightseeing, you should be aware that non-Muslims are excluded from almost all religious buildings in Morocco, but are not so limited in Turkey. You will be able to visit some stunning mosques just in Istanbul. Also, Turkey has some excellent Greek and Roman sites - I thought Volubilis, the Roman site in Morocco, not at all impressive.

Although I'm glad I visited Morocco, I don't plan to return, while I've now been to Turkey three times, and am thinking of returning to visit the east. If you want to do a camel trek in the desert, though, you should go to Morocco.

Thursdaysd missing Volubilis was one regret I had on my trip to Morocco. Interesting, and a relief, to hear you say it wasn't that big a deal.

Femi - Volubilis suffered badly in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, and although some restoration has been done by French archaeologists there isn't a whole lot standing. There are some in situ mosaics, but if you've seen any of the ruins in Italy or Greece you won't be impressed. It certainly can't be compared with Ephesus!

I have not been to Morocco but I have been to Turkey and would not hesitate to go back. Istanbul is magical-a very walkable city. We fly to Cappadocia-stayed in a cave hotel and went to underground cities and went on a hot airballoon ride-Wow. Then drove down the coast & say Troy. Stayed in a small fishing town calles Assos-peaceful before going to Ephesis,which is not to be missed. The planning is half of the fun-Chris

Thanks, all for your thoughtful replies. It will be Turkey first.