Which is "better": Turkey or Morocco
 

I just posted this on the Morocco forum, so in the interest of a psuedo-scientific opinion survey I will also post here.

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 Turkey and Morocco, I would love advice on where to go for our 2010 adventure.

My wife and I are in our late 50s. Well travelled, adventurous...not the backpacker or bicycler types. My wife MUST have a clean bathroom 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". I am certain we would like both countries.

I can't speak about Morocco, but I can say that I loved my Turkey trip, but clean bathrooms are a hard standard. Our hotels were always beautifully clean, but excursions and day trips won't be up to this standard. You need to consider if this is a deal breaker.

Like annyc, haven't yet been to Morocco, but loved Turkey.

As to bathrooms - if at minimum higher priced (from mid-hi to lux-lux) hotels - in other words, major cities - will have real ensuite bathrooms with flush loos.

Outside of city-centers, for road stops be prepared for hole-in-the-ground, some of which can be "nasty."

There are quite a number of Morocco trip reports on this forum which I'd suggest you take the time to read. For Turkey, these reports will be on the European forum.

Turkey is a much larger country, so you'd have to decide which areas you want to visit. Often visitors cover the area from Ankara/Cappadocia

... sorry about thhat

middle of the country and west towards the Aegean and north to the Med; including Istanbul. The Eastern part of the country is somewhat more difficult to get to, but also has some less visited areas.

In Morocco, also with many choices, though a smaller country, you have to figure out where.

In both, road travel is doable; less internal flights available in Morocco, whereas you cann get between major areas in Turkey by flight and pick-up vehicles/guides at each.

I don't believe either will disappoint

I haven't been to Morocco, so no help there. Have been to Istanbul (the usual in-town sites and sights with a cruise up to the Black Sea), Cappadocia (amazing landscape) and Ephesus (terrific ruins). All three of those areas, and many others I'm sure, will meet your interests of history, architecture, local food, different cultures, nature. Hotels were clean and good and I really enjoyed the food.

Best of luck!

I have been to both, and both offer incredible sights. But, the guides/touts in Morocco ruined the trip for me -- they are constant, persistent, annoying, clinging and excessive. Some excuse that as local charm, but I found it obnoxious. I did not experience the same in Turkey, nor, for that matter, did I experience that annoyance in other countries in the region, like Tunisia and Egypt.

I'm sure that most Moroccans are lovely, congenial and welcoming, but the few annoying touts clouded my experience. If I revisited, I would not do so without the protection of a guide to shield me from other guides. And, I hate traveling with the service of a guide, but in Morocco I found it necessary.

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

I posted my response on your other thread but will jump in here to address the Moroccan touts.
Thit cho is right, they're relentless.

Part of it may have been because I traveled to Morocco as a single woman. I also believe it is part of the culture.
Generally I can pretend to be Italian or use a made up language to dissuade touts but not so here.
They were in my face and literally on my ass. I lost track of how many times my backside was grabbed.

I'm not a wilting flower nor do I mind having some good natured fun with vendors but these guys were a huge distraction.

Julia, your pictures of Turkey are lovely. We are heading to Turkey for 10 days this spring as a cultural exchange and your pictures have made me smile this morning. Thank you.

I also posted on your other thread, but I have to say that when it came to annoying touts I didn't find the Moroccans noticeably worse than those in other non-Western countries. The worst, to my mind, are still the Indians, although the Chinese and Cambodians come in a close second. You just have to ignore them, or treat it as a game. But it is true that the Moroccans are more likely to actually touch you, which I haven't encountered elsewhere and won't allow. I actually slapped (hard) the hand of a young man who put it on my arm to detain me, and his cohort a few stalls away collapsed with laughter.

I also vote for Turkey. Morocco was a dissappointment for me; High hassle factor as Thit Cho pointed out, and I think Morocco holds the record for the number of attempts to rip me off, by hotel staff! Turkey was much more pleasant; People were friendlier and more genuine and relaxed.

I was once in the OP's position, and in looking at guidebooks, Morocco seemed much more interesting and to my taste in comparison to Turkey. In reality, the opposite was true. When I hear people rave about Morocco I wonder what I missed.

The criteria the OP has listed "...history, architecture, local food, different cultures, nature." can be satisfactorily met by either country.

Thanks, all, for the great input. The decision is in: next year, Turkey. Later: Morocco.

Been to both, for history type stuff I think Turkey is better, but for ease of getting around/see more in short time Morocco is better.

I guess just Turkey seems "bigger". It takes longer to get from one spot to the next...everything is so spread out.

In Morocco the sights seem to somehow be closer, you wouldn't waste as much time on the transportation...

Julia1 --

Those are wonderful photographs.

I have been to both and loved each of them. I found the hassle factor to be about equivalent in both countries, and really not annoying at all compared to, say, Tunisia. Speaking fluent French was a big plus for me in Morocco.

But I see you've decided on Turkey. You won't be disappointed.

nhulberg...I was going to suggest a toss-up, which, apparently you did....Turkey one year, Maroc the next....having been to both independently in a certain amount of depth, I would lean toward Maroc with Turkey a touching second, Wife tells me she would go the same way with the same element of closeness. EITHER place is exotic, fun, fascinating sites and sights to offer. Yes, my wife speaks a fair amount of French, but we found we could get by (as we do everywhere) with English and fingerpointing gestures...and a lot of smiles and laughter.

Yes, the touts (including gangs of little children) could be a massive pain in the butt, but we try to make a game of it and have a certain amount of fun in doing so....just to add to Julia's superb professional photos above (The Iran shots are magnificent!), I'm tossing in some purely amateur scanned photos (pre-digital) for both countries... Slide show is best to view them, although the "three to a page" scans can be enlarged by clicking on the magnifying glass icon.

Have an illuminating, educational, meaningful trip to both Turkey and Maroc...any help you need in planning, this forum will jump to your aid....don't forget it.

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/ScenesOfTurkey#

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Morroco#

Stu Tower

Turkey has a far greater variety of cultures, in my opinion, and Istanbul is incomparable. As to the hassle factor, my wife was definitely put off by the hassling in Morocco and was not bothered by it in Turkey. It is true that Turkey came after Morocco, but I had the same impression. Ask for directions in Morocco, and if the helpful Moroccan walks 100 ft. with you to point out the direction, he will try to get you to pay. We never experienced that in Turkey. I would choose Turkey first. Click on my name and you will find my Turkey trip report from last year.

I forgot to say that mosques can be visited in Turkey while non-Muslims are forbidden from entering mosques in Morocco except for one in Meknès that was defiled by a French general during the conquest of Morocco.

I just got back from Turkey and have not yet been to Morocco so I'm not going to do a comparison. I just wanted to say, though, that our bathrooms in Turkey were spotless and in many ways more modern than other bathrooms we've had in Europe. Hot water was in abundance, towels quite large, and everything super-clean. We are more budget travelers and our hotels certainly weren't luxurious so I think finding a clean bathroom should not be a problem.

We absolutely loved our trip to Turkey. I too have a trip report. If you click on my name you will find it.

Good luck!
Tracy

Funny you should be asking about these 2 places. We are heading to Morocco next Friday and have a Turkey trip in the makings for 2010. Good luck with your planning for your trip.

Our Turkey trip will probably be 10-12 days. I'm not sure we can see the Bodrum area and Cappadoccia. Are you going to both the sea and Cappadoccia?

Thank you all for your comments. I had been planning on visiting Turkey while some co-workers were urging me to go to Morocco (their wives were from there). I believe the best course of action for me would be to visit Istanbul first and possibly some close cities in Turkey before venturing to other locals. I have to say though that the lure of Morocco is strong!

Having visited both Morocco & Turkey I agree it is comparing apples to oranges:) We loved both place but if I had to choose between the two it would have to be Turkey. Capadoccia, Ephesus, Aspendos, Pammukale,Pergamon were all fabulous sites and Istanbul remains one of my favourite cities in the world. In fact the sites (to our surprise) were bigger & far better preserved than in Greece!

We found the strange fusion of east & west really fascinating and the food! We missed the food most of all!

Going back to Istanbul for a short visit mid June!

I have traveled to both.

While Morocco is a fascinating place, I'd say that Turkey matches your interests much better. I had such a wonderful time in Turkey that I traveled to Morocco expecting a similar experience. I was disappointed in Morocco, although it was a beautiful country.

The one main difference that I think is apt for travelers like you (based on your self-description) and me is how much more advanced the Turkish tourist infrastructure is than in Morocco. As an adventurous type, I was prepared - indeed excited - about the prospects of going to a less "touristy" destination. In reality, there were daily hassles and inconveniences on buses, trains, hotels, and restaurants. None were major problems, but cumulatively added up to a less relaxing, less enjoyable trip.

I usually travel independently, but if I were returning to Morocco, I would plan better and perhaps arrange more in advance, and stick to the main cities.

Turkey!

I've been to both several times and there's no competition.

Hi Woyzeck,

I am very interested in visiting both Morocco and Turkey in the near future. You provided valuable insights, such as sticking to main cities in Morocco. If you can do it all over again and this is your first time visiting Morocco and face time constraint, which Morocco cities/towns/villages is a must and how would you allocate your time in each Morocco city/towns/villages?

Thank you!

We did a ten day tour of Marrakesh, Meknès and Fez, going by train one way and returning to Marrakesh by bus. We hired a guide for Meknès--step out of your hotel and you will be approached for guide services.

Though we have been to both Turkey and Morocco, we were mainly in resort type places. Turkey was Bodrum and Morocco was Agadir.

If I had to pick one over the other, then I would go to Agadir again. The Berbers were very friendly, very respectful, and as a single mom with 2 kids, experienced no hassles at all, not even while shopping. Did a glorious sailing day down the coast. The weather in Agadir never gets that hot, bought beautiful cedar items, and enjoyed the beach there.

Got ill in my hotel in Turkey, though the place was very clean. They neglected to chill their dinner buffet offerings. The Dr. there did a very good business. Getting into town was difficult, needing to ride these vans driving around the countryside where no one spoke any German or English and the amount of Turkish I had learned for the trip was inadequate. I had better luck getting around in Morocco.

People in both countries were very friendly, though there is the strict Moslem contingent that is emerging in Turkey that doesn't seem to be very big in Morocco. I enjoyed the foods in both places.

hobbitthefoodlover -

My musts in Morocco are Fez and Marrakesh by far.

I visited a very pleasant town on the Atlantic coast called Asilah which was also very beautiful, with beaches nearby.

A travel partner dragged me to Casablanca and it was the most miserable day of our trip. We cut our stay short and hopped on a train the next day. Casablanca was a huge mistake.

I did NOT stay in a resort town, such as Agadir, but in hindsight, I would have.

I spent 5 days in Fez and 5 days in Marrakesh. It was really enjoyable getting to know both cities. In hindsight, I might have taken 1 day from Fez and added 1 to Marrakesh.

Hi Woyzeck,

I am not the resort type either. I just want to experience new and different things.

Did you visit Essaouira? Is it worth spending time in?

Do you foresee any problems for solo female travelers to Fez and Marrakesh? I want to avoid tour groups, though I might join a one day desert tour. Did you join any desert tours? Last, what guide books did you use/wish you had used to plan your Morocco adventure?

Thank you!

My trips to Morocco have been with another female and without guides and was never hassled in recent years (it definitely was a problem a decade or two ago). I experienced a vast difference in the number of touts the last time I went Mohammed VI has managed to divert the attention of young boys to better pursuits than in the past, and I had absolutely no problem with them. Essouira is beautiful, as is Agadir.

I've been to both and if I could only return to one, there is no question it would be Turkey. Carpet salesmen were a nuisance in Istanbul but I discoverd that speaking Pig Latin was a quick way to get rid of them. In the rest of Turkey I had no problems with touts.

In Morocco I did get a serious marriage proposal from a tour guide. At the time I was working for a major university so our guide presumed I am a teacher. (I am not) He was a polygamist and he was looking for a 4th wife who was a teacher so she could help the children with homework or possibly home school them. Once he realized I was not a teacher he lost interest in me. I suppose I should have felt harassed but I thought it was very funny.

Both countries are great places to visit but once again, Turkey gets my vote.

P_M: your experience (looking for a teacher-wife to save cost on properly hiring a tutor) is hilarious :D

The pig latin is even funnier. I'll have to try that while I'm in Arusha in June!

hobbittthefoodlover,

I did not visit Essaouira, although I hear good things.

I would not expect any major hassles for solo female travelers in either Marrakesh or Fez. I (male) was travelling with three twenty-something females. I was more stressed out about it in Fez, especially when our wandering through the medina got us lost in a sketchy area. Marrakesh seemed more metropolitan than Fez. I was a little paranoid in Fez when my travel partners went out for a walk on their own, but not so much in Marrakesh.

I bought Lonely Planet Morocco and thought it was poorly written. After relying on the wonderful Lonely Planet Turkey, I was disappointed by the Morocco edition. You might look into the rough guide. I tend to favor whichever editions are more recent.

I wish I could help more, but I am more of a Turkey guy than Morocco.

Essaouira is lovely but VERY windy! very much worth a visit though and has a charming Medina.

nhulberg: So, how as the trip?

Thanks for all the input, Fodorites. My wife and I just decided to head for Turkey in early October. Morocco will have to wait.

So, now the planning begins in earnest. And from this site I have now learned that I need to study "pig latin" ;-)

Ah, mr_go, and others...I just looked back to find my original Turkey vs Morocco post. We did indeed travel to Turkey for 16 days in October. It was everything I had hoped for, and more. The advice on this thread was solid.

Soooo much to see...sooo many cultures. A crossroads of the world. Turks are extremely nice and welcoming. English was not a problem. Even if the person at hand didn't speak English, they were always quick to run and recruit an English speaker.

I have been to about 25 countries, and I would rate Turkey as one of my favorite travel destinations. I say the Thais are the nicest people in the world; my wife gives the vote to the Turks. It is great to feel welcomed. The country was more modern than I had expected; I suspect my image was accurate as of 25 years ago. Cleaner than I expected, more prosperous. Last year Turkey's economic growth rate was second only to China's (9%+).

Our travel agent was fantastic (Murat Ozguc of Proper Travel).

Turkey: Highly recommended. Thanks, Fodorites, for helping me make a great choice. Next: Czech Republic.

Thanks for the feedback, I'm so glad you enjoyed Turkey!! Did you have a chance to use your pig latin skills? I am also going to the CR next, you and I must be kindred spirits. :-)

I'm late here but adding on to confirm that the Rough Guide to Morocco was much better than the Lonely Planet version. I had both along with me but ended up using the Rough Guide 95% of the time. Looking at heading to Turkey now.