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

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.