lise350

Hey - we are planning our honeymoon and first trip ever in May 2007 to Morocco and need help!

First on our itinerary - does this sound reasonable for 12 days?

Rent a car in Fez and drive ourselves around

3 nights in Fez
2 nights in Merzouga
drive to Ouarzazate via Todra Gorge
2 nights in Ouarzazate
2 nights in Marrakech
2 nights in Essaourria
drive back to Marrakesh
1 night in Marrakesh
take a train to Casablance for our flight home

Also, we want to go on a camel trek and sleep in the desert - should we book this beforehand? Any ideas for operators? We love the idea but don't want to be too rustic as it is our honeymoon

Finally, I would love suggestions for a nice/romantic hotel or riad in Essaourria that costs around $120.

Thanks so much in advance for your advice!

jenmaroc

The itinerary looks reasonable. The drive from Fes to Merzouga will take about 8 hours and the drive from Merzouga to Ouarzazate will be another long one (8 hours approx). Why Ouarzazate? Its a pretty charmless city. A beautiful kasbah in the Atlas mountains seems like it would be a much more pleasant honeymoon experience than dusty Ouarzazate.

Near Merzouga, there's a relatively new place called Kanz Erramal - I think www.i-escape.com has the best (i.e most thorough) reviews online. They organise camel treks that get good reviews, though I'm not sure how rustic it is...But after all, it IS the desert - its rustic by definition. Camels smell bad and riding one is not comfortable (and I'm a huge fan of camel treks) - its the experience you go for -not the luxury.

jenmaroc

just moving this back up to the top of the list

lise350

JenMaroc - Thanks so much for your advice!

Kanz Erramal looks really nice - I also found kasbah du toubkal located near Jbel Toubkal... do you know anything about this kasbah? Or how long it would take to drive there from Merzouga? It is only about 1 1/2 hours from Marrakech which is nice... Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks again

jenmaroc

Jebel Toubkal is fantastic! Its run by a British guy named Mike McHugo who found the ruined kasbah while hiking teh mountain yearsa go. he's turned it into one of the most community conscious guesthouses/ hotels in Morocco. The setting is beautiful, the food is tasty - chcek out the luxe apartment they have. I've seen it and thought it would be a perfect place for a romantic getaway.

Allow a FULL day of driving to get from Merzouga to Jebel Toubkal (7-9 hours, depending on your pace and if you stop along the way). Try to avoid driving the mountain passes at twilight as many drivers dont turn on their headlamps.

kleroux

I don't know where you are staying in Marrakech, but I HIGHLY recommend Dar Les Cigognes for a romantic riad to stay in. Its very well located and the rooms and the staff are beyond lovely. It will be a VERY special memory, I'm sure. We had 3 magical nights there and would return in a heartbeat.

lise350

Thank you all for your responses! It is so nice to get feedback from real travellers!

A few more questions: Can you recommend a good spa for post-wedding stress massages?

Also, any restaurant suggestions in Marrakesh?

Thanks again!

kleroux

We had a hammam scrub and massage right at Dar les Cigognes... and ate dinner there too. It was so convenient and comfortable. So I would recommend it for what you are looking for.

jenmaroc

The spa at La Sultana is apparently sublime (according to a good friend of mine who took her sister there as a treat). I've been to Les Bains de Marrakech twice and have thoroghly enjoyed it both times. Its attached to Riad Mehdi (I wouldnt recommend staying there, but the spa is good).

joestapley78

Hi can you tell me who you are planning this trip through or are you booking it all seperately!? Just that we're looking at Morocco for July 2007 for our honeymoon and I love this idea of moving around a bit!!!
Thanks!