emtravel

Hello,
I am planning my trip to Morocco with my fiancee. We are well traveled in Europe, been in Israel adnd Egypt and Morocco is the first for us.

We will be going in December for about 10-12 days (still thinknig on it).
We will take flight from Marseilles to Casblanca which arrives 5pm so first night will be Casablance. We are interestedin highlights of Morocco plus Jewish History.

Here is itinerary a local Moroccan company suggested for us.
Day 1. arrival Casablance, overnight Hotel Kenzi Tower
Day 2. Casablanca 1/2 day tour, Hassan Mosque, synagogue. Conitnue to Fes visa Meknes and Volibulous. Question: Is it worth stoppig for lunch at Ricks Cafe or is it tourist trap? Also thinking to fit in Chefchaouen. Overnight Fes 2 nights Riad Fes
Day 3. Sightseeing of Fes, overnight Fes.
Day 4. Transfer from Fes to Merzouga via the Middle Atlas south of Erfoud. . Overnight deluxe camping in dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Day 5. Going frim Erfoud to Ourzazate. overnight Berber Palace
Day 6. Going to Marakech overnight Demuere d' Orient. The tour operator suggested 2 nights sightseeing in Marakech , I think 2 nights will be enough?
Day 7 . Marakech free day???
Day 8. Going to Essoura for 2 nights. Maybe 1? Dar Loussia
Day 9. Going to Atlas mountain, overnight Imlil Kasbah du Toubkal - did anyone stay there? Mostly experience mountains and Berber hspitality as it was described.
Day 10. transfer to Marakech airport for flight in the morning to Paris.

Any suggestions would be appreciated including advice on accommodations, I tried to include diversity of accommodations.

thanks!

dutyfree

Our family did a two week self drive last December and found Essaouria to be our favorite spot. We were glad that we were there for 3 days as the beaches;souks,actual town and fishing harbor were truly magical.

Rick's cafe in Casablanca is supposed to be very touristy?

I think that your second day of itinerary is too full.Meknes and Voulibuis(sp?) are a day by themselves in my opinion-we loved the Roman ruins and the area around them.In fact your whole itinerary seems very rushed to really enjoy the people,culture and scenery?

I would definitely do two nights in Marrakech as there is alot to see and do-plan on dinner in the Jemma square as the food is inexpensive,very tasty and it is an experience!
Are you on a tour or doing this by yourselves?

emtravel

thanks dutyfree!
I am thinking to skip volubilus. I've seen many ruins in Europe, Turkey and Israel. I think it is not that interesting after Pompeii.
I am using local agency who will supply a driver and one guide to get us around.
Ricks cafe is just to get their photo, not to eat there. I suppose food is not that good but maybe I am mistaken. As you noticed, we are in Fes 2 nights, so 2 nights and 3 days would be enough to see Fes, Meknes and Chefchaouen.
thanks for the dining suggestions.

A question re: Kasbah de toubkal. It is high in the omountains, have anyone experiences issues with high altititude? Will not have time acclimate..
thanks

emtravel

Forgot to ask - how was the weather in December?
How does it varies per location - see my itinerary.
WOuld it be cold to sleep in tent camp?
thanks

qwovadis

Looks fine sort of standard might add

www.riaddor.com Meknes area pretty special

Some www.highatlastrek.co.uk my fav if adventurous

www.virtualtourist.com lots of good tips

Altitude and GI issues not uncommon

Take plenty of time to adjust and be very careful

with water and food weather2travel.com Dec nice in daytime but

Can get supercold in the desert at night mountains too

ReThink tents or dress warm... insuremytrip.com wise

travel.state.gov for a heads up on safety

Tourist cafes in city centers wise to avoid

Always do best hiring driver/guides everywhere $35-50

per half day train is good too if careful seat61.com

Happy Travels!

qwovadis

http://www.travelto-morocco.com/Moro..._Heritage_Tour

Meknes in particular is steeped in heritage...

mdtravelhealth.com Africa Maroc for health issues

Am always careful with water(check seals on bottles carefully)

and food(bake it boil it peel it or leave it) also altitude

in high atlas...

dutyfree

People were dressed like they thought it was winter but it was in the low 60'sF during the day and not that cold at night(think sweater) but then we are from Chicago do we don't think that that is winter weather.
Our family have been to Ephesus,Pompeii,Ostia Antica and Greek and various Sicilian ruins but we enjoyed not only the area where the ruins are located but the actual ruins at Voulibius.Mosiacs,arches,roads and gorgeous scenery all thrown in.
We felt very safe in Morocco and enjoyed the people and culture there. Three months after we came home, they bombed the cafe overlooking the Jemma square and that kinda caused shivers as we had been having tea there several nights in Marrakesh!Casablanca has had some protests,etc. but all in all a very safe country and one which you will love.

emtravel

Thank you very much for your advice! Yes we are experienced travelers and it is also my profession so I am using high quality guides. Will take your asdvice on food and drink. We survived Egypt . I might just get drive through Volubulus just to admire scenery and ruins.

Do you usually avoid salads? That's my concern. How is the food can be trusted in 5* hotels in cities? I would love to have just few salads during the trip... We always take peptol bismol when travel in 3rd world countries.
thanks!

joannay

I, too, think your itinerary is terribly rushed.

On your way to Fes I suggest you make the stop in Meknes then go on directly to Fes. There is no "drive through" option for Volubilis, you must park and walk so skip it. Chefchaouen is too far out of your way to stop on that day. It's a lovely place but worth a side trip of its own and at least 1 overnight. You can see Volubilis on the way there from either Fes or Meknes. But you don't really have enough time on so short a trip.

I suggest you skip the camping and Ourzazate, go directly to Marrakech and add nights there and in Essaouira, possibly my favorite place in Morocco. It will slow you down a bit and add some quality to an otherwise too busy itinerary. A relaxed pace is essential to the enjoyment of this elegant country.

And please do enjoy the Moroccan salads, an essential component of the wonderful Moroccan cuisine.

emtravel

thank you!

missViv

hi! we are also looking at a trip in december/jan but with our 11 month old daughter. is it too cold to go to essaouria at that time? i'm not sure how much time we need in each place. we were thinking:

4 full days in marrakesh
3-4 days ourzazate/erg chebbi part (not sure where to go in... not sure if we can do this with a baby)
1 travel day ourzazate/fez
4 days fez
1-2 more days?? side trip from fez?

how do folks feel about our itinerary? we don't want to feel rushed, but would like to get a good flavor. how much time is needed in marrakesh and fez?

any insights MUCH appreciated.