WE are going interrailing in june around Spain, and Morroco is included in our zone. As far as i have heard, Tangier is not really worth visiting, but has anybody went from Spain mainland down to Marrakech by train, and is it worth it????

<BR>What a trip. I did it about 5 years ago.<BR><BR>Local train to Algeciras, the Spanish port town doing a brisk trade in narcotics and who knows what else. Don't linger--catch on of the many ferries (2 hours?) which land in Tangiers, but don't linger there either because they are the trading partners with Algeciras!!<BR><BR>Off the ferry several enterprising Moroccan men will attach themselves to you, offering help/tour/anything else. Try to ignore them. It's about a 500 meter walk to the train station where you can catch the train to Marrakech. A long ride, I think I remember getting to Tangiers around 1pm and Marrakech sometime late at night. <BR><BR>The hard part is getting Moroccan money in Tangiers without giving some of it up to the &quot;tour guides&quot; along the way. I can't remember exactly what we did there. I think we took one of the guys up on his offer to bring us to an ATM, and then of course when we paid him what we thought was a fair fare for his trouble, he exploded and threatened to hurt us. We were three and he was one, so we went on his way.<BR><BR>The train out of Tangiers is beautiful. You'll have to change in Casablanca--again, nothing special according to the guidebooks but we didn't linger to find out. In Marrakech it would be nice to have hotel reservations because you'll be arriving a night most likely and they can come and meet you at the train station. We allowed ourselves to be sold a hotel room by one of the enterprising fellows outside the train station and were not disappointed, however. Stay outside the old town but in walking distance.<BR><BR>From Marrakesh take the bus skirting the Atlas mountains to Fez--a phenomenally beautiful 6-8 hour trip. I mean really stunning. Fez is more chaotic than Marrakech, but this time stay in the old town, close enough to the city walls so that you can find yourself out if you need to. If you hire a guide in either city (recommended. nay, required i think, and cheap), negotiate in advance how much &quot;shopping&quot; you want to do otherwise they will take you to the sites for 2 hours and then take you to their friends' stores for the next 8 and you will not be able to leave without buying a carpet and assorted other trinkets.<BR><BR>In Fez get your guide to take you to a Turkish bath where you can get a massage and they'll offer you hash afterwards. <BR><BR>From Fez it's the train back to Tangiers, the ferry back to Algeceras, and if you're smart you'll add in a couple days in Sevilla to decompress. Morocco is intense.<BR><BR>I completely recommend this trip. I think it can be done in 4 nights bare minimum, 2 nights in each town, although 3 in each would certain be better. <BR><BR>Don't go in a group bigger than 3 because you'll attract too much attention, and hey groups bigger than 3 are never any fun anyway. <BR><BR>Any other questions--ask away...<BR><BR>

Hello its me again, it sounds great but im a bit of a shit when it comes to venturing into 'dodgy' areas. Is it safish?? The trip?

kt - that sounds like a great trip! I'll have to add it to my list of places to go (a very BIG list, LOL!)

However, caroline79, it does sound like you need to be somewhat world-savvy and confident in your traveling. By your last post, it sounds like you may not be. This is not a put down at all. It just sounds like you may want someplace where you would feel more comfortable.

I'm sure it would be safe, but it does sound like you could get taken advantage of if you are not careful and don't know how to deal with the &quot;guides&quot; who will try to &quot;help&quot; you.

Happy travels, either way! Karen

We went to Morrocco about 5 years ago on an escorted tour.
It was dynomite..Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat and Casablanca are all wonderful.
But..this country is not one that I would do on my own...I would definitely recommend guides or tours.
Also...make sure and take an anti-biotic that has an anti -diahrreal medicine in it.
Granted..it was our fault..we had ice in our drinks and ate the fresh veggies..but...dysentery is NOT pleasant...we actually missed the last day of Marrakesh we were so sick..and it stayed with us for weeks!

I considered myself very savvy at the time, but Morocco was a bit of a jolt at the beginning. I ended up buying a carpet on a VERY hard sell. But that said, I saw some travellers down there, young folks, that were very green and still managed to have a great time. There is very little violence--it's not algeria--and the worst that happens is you get ripped off and pay $6 for a cab ride instead of 60 cents. It' still cheap.

Go for it!