Spain to Morocco
 

My boyfriend and I are planning to travel in Spain this summer and are also interested in going to Morocco but do not necessarily want to go to Tangier, thus making the trip by ferry less attractive. I have two questions-- <BR>1. Has anyone flown on Royal Maroc airlines? Does it have a reputation for being safe? <BR>2. If we only have a couple days in Morocco, where would you recommend that we go? and what is the best mode of getting there from Spain?

I flew from Tangier to Marrakech on Royal Moroc airlines and was pleased with their service. They also have flights from Madrid. I've been to Tangier, Marrakech, and Casablanca. Of those three I would go to Marrakech. I've also heard Fez is nice, but didn't have time to go there. We chose to fly from Tangier because we were traveling in the south and didn't want to return to Madrid for the flight. Two years ago the cheapest flight from Madrid was $350 (I lived there at the time and shopped around). From Tangier we paid $200 and that included the flight to Casablanca (all flights to Marrakech stopped in Casablanca).

We flew Royal Air Maroc from NYC to Casa and back again; safety record is excellent, the food's good, and the flight attendants were wonderful. I'd fly with them again in a heartbeat. <BR>With just a couple of days, I would do Marrakesh simply because there is a whole lot of stuff in one place. <BR>Fez is also wonderful, but smaller. If you go to Fez, you can visit Volubilis, the Roman city between Fez and Meknes. It's extraordinary, because you can walk around the ruins (nothing is roped off, but of course civilized people don't climb on the walls or walk on the mosaics) and really see the city (it's on a hill so the view's great and the area is very quiet). <BR>You could also ferry to Tangier, quickly go east to one of the Mediterranean beach resorts, then head inland for Chefchaouen and Tetouan. <BR>No matter what you do, you'll be fascinated. We loved Morocco and would really lik to return someday. <BR>If you visit Fez or Marrakesh, you'll want to go into the medina. Hire a guide through either your hotel or the tourist office (do NOT hire anyone at the bus or train station!); for about $25, you'll have a whole day's worth of history, information and 'protection' as well as a look into some of the lesser-seen parts of the medina that tourists, on their own, don't see. <BR>There are several VERY expensive 'tourist' restaurants with a floor show and more food than anyone can eat in a lifetime; don't bother with them. There are similar restaurants with dancers and musicians for a lot less and with a much more Moroccan atmosphere. Ask your guide or the hotel desk. <BR>We ate food from everywhere and had no problems; we did stick to bottled water, though.

Merrakech is the best place to go, if you can only go to one city.I liked Rabat and Fez also.

We are planning a trip to Spain in the fall and have included Morocco. We only allocated a few days and have been told that Marakesh is the best place if you only have time for one city. As for flying, you can also fly from Malaga airport(if you will be in southern spain) to Casablanca to Marakesh. No direct flights to Marrakesh.