Anyone ever been to Morocco?

mr.blaze · 30-01-2008, 10:07

Just been informed I might be going to Morocco next week, anyone ever been before? If so where abouts did you go? Any information would be great!

Cheers.

J

shabba · 30-01-2008, 10:11

yep, i went a few years back, to Agadir, hotel was like 2 mins from the beach it was wicked, proper enjoyed it......

were abouts are you going?

boyfriday · 30-01-2008, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.blaze

Just been informed I might be going to Morocco next week, anyone ever been before? If so where abouts did you go? Any information would be great!

Cheers.

J

I went to Marrakesh, March last year, fab place, but take a jumper it was surprisingly quite chilly! PM if you want any more info

md25 · 30-01-2008, 11:11

We went to Agadir on honeymoon; we stayed at one of the beachfront hotels. Gorgeous sunsets, great beach; the weather was nice and warm, and this was in November. Ignore the locals, as if you make eye contact it will take you an hour to get away from their sales pitch. They'll try to sell you endless wooden bits of tat, carpets, drugs, their own grandmothers, guided tours, camels...

shabba · 30-01-2008, 11:29

md25, yep your right there pal.... forgot to mention that.

Katie1980 · 30-01-2008, 19:28

We also went to Agadir for our honeymoon. Hotel fantastic, own private beach all inclusive and all that, however I was not so impressed upon leaving the complex, not a great deal to see, and got hassled by the locals, im not very good at saying no. I would go back to Morocco but not Agadir, quite fancy Marrakesh.

Although the amount we spent going there was the same as going to Goa, and I would go back there at the drop of a hat, fantastic place.

nuttygirl · 30-01-2008, 19:40

Agadir is a bit touristy. If you want the real morroco, travel around by train to places like i did - it's dirt cheap. Rabat is modern, being the capital, but still has traditional markets to explore. Marrakech is the best tho - the Djamma El Fna is the best thing I have every seen.

SheShe · 03-02-2008, 11:18

We're off to Agidir on the 17th for 2 weeks all in at the Founty Beach. I just looked at the weather and according to the bbc it will be 80 next week......lovely

Do any of you know the Founty Beach hotel by the way.

SheShe · 03-02-2008, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheShe

We're off to Agidir on the 17th for 2 weeks all in at the Founty Beach. I just looked at the weather and according to the bbc it will be 80 next week......lovely

Do any of you know the Founty Beach hotel by the way.

I would be really interested in opinions of previous visitors

Rotherhamer · 03-02-2008, 16:40

Went once,never again ,its all geared up for the french not English.Was at the Kamal hotel right in the middle of Agadir,Women have got to be very careful cos the natives are downright insulting and all women walking alone they consider fair game.
If you go down to the tourist section,near the beach its very expensive,beer £5 a pint the middle of the city is not bad but go into the moroccan part and the food is good and very cheap,if you dont like hassle avoid the souk,it makes the turkish market look downright welcoming,the hassle ,honestly is out of this world.We went as a change cos we went to Turkey every year,wouldnt go again nor would any other of the English guests in the hotel they were all of the same mind,dont get me wrong the Hotel was sound and the actual place was ok it was just the hassle and the insults from the natives.A word of advice if your going anywhere shop around cos the organized trips to marrakesh can be bought very cheaply using the moroccan transport system but always take your passport if your planning on staying overnight,you cant book into an hotel without it.just an afterward re the weather,its not hat warm on the coast even though the temp says it is,inland its red hot but the daily quota of actual sunshine on the coast is very limited compared to say Turkey or the Greek Islands,if you havent booked yet do yourself a favour and have a look at Gambia its about the same price and honestly its a lot better all round even though its still a poor country

Agent Orange · 03-02-2008, 18:54

Never been, but been considering going there for a surfing holiday

cressida · 03-02-2008, 18:59

yes- one day there (we were on a cruise) in Agadir, bought a huge wooden elephant, a silver kaftan, a leather box with brass studs (still got that) very colourful and friendly place

Draggletail · 03-02-2008, 23:53

Booked a four week return flight to Tangier in '79, took a rucksack, tiny little nylon mountain tent (borrowed as mine was too big) and a hammock (strapped to the top of the rucksack) and camped all the way from Tangier to Marrakesh using trains/buses, taking in along the way, Rabat, Meknes, Casablanca, Fez (coolest, biggest souk ever - you will get lost without a guide!) and the mountain village of Ifrane where King Hussain lived, and places I forget.

Along the way, I was befriended fellow travelers, and Moroccans - the Moroccans ultimately always out for the main chance, your money or your UK address (for visiting purposes

) or to sell you some hash/grass. (make sure it's OK - some of them will sell you ****)

You'll get hassle every time you set out from where you are staying though, it's a poor country and most people are hungry - seriously - so be prepared for kids wanting to act as 'guides' - you will be guided of course (into their uncles carpet factory where you will be given free mint tea served in a glass on a silver tray - then the hard sell starts)

I had some hairy moments travelling without the 'secure base' of a hotel with a rep molly coddling me .... I saw the real Maroc though

I only wish I was sober enough at this moment and a fast enough typist to tell you all about it !!!!!!

Enjoy the trip!

haddockman · 04-02-2008, 00:05

Never been but would really love to go! Marrakesh looks amazing/scary, would love to spend an evening in that main square! Quite fancy going there and back by rail, only takes 2 days but you get the pleasure of the places you go through

Draggletail · 04-02-2008, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by haddockman

Never been but would really love to go! Marrakesh looks amazing/scary, would love to spend an evening in that main square! Quite fancy going there and back by rail, only takes 2 days but you get the pleasure of the places you go through

HeHe, the 'pleasure' on the Marrakesh Express was trying to get into the loo with the squits - the train was so overcrowded the loo was occupied by Moccies playing cards!!

The square is amazing at night - snake charmers and stuff - I saw a guy selling his 'wares' on a big blanket - on looking closely, they were all extracted human teeth! Shortly after, a guy sat down and had his tooth pulled out withought anesthetic in front of the crowd! - I kid you not!

If you do the independently of tour operators and reps you'll get the full experience, and maybe a few surprises!

haddockman · 04-02-2008, 00:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draggletail

HeHe, the 'pleasure' on the Marrakesh Express was trying to get into the loo with the squits - the train was so overcrowded the loo was occupied by Moccies playing cards!!

The square is amazing at night - snake charmers and stuff - I saw a guy selling his 'wares' on a big blanket - on looking closely, they were all extracted human teeth! Shortly after, a guy sat down and had his tooth pulled out withought anesthetic in front of the crowd! - I kid you not!

If you do the independently of tour operators and reps you'll get the full experience, and maybe a few surprises!

No way, I'd die if I saw someone having teeth operations! Have major dentist fears!! Definately wouldnt go on some package tour no way, hate that sort of holiday!! I'd be staying in a little local hotel in the centre, away from the posh hotels!!

Does look amazing, definately hight on the list of places to go for me!!!!

buck · 04-02-2008, 03:56

Been many times when in the RN, from Gibraltar over to Tangier, and sailed down to Casablanca. Can't say what it would seeem to a tourist but I always enjoyed it. Great climate.

Fiat500 · 04-02-2008, 14:47

Morocco, good and bad reviews. We toured Morrocco a few years ago. We loved Marrakech, especially Jemaa el Fna at night. Didn't think much of Casablanca. Camel riding into the Sahara to watch the sunset is a must. Another must is Ait Benhaddou (used for many film sets including Gladiator). We ended the tour staying in Agadir, downside of the tour. We went from the cultural side of Morrocco to 'Blackpool'. The hotel constantly played loud disco music. The evenings were bustling with people. Agadir is the only place we have felt very vulnerable. We were followed by a local who got very aggressive asking for money to show us the way back to the hotel. Some others in our tour wouldn't even leave the hotel. A good guide for women is to cover up when away from the hotel. I always do and never usually have problems with locals.

missymarsbar · 20-02-2010, 14:40

As seasoned travellers and on our first day in Marrakesh, we opted for the "taste of real Marrakesh, sweet tea and gateaux" tour. Here's the itinery:

Our "guided" 3 hour tour was with Omar - some dodgy bloke we met in a back street. Wonderful experience - LOL!

My other half fatally asked Omar for directions to the leather selling area in the Souk. Ever so obliging, in pigeon english (luckily I speak a bit of french), Omar insisted on following him and took us inside the Marrakesh tannery. He kindly handed us some fresh mint to cover our noses. The place stunk and we were walking on narrow edges in between deep vats of donkey p*ss full of curing leather. The smell became too much for me, although it was difficult for Omar to leave such salubrious surroundings. The sound of screaming donkeys will haunt me for the rest of my life!

He then took us to his friends "art" gallery and tried to sell us a work of art for £80,000, an offer to which we declined, although it was an interesting piece?!

Whilst on our tour of the backstreets of Marrakesh, Omar enthusiastically told us that he had met Jimmy Hendrix in Essouira in the 60's and that the Rolling Stones had dropped by to visit him at his house. He said he had photographic evidence of this momentus occasion back at his house and we must go and see the photos and have tea and gateux with his family.

After a couple more hours of walking around the back streets in extremely small circles, Omar took us back to his "home". I wasn't too happy at the prospect, but up until this point Omar's skills of persuasion and well informed tour had provided both of us with a great deal of hilarity. We then went back to his "house" and we drank tea, while his brother nipped to the shop for some biscuits (gateaux). Omar proceeded to roll himself a doob and kindly offered to sell us some of its contents. However, we declind the offer.

We then sat on a flea infested sofa under a damaged corrugated roof. Waiting patiently to see the photos, we could see various pairs of sleeping feet about 2 yards away - these were his 5 sisters having an afternoon nap in the "bedroom". Omar did finally produce the photographs, and began to look at them longingly (or maybe it was the effects of what he was smoking). After further persusion from us, he began to pass them round. Reluctantly, he passed around the photos and they began with memories of him and his brothers, the highlight being a photograph of the brothers and a close "friend". I've never seen such a contrived smile and a scared looking female tourist in all my life - she'd just been on a tour with Omar and nipped back to their house for tea and gatueax. Oddly enough, there were no photos of The Stones or Jimmy.

While Omar got stoned, he began to discuss world politics. He talked to us about money being plastic and highlighted the problems with Western greed.

When we felt it was time to go, he insisted on guiding us back to our riad, as there were "lots of bad people out there only after your money".

We got back to the riad and we thought we'll give him a tenner for his time. He then insisted on us giving him £150 for the privilege. We obviously didn't and gave him £20.

As part of Omar's tour, we didn't go anywhere near the souks or tourist bits, as they arrest unofficial tour guides.

As scary as it was, we've laughed so much about our "taste of real Marrakesh tea and gateaux tour" with Omar, but there were two of us. I wouldn't say the same if I had been on my own.

After touring Morrocco for a coupe of weeks, we went back to Marrkesh and bumped into Omar. He realised that we'd become savvy to his ways and quickly shuffled away down a back street.

Finally and in answer to your question, you'll get constantly hassled, but just say no firmly. Also watch out for the lads that come up to you to say that a road or passage is closed and they will take you the right way. This is just an excuse to take you down some back streets and make you pay for the privilege. Also, remember to haggle. Whatever price your given, start off at 25% and go upwards.

Don't let this put you off. Marrakesh is wonderful and Morroccan people are warm and very hospitable, but be firm when you first arrive in Marrakesh. Go to the Souks, eat from the stands in the square and get out to Essouira if you have time. It's a 3 hour bus journey and here you'll find a much more laid back Morocco and you'll meet people who do invite you to their houses for tea.

The tour with Omar proved priceless, as we've had so many laughs about it.