Trip to Morocco in April - Tips/Recommendations?

[WanderingWapiti]

Hello my fellow Roksliders,

The wife and I are headed to Morocco for two weeks in April. It's a place we've always been curious to visit.

If you've been, I'd love to hear tips/places you enjoyed.

We're flying into Casablanca and considering spending time in Fez, taking a tour to the Sahara that will end at Marrakech. Spend some time in Marrakech, and then head to the southwest and surf for a few days. I grew up surfing and the wife's not half bad, so that'll be nice. And if it's flat, we'll tour some southern beach towns.

I'd love to add Chefchaouen to this itinerary, but it's crazy how fast the 2 weeks fill up. Seems like it's likely worth fitting it in.

I unfortunately don't have the dough for an Aoudad hunt in Morocco unless you know of a scholarship program! ha!

Let me know what you think!

 

[ODB]

Never been but a fellow who read an audiobook for me (he lives in the UK) went to Marrakech and sent a sort of postcard from his trip. One thing he mentioned was the immediate need for cash/dirham and that not a lot of people takes cards and there are heavy fees on transactions. He found an ATM at Jema el Fnaa right away and all was good.

Highlights were the fresh juices, markets, the Tannery, the Museum of Decorative Arts (The Photography museum and Museum of Moroccan Elegance were so-so). No specific restaurant names, but that ones with only tourists were not very good.

have fun

 

[peaceman]

from what i've heard and read, expect the runs shortly after being there...that may affect how far you stray from civilization for part of your journey.

 

[il_cop]

I would spend as little time in Casablanca as possible and head to Marakech sooner. It's an awesome place. Great food, fascinating people and culture, lots of great architecture and sights.

Casablanca is very much a modern/dilapidated port city. Dirty, lots of tourist ships with correlating day trippers and tourist traps.

Rent a ryad in Marakech and/or fez and soak it in. The suk, the calls to prayer, the tagine and tangine. All great. We also did an excursion into the agafay desert to a beduin camp one evening for dinner and a camel tour. Little touristy but a great experience and memory.

 

[ODB]

from what i've heard and read, expect the runs shortly after being there...that may affect how far you stray from civilization for part of your journey.

Ah yes.. forgot to mention this - my friend was stricken with the turkey trots for almost three days...

 

[WanderingWapiti]

I would spend as little time in Casablanca as possible and head to Marakech sooner. It's an awesome place. Great food, fascinating people and culture, lots of great architecture and sights.

Casablanca is very much a modern/dilapidated port city. Dirty, lots of tourist ships with correlating day trippers and tourist traps.

Rent a ryad in Marakech and/or fez and soak it in. The suk, the calls to prayer, the tagine and tangine. All great. We also did an excursion into the agafay desert to a beduin camp one evening for dinner and a camel tour. Little touristy but a great experience and memory.

At the moment we've realized we are almost exclusively scheduling ourselves to do very touristy things. Which, makes sense. But, I am curious what we can get up to. I usually try to leave some days unplanned and let the wind take us where it may. That often has led to very cool experiences, but also to boredom! ha!

 

[WanderingWapiti]

from what i've heard and read, expect the runs shortly after being there...that may affect how far you stray from civilization for part of your journey.

Hmm, I'll take that into condsideration!

 

[WanderingWapiti]

I would spend as little time in Casablanca as possible and head to Marakech sooner. It's an awesome place. Great food, fascinating people and culture, lots of great architecture and sights.

Casablanca is very much a modern/dilapidated port city. Dirty, lots of tourist ships with correlating day trippers and tourist traps.

Rent a ryad in Marakech and/or fez and soak it in. The suk, the calls to prayer, the tagine and tangine. All great. We also did an excursion into the agafay desert to a beduin camp one evening for dinner and a camel tour. Little touristy but a great experience and memory.

I appreciate the thoughts. Marrakech and Fez sound awesome. We will definitely enjoy a Ryad in those spots.

 

[roosterdown]

Get a guide (hotel should be able to recommend a good one) for exploration - especially in the Medina in Marrakesh.

Had a bad experience without one. Primary function is to keep the other 'guides' (and there are sooo many) from hounding you. They will often get a commission (they go back to the merchant later & are paid then) on anything you buy, but it is a small price to pay for security. Otherwise you may feel like you have a target on your back. Because you do.