staying in Marrakech

dmg24

Gavin83 wrote: »

Sorry, I should have made myself more clear. I didn't literally mean travelling, I meant just being on holiday in the country in general. It's quite an active aggressive country and not relaxing in the slightest and you may struggle if you aren't used to the North African culture.

I spent a lot of time in lower Morocco as well and that was a little more difficult to travel around than the higher cities.

As a lone female traveller who has visited Marrakech three times, I can honestly say that it is one of the friendliest places I have been to. What Gavin83 has taken to be 'active aggressive' is, in the majority of cases, a genuine interest by the Moroccans in tourists and their cultures.

I'm sure you will have a great trip pborojon. If you do have a few spare hours, a good challenge is to find your way from one side of the souks to the other without asking for help. Easier said than done!

pborojon

dmg24 wrote: »

As a lone female traveller who has visited Marrakech three times, I can honestly say that it is one of the friendliest places I have been to. What Gavin83 has taken to be 'active aggressive' is, in the majority of cases, a genuine interest by the Moroccans in tourists and their cultures.

I'm sure you will have a great trip pborojon. If you do have a few spare hours, a good challenge is to find your way from one side of the souks to the other without asking for help. Easier said than done!

Lol hmmm not sure I'm up for that one on a first visit! I'll see how brave I feel lol

dmg24

pborojon wrote: »

Lol hmmm not sure I'm up for that one on a first visit! I'll see how brave I feel lol

Don't worry if you do get lost, just ask a local for directions to the square. They'll even show you the way if you want them to - they will try to charge you a large amount for this, but if you give them £1 or a few coins they will more than happily run along!

The Rough Guide Directions book is well worth the money, and includes fold out maps of the different areas of the town.

Sergio1982

dmg24 wrote: »

As a lone female traveller who has visited Marrakech three times, I can honestly say that it is one of the friendliest places I have been to. What Gavin83 has taken to be 'active aggressive' is, in the majority of cases, a genuine interest by the Moroccans in tourists and their cultures.

I'm sure you will have a great trip pborojon. If you do have a few spare hours, a good challenge is to find your way from one side of the souks to the other without asking for help. Easier said than done!

Compared to the hassle in Luxor I would say that Marrakech is nowhere near as bad. Walking through the square in the evening was funny with all the food stalls trying to get you to eat at theirs; 'Jamie Oliver, bloody brilliant!'

Gavin83

I wasn't even really referring to the locals talking to you and trying to tell you their items, although it can be a problem for people who like to be left alone. It's just generally a busy place, quite full on and not somewhere I'd go to relax. I did climb mount Toubkal as well though so Im sure that didn't help.

I've been to Luxor as well and agree it's a lot friendlier and easier in terms of hassle, people can be really pushy and rude in Luxor. It's extremely hot as well which lowers the patience.