Morocco Trip

NatMast_2

Hello everyone,

I'm going to Morocco (more accurately, Marrakech) at the start of November. I'll be spending a few days there exploring the souks and the history etc. Then two-three days I'll be in the Sahara which I am incredibly excited about. Then perhaps have another trip north of Marrakech to the mountains.

So what I'm asking is, has anyone else ever been to Morocco/Marrakech etc or any trips? And has anyone else done this as a lone traveller?

I have researched this and spoken to a few people who has visited - all have loved the country but there have been some mixed reviews on the lone lady traveller. I fully intend to immerse myself into the culture and dress respectfully - that isn't a problem. And I'd like to think I have enough common sense to avoid most things. Many people have said yes, you can get harassed verbally but you just have to politely but firmly decline and move on and that very rarely is there a real issue.

Sorry for the waffling - I'm incredibly excited already but I do like to be mentally prepared.

InsideInsurance

Not been to Morocco but have been to many other north african and arab countries.

Excluding doing stupid/ risky things then it very much comes down to how you are. If you are confident/ firm etc then you should be fine. There is some "harassment" (I "" as its only by UK standards) but the do ultimately leave you alone with no real problem. If you are meek/ shy etc then they will hound you much more, still its unlikely to result in a real issue but it may be a much more unpleasant situation.

Went to Egypt with both my wife and my ex (not together). The former thought it was great and found the "harassment" amusing and occasionally a little irritating. My ex hated that part and didnt want to go out without me. From my perspective I dont think the culture had changed in 4 years and so it was simply their reactions to it.

NatMast_2

Thanks for your reply. I won't be too phased about it really but after hearing mixed reviews I just like to hear everyone's honest experiences. I doubt I would find it as 'harassing' as say another member of my friends for example because I'm probably a lot more laid back but not shy.

As long as it's nothing inappropriate then I believe I would be fine. Like I said, I just am interesting in people's honest experiences on visiting. It wouldn't stop me going or reconsider - it's just purely because I'm staying there on my own that I wanted these views.

tomtontom

I've been to Marrakech several times alone and never had any real bother. You are going with the right attitude, smile and laugh along at their 'asda price' lines and you'll be just fine

NatMast_2

tomtontom wrote: »

I've been to Marrakech several times alone and never had any real bother. You are going with the right attitude, smile and laugh along at their 'asda price' lines and you'll be just fine

I'm just so ridiculous excited! People who I work with think I'm a bit potty for wanting to go abroad by myself but places like Morocco where it's rich in culture, history and new experiences..why not?

I have heard about their bartering! I will be a stereotype and come back with a Moroccan rug - after a good haggling session over mint tea of course.

Might as well ask - anywhere that you'd recommend to stay? I've limited it down to four places:

Riad Dar Ftouma
Riad Ineslisa
Riad Sacr
Riad Plein Sud

mazz1953

My daughter and I went to Marrakesh December 2012. It is a lovely city, but we had to haggle for everything. Coming out of the airport, the taxi driver tried to charge us about six times the normal fare to our hotel, but we were prepared and we haggle him down to double real rate, but only after we saw a bus at the nearby stop and made a move to catch it.

Do some research and find out what the taxis cost as the price is supposed to fixed by the government, but the drivers will try to rip you off. At the bazaars and the souks, you will have to be prepared to walk away when you are quoted a price for any purchases then the seller will chase you for about 10 minutes to get you to buy. If you hold fast, you can get items at a reasonable price.

There is also a night-time market the comes to life in the square and it is very vibrant and noisy, but the atmosphere is great. Watch out for the moped, even in the pedestrianized areas and the souks, they just constantly come at you.

Marrakesh is great if you are a cat lover, they are everywhere, even in the restaurant and hotel lobbies and they are well looked after.

There are also lots of beggars around, so I made sure I carried lots of small change with me constantly.

Try to go on an excursion to one of the Berber villages in the Atlas Mountains, the views on the journey is breathtaking.

Finally, get on a tour bus that takes you all around the city and to the outskirts, this generally takes about 2 hours and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

NatMast_2

Thank you - that sounds fantastic! I was looking at the mountains - sounds just what I'd enjoy. I want to immerse myself fully into it all and just absorb it - crazy as that seems. I know it's a country that's very near to here in the grand scheme of things but it is so culturally different - vibrant and exciting!

Do appreciate the advice. I have been researching a lot just to be prepared but I love a good haggle and rarely get an opportunity to do it in the UK any more except at the market sometimes.

I think I read that you can't take Moroccan currency out of the country which is a shame as I quite like money souvenirs from countries - considering a lot of places I have been to now are Euro. I miss the uniqueness of the foreign currency!

Voyager2002

NatMast wrote: »

I think I read that you can't take Moroccan currency out of the country which is a shame as I quite like money souvenirs from countries - considering a lot of places I have been to now are Euro. I miss the uniqueness of the foreign currency!

They would not mind a small amount as a souvenir. If they ask you at the airport, just say you haven't got any.

pukkamum

My sister recently visited Morocco and her biggest gripe were the 'guides' young lads who will take you were you want to go, not a problem in the main but sometimes 3 or 4 would tag along and all demand payment and she felt very intimidated by them.

tomtontom

pukkamum wrote: »

My sister recently visited Morocco and her biggest gripe were the 'guides' young lads who will take you were you want to go, not a problem in the main but sometimes 3 or 4 would tag along and all demand payment and she felt very intimidated by them.

She shouldn't be using unauthorised guides at all. If she does want one her hotel can arrange one, female guides are available if someone would feel more comfortable with a woman.

AlexMac

Envy! We loved our trip - a few years ago now - and like you, travelled independently and stayed in a central Riad not an out-of-town hotel. The Riad arranged a taxi from the airport too so no hassle finding it, although we had to walk the last two hundred yards through wonderful mediaeval alleys with flickering fires and oil lamps.

Absolutely no problem being pestered, as the authorities had recently launched a campaign against agressive begging and positively discouraged child begging (on the grounds that if a kid discovered they could earn more in a day than an adult wage, they'd skip school.

Although we were firm to spurn offers of shopping assistance from the 'new best friend' who would appear every day as we ventured out.

Great to wander the souks and quite reasonable food at decent prices even on the main square; don't recall any problem finding alcohol either.

We're not great ones for museums etc, preferring just to soak up street life... which is easy to do. We even got the hang of the geography of the souks and centre after a couple of days. Didn't bother with touristy 'experiences' either- although it was amusing watching the belly-dancer in one slightly over-hyped restaurant change back into skinny jeans in the ladies after the show! Little phenomena fascinate; all the waiters disappearing to kneel to pray en-masse outdoors at st times...

Regrettably didn't make it to the desert but we found the taxi-ride (again organised at a pre-set price by the riad) to the foothills really interesting; stayed in a French-owned cluster of holiday accommodation miles from anywhere; a bit artificial but lovely, qauiet and with a pool with distant vistas. Before the days of my posting on Tripadvisor so can't recall names of places, but look on that site- and if you're not already wise to TA, remember that you can judge the integrity of reviews by looking at the revieweres' other posts by clicking on their bye-line.

Everyone spoke some English so we didn't get much beyond greetings; 'saalaam allakhoum!'.

Have a great time. Bon Voyage! (or 'ṭṭreq ssalama')