Marrakech

kirtsypoos

Hi all

We have just booked Marrakech at the end of April for my 30th birthday holiday (after 3 months of arguing and searching!) We got an amazing deal, and as I'm still debt busting we decided to go with the cheaper (but hopefully still lovely!) option. I'm a bit gutted because the plan was originally to go to Mexico for my 30th, but that was before I got my head out the sand regarding money.

With that in mind, I'm after recommendations of excursions, places to go to try and make it the best time possible! We will have money from family for my birthday, so we won't be too limited by funds when we actually go.

We are staying in the Kenzi Club Agdal Medina which is AI, however that was more for convenience - we still want to eat at local places.

Recommendations for everything welcome! We are there for 2 weeks so I imagine have plenty of time to do quite a lot.

Thanks in advance!

Ames

I'd recommend a few days in Essaouira. It's really calm and relaxed, and a great antidote to full on Marrakech.

I didn't go on any, but my hostel had loads of excursions into the dessert at very reasonable prices. If your hotel does the same then you'll have chance to talk to people who have done them to see if you'd like to.

And don't be afraid to eat the food in the Jemaa al Fna at night - I know people who avoided it but it's really good food and as it's freshly cooked in front of you you know that it's safe and properly done. The spicy tea on the stalls along the edge of the food area is delicious too.

PompeyPete

Employ a guide for a few hours to take you deep inside the Medina.

Marrakesh is a a marmite destination, so it's as well to be prepared. Plenty of ideas and other useful info on the Wikitravel page...

http://wikitravel.org/en/Marrakech

If you're a stranger to the region the Wikitravel page is well worth a read, as are the various tabs on...

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco

kirtsypoos

Thank you both,

I did have a look on the FCO page before we booked, all looks pretty much what I expected but I'm glad I read it.

Will have a look at the wiki page now. I guess I'm just unnerved because it wasn't on my holiday wish list. But then neither were the last 3 I went on and I loved them!

lovehackney

As someone else said, do not stress too much about eating in the square. Loads of people eat there and don't get sick. If you are worried, take your own cutlery or antibac gel to sterilise what they give you! It's part of the experience (although choose wisely, some places sell boiled sheep's head...)

You could do an excursion into the Atlas mountains, your hotel might be able to help you arrange this. You can go trekking, horse riding etc. I really enjoyed it and as others said, it's a nice antidote to the busyness of the Medina. Some fantastic views and you can visit Argan oil factories and stuff like that.

You could also go to a hammam (Moroccan spa), if you are brave, a traditional one (although it will be single sex, cheap and possibly a bit scary but an amusing experience!) or there are plenty of tourist spas.

Jardin Majorelle worth a visit. There are also some palaces / buildings with some beautiful architecture and decoration.

The one thing to watch out for is being ripped off, e.g., looking lost and someone offering to show you the way, taking you to their family member's shop, and putting pressure on you to buy something. We had people saying "we just want to practice our english" but will then try and charge you. Taking photographs of people in the square - they will come after you for money. Taxi drivers not taking you to where you want to go. Basically always look like you know what you are doing and where you are going, or you will be taken advantage of.

Not to put you off, as I have enjoyed visiting Marrakech (twice) but sometimes it does feel like "hassle" rather than fun.

Ames

It wasn't on my list either until I found cheap flights and accommodation for £3 a night.

I agree about scams - most of the worst ones I came across were in Fez, but there were a couple in Marrakech. The best known one is if you wander near some snake charmers and they come up and put the snake around your neck then expect to be paid. If you like snakes make sure you get your pictures with a group that look after them well - a lot sew up the snakes' mouths to reassure tourists but obviusly it's really cruel.

The other thing in Marrakech was at the food stalls where they automatically put out bread and dips and charge you whether you eat them or not, so be clear about what you want.

I didn't use a hammam, because it's not my thing, but others in my hostel did and had good things to say about them. I don't understand why they went straight after getting a really pretty henna tattoo though because it was just washed off!

kirtsypoos

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences, it does sound amazing so I'm sure we will have a fab time.

I'm not to worried about being hassled, OH will probably be a bit protective though. If they come near me with a snake I won't be responsible for my actions though :rotfl:

We are planning on a hammam at Hammam Rosa Bonheur which has very good reviews - I love a good spa day and OH loves massages so it should be nice for us. I guess the main thing is to try and keep my wits about me and watch out for the extras.

Ames, I'm going to do some research into Essaouira, although I'm looking at desert excursions so will probably go for one or the other rather than both.