First Holiday in a long time.....need some help please

richardvc

In early May we are going on our first warm poolside holiday in a long time....

Five days at a 4* all inclusive place in Marrakech

Please can someone help me with what I should take as we plan to lounge by the pool, do an odd excursion here and there and generally relax and have a few drinks...

What clothes do I need ?
What are the holiday essentials ?

Apologies for this if I'm posting on the wrong board but I'm a bit clueless as we usually take city breaks and not holidays like this.

I'm getting very excited about it and would love your help but also feel a touch embarrassed for being so helpless, hence why I have asked here !

5 days / 4 nights in warm temperatures, lounging by the pool and relaxing

What do I need ?

TIA

Richard

maman

Obviously what you take with you will depend on the luggage allowance you have paid for so be sure to weigh your bags rather than be charged extra at the airport. Fortunately as it's a hot weather holiday, you shouldn't need any really heavy clothes although I always wear/take a jacket or jumper as it's invariably cold when you get back to the UK and often on the plane.

I plan my wardrobe in 3 parts:

• things for by the pool like swim wear, a cover up, hat, books, sun cream, slides or some shoes easy to slip on and off. You might need a beach towel but many hotels provide them.
• things for going out to lunch or going on an excursion. Some people are happy in shorts and a tee shirt. I prefer a dress and DH finds a shirt cooler than a tee shirt but that's personal preference.  You need shoes that are comfortable for walking.
• As it's 4*, I'd want to dress up a bit in the evening so a smart shirt and lightweight trousers for DH and a strappy dress for me. Again comfortable shoes/sandals although I do see women in heels although the old town in our resort has cobbled streets.🤔

Other than that you obviously need all your documents, any medication you need and plenty of sun cream and other toiletries. Take plug adaptors and chargers, sunglasses but don't take any gadgets or jewellery that's really expensive.

I've never been to Morocco so don't know how contactless they've become but some cash is usually needed for markets and small purchases. If you plan to use cards, make sure you have the ones that don't charge for use abroad.

That should get you started, I'm sure others will be along with more ideas. Bon Voyage!☺

richardvc

Brilliant start, thank you maman !!

mark_cycling00

Wear in any new sandals/flip-flops before you go. Nothing worse than getting painful grazes on day one and hobbling around for 6/13 days.

richardvc

mark_cycling00 said:

Wear in any new sandals/flip-flops before you go. Nothing worse than getting painful grazes on day one and hobbling around for 6/13 days.

Been there, done that...ouch !!!

itsthelittlethings

If you’re going to Morocco and going to be outside the hotel/ resort women are expected to cover up a certain amount, I can’t remember the details but I think it’s no bare arms or legs. Not sure about men as I’m female so when I went that was what applied to me.

Barkin

MrsB and I were in Marrakech in February. Pleasantly warm during the day, but got a bit chilly in the evening. It'll probably be 30° in May during the day.

It's more liberal than some Muslim countries, and there were quite a lot of female tourists with bare shoulders etc, but we took the "why risk offending the locals if you can avoid it" approach. 

The Dirham is a closed currency, so you won't be able to get any before you go. Keep the exchange chit if you get any local currency, or you won't be able to change it back before you leave.

We found that most shops & restaurants accepted cards & contactless payments. It was only small cafés, markets etc where some were cash only, and most of those were happy to accept either Dirham or Euros. Likewise taxis.

Most restaurants we tried didn't serve alcohol.

An all inclusive resort may be different though, and the above may not apply.

Don't hire a car - the standard of driving is appalling!

The Medina is fabulous. And bonkers!

Don't cut it fine at the airport coming back. As well as the usual security checks inside, we had to queue to get our luggage scanned just to get into the airport...

Enjoy - it's a wonderful place, and the people are super warm & friendly.

Snozzle

I've flown several times to Morocco over the last 18 months but not to Marrakesh. All times we needed paper boarding tickets to leave the country. You couldn't have your tickets on your phone.  Plus we also needed to show a paper copy of where we were going to stay when we arrived each time. We basically print all our boarding cards, both for going and our return, before we head to the airport and also print off our hotel booking confirmation and have it to hand when landing. 

Also keep your passport handy at the airport / boarding. It's checked constantly - including when you board the plane. The EasyJet staff told us it's the law so they have to check your passport on boarding too. 

Finally, when we land we normally go to a cashpoint machine/ exchange in the airport and, and using a card that doesn't charge you fees take a little cash out. We've rarely used any cash at the 'all inclusive' hotels but do at the souks or if we take a taxi anywhere (negotiate the price before you get in).

Have a wonderful time! 

Snozzle

The food has been wonderful in the 'all inclusive' hotels we've tried so didn't eat elsewhere. Drinks unlimited till 11 p.m. in all our 'all inclusives'. Finally we only used bottled water to brush our teeth / drink.  Again given or ask at bar for water and bottles are given freely to you. 

Barkin

Snozzle said:

I've flown several times to Morocco over the last 18 months but not to Marrakesh. All times we needed paper boarding tickets to leave the country. You couldn't have your tickets on your phone.  Plus we also needed to show a paper copy of where we were going to stay when we arrived each time. We basically print all our boarding cards, both for going and our return, before we head to the airport and also print off our hotel booking confirmation and have it to hand when landing. 

Interesting. Flew to/from Marrakech in February this year, with nothing printed out. Just in-app and emailed documentation on ours phones, and everyone was happy with that.


Also keep your passport handy at the airport / boarding. It's checked constantly - including when you board the plane. The EasyJet staff told us it's the law so they have to check your passport on boarding too. 

I can't recall ever taking a flight when my passport hasn't been checked at the gate.

             

brianposter

Dont assume it is always warm - the low today is 10 C.