It was an amazing trip from start to finish; it is a bit sad that tourists are not going to Morocco as it is beautiful and the people are amazing. I felt so very welcome everywhere I went…it is a magic place. The accommodation was amazing; particularly in Fes, Marrakech & the Ourika Valley…… they were so comfortable, welcoming and an amazing oasis in the hustle and buzz of the medinas. I have to thank you for an amazing trip and although the drives were long they were amazing. Worth every ruined hairdo as I had the window down taking photos as we drove, I would not have missed the drives for anything. I was amazed at the number of people I met that had been to Morocco several times and had never actually travelled the roads… it was such an integral part of the experience. I cannot recommend it enough. You were so right, long drives but amazing scenery as the landscape evolved before your eyes. What can I say Ouarzazate to Marrakech needed to be seen to be believed… amazing day!
I am trying to think of my favourite place but cannot as each held there own magic. Chefchaouen, blue but very wet…..I wish I had seen it when the sun was shining. Fes, lanes so narrow you cannot walk through them with an umbrella up.. so old and full of character. I felt that over 4 nights having worked out how to get back to the road from the two main thoroughfares was a major achievement. I fell in love with the donkeys….medina taxi! The desert was beautiful, it was amazing to see the line where the ground just changes from flat dirt and rock to the Sahara dunes. Magical and nice to see how dark the nights are and the stars.. you forget how magical the night sky can be away from the city and our continuous light. Marrakech..WOW!!! That place has such a pulse about it, so different from Fes. Full of snake charmers, henna artists and everything in between. You also take your life into your own hands…the motorbikes and scooters in the medina add another dimension. Essouira was beautiful, so windy but I fell in love with the fishing fleet and markets. A photographer’s dream and so much character to be captured in the daily life of the fisherman. Ourika Valley, what a beautiful spot and the Kasbah was amazing, a great place to unwind and relax. It was great after driving through so many towns with local markets to actually get to visit one and walk experience it was amazing. Everything from food, to a tooth pulled, haircut, new shoes for your donkey…… one stop for everything you could ever want. Hopefully these survive progress as it was a privilege to be able to experience the daily life of a Moroccan village.
While the majority of my trip was fabulous, there were just a few little hiccups but nothing too worrying. The weather; which no one could have predicted, was not great for the first week. I was not prepared (or had packed) for the cold & wet weather I encountered but that seemed to be Europe wide. It did mean I did not enjoy Chefchaouen as much as I could have but that is part of travel; just wished I and a few warmer and rain friendly items in the suitcase. The only issue I has with accommodation was at the very end in Casablanca, Hotel Le Doge. First visit was fabulous but not as good the second time around. I basically had a construction site above my head. They had put me on the 4th floor directly under the roof top patio that they are renovating, the noise was ridiculous. I went down stairs and complained, they said they would stop the works and gave me a jug of orange juice. I felt a little bit like give the single woman the worst room scenario which I have encountered before. After I came back from dinner that night Driss had told me he wanted to get me to the airport early so I tried to organise an early breakfast. The guy on the desk was not interested and told me to talk to his counterpart in the morning….. a bit useless really. The rest of the accommodation choices were amazing!
Driss was great even if a little over protective at times, totally understandable. Where I had the extra nights he left me to make my own arrangements, this happened in Fes and Marrakech and was not great. I am not sure if he had exhausted his restaurant list because I had extra days. In Fes I was just able to eat at the riad which was fine but Marrakech it was too late to organise anything at the Riad so I had to rely on a recommendation of one of the staff. Just something to be aware of. Generally his lunch spots and dinner reservations were awesome…… had some great food and carrying a little extra weight to support that! Got me to Harley Davidson in Casablanca so I could get a T-shirt for my brother in-law, travel obligation of mine!
I can only thank Morocco Tours for organising everything; it all flowed seamlessly and was truly an amazing experience. My guide Driss was great, he got me everywhere without incident and was an excellent companion throughout the journey.
Thanks for all your help; it was very well organised and was a great experience!
Yvonne, Australia (May 2016)