Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:3) just reread this tbread. We ended the tour in Essouria (coastal town.) And I had amazing fresh seabass, and u like another poster, I did not find the Muslim influence more conservative there. Also, I was pleasantly surprised to NOT see a big Western influence (no Starbucks, etc.) Please write back upon your return so I know how it went for you. Enjoy!!!

OP here, just returned! The advice on this thread has been pretty accurate. Dressing, temperatures, currency and safety were all a non-issue in the end with these guidelines. The only thing I'd disagree on is the food. I don't know which spice they use in tajines but I tried it a few times and couldn't stomach the taste of it at all. And I'm not picky with my food at all. We ended up eating at european-lead restaurants like Le Café Arabe after a few failed attempts of local cuisine.

Overall it was a very interesting trip, though. Very fascinating to see the culture up close. Some things left a very positive impression (people were nice, streets, water and toilets were clean, shopping in the souks was fun), others were a bit harder to see for a westerner (how they treat their animals made me cringe)...

The stray, mangey, sick and dying animals everywhere were hard for me in Morocco. I’ve been to a lot of places in the world where treatment of animals makes me cringe but Morocco was particularly tough. That and the attention from men - but I made the mistake of going with a friend and as two women out in public with no man we had a target on our back.

We stayed here when we took a trip to Marrakech. It was extraordinary:

https://www.kasbahdutoubkal.com/

I didn't like Marrakech as much as I liked the Atlas Mountains. I traveled with my husband, though, and would be concerned for my safety in rural areas traveling as a solo female. We hiked in an area close to where this happened, and were with local guides:

https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/essays/hikers-killed-morocco-atlas-mountains/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:3) just reread this tbread. We ended the tour in Essouria (coastal town.) And I had amazing fresh seabass, and u like another poster, I did not find the Muslim influence more conservative there. Also, I was pleasantly surprised to NOT see a big Western influence (no Starbucks, etc.) Please write back upon your return so I know how it went for you. Enjoy!!!

OP here, just returned! The advice on this thread has been pretty accurate. Dressing, temperatures, currency and safety were all a non-issue in the end with these guidelines. The only thing I'd disagree on is the food. I don't know which spice they use in tajines but I tried it a few times and couldn't stomach the taste of it at all. And I'm not picky with my food at all. We ended up eating at european-lead restaurants like Le Café Arabe after a few failed attempts of local cuisine.

Overall it was a very interesting trip, though. Very fascinating to see the culture up close. Some things left a very positive impression (people were nice, streets, water and toilets were clean, shopping in the souks was fun), others were a bit harder to see for a westerner (how they treat their animals made me cringe)...

The stray, mangey, sick and dying animals everywhere were hard for me in Morocco. I’ve been to a lot of places in the world where treatment of animals makes me cringe but Morocco was particularly tough. That and the attention from men - but I made the mistake of going with a friend and as two women out in public with no man we had a target on our back.

Matthew Shepard was stalked and gang raped there.

Marrakech is great! Don’t be too worried about clothing. Dress a little more conservatively, although you’ll see a lot of tourists wearing skimpier clothing. I would wear closed toe shoes or perhaps sandals with a semi-closed toe. It’s a dusty city on the edge of a desert, and there is a fair amount of debris and waste in the Medina to side step. It won’t be as clean as cities you are likely used to. A lightweight scarf would be helpful for covering shoulders or mouth from dust as needed.

You’ll find ATMs everywhere, but I would withdraw currency at the airport, lock the excess in your hotel safe, and pay any small penalty to convert it back to USD at the airport when you depart. You’ll need small bills for almost everything, and may only wind up using your credit card for your hotel and some fancier dinners out. In general we try to avoid using ATMs and Africa or the Middle East anywhere but the airport, and try to use cash vs credit cards.

Food is very affordable, and you can get some terrific restaurant meals at very good prices compared to the United States. Couscous is everywhere, piled with vegetables or meat, and there of course is a lot of French influence so you’ll find a good deal of French food as well. As with foreign travel to countries in Africa or the Middle East, try to consume mostly cooked foods. Fresh fruits without an external peel, fresh salads, and the delicious looking freshly squeezed juices you’ll see sold on carts all around the city should be avoided (ask me how I know). Only drink bottled water or bottled soda. Our riad had bottled water in the bathroom with a sign saying it should be used for teeth brushing too so the whole don’t drink the water thing applies.

Bring travel size toilet paper or tissues with you for using restrooms other than your hotel. Make an arrangement for a hotel transfer. The Medina is an absolute maze of tiny alleyways and many riads are located far from the main roads where taxis can go (picture a 1/4 mile with 20 left and right turns you would never be able to navigate on your own with a load of luggage and jet lag). Learn a few phrases in Arabic and in French. It will go along way if you can say no thank you or where is the bathroom in either. Vendors can be quite aggressive. You may have to say no several times or even raise your voice to get a message across. There are a lot of beggars in the city, and lots of stray animals so be prepared for that also. Arrange tours and taxis with your riad’s front desk. It’s the best way to make sure you hire a legitimate service and aren’t taken advantage of.

You should check their entry policies from the USA due to the pandemic. They’ve blocked entry from the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands just this week. Hopefully, our country will be in good shape by April, you’re fine for now.

Hey all! I am booking a trip to Marrakech in April. Any updated advice since this thread is 5 years old?

Anonymous wrote:3) just reread this tbread. We ended the tour in Essouria (coastal town.) And I had amazing fresh seabass, and u like another poster, I did not find the Muslim influence more conservative there. Also, I was pleasantly surprised to NOT see a big Western influence (no Starbucks, etc.) Please write back upon your return so I know how it went for you. Enjoy!!!

OP here, just returned! The advice on this thread has been pretty accurate. Dressing, temperatures, currency and safety were all a non-issue in the end with these guidelines. The only thing I'd disagree on is the food. I don't know which spice they use in tajines but I tried it a few times and couldn't stomach the taste of it at all. And I'm not picky with my food at all. We ended up eating at european-lead restaurants like Le Café Arabe after a few failed attempts of local cuisine.

Overall it was a very interesting trip, though. Very fascinating to see the culture up close. Some things left a very positive impression (people were nice, streets, water and toilets were clean, shopping in the souks was fun), others were a bit harder to see for a westerner (how they treat their animals made me cringe)...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP checking back in. Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply and the wonderful advice!

Speaking of the food: any local specialties we MUST try? I'm a pretty adventurous eater so I'm looking forward to all the country-specific dishes, but DH is a vegetarian. Could that be problematic?

Easy peasy. Moroccan food does many vegetarian dishes. (Pressure cooker recipes have replace the tangine.)

P.S. You can take a cooking class--absolutely delightful:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293734-Activities-c41-t203-Marrakech_Marrakech_Tensift_El_Haouz_Region.html

Visit the tanneries (a little stinky) and souk with a guide. Streets are very clean. Bahia Palace is worth a visit.

Anonymous wrote:OP checking back in. Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply and the wonderful advice!

Speaking of the food: any local specialties we MUST try? I'm a pretty adventurous eater so I'm looking forward to all the country-specific dishes, but DH is a vegetarian. Could that be problematic?

Easy peasy. Moroccan food does many vegetarian dishes. (Pressure cooker recipes have replace the tangine.)

Shots? I did not have shots, and I was there this week. Tour group does not recommend shots.

And make sure you've had all your shots.

Yes, the streets were relatively clean.

I would bring Capri for day, palozzos for evening.
I would wear full arm coverage to protect from sun (linen, cotton, loose)
I did see lots of tourists wearing tank tops/shorts, not my style, although acceptable over there. I wore the Keens that kids tend to wear (closed toe, side ventilation, good support, .) I also wore flip flops and comfort lace up sandals. Flats sound hot and restrictive to me. Do not forget airy skirt or casual dress for comfort and staying cool.

A Moroccan dish that isn't as common over here is pastilla - it's a sweet/savory dish that is made with pigeon, egg and a flaky crust. I personally had a hard time getting over the pigeon part but if that doesn't bother you, it's worth trying. I really love Morocco - it's a gorgeous country with incredible geographic diversity contained in a relatively compact area - within a few hours drive you can be by the ocean, in the mountains, the desert, etc. You can visit towns that are super modern or ones that don't look like they've changed in a thousand years. Very cool.