Going to Morocco for Christmas

pete@nsmb.com · 12-01-2006, 06:17 PM

Dec 16 - 27. Flying in from Milan to Marrakech. Any tips on where to go/stay/eat/party are appreciated. Planning to hit Essaouira, Fez, and of course spend some time in Marrakech. 1-2 nights in the desert, and some time further south on the coast.

Key questions for those who have been:

Train or bus between cities?
Hotel reco's? Something better than hostels, but don't need 4-star.
Any other towns I didn't list that I should get to? Don't say Casablanca because I've heard it's not worth it.

Battlecat · 12-01-2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete@nsmb.com

Dec 16 - 27. Flying in from Milan to Marrakech. Any tips on where to go/stay/eat/party are appreciated. Planning to hit, Fez,

Dont hit Fez, he is funny.

I dont know much about over there, so cant really give any input. But have an awesome trip. It will probably be a life changing event.

We must hear stories when you get back.

Geoff

pete@nsmb.com · 12-01-2006, 06:31 PM

I'm hoping to have a few good pics and tales to tell. Actually if I don't have some of both, it won't be much of a trip, will it?

.glib · 12-01-2006, 07:02 PM

I travelled with a guy for a few weeks in greece, then I had to head home to start work, but he buggered off to morocco for a while. Said it was just amazing. He highly recommended riding a camel for all transportation needs, and playing soccer in the street with the local kids and people in the town. He bought a meal at a restaurant, thought it was really good and asked to go back and compliment the chef. Then he saw some kids playing soccer outside so he went and joined, and the whole staff of the restaurant went out and joined em for a pick up game.

Sounds like my kinda place.

discowitch · 12-01-2006, 07:10 PM

Definitely take the train as they are generally more reliable than the buses there which will give you more time to enjoy it every where you go. Marekesh has a fantastic open air market where you could get lost for days in. Just be careful, and watch out for the pickpockets.

Edit - and if you are travelling alone for god sake don't hitchhike, or you will never know where you will end up.

gooch · 12-01-2006, 07:27 PM

Rock the Casbah

Faithless · 12-01-2006, 08:50 PM

Take lots of pics!

Also try the pigeon its a delicassy there.

ps. Thats an awesome story glib!

xy9ine · 12-01-2006, 09:00 PM

we were there last year. highlights were chefchauen (small mountain town in the north) & essaouria. the jemaa el fna in marrakech is also very cool as is the medina at fes. we also did a trip into the atlas mountains & rode camels in the sahara - very picturesque. all means of tranpsortation were utillized - train, taxi & bus; they all proved to be reliable. we stayed in a range of accomodation as well - berber tent in the sahara, hotels & hostels of varying quialities depending on availability. we stayed in a very cool riad in marrakech. generally speaking the people were fantastic - very friendly. vendors can be aggressive, but generaly well natured. so much mint tea was consumed. i'll post some pix later.

seeformiles · 12-01-2006, 09:23 PM

I was going to suggest Chefchaouen as well, but it might be out of your way. I travelled by bus and it was well-organized and effective although the ticket offices were kinda crazy in places.

You might want to consider getting a guide for your first day / half day. Also beware of getting lost in the Medinas, they're like a rabbit warren and you can be 10 ft from your hotel and not know it.

Lots of the hotels don't look much on the outside but are much better inside. I'd recommend getting a copy of the Lonely Planet guide, it's great for trip planning and I find that Lonely Planet are very good for 'road less travelled' vacations.

discowitch · 12-01-2006, 09:33 PM

Wow, its a great place, loved it , want to go back one day, but we had a shitty time getting around, or maybe it was just at the time I had floor length dreadlocks and well my travelling companion is definitely the scariest person I know, he makes Marilyn Manson look tame. plus it was like 20 years ago, so I am sure something must of changed between now and then. The pickpocket thing though surely must apply.

pete@nsmb.com · 12-03-2006, 10:54 PM

I'll look into Chefchauen - thanks for the tip xy and seefor. I've ridden a camel before, briefly, and think I'd rather take a jeep into the desert to cover more ground and avoid the sore ass/legs but we'll see - it would definitely be a unique way to travel for a few days. Definitely stoked to say in a tent in the desert for a night or two.

Pickpockets I expect, but my greatest fear will be keeping my camera safe although I understand that in general the Moroccans are friendly and crime isn't a *huge* issue there.

I've spent time in Turkey and Egypt so I know what to expect as far as touts, tricks to get you into the shop, etc. I'm not traveling alone - I'll be going with an american buddy of mine who lives here. We're trying not to plan too much in advance but want to know what some of the best options are and which cities are hit/miss.

gearwh0re · 12-04-2006, 02:00 AM

pete. http:://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com

sorry i don't know anything about it myself, but TONNES of info there

pete@nsmb.com · 12-04-2006, 10:53 AM

Thanks, Cory, yeah, I stumbled upon that forum a few weeks ago and it is mightly helpful. Just wanted to know what you folks on this bb had to say about it as well.

Majin - I'll look out for it. It'll sound gross to some of you, but pigeon is quite tasty. They eat it a lot in some regions in Italy, and it's tasty...assuming you don't mind plucking the odd shotgun pellet out of your meal (that was off-putting for one of my friends when we went for a meal one night).

seeformiles · 12-04-2006, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete@nsmb.com

Thanks, Cory, yeah, I stumbled upon that forum a few weeks ago and it is mightly helpful. Just wanted to know what you folks on this bb had to say about it as well.

Majin - I'll look out for it. It'll sound gross to some of you, but pigeon is quite tasty. They eat it a lot in some regions in Italy, and it's tasty...assuming you don't mind plucking the odd shotgun pellet out of your meal (that was off-putting for one of my friends when we went for a meal one night).

The most famous Moroccan pigeon dish is pastilla - it's somewhere between a pastry and a quiche, slightly sweet with almonds. Here's a recipe. Very good but not something you'd want to eat all the time.

Faithless · 12-04-2006, 11:45 PM

Make sure to take a picture of the pigeon dish if you get it, Id really like to see it actually. My godmother was telling me, and made a dish similar to what the moroccons eat except with quail.

12-01-2006, 06:17 PM	#1
pete@nsmb.com Crashministrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ze NV Posts: 2,533 Rep Power: 666	Going to Morocco for Christmas Dec 16 - 27. Flying in from Milan to Marrakech. Any tips on where to go/stay/eat/party are appreciated. Planning to hit Essaouira, Fez, and of course spend some time in Marrakech. 1-2 nights in the desert, and some time further south on the coast. Key questions for those who have been: Train or bus between cities? Hotel reco's? Something better than hostels, but don't need 4-star. Any other towns I didn't list that I should get to? Don't say Casablanca because I've heard it's not worth it.

12-01-2006, 07:02 PM	#4
.glib poly Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 13,439 Rep Power: 166829	I travelled with a guy for a few weeks in greece, then I had to head home to start work, but he buggered off to morocco for a while. Said it was just amazing. He highly recommended riding a camel for all transportation needs, and playing soccer in the street with the local kids and people in the town. He bought a meal at a restaurant, thought it was really good and asked to go back and compliment the chef. Then he saw some kids playing soccer outside so he went and joined, and the whole staff of the restaurant went out and joined em for a pick up game. Sounds like my kinda place. __________________ This space intentionally left blank.

12-01-2006, 07:10 PM	#5
discowitch disco is done Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,669 Rep Power: 0	Definitely take the train as they are generally more reliable than the buses there which will give you more time to enjoy it every where you go. Marekesh has a fantastic open air market where you could get lost for days in. Just be careful, and watch out for the pickpockets. Edit - and if you are travelling alone for god sake don't hitchhike, or you will never know where you will end up. Last edited by discowitch; 12-01-2006 at 07:47 PM.

12-01-2006, 07:27 PM	#6
gooch Team JRA Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Whistler Posts: 23,013 Rep Power: 505017	Rock the Casbah __________________ meh

12-01-2006, 08:50 PM	#7
Faithless n/b/r troll. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Richmond Posts: 15,916 Rep Power: 314771	Take lots of pics! Also try the pigeon its a delicassy there. ps. Thats an awesome story glib! __________________

12-01-2006, 06:31 PM	#3
pete@nsmb.com Crashministrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ze NV Posts: 2,533 Rep Power: 666	I'm hoping to have a few good pics and tales to tell. Actually if I don't have some of both, it won't be much of a trip, will it?

12-01-2006, 09:00 PM	#8
xy9ine Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: east village Posts: 3,515 Rep Power: 2785377	we were there last year. highlights were chefchauen (small mountain town in the north) & essaouria. the jemaa el fna in marrakech is also very cool as is the medina at fes. we also did a trip into the atlas mountains & rode camels in the sahara - very picturesque. all means of tranpsortation were utillized - train, taxi & bus; they all proved to be reliable. we stayed in a range of accomodation as well - berber tent in the sahara, hotels & hostels of varying quialities depending on availability. we stayed in a very cool riad in marrakech. generally speaking the people were fantastic - very friendly. vendors can be aggressive, but generaly well natured. so much mint tea was consumed. i'll post some pix later.

12-01-2006, 09:23 PM	#9
seeformiles Inselaffe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NV Posts: 2,276 Rep Power: 59497	I was going to suggest Chefchaouen as well, but it might be out of your way. I travelled by bus and it was well-organized and effective although the ticket offices were kinda crazy in places. You might want to consider getting a guide for your first day / half day. Also beware of getting lost in the Medinas, they're like a rabbit warren and you can be 10 ft from your hotel and not know it. Lots of the hotels don't look much on the outside but are much better inside. I'd recommend getting a copy of the Lonely Planet guide, it's great for trip planning and I find that Lonely Planet are very good for 'road less travelled' vacations.

12-01-2006, 09:33 PM	#10
discowitch disco is done Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,669 Rep Power: 0	Wow, its a great place, loved it , want to go back one day, but we had a shitty time getting around, or maybe it was just at the time I had floor length dreadlocks and well my travelling companion is definitely the scariest person I know, he makes Marilyn Manson look tame. plus it was like 20 years ago, so I am sure something must of changed between now and then. The pickpocket thing though surely must apply.

12-03-2006, 10:54 PM	#11
pete@nsmb.com Crashministrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ze NV Posts: 2,533 Rep Power: 666	I'll look into Chefchauen - thanks for the tip xy and seefor. I've ridden a camel before, briefly, and think I'd rather take a jeep into the desert to cover more ground and avoid the sore ass/legs but we'll see - it would definitely be a unique way to travel for a few days. Definitely stoked to say in a tent in the desert for a night or two. Pickpockets I expect, but my greatest fear will be keeping my camera safe although I understand that in general the Moroccans are friendly and crime isn't a huge issue there. I've spent time in Turkey and Egypt so I know what to expect as far as touts, tricks to get you into the shop, etc. I'm not traveling alone - I'll be going with an american buddy of mine who lives here. We're trying not to plan too much in advance but want to know what some of the best options are and which cities are hit/miss.

12-04-2006, 02:00 AM	#12
gearwh0re Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: meh (heeco) Posts: 19,054 Rep Power: 198005	pete. http:://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com sorry i don't know anything about it myself, but TONNES of info there

12-04-2006, 10:53 AM	#13
pete@nsmb.com Crashministrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ze NV Posts: 2,533 Rep Power: 666	Thanks, Cory, yeah, I stumbled upon that forum a few weeks ago and it is mightly helpful. Just wanted to know what you folks on this bb had to say about it as well. Majin - I'll look out for it. It'll sound gross to some of you, but pigeon is quite tasty. They eat it a lot in some regions in Italy, and it's tasty...assuming you don't mind plucking the odd shotgun pellet out of your meal (that was off-putting for one of my friends when we went for a meal one night).

12-04-2006, 11:45 PM	#15
Faithless n/b/r troll. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Richmond Posts: 15,916 Rep Power: 314771	Make sure to take a picture of the pigeon dish if you get it, Id really like to see it actually. My godmother was telling me, and made a dish similar to what the moroccons eat except with quail. __________________

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