Morocco Dos and Don'ts

Marrakech, especially the Medina, the old city is very exotic. Narrow streets and very easy to get lost but also very easy to get help from the locals, even if you might not speak arabic or french. Important to have pre-hand given tips or to hire a guide in order to find what is hidden behind the beautiful big, wooden doors. Friendly people, good food and shopping and many ways to relax in a hammam or a country club a bit outside the city.

Beautiful small town in Rif area…all painted in amazing blue color. People are very friendly, atmosphere is sooooo relaxing… trekking in nearby mountains can bring some nice surprisings…:)

Eating in Morocco is a joy. BUT be sure and ask around before you go to an "upscale" eating establishment. There are several tourist traps. One of the tastiest and cheapest things to do, is to eat on the big square. The square features prominently in the movie Rendition. Much of the movie was shot there. Morroco became the Middle Eastern Hollywood after David Lean shot much of Lawrence of Arabia there. Well, back to eating on the square: During the day it is deserted, but at night it comes to life with dozens upon dozens of food stalls and grills and the cooking gets underway. For $5 you can eat your fill. Don't be afraid. Many tourists are concerned about sanitation. We ate there four times and every time we had cautious European tourists ask us whether it was "safe" and then they joined us to dine al fresco. Also, if you are staying overnight (Marrakech deserves at least three full days) and if your budget allows, DO NOT stay in the hotels. Find a Riad (an old family home that has been converted to a bed-and-breakfast). You will meet fellow travelers over breakfast and you can share tips. There are tons of ATMs all around the square to get cash. Remember, it is better to pull from your Cash card rather than a getting a cash advance from your credit card.

Essaouira is marvelous town completely reserved for pedestrians; cars have to park outside the city walls; the narrow winding streets seem sometimes to be a maze of confusion, but one makes sense of them fairly quickly. Most of the tourists here are European: Spanish, French, English and German, in that order. The town is blessed with many small inns and gueshouses and several exellent resturants. One of the most fun things I did there was get custom-made pants and shirts. The town is a shopper's paradise. We found a place that carried linen pull-on pants and shirts, but although I liked the style of some, I prefered the fabric in trouser styles I did not care for. The shop owner pulled out a couple of bolts of the fabric I liked, took my measurements and five hours later I had two custom-made pants and a shirt...all for a very reasonable price. We went there from Marrakech by public bus which cost us about $20 for two people. On the way back, we took a taxi; that cost $50. I wanted to return by taxi because there were places I wanted to stop and take pictures. However, traveling in an airconditioned Mercedes taxi was FAR better than being in a hot, stuffy bus.

Turistic place. Most of ppl u will find there are tourists. Small city, situated generally in colonial old town. Looking almost like in Europe. Looking really nice. Windy place, so perfect to practice Kite and Windsurfing. ACCOMODATION: my big recomendation to hotel Smara. Relativelly cheep (104Drh for double room), clean, with extra tarace with view on sea (place for hotrel's brakefasts). If you are looking for Africa or Arabia - run away! All smal streets in medina are covered by tons of souvenires shoops (the best and cheepest souvenirs in Marocco), so that is killing nativ spirit of city and changeing it to touristic courort.