So many questions about Morocco! At this point, we (family of 8) are thinking of flying into and out of Casablanca on December 26th to January 6th. We THINK we'd like to visit Fez, Meknes and Volubilis. Has anyone visited those areas and, if so, how did you travel? How many days? We would then like to journey by whatever means to Marrakesh. We're still split on going into the desert--some want to and others don't. Please share your thoughts and experiences. We would not drive in Marrakesh or Casablanca but for day trips, we might drive. Thoughts?
We are now in the process of looking at flights. One thought is to fly to Barcelona and spend two nights and then fly to Fez, etc. From Fez, we might drive to Meknes and Volubilis and then somehow get to Marrakesh.
We're somewhat all over the place and need some sorting out! TIA
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
2079 posts
I was there in February/March this year. I was on a tour, though, so I don't know if I can advise you on transportation options.
The tour I was on did visit the desert, and that was really a highlight. But the drive from Fez to the desert is long and goes up to high altitudes, where there is a big ski resort. So in December/January, you might encounter snow. In late February it was very cold, but no snow.
Meknes and Volubilis were a day trip from Fez. We didn't stay there.
Personally, I would not want to tackle any of those places without a guide. It's great to wander around the medina in Fez, but easy to get lost, and there's a lot to see that you are unlikely to find on your own.
If you'd like to see the itinerary for the tour I took, it's here: https://www.oattravel.com/trips/land-adventures/africa/morocco-sahara-odyssey/2021/itineraries?icid=global:adventures:africa-and-the-middle-east:land-adventures:mso
Enjoy Morocco!
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1668 posts
We were there in Dec /Jan of this year. 2nd visit - prior visit was about 20 years ago.
Flew into Casablanca from Tunis - chose Casa because it was a direct flight. Picked up a car at the airport (Sixt) and drove to the Hyatt downtown (free parking) - chose to stay a night since we only arrived mid-afternoon and didn't want to be driving after dark when tired. Next morning after b'fast, drove to Meknes.
On the way we first stopped in Rabat to see some of the sites and then drove to Meknes. Driving on the highways is fine. Driving in the cities is a little challenging - helps to have someone navigate. Make sure you get prior directions from your hotel as to the nearest/best place to park the car since a lot of the medinas involve convoluted lanes where you are never going to get a car in.
Next morning we did the 30-45 mins drive to Volubilis. Easy driving. Leave early and you will avoid the crowds that show up from Fez. After seeing Volubilis, you may want to stop in Moulay Idriss (the town right before you get to Volubilis - about 10 mins away by car).
On this trip we did not have time for Fez which we had visited 20 years previously. From Meknes, we traveled south, first stopping in Marrakech (had to retrace the route through Rabat and Casa to get to Marrakech). Only spent a night since we had visited Marrakech before. We then headed S to Ait ben Haddou, Ouarzazarate, and then to the coast stopping in Agadir, Taghazout, Essaouria, El Jadida before driving back to Casa. Due to time constraints, we did not make it into the desert.
My style of travel is to move fairly fast to take in various places. Quite a few of the places we only spent a night. Some places were just stops along the way (Volubilis, Ait Ben Haddou, Taroudant, El Jadida). I spent 2 nights in Meknes, 1 in Marrakech, 1 in Ouarzazate, 3 in Taghazout (over the new years), 1 in Essaouria and 1 night at the start and end in Casa. I know most on this forum would be aghast at my pace but it works for us.
You will need to decide based on your allocated days, and the big sites in Morocco where you want to go and how you wish to allocate your time. Do read up on driving in Morocco especially some of the rules of the road - the cops are quite vigilant. Also, make your rez for the NY period ahead of time as Morocco will be fairly crowded with the European crowds.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
7184 posts
I've done two trips to Morocco. First as a solo backpacker, traveling entirely by train and bus. Second time with my spouse (her first time), using a mix of trains and a rented car.
The train system is limited but surprisingly good - a legacy of the French (and some modernization). For the long haul routes between, say, Marrakech and Fes, I'd highly recommend going by train. We rented a car in Marrakech and drove over the mountains to Ait Benhaddou and back.
Did not use a guide at all, and never for a moment felt like I needed one. Yes, the medinas can feel confusing at first, but there's nothing scary or difficult in there - it's just a very, very old city neighborhood (and a fascinating place to try and get lost in). Yes, it's like a maze, but as long as you keep your head, navigating the medinas is not really difficult. I always travel with a tiny compass, it helped when navigating the medinas. Just pay attention to details, note "landmarks" and go wander, you will be able to find your way back out.
With 10 days, I'd do a few days each in Marrakech and Fes, with side trips to Meknes, Volubilis, maybe Essouaria, definitely Ait Benhaddou. We didn't have time for Todra Gorge or the trip out to the grand ergs (sand seas) but I think both would be worthwhile if you can manage slicing the time.
Driving outside the cities was easy. Driving in Marrakech was challenging but not quite as bad as I had feared (but take it seriously if you attempt it).
There's really nothing in Casablanca worth spending time on, I'd skip it entirely to spend the time elsewhere.
Flights from all over western Europe to/from Marrakech and Fes are dirt cheap; but they don't always go every day, so search carefully for dates that work and align your plans to the days that do.
While Morocco sounds exotic and challenging, it's much easier to do than you think it will be. Tourism from western Europeans is huge there, it's a cheap-fun-in-the-sun destination for Europeans. Think more of Cancun than Kabul. Still, it IS Africa and Islamic, so you'll get the call to prayer, snake charmers, and all sorts of exotica. But there are also ATMs and western fast-food chains and mobs of soccer hooligans visible in the cities. Brush up on your French, it will help (though English is widely spoken in major tourist areas).
Morocco is to France as Mexico is to the USA. Lots of parallels.
Have fun.
Posted by
OP
1314 posts
Ahh, so many helpful responses. Thank you ! Now, I'm wondering about Royal Air Maroc. It has some good direct flights out of JFK but the reviews are troubling. Any experience with RAM? Also, should we fly from Fez to Marrakesh or take a train if we choose not to drive? If we drive, can we drop off the car before entering Marrakesh? TIA !
Posted by
Moncton NB
1303 posts
The only part of your question I can address is how to connect Fes and Marrakech. Answer: DEFINITELY DO THE 3-DAY DESERT TOUR! We used Morocco Fabulous Travel and had an excellent experience with a great guide, Ismael; there are many other companies, I just can't rate them. You can do the tour in either direction. Highlights of our tour were: Ifrane (Swiss-like mountain town); barbary apes in the Middle Atlas; camel ride across the dunes; berber meal and music at our desert camp; seeing the real desert right up close (there is more green than you would think, although it is still 99% red); the Dades Gorge; stops at two women's cooperatives selling argan oil and rose oil.
Posted by
OP
1314 posts
Darren, connecting Fes and Marrakech is exactly what we are interested in. First part of the puzzle was solved yesterday with getting flights from NYC to Barcelona where we'll spend a few days including Christmas. Flight prices have come down greatly. Today, we'll be addressing flights from Barcelona ton Fez, Fez to Marrakech and from Marrakech to Barcelona. I'm on WhatsApp with Trip Whisper but will check into your suggestion, too. Thanks!