Spain

'Is it worth the expense and time to take the ferry to Tangiers, Morocco' - if you mean as a day trip, I suggest no, but I do not know your experiences. Tangiers is an industrial port town, which by present day, has become similar to anywhere in the same context on the Mediterranean and is almost completely unrepresentative of Morocco. ' is it safe' - you will be recognised for what you are and probably hassled consistently whether you are on your own or book a tour. I cannot help with a private guide.

We had 30 days in Spain, including a night outside of Tarifa. We chose not to ferry to Morocco. IMO a day in Tangiers is like going to Tijuana and saying you've been to Mexico. We hope to visit Morocco, but we'll do it when we have time to visit the nicer places.

We joined the day tour over to Tangers in 2010 and had lots of fun. We met some nice people on the tour, saw the sights, had a great lunch, enjoyed the hokey snake charmer and carpet salesmen. All of this without a care in the world and for about the price of the ferry ride. The orthodox travel folks will always remind us "This is NOT Morocco". No it isn't, but it is well worth the visit and better than NO visit at all! Enjoy, Bob

We did it several years ago - if you have the time and won't be near Morocco any too soon - you might want to do it. Go with a group - you do get to see the ancient city, a belly dancer and spend a lot of time saying NO.

Although I did stay a few days and travel from Tangiers, if I had only been in the city I still would have enjoyed it. We did a bit of shopping, enjoyed a touristy lunch and had a lot of fun. Unless you are positive you are coming back...if you want to go, then do it. And, although there are other towns, etc. that are quite different from Tangiers, I assume if you ask the people there where they live they will say Morocco.... not fake Morocco. Go and have a good time. (Yes, they will want to sell you stuff... but, they are working...not begging)