Morocco - I'm Intrigued (1 Viewer)

Cilfan

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Judging by the number of mentions it receives on here, Morocco seems to hold quite an attraction for some. I've never visited the country, reasoning (rightly or wrongly), that it's probably not too different to neighbouring Tunisia - which I wasn't particularly impressed with.

Brochures and 'tinterweb thingy reveal some lovely places - they would, wouldn't they? But our Gov website doesn't exactly paint a glowing picture; poor roads (especially minor ones), stopping in remote locations not recommended, street crime (pickpocketing, mugging, drive by bag snatching) to name but a few of the "watch out fors".

So come on guys (and girls), what's the draw? Is it just the challenge of going that bit further, or is there something truly special at the end of the journey?
 
Jun 10, 2010
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Its the best motorhome venue in the winter, when even Spain can be wet and windy Morocco is usually at least equivalent to French summertime.

Scenery is AMAZING

There is a huge variety of things to do, many of which you can't do elsewhere - kasbahs, old Moorish towns, desert sand dunes, staying in palmeries, as well as at
Artic beaches

Its cheap - very cheap!

There's a choice of campsites or guardian parking (Aires)

We think its pretty safe - probably safer than Spain (which we like)

You can get almost anything repaired or modified or painted etc

That's just some of it

Jon
 

mike mcglynn

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We went on a package holiday a few years back to AGADIR and will not be going back ,I had no preconceived ideas about the place and whilst the beach and promenade was nice the rest of the place was a disappointment ,we saw many motorhomes parked up around the place ,mostly in back streets dusty and dirty ,we visited a motorhome site about 15 minutes walk from our hotel and had a good look around with the permission of the guy at reception and could only compare it to a run down car park with few facilities.Whilst sitting on our balcony after breakfast we witnessed some of the locals taking a dump in full view at the edge of the garden this happened a couple of times and I thought that they must doing this on purpose to upset the holidaymakers ,there was a grotesque casino next door to our hotel which I thought strange for a Muslim country ,to be honest we were very apprehensive about walking around the place in the evening as there were so many young men hanging about in large groups although the few people that we spoke to were very nice and helpful .I know you cant make a judgement on a country by one visit to one place but it was definitely not for me ,it didn't help when the porter at the hotel put our suitcases on the wrong bus as he wouldn't let me carry them to our bus and made a big fuss .:) for us the only redeeming feature was the weather.I know many people who go their often and love the place but each to their own.(y)

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Aug 30, 2012
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Traveling in Morocco for us was really good yes
The roads are crap apart from motorways
And some places are a bit rough and ready
But it was one fantastic experience and one We would do again
We met some great people both motorhome travelers back packers and campers
And some incredible locals who where always polite and respectful to us
Some old story treat people right and it will be returned in favour

If we listened to some of the doom Sayers we would never turn out of the door
It's very nearly a third world country especially in south so what do you expect five star campsites
We have more trouble in Spain and Croatia than we ever had in Morocco at we never got mugged robbed kidnapped raped nor gassed

Some will go and enjoy the whole experience and some will hate every minute
It's your choice do or do not but don't t knock till you have tried it
 

mike mcglynn

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I'm not knocking it I'm telling it like it was as you say I wasn't expecting 5 star campsites I only looked at one and it was the pits .
 
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Judging by the number of mentions it receives on here, Morocco seems to hold quite an attraction for some. I've never visited the country, reasoning (rightly or wrongly), that it's probably not too different to neighbouring Tunisia - which I wasn't particularly impressed with.

So come on guys (and girls), what's the draw? Is it just the challenge of going that bit further, or is there something truly special at the end of the journey?
What else could it possibly be Cilfan, Much nicer places to visit without all the negatives of Morocco but I must admit that I've not been myself....:)
 

tonka

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I'm not knocking it I'm telling it like it was as you say I wasn't expecting 5 star campsites I only looked at one and it was the pits .

My view is that anyone who has flown in and spent a short time in Places like Marrakesh or Agadir really dont see anything of Morocco.. It's like a visitor coming to UK and a run down seaside town or big city, how different if they went to the Lake district, cornwall etc etc... Part of the experience is getting away from those places.. Yes, lots of campsites are old and rundown or just car parks BUT there are places that equal anything in Europe.

Le Relais, Marrakesh. Reception..
camping-campsite-marrakech-domain-le-relais-de-marrakech-reception-pool.jpg


@Cilfan There is the obvious sense of adventure, your driving in North Africa !! :)
Security, I have felt more uneasy in parts of Birmingham..
Weather is a factor in mid winter but they do have it very rainy in the north and with the Atlas mountains there can be snow..
Infrastucture is improving all the time, some big roads are better than here in UK.. Others are more a challange but you tend to laugh more than moan about those.. You cant fault the fuel stations.. It's like a step back in time with attended service, cheap fuel and as modern as they come.. All very clean and tidy..

I think you see more positive chat about Morocco, and as they say, dont judge it till you have tried it..
 
Aug 30, 2012
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What else could it possibly be Cilfan, Much nicer places to visit without all the negatives of Morocco but I must admit that I've not been myself....:)
Well It could be such as sun sea price challenge scenic people and culture take your pick
No negatives and as for nice we'll just read the comments of people that have done

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Aug 27, 2009
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Well It could be such as sun sea price challenge scenic people and culture take your pick
No negatives and as for nice we'll just read the comments of people that have done
Glad you have found your mecca P&E not for me though but we are all different...(y)
 

PeteS

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I've traveled around Morocco a few times on bikes mainly camping. In the last few years I've found it becoming less safe and don't think I'll be going back. If anyone is going the south is much nicer than the north you just have to find a way over the Atlas mountains that took me two weeks to get over a few years ago due to snow. The Riff mountains are very unsafe
Stunning scenery everywhere, nice people in the south.
 

hilldweller

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So come on guys (and girls), what's the draw?

This isn't Trivago, we are not here to sell you a destination.

We share our experiences, if you like what you see you may copy us, if you don't then you won't. Simples.

You'll find pictures in my signature flikr link from our 3 visits.

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hilldweller

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I've traveled around Morocco a few times on bikes mainly camping.

A couple of bikers got agravation near Fez when they toured a couple of years ago, otherwise they really enjoyed it apart from going on the wrong bikes ( V-Stroms ) for taking to the piste. They knackered themselves picking the big lumps up.

The is a huge difference in personal security when you are sat in a huge tin box.
 
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Robert Clark

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Does Morocco have to be a purely winter destination.
How about September or October ?

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PeteS

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A couple of bikers got agravation near Fez when they toured a couple of years ago, otherwise they really enjoyed it apart from going on the wrong bikes ( V-Stroms ) for taking to the piste. They knackered themselves picking the big lumps up.

The is a huge difference in personal security when you are sat in a huge tin box.
I don't think the AK47 that was put in my face would have been any less dangerous in a camper
 

hilldweller

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I don't think the AK47 that was put in my face would have been any less dangerous in a camper

Every time we left Morocco my wife comments "sh$t another trip when I didn't see a single AK47, when the f**k are you going to take me on a proper holiday". She did not like the flies in Kazakstan but she was positively orgasmic over the number of AK47s.
 

Carol

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image.jpg

Our Camp site at Tafroute, no complaints from us.

image.jpg

Volubilis archaeological site near Meknes.

image.jpg


Carrying the shopping back from Tagazoute

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Travelling the roads, I've seen a lot worse.

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You never know what you will come across whilst travelling along.

Sometimes a picture can say what I can't.








We loved it and it's certainly one of the most diverse interesting places we have been to, our take was most of the locals have no running water so why should we expect Western Infrastructure in an African country, we had the mind set of it being an adventure and it certainly was.
There is no way you can compare the Morocco you can discover with your Motorhome with a package holiday totally different experiences.




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Aug 27, 2009
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Every time we left Morocco my wife comments "sh$t another trip when I didn't see a single AK47, when the f**k are you going to take me on a proper holiday". She did not like the flies in Kazakstan but she was positively orgasmic over the number of AK47s.
You should take her to the US that will get the juice's flowing. My ex was there in the summer on a tram when the driver stopped for a pee he came running back to the tram when shooting started and the tram was in the cross fire area. He jumped in and said "We've got to get out of here"
 

hilldweller

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You should take her to the US that will get the juice's flowing. My ex was there in the summer on a tram when the driver stopped for a pee he came running back to the tram when shooting started and the tram was in the cross fire area. He jumped in and said "We've got to get out of here"

Could you delete that message, don't want her to get over excited if she spots it.
 
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Suggest you have a look at Morocco 2014 and 2015. They are both very long threads with loads of pictures. This will give you a feel what it is like visiting Moroc from entry to exit. There is also lots of pictures in the resources section. It's not for everybody but I would say 95% of Funsters who visit in a Motorhome, return.

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vwalan

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morocco is no where like tunisia . having visited both places many times .
tunisia isnt as warm in winter .
the locals are alot more stronger in hassling you. but a very interesting country. have done it in hotels and took a vw camper there on two trips .
morocco much calmer . roads improving every year . great change though from the first visit in the 70,s .
again another interesting country . different life styles depending on where you are . is getting alot closer to european life style in many places and the change after the old king died etc and the internet opened the world to the locals . they have things now that they never knew existed not that long ago.
it has changed it so much . as to weather oct /nov can be wet ,its normally their rainy season . certainly in places around kenitra and above . floods are common at that time of year.
we always found end of march april can be windy and sand storms are common as the trade winds come up .
might get there this winter , but depends on weather else where . missed a few years as wanted a change .
lets hope it will be back to tunisia ,libya , egypt trips again soon . north africa is full of adventure .
 
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IMHO Camping Agadir is one of the worst campsites in Morocco - cramped, expensive, no views and agressive staff.

There are lots of nicer, prettier, friendlier places up to an hours drive away.

We quite like Terre D'ocean

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Dognewf

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we had a couple of long weekends in Marrakesh and each time we went on a tour, once to Essaouira once to Atlas Mountains, so saw a bit of the country. loved it and we are planning to have a month or two there when we retire fully in a year or two. certainly had no bad experiences with the people once they realised we were not going to buy a carpet.
 

hilldweller

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once to Essaouira

Could be our favourite place. We like the openness of the souk, does not feel as claustrophobic as the normal indoor ones. Best to camp outside near the walled campsite and cycle in. It's got everything to make for Big Grins.

I'm feeling the need but house sale prevents us from planning right now.
 

vwalan

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IMHO Camping Agadir is one of the worst campsites in Morocco - cramped, expensive, no views and agressive staff.

There are lots of nicer, prettier, friendlier places up to an hours drive away.

We quite like Terre D'ocean
it was ok about 25 years ago. but then it didnt get so packed .
but now there are campsites up and down that bit of coast. tifnit used to be nice but again far too many going now .
mind the best times were before all the houses etc and marjane was built we used to camp on the beach there . some times get invites into the kings garden . how times have changed .
mind i still like it up by oulidia or even just below skhirat plage .
plus if you hug the coast at safi and travel that road the industry there is amazing . not the same now some of the sardine tinners have gone but the coast road is the way. mind as many will know we hug the coast all the time . we do go inland as well but love the coast.

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it was ok about 25 years ago. but then it didnt get so packed .
but now there are campsites up and down that bit of coast. tifnit used to be nice but again far too many going now .
mind the best times were before all the houses etc and marjane was built we used to camp on the beach there . some times get invites into the kings garden . how times have changed .
mind i still like it up by oulidia or even just below skhirat plage .
plus if you hug the coast at safi and travel that road the industry there is amazing . not the same now some of the sardine tinners have gone but the coast road is the way. mind as many will know we hug the coast all the time . we do go inland as well but love the coast.

We love Oualidia, great parking, wonderful beach and everything you could want to buy delivered to your door.

Coast road above safi is nice but below it is in a terrible state. Good news or bad news depending on your point of view is that they are building a new peage up there.
 

vwalan

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We love Oualidia, great parking, wonderful beach and everything you could want to buy delivered to your door.

Coast road above safi is nice but below it is in a terrible state. Good news or bad news depending on your point of view is that they are building a new peage up there.
have you been in the caves to the left of the beach at oulidia . just keep walking past end of beach . fishermen used to fish out of the cliff face from them . years ago folk lived in them as well . but that was hippy trail days .
below safi as always been a bit bumpy but the works along that road etc are incredible dont want to work in them though . we hug the sea all that road . easiest way around rabat is over the river fromsale , then turn right . follow the river a bit then go round the wall and follow the sea . same at casablanca .
good stop at cap beddouza below the light hose or along that road.
we used to park around the roundabout at the end .

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