Morocco virgin requires help

[Barley-Mow]

I'm hoping to visit Morocco for the first time next April. I'm a 64 year old lawyer, I'll be riding alone as I usually do, probably on my 13 year old R1100 RT (old but carefully used , like me). I don't like tourist hot-spots, and besides, shan't have time to do them justice this time. I plan to stick to surfaced roads, and I had in mind to have a couple of nights in Larache, same in or around Azrou then head back as I've only 2 weeks max and I plan to ride down through France & Spain (I'm accustomed to 700 mile days in Europe). At this stage I'm much more interested in familiarisation and getting to know the people. I've reasonable French, a bit of Spanish, Italian and German, and I'm planning to try to learn at least a few bits of Arabic before I go, even if it's only so I can say I don't speak Arabic.

Any comments gratefully received, but in particular, any suggestions for accomodation in Azrou ? Or Larache for that matter.

This is the most sensible and useful website I've found in a long time by the way.

John Gudgeon

 

[Steve the Kiwi]

This is the most sensible and useful website I've found in a long time by the way.

John Gudgeon

here that... he thinks this place is sensible!

 

[Tim Cullis]

Welcome to the site, John.

Azrou is a market town situated at the crossroads of two major routes, so try to time things so you get to see the market in Azrou which is early morning on Tuesdays.

The Hotel Cedars in the central square is convenient for cafes and eateries and costs around 80dh/single with showers/loos in corridor. Ensuite is a bit more. If you want beer in the evening you should look at Hotel Panorama or Hotel Azrou. Both serve beer to non residents as well.

There's lots to do in the immediate area including wild monkeys (take the Midelt road out of Azrou, climbing up into the Cedar Forest and when you reach a crossroads stop. There's also volcanoes, such as The Mischlefin which is a ski resort inside the caldera of an extinct volcano.

Come back with any questions.

 

[Barley-Mow]

Thanks for that, I thought it sounded from what I'd read like the sort of place where you might get at least a flavour of the real Morocco without the plastic and tourist tat.

John Gudgeon

 

[(RIP) petcul]

I'm hoping to visit Morocco for the first time next April. I'm a 64 year old lawyer, I'll be riding alone as I usually do, probably on my 13 year old R1100 RT (old but carefully used , like me). I don't like tourist hot-spots, and besides, shan't have time to do them justice this time. I plan to stick to surfaced roads, and I had in mind to have a couple of nights in Larache, same in or around Azrou then head back as I've only 2 weeks max and I plan to ride down through France & Spain (I'm accustomed to 700 mile days in Europe). At this stage I'm much more interested in familiarisation and getting to know the people. I've reasonable French, a bit of Spanish, Italian and German, and I'm planning to try to learn at least a few bits of Arabic before I go, even if it's only so I can say I don't speak Arabic.

Any comments gratefully received, but in particular, any suggestions for accomodation in Azrou ? Or Larache for that matter.

This is the most sensible and useful website I've found in a long time by the way.

John Gudgeon

Good choice of towns and great riding country. Tim has given you the lowdown on Azrou. Larach is easygoing and laid back. It was the centre of Spanish fishing and just outside it there are the legendary Gardens of of the Hesperides and the ancient site of Lixus. If you're interested there is the grave of Jean Genet in the Spanish cemetry. The Hotel Espana is not bad, right in the centre near the seafront and the old town. There isn't secure parking but there are guardians at night so nothing to worry about. Enjoy yourself.

 

[Corp.Clinger!]

Have wee peep at http://looklex.com/morocco/index.htm

There's also a useful distance finder for finding out how far it's between major towns,which of course in turn lets you estimate traveling time and a virtual map.

Clicking on a towns name on teh home page will get you info in a clear and succinct manner