Non-bike holiday

[Malcvtr]

Hi. My new partner fancies a week's holiday somewhere in Morocco... I've never been, but I've read Tim's excellent thread on this forum. However, this is going to be a standard, non-bike touristy holiday, so I just wondered if anyone has any experience of this type of holiday in Morocco and has some advice to offer. We'll be going in mid-April.

Thanks very much

 

[GS_or_bust]

I went mid April last year (on my bike) and can thoroughly recommend the Auberge Du Sud which is a hotel on the edge of the dunes. Prices were reasonable and the food was good. They seemed to be bringing people in in mini buses from Marrakesh so I don't think you necessarily need to have a car to get there. The night sky is amazing because there is no light pollution.

Just lay on your back in the sand and watch the shooting stars.

 

[Fanum]

Marrakech

The most modern airport, enough to do for a week on your first trip, very cosmopolitan, pretty safe (they even have a specific tourist police division) and more hotels than you can shake a very very large stick at.

Hotels from the cheapest to the most luxurious, small family run to bland western chains (Ibis etc) and everything inbetween.

Mountains 40 miles to the south, Hamada to the north east (dry stony desert) and perfect weather in April (though cooler than you might imagine)

Lots of car hire places if you want to get up the mountains, but pplenty to do within walking distances of most hotels.

Soukh, tanneries, the biggest al-fresco restaurant area in the world in the square at night (which is a world heritage site) and a good if bustling introduction to Morocco.

You can even eat at McDonalds, Pizza hut or KFC if you really want to, but it would be a shame to sink so low.

 

[Malcvtr]

Thanks very much guys. That's really useful stuff.

 

[Tonibe63]

I took my Wife for her first visit last May (I've been once before on my bike).
We flew in to Marrakech, stopped there for 2 nights and then toured the Country for 8 days in a hire car-just found B&B's/Kasbahs/Hotels when we wanted to stop. Camel trek and overnight desert stop was magical. My wife's not the adventurous sort (stop sniggering at the back) but she agreed it was the best holiday ever.
Go now before all the faceless Spa resorts get finished and the p!ss heads start booking package tours.

 

[Malcvtr]

Sounds very cool. Thanks

 

[MarkG]

You could combine a few days in Marrrkesh followed by a visit to Essaouira by the sea,just an idea.
Cheers

 

[Malcvtr]

Oh yeah. Looks nice. Thanks for the idea

 

[Malcvtr]

Thanks very much for all the advice, guys. We're now booked in to "Riad El Mansour" in Marrakesh for 7 nights. Flights were a bit of a nightmare at first, but it looks as if someone must have cancelled because we got two Ryanair direct flights when, at first, none were available. So, we're good to go. Any other thoughts/advice still gratefully received

 

[Tim Cullis]

Riad Mansour looks extremely nice.

Seven days is too much for just Marrakech. I appreciate you've already paid for the riad, but I'd plan on doing at least one overnight trip. Essaouira is one option (bit touristy), the mountains around Imlil if you are into the great outdoors, or maybe over the High Atlas to Ait Benhaddou. Avoid day trips unless you like sitting in a vehicle for ten hours at a time.

Whilst in Marrakech find Meschwi Alley which is just off Djemaa el Fna for a great lamb lunch. Meschwi is slow roasted lamb cooked in an underground oven. 300g each should be enough.

 

[Malcvtr]

Thanks Tim. Essaouira looks attractive and we'd already been thinking about a trip there. Great tip about the Meschwi - I love lamb!