Is there anyone with anything good to say about Morocco?

Question

Hi ive posted a few questions about currency, clothing etc for morocco and im getting negative comments about the place where going too. We booked this holiday as something different from the usual 18-30's piss up, we thought it would be nice to indulge in another countrys culture etc.

However I get the impression (here and from other friends and family) that people think we are crazy wanting to go to morocco? I have checked out the hotel and its the Occidental Caribbean Village Agadir - which has good reviews. We are responsible adults, I just dont understand some peoples problem with this destination?

Surely you cant all agree?

Some positive comments about morocco would be nice considering its already booked, were getting worried now.

just to add i apreciate others opinions its just were two women travelling alone and were getting worried now! thanks to all who have answered so far.

yes I agree, I'll defo post reports on here how we personally enjoyed it etc etc. Ive been reading alot about the culture, were even trying to learn french! Apparantly its spoken there?

Im the one with my hair tied back, the cute one is my mate laura! thanks tho!

THANK YOU ELSA M!

Im so excited about it anyways I couldnt realy care what others think! Just got me a little worried thats all.

I feel loads better after your and a few others comments!

Im looking forward to the souks actually I havent had a good grope in ages (oops did u mean they where supposed to grope me!) lol!

Answer 1

Please don't let the Americans put you off, we're British, we're meant to travel and explore. Remember the saying
"where angels fear to tread, there's an Englishman dragging a tea-urn behind him"
But if forewarned is forearmed get a copy of the Lonely planets guide to Morocco. It really is the travellers bible.
Try this link for a taster
www.lonelyplanet.com
Have fun, Be friendly but assertive. Make it very clear what you do and don't want and I'm sure you will go back.

Oh and the point about not going into a shop unless you intend to buy. I dare you to do it just once. It's like random shopping. Hilarious. I am now the proud owner of a dodgy leather hat (allegedly real camel leather?!?) and one of those obi wan kanobi style things they all wear.
Haggling is EXPECTED and as with a previous post try and aim for about 50-60% of the original price, Start bargaining at about 30% wait for the fireworks and enjoy the banter.
Granted the men can be very forward but they seem to be a lot more polite about than your average Brit. They even try chatting up the girls with the boyfriends next to them. I think it is more of a culture thing than anything sinister. Just make it very clear what your boundary's are. Our girls found lying through their teeth about husbands, boyfriends, marriage all helpful.
Enjoy

Answer 2

LOL!

I loved it! Great weather, amazing hotels, fabulous food, palm trees growing in the middle of the roads, long beaches and impressive mountains, friendly people. What more do you need on a holiday?
Make sure you befriend shop owners and you will see you will be invited for un the a la menthe, which is highly refreshing, although truly boiling hot. The people are amazingly friendly and will share anything they have with you. Richness of heart can't be found everywhere in this world.

Agadir is very nice. If you can try to rent a car (watch the driving... they're scary!), try to get to Essaouira and have fish on the beach, and try to go to the mountains and visit the Oueds, meet berbere families and see how they make wooden boxes, rugs, eggs out of stone and copper lamps.

I would warn you about the following:
Ladies DO tend to get harrassed and followed around, so put on an extra pair of eyes and don't be tempted to play it down if a lady starts feeling uncomfortable as it does get annoying. If you go round Souks, don't get too upset about the groping, it's GOING to happen and you might get a few purchase offers...

Do remain ploite even if you are on the verge of bursting a fuse if someone follows you around for 2 hours trying to make conversation so you eventually hire them as guide: they always have big strong cousins and might throw in your face that you are a racist tourist with a heart of stone etc etc etc. Just enjoy their company. I have great respect for their mastery of the art of conversation, I couldn't even hold a conversation like that if I were stuck in a lift with someone!!

Don't enter a shop unless you are pretty sure you will buy sthg because you will find it extremely hard to leave empty handed!

Watch for what you want to take through customs, you might not find everything in your bags, and/or you might have to keep cash for your time at the airport, it helps with the negotiations...

Ask at the hotel for the best local yet clean places to eat and enjoy the fresh figs on the market.

Always have bottle water and be aware that Coke bottles can be emptied and refilled in filthy conditions (Soft drink roulette).

Don't think you're going to come back thinner if you like honey and almond delicacies...

Now you've done it! I feel like going back!!! Are you happy now????


;)

Answer 3

FROM ONE WHO KNOWS

I spent 10 years travelling around the world, and I can truly say that Morocco was one of the WORST countries we went to.

I was one of 2 girls and we were persistently groped, felt up, harrassed, pestered. All they wanted was money and/or sex.

You never meet any of the women -only men.

We were reduced to tears on two occasions ( and that doesn't happen often - I can tell you)

We pretty much stayed in our hotel room and ssat on the balcony as even the hotel waiters constanstly pestered you.

We found Moroccans to be uneducated, dirty, and still living in the Middle Ages

DO NOT go into the souks, or you will be in trouble

Answer 4

since im an arabian i could be helpful, i guess.

first of all, chosing dubai was better(were i live) dubai is one of the most attractive citiies in the world, we have many western people here.
sadlly you have choosen already but morocco is a wonderful city indeed, morrocco's food is the best and people there are so frendly and easy to be communicated with as well as you speack french!!!(they were conqested by france) any way my email is down here if you want to seek more info
[e-mail]

Answer 5

Its a nice beautiful place.they have delicous food also. mixture of spain and french cusines.It may not a be as modern as europe in most places.and you should abide by the dress codes accordignto there culture.

go ahead try its not so dangerous out there.People canmake stories sitting in.Its like you are watching a football and then say if i was there i could make a goal or i could save it or i would have passed it this way or that way.

Answer 6

its one of the worst place's we have ever been to we stayed in a 5 star hotel the food was great but the men there are something else .they have the attitude that all white girls are only there for sex .if they cant get a girl they will go for a man and if not it will have to be a goat anything .BE VERY CAREFUL you will need to be on your guard all the time do not go out of the hotel only in groups and keep away from the arab's at all time

Answer 7

Who cares? You're going now, you can find out for yourself.

A bit of the unknown is part of what you were looking for, when you left the 18-30 trail, right?

Answer 8

dont worry what other people think, let us know how u enjoyed it when u get back,,every one has a different opinon,most of these have never been to morocco their to busy on here,so have a great time

Answer 9

i believe morocco has some pretty cool shark teeth. But go ahead! I wish I could go somewhere tropical.

Answer 10

the fashoins are of little or of no style due to the islamic ways the rituals are to pray 5 times a day facing towards Mecca