| Author |
Message |
    
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1161
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 9:02 am: | 
|
Am thinking of a trip (sans kids) to Morocco...anyone been? Did you feel safe? Any suggestions for airline, hotels etc? I'd probably want to go to Marrakesh.
If Morocco doesn't work out, probably Spain, with emphasis on Barcelona... |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1047
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 9:43 am: |
|
Morocco is a s$%^hole , you will be harrased by beggars , police & gov idiots everywhere you go & no It's not safe. But if you must , Fez is the place to go Marrakesh is a myth & the Palace Jamal is the place to stay. Go to Barcelona , you'll love it. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1162
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 9:51 am: |
|
But Jet, how do you *really* feel - it's unclear...just kidding, thanks for your input |
mantram
Citizen
Username: Mantram
Post Number: 223
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 9:59 am: |
|
Have you thought about Turkey? We're going to Istanbul for a week in July. It's a great destination if you want to take in some history, culture, architecture and night life. |
Purplebug
Citizen
Username: Purplebug
Post Number: 79
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 10:02 am: |
|
Morocco is on my list of places to go, but I haven't been. I have been to Barcelona. I had a good time....his name was Manuel. 
Might I suggest you do a combination of Spain and Morocco. It appears that this is a popular combo |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1622
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 10:49 am: |
|
I have been to Morocco a few times, especially due to business, and within the last 3 years. Tangier, Fes, Marrakesh, Rabat are OK but as the poster above points out, you will find harassment by beggars and by local police often looking for a hand-out.
Off the beaten track, you can risk running into bandits even today. I say stay away.
Try Malta, Sicily, or Corsica, if you really want an interesting experience, especially in the spring time. For my money, there's nothing better than the scent of lemon trees blooming in Sicily, or the heather and wild herbs blooming almost all over Corsica. And the food, wines, and prices are not to be beaten on the continent.
Throw in a couple of days in Gibraltar if you can. Just the sight of the "rock" is stunning.
IMHO. |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 781
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 11:08 am: |
|
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_975.html
|
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1624
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 11:17 am: |
|
Argon_smythe,
Thanks. The link is more concise than I was, but certainly proved the point. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1164
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 1:48 pm: |
|
I had looked at that state dept. info argon posted - yes, causes concern, but then I thought about how there have been more devastating attacks and uprisings right in our own backyard & certainly in many European places we might go or have been lately...Madrid, London, Paris, places in Greece, possibly Turkey...
but I don't dismiss the potential danger of travelling as an American (maybe I could pretend to be Canadian!) to Morocco but also to many other places.
Sicily is an interesting thought - have family from there but have not been. Same with Turkey.
Had thought about combining Spain & Morocco too... |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1347
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 2:08 pm: |
|
Turkey is wonderful - I would highly recommend it as an alternative to Morocco is you are looking for something a little more exotic. Istanbul is a wonderful city (with a fabulous Four Seasons that is worth the splurge). Besides Istanbul there are many great destinations - seaside towns around Bodrum, Ephesus etc. |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 782
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 2:10 pm: |
|
Just for means of comparison... here's Bermuda's sheet.
The official language in these Consular Information Sheets can sound ominious if you're more used to reading tourism brochures!
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1067.html
|
happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 428
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 8:41 pm: |
|
3rd vote for Turkey!!! |
Projects Dude
Citizen
Username: Quakes
Post Number: 96
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 9:22 pm: |
|
Morocco is awesome. I had a great time but then again, I went with a big bunch of friends from business school and the trip was organized by my Moroccan classmates so we had everything nicely planned and scheduled for us. Loved the sights, the bazaars, the food, etc. Because we were in a large group we never really felt in danger or anything especially with friends who were also locals. One of my friends did have her handbag slashed when someone tried to lift something from her bag, but that was the only negative I can think of.
If you're thinking of doing a self guided visit the perspective may be different. Unfortunately in this era, if you're a white American you're somehow always a target for crime or discrimination abroad.
I have heard good things about Turkey which is also a bit more developed infrastructure-wise, so that may be a decent alternative.
Spain is also of course amazing. Interesting the southern part of Spain has a lot of the same Islamic/Moorish influences from Morocco. Barcelona is of course further north. Then again, depending on where you go, Spain also has its share of crime and dangers. |
KRNL
Citizen
Username: Krnl
Post Number: 27
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 6:34 pm: |
|
Morocco is still on our list of places to visit. Its one of the destinations where we would opt for a tour. We've soloed in similar countries and just are uncomfortable with the hassles of dealing with beggars, et al. Being part of a group reduces the hassle significantly. There are some great journeys in Morocco that include excursions into the dessert!
Another vote for Turkey! We spent about a week in Istanbul and enjoyed it tremendously. Another trip included stops at ancient sites such as Kusadasi. We have wonderful tribal rugs. I even traded my camera for one. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1629
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 9:13 pm: |
|
KRNL: Excursions into the "dessert," eh? What would that be? A random walk into a creme brulee?
In all seriousness, I've been in Morocco on and off since the '60s and most recently on several lengthy business trips in the past 3 years.
I felt safer as a hitchhiker in the '60s smoking "kif" in Tangiers, Rabat, and Casablanca (although there was unpleasantness with beggars and especially pickpockets then) than I feel these days with local police, beggars, thieves on mopeds and scooters, all of whom are looking to get your money without having you haggle over something you're buying in a souk.
Morocco? No, no, no. Sicily, Corsica, and especially the coast of Portugal, yes, yes, yes. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1171
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 9:22 am: |
|
What about Tunisia? Maybe Tunisia/Sicily combo? |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1348
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 10:17 am: |
|
My only thought on Tunisia is that it is a huge Brit package vacation destination (think Ibiza). |
llama
Citizen
Username: Llama
Post Number: 742
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 10:40 am: |
|
I've been to Morrocco a couple of times, and if you have an open mind and are into the exotic and adventure, it's fantastic.
In the big cities you need to hire a guide to navigate and keep others away, but even your guide could set you up for a little extortion of some type, even coordinated with the police. We spent several days with a guide in Fez who waved to all the police he saw when we were with him. When we pulled over to settle up and pay him, the police called him over and he told us they gave him a ticket for not having a licence, so we re-imbursed him. It dawned on me later how this was obviously a set-up. The people are cunning in how they make a living and you just have to be on your guard.
The sights and sounds are incredible, but it is an adventure. If this is not for you, don't go. If you're up for this kind of thing, go for it. Too many Americans live in a bubble!
Going to Fez is literally like going back to biblical times. Marrakesh is beautiful, with its red walls and the snow capped mountains looming in the distance. Essouira is a pretty white seaside port town,Tarroudant is an incredibly beautiful town. I never made it but always wanted to get to Tafraout, a village in an area in the south amoung a surreal landscape of almond trees and and boulders. The further South you go the more relaxed and desert like it becomes. |
Abner Aliger
Citizen
Username: Vichy
Post Number: 13
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 10:44 am: |
|
Past summer (05) I re-visited Tunisia, Algerie et Morocco after nearly 50 year absence (spent '59-'62 in the Atlas & Aures Regions of Algerie) courtesy of the FFL. No t much has really changed and no return trip is planned. In my opinion since the $ is no longer almighty it is a tough call and anywhere in the EU ain't gonna be cheap. Now call Paris (7th Arr) "home" and a small place here is unbelievably expensive but surprisingly the RE Taxes are low compared to good ole Essex County. |
Thenewguy
Citizen
Username: Thenewguy
Post Number: 103
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 2:00 pm: |
|
My wife and I went to Morocco last September and had a great time. Went to Marrakesh, the Atlas Mountains and Essaoura. Felt completely safe, beggars were not a problem and had only one real instance where someone aggressively pressured us for a "tip" for guiding us through the souks. The riad where we stayed was great and the service and help the staff provided us was superb. The Moroccans were very friendly and no one thought we were American, largely because so few Americans go there much these days. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1203
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 3:55 pm: |
|
Thenewguy, huh?! Thanks new guy! |
SO1969
Citizen
Username: Bklyn1969
Post Number: 227
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 2:24 pm: |
|
Hate to discourage people from traveling for safety reasons if it is unwarranted, but I saw a poster mention Spain's dangers in same breath as Morocco and feel a need to correct it.
Did study abroad in Spain and visited Tangiers for about 26 hours. Spain is not a country I consider to be dangerous at all. Sure there are scammers - I fell victim more than once, but it is fundamentally a 1st world european country.
In Morocco I was pressured to buy a rug. I got off easy ($100). A college friend on a different trip was put under much greater pressure and ended up with $6K on his credit card - this guy was a linebacker on our football team.
A group of students from my study abroad program was held at knife point.
It seemed like a 50% hit rate in terms of people having problems down there.
I've been to several latin american countries, south africa and Thailand. I never felt as insecure as I did in Morocco. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1663
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 3:24 pm: |
|
I believe we have just about erased Morocco from the itinerary of anyone on this board for the next couple of years.
It's a shame because it's an interesting place. It's a shame because it can be a dangerous place. Several of my colleagues just returned from a 7 day business trip to Morocco where they met with senior government leaders (ironically I had other client commitments and thus couldn't go).
My colleagues' government hosts were very solicitous and made sure they had escorts ALL THE TIME. There were polite but pointed warnings about straying too far from the hotel, going out in groups of fewer than five or six, and knowing exactly how to get where you were going and how to get back.
Visiting Morocco alone or in unescorted groups is unadvisable, unless you've spent at least five years in US Special Forces or British SAS or Paras. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1054
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 3:44 pm: |
|
While I did flame the place from the get go. Waking up , & looking off the balcony of our room @ the Palace Jamal overlooking the old Medina in Fez while prayers are being called, is truly a great experience , you half expect to see a flying carpet go by. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1225
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 3:53 pm: |
|
Am now seriously considering Turkey - my best friend, who has gone to a lot more non-first world places than I have (though never Africa yet) said she feels Turkey is the most "foreign" of places she has visted & truly wonderful - she wonders of 8 days is enough...some of the time would be Istanbul & maybe some in Cappadocia or a seaside place. She strongly suggest Thailand - she went recently & just loved it (except for the length of the plane trip) - siad it was an easy place to be & so beautiful... |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1055
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 4:27 pm: |
|
If it's a summertime trip , don't cross off Croatia . The islands of Brac & Harv rock. |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1358
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 6:47 pm: |
|
Well, having been to both Thailand and Turkey they are very different but very beautiful. Thailand is right up there in my top 3 spots with South Africa and New Zealand. Turkey (but most specifically Istanbul) is in my top 5. Istanbul is a simply fabulous city with hideous traffic, great food, great hotels and hospitality, amazing sights and really annoying carpet salesmen who will tell you how much they love americans and invite you for apple tea. Apparently Bill Clinton visited every carpet/souvenir store in Istanbul as I saw his picture in every shop with every shopkeeper. When you wake up and hear the muezzin's call to prayer you will know you are not in Maplewood anymore.
Turkey has great beaches but they are mediterranean type beaches - if you love beaches nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to Thailand. Bangkok is a great city (I'm going back in 2 weeks) but the north (for elephant trekking and tribal visits) and the south for beaches are wonderful. The Four Seasons just opened a tented camp in the Golden Triangle that looks beyond compare - incredibly romantic. Beautiful buddhist temples everywhere. If you get cheap airfare it can be very inexpensive to travel. Even the Peninsula in BKK - a worldclass hotel - is less than $200/night. And then you are so close to Cambodia that you can go to Angkor Wat... it's neverending how many great places there are to go - just limits on time and money.
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page