Marrakesh

MotherMayI · 2 Jan 2009 at 14:48

Has anyone been there before?

I bought a fairly small, but decent, guide book to have some sort of idea about the place before I get there/what to do when I am there, but was wondering if anyone here has been there and has some first person accounts - I have heard wildly different opinions about the place from nearly everyone I have spoken to.

Im leaving at 11pm, can't wait - My first holiday with my girlfriend. Our relationship has become a bit ropey since booking the trip (despite being together for a year or so previously), so hopefully itll be a good chance to sort it all out and have some fun together - Hence me wanting to make sure I try and make it as good as I can

fanger · 2 Jan 2009 at 14:59

great place but do take care of a couple of things. pick pockets abound in the sukhs so keep your personal stuff well within the folds of your garments.
if you buy anything in the sukhs don't beat around the bush when haggling... offer half the asking...be prepared to walk away and close the deal at two-thirds of the original asking price. don't buy any herbs or spices or any metallic objects masquarading as silver.

the sukhs are best at night with snake charmers and fire eaters abounding - street food is fine as long as you watch it being cooked for you.

don't wonder to far from the main square at night and nail your taxi fares BEFORE you get in the car.

Have fun,

lixxus · 20 Aug 2009 at 16:43

just an update for anyone that might go in near future. avoid royal air maroc they are a rip off.

AtlasBlue
AirArabia

~J~ · 20 Aug 2009 at 16:55

sandman06 said:
just an update for anyone that might go in near future. avoid royal air maroc they are a rip off.

AtlasBlue
AirArabia

How ironic!

I only came back from there last week!

And I'd say the opposite actually

Went out on AtlasBlue, or should I say "should have". Arrived at Gatwick at 11:00, went to check in, got through check in at 12:20 with only 30mins left before flight took off. Ran all the way from check in down to gate 48 (which is a good trek!!!) only to find the flight was cancelled and had to wait a futher hour for a HORRIFIC Air Finland plane.

Coming back from Marrakech was via Royal Air Maroc was fantastic! Incredible meal on the plane, attendants were very friendly and the plane was really comfortable with plenty of leg room.

Guess people have different experiences!

cotton_flex · 20 Aug 2009 at 17:08

As its been said already.

- Agree on a fare for taxi before bording

- Anything without a price label can be haggled (pay no more than 50/60% asking price)

- Try and use the little yellow cabs, the white mercs tend to put people intogether! So you might have others sharing the cab with you

- spend all your dirams (local currency) over there. I made the mistake of keeping the equivalant of around £70 for duty free shopping on my way back; turns out they only take euros!

- If you take any pictures around the souk (market area) such as snake handlers, then they expect a couple of coins in return. And the performers are very good at spotting who has taken pictures.

Things to do:

- Take a kaleesh ride (horse & carriage) tour of the city

- check out Minerah Gardens

- Take a day trip down to the Atlas montains (abit of hiking if you fancy that, with excellent views).

- Have a Royal Hammam bath

xiphrex · 20 Aug 2009 at 17:19

When I went there I liked it, was an experience.

I didnt like the food though. I did try it, but hated it, and ended up going to mcdonalds for the last few days.

Theres an old city and a new city and the new city is basically the same as any other shopping mall, the old city is where you want to go to experience the stalls and life you might have seen on tv or in the movies.

Also as your a tourist everything is more expensive, so just bear that in mind when your haggling.

Have to say though I wouldnt go there again voluntarily. But now that Ive experienced how people live there, Im thankful that I live here! So it was worth it in that respect.

Feef · 20 Aug 2009 at 17:33

cotton_flex said:
As its been said already.

- Agree on a fare for taxi before bording

- Anything without a price label can be haggled (pay no more than 50/60% asking price)

- Try and use the little yellow cabs, the white mercs tend to put people intogether! So you might have others sharing the cab with you

- spend all your dirams (local currency) over there. I made the mistake of keeping the equivalant of around £70 for duty free shopping on my way back; turns out they only take euros!

- If you take any pictures around the souk (market area) such as snake handlers, then they expect a couple of coins in return. And the performers are very good at spotting who has taken pictures.

Things to do:

- Take a kaleesh ride (horse & carriage) tour of the city

- check out Minerah Gardens

- Take a day trip down to the Atlas montains (abit of hiking if you fancy that, with excellent views).

- Have a Royal Hammam bath

I know this was bumped from way back when, but this is all sound advice for anyone going in the near future. I would add that the big mercs were one of my favourite things about Morocco - shared taxis, most useful for getting you between towns and cities. Just find the stand with them in town, wait for other people to arrive who want to go to your destination, and split the fare with them. Had many fun trips that way, always paid the same as the locals, and brilliant for avoiding baggage scams and lengthy diverted bus journeys