Morocco 2025: A Trip Not To Be Missed We had a wonderful trip that exceeded ou...
Morocco | Jan 17 - Jan 23, 2025

Leslie
Leslie G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 24, 2025

We had a wonderful trip that exceeded our expectations. The pre trip preparations with Hakim were easy and he was very flexible in tailoring the trip to our schedule and our interests. I felt like together we came up with a good plan and it was well executed. Success in sports is a combination of planning and talent and the same can be said about our experience this past week. It was a successful trip because it was well planned with talented individuals helping us along the way.
That had to start with our driver Hakim. He could not have been more accommodating, personable, and good company for the week. Additionally he was an excellent driver and made sure we were well taken care of and the schedule we set was followed precisely. He was always early, always available, and we always felt we were in good hands knowing he was there.
The local guides were all very knowledgeable and pleasant and I felt we came away from each day with a better understanding of the history and culture everywhere we stopped. Our guides in Rabat and Marrakech should be singled out as theywere both not only informative but also fun to be with. We had a hand in setting the schedule and if I were to do it again I would change the morning tour of Casablanca and not have toured the Jewish sites. They were interesting but I felt in retrospect we should have devoted the limited time we had in Casablanca to seeing something else. That was on us for wanting some type of Jewish experience, but we got that in Marrakech and my suggestion would be if you have other clients with limited time looking to tour Jewish sites, steer them to Marrakech.
The extras like the balloon ride, the cooking class and hammam were all terrific also and again well organized. This was at or near the top of the list for best vacations we’ve been on. Thanks for your help in making it happen.

Hotel Reviews
Palais Faraj Suites & Spa
Fès

Wonderful riad. Beautiful, comfortable, staff very helpful. Great location for our touring.

Authenticity & Character
The decor and setting. The suite was lovely and very comfortable.
Location
Staff
Everyone was terrific from the opening class tea to our final goodbye.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was very comfortable and great to settle in after a long day of touring.
Hôtel La Tour Hassan Palace
Rabat

As this was more of a standard luxury hotel and not a traditional riad it wasn’t as interesting as our stays in Fes and Marrakech. Having said that it was a great place to stay and the restaurant and courtyard area were lovely. The breakfast was probably the most elaborate we had during our stay. The staff was also very solicitous but we were only there one night so we had little interaction with staff.

Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Le Casablanca Hotel
Casablanca

This was a similar experience to our stay in Rabat. Beautiful hotel, lovely courtyard, warm and welcoming staff but we were there only one night and other than having a drink on the patio we did not spend a lot of time there.

Staff
Pop
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Maison Arabe Hotel
Marrakech

The La Maison Arabe was a wonderful place to stay. Terrific location, staff, accommodations, setting, restaurant and a wonderful place to spend a few days. The Hammam was excellent and the room and view outstanding. The shower was a little tricky but otherwise couldn’t have been happier.

Authenticity & Character
Lovely setting. We were greeted with a glass of tea and a tour. Beautiful building.
Location
Close to the Medina and other than a short walk easy to access by car.
Staff
Very helpful. We checked out at 4:00 and someone was there to help us take the short walk to the car.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Cooking Workshop & Local Food
Cooking Workshop & Local Food
Morocco

Thoroughly enjoyable from our shopping for the meal in the souk to our cup of tea with Fes’s celebrity teamaker to the actual prep and dinner itself.

Quality of Experience
Our hostess was lovely. Very gregarious, had wonderful relationships with the food vendors. Made us feel welcomed everywhere we stopped.
Day Trip to Meknes & the Roman Ruins of Volubilis then Continue to Rabat
Day Trip to Meknes & the Roman Ruins of Volubilis then Continue to Rabat
Morocco

Another great day. Tour of Volubilis was terrific. Interesting to see a different medina although after a long day in Fes it was nice that this one was a little shorter. Drive there was very pleasant also.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hassan II Mosque Tour
Hassan II Mosque Tour
Morocco

Mosque was an amazing edifice. The local guide provided by the mosque was not as informative as we would have liked.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide at mosque was just okay not great
Transport
Our driver Hakim once again very helpful.
Casablanca's Jewish Heritage Visit
Casablanca's Jewish Heritage Visit
Morocco

Probably the weak link of the tour. The guide was nice and knowledgeable about the Jewish history of Morocco but there was no docent or individual at either the Temple we visited or the museum that was very helpful. We could have probably skipped doing this in Casablanca. We incorporated a few Jewish sites in Marrakech and that would have been enough for us. Would rather have seen other sites in Casablanca. That was on us though as we only had the morning there and chose to do the heritage tour. Had a nice meal and experience at Rick’s Cafe the night before.

Quality of Experience
Docents for each stop
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hakim was again. Our guide was nice but someone at each site would have been more informative
Transport
Morning Hot Air Balloon Experience
Morning Hot Air Balloon Experience
Marrakesh

Beautiful morning. Great experience. Amazing views. Well worth the 6:30 am pickup.

Quality of Experience
Great pilot.
Food
Just nice to have something to eat after the ride
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Concerned our 6:30 pickup wasn’t there by 6:45 but it all worked out well in the end.
Guided Tour in Fes
Guided Tour in Fes
Fes

Great day. Long and maybe could have a little less time in the Medina but overall felt like we got a good feel for Fes.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver was terrific. Took us to his favorite restaurant in Fes called in English “Second Wife” for a more local place to eat. Outstanding b
Transport
See above
Morning Guided Tour in Rabat
Morning Guided Tour in Rabat
Morocco

Terrific guide. Very enthusiastic, informative, gave us a nice overview of Rabat.

Quality of Experience
M
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tour in Marrakech
Guided Tour in Marrakech
Marrakesh

Probably the best guide we had. Very informative and answered many questions I had about Morocco in general that I didn’t ask the others. Long day but well worth it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
As mentioned very open, easy to talk to, didn’t shy away from tough questions. Very pleasant.
Transport
Four stars only because of the amount of walking.
Local specialist: Hakim ALIBOUCHE