My trip to Morocco was a unique experience; s...
Morocco | Oct 13 - Oct 23, 2023

Linda
Linda y.
Bayonne, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 26, 2023

My trip to Morocco was a unique experience; so rich in ancient history and culture that unfolded with our tour guide Yassin. He picked us up at the airport sharing with us the history and culture as we traveled for the next 10 days.
I was overwhelmed with the labyrinth of walkways, the smells of delicious food, tea, and the aromas of incense.
In some cities we had other guides; Said (Sayeed) very informative to history of the palace and guided us through a labyrinth of alley ways that sold at the pottery factory and explained each step of the creations. Just superb! At the archaeological site of Volubils, our guide Abdoul shared with us the interesting insight into the spread of the Roman Empire. Then my dream of dreams was riding a camel in the Sahara Desert experiencing a beautiful sunset. After a lovely dinner, we visited the next tent site for music and dancing.
Marrakech was amazing with a labyrinth alley ways winding with beautiful merchandise. Karim was another amazing guide and they all looked out for our interests and safety!

Hotel Reviews
Riad Kalaa
Rabat

Charming, loved my stay. A lovely breakfast array of foods - delicious as well as the inner menu. Staff were attentive and professional.

Authenticity & Character
Charm of location and staff were warm, friendly and accommodating
Location
It was in the heart of the Medina
Staff
All the staff were at attention for everything, the willingness of staff to attend to every need.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nothing was wrong with our room
Riad Hicham
Chefchaouen

Love this Riad was in the midst of Chefchaquen. Charming! Staff was friendly and accommodating. Lots of stairs, Breakfast and dinner were delicious. A little noisy if your room is over the courtyard. The view was wonderful, the group in the courtyard were celebrating a birthday until about 10:30pm. Otherwise, Just lovely!!

Authenticity & Character
Full of color, warmth and overflowing with a blue beauty built on the side of the hill
Location
It is located in the main square of the Medina, Romantic view
Staff
Reception at check-in kind, friendly and courteous. Very attentive especially in the dining area.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room was clean and accommodating, Staff very attentive
Riad Farouzi
fes

Exquisite! Simplistic beauty. tiled from floor to ceiling and Moorish Islamic architecture of doors.Clean and beds are comfortable. In the morning, breakfast awaited us with an array of items. The staff was above and beyond every opportunity. Hot tea was always a welcoming when we returned from our day in the Medina.

Authenticity & Character
Not only were the accommodations exceptional, it's enchanting, quiet and peaceful
Location
Beautiful panoramic view of the old city. A short walk to the Medina
Staff
it is the staff that made it special; always there like family. Welcoming and attentive. Above and beyond
Cleanliness & Comfort
The beds were comfortable and tidy as was the bathroom. Simple elegance
Riad Madu Desert Camps
Merzouga

I am not use to glamping! This was the perfect elegance in the desert! Pure tranquility.

Authenticity & Character
Uniquely quiet, a feeling of safe and peacefulness. unlike any other adventure
Location
This is paradise! In the middle of the Dunes, open, quiet, the colors of the sky changing as the sun set and upon arising in the morning. Peaceful; a oneness so to say.
Staff
Personal attention , accommodating, friendly and humble
Cleanliness & Comfort
Perfect like a hotel, clean, neat simple.
Chez Ichou
Dades Gorge

A lovely hotel, hospitable staff, warm & friendly. Room was great and the view from the pool was Fabulous!

Authenticity & Character
Its ideal to exploring the local area in a peaceful isolation setting.
Location
A panoramic view from the roof top overlooking the river valley and mountains
Staff
Warm and welcoming, attentive to your every needs
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room had crisp linen and clean. Staff was always attentive
Palais Tara & Spa
Marrakech

A luxury experience, Moorish architecture. intricately carved wood and complex tilework and handmade tapestries

Authenticity & Character
The Hotel was a palace to the famous Moroccan Minister Mohammed Akensus. It is stellar with Moorish architecture, handmade tapestries. Pure elegance
Location
The Palace is situated right in the center of the Medina.
Staff
The Front Office Manager was warm, friendly and welcoming with all of our needs and concerns
Cleanliness & Comfort
our rooms were stellar with rose petals leading to the bathroom. lovely touch. Heavenly soaps/shampoos
Activity Reviews
Arrive in Casablanca & Transfer to Rabat
Arrive in Casablanca & Transfer to Rabat
Morocco

In Casablanca, The Hassan 11 Mosque was extraordinary. It is acceptable for a non-Muslim to enter so we did and the architecture is amazing: authentic Moroccan architecture, hand carved marble walls, fountains.. We learned the importance and value of this Mosque. We then came to infamous Ricks Café which was actually built in 2004 based off the movie by Humphrey Bogart. It was closed this time of day so I will have to come back. We had a lovely lunch close to the water, searched for exchange places then off to Rabat.

Rabat to Chefchaouen
Rabat to Chefchaouen
Morocco

In Rabat, we visited the mausoleum of Mahammed V, ; beautiful columns of marble, embellished fountains with tile work, horsemen on their mounts at the entry gates and beautiful engraved copper candelabras at the entrance. another great tour was of the Oudaia Kasbah, a hilltop fortress built in the 17th-18 century. Our drive to Chefchaouen was 4 hours of conversation of culture, learning words and phrases, customs with our guide Yassim. The blue city was an eye catcher built between two mountains. The walkways are all paved with stones, lots of shopping and cafe's. This is where I learned to bargan, an art in itself. I wanted to catch sunrise and hiked 20 minutes up to the Spanish Mosque. A spectacular view of Chefchaquen below.

Quality of Experience
you will enjoy the spirit of the city, good food and beautiful humble residents
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The culture is humbling, warm and friendly. welcoming
Transport
Yassim is a fabulous driver careful and concerned. Knows where every dip in the road is
Orientation Walk & Free Afternoon in Chefchaouen
Orientation Walk & Free Afternoon in Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen

After we checked in to our hotel, we set out exploring on the cobble stone walkways that wind around and up and down narrow walkways of a sky blue. Just so uplifting with open shopping for anything that dazzles the eye! But you must learn to bargain. And take a short hike to the Spanish mosque. Once up there you will see how this lovely blue city sits between two mountains . I suggest Dawn for sunrise

Quality of Experience
Have either a MC/visa for ATM. .I found the merchants take credit cards. Break down your converted money which are derum to change for bargening
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Humbleness of culture, warm & welcoming
Transport
Our guide, Yassim is the best. Caring and concerned always looking out for us. Follow rules & regulations
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Volubilis and Meknes
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Volubilis and Meknes
Morocco

On the way to Fes, we stopped to visit an ancient kingdom of Volubilis and how the cultures here at the time formed Morocco! There are the ruins from the ancient Romans and the other city of Meknes that flourished

Quality of Experience
How Meknes rose to be an imperial city and is still thriving today
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Always humble and welcoming
Transport
Our guide Yassim is the best! So much knowledge and conversation
Guided Tour of Fes
Guided Tour of Fes
Fes

Fes was the best Midievil Medina with narrow alley ways opening up to marketplaces with motorists and donkey carts also making their way too. I visited the tannery; superb leather goods, ceramics, anything you could imagine was there. At the ceramic tile factory you can have made to order items to ship to your home

Quality of Experience
The tannery and tile co-op factory
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The willingness to please; merchants are respectful
Transport
Great guide Sayeed.
Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou -  Camel Trek to Desert Camp
Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou - Camel Trek to Desert Camp
Morocco

A camel ride into the dunes for a night’s stay!! Beautiful sunrise and multiple colors of sunset The middle Atlas Mountains was a retreat. We passed through forests with monkeys populated with Berber tribes. We visited Cascades D’ouzoud a beautiful falls cascading down to the village of Azrou. There is fishing, camping and swimming , good restaurant and shopping; lots of geology; geodes, fossils .

Quality of Experience
A much diverse Forrest and the quietness of nature
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Always ready to please , very kind
Transport
Our Guide Yassim!!
Merzouga to Dades Valley Via Todgha Gorge
Merzouga to Dades Valley Via Todgha Gorge
Morocco

The high Atlas Mountains overlooking the valley of the Dades, breathtaking Views of mad ash. A movie studio is here that filmed Game of thrones, Gladiator. And lots of others. Visited the Kasbah - high winds

Quality of Experience
Getting to explore the kasbah
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very kind and humble
Transport
Yassim made all the difference in the world!!
Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou
Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou
Morocco

De ended the High Atlas Mountains tight winding road that offered a beautiful panoramic view of the valley

Quality of Experience
Our guide, Yassim
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our guide, Yassim
Guided Tour of Marrakech
Guided Tour of Marrakech
Marrakesh

The highlight!! It’s what movies are made about. A real dream come true

Quality of Experience
Our guide Hicham
Guides, Drivers and Staff
You cannot escape the true humbleness of the people
Transport
Yassim!!
Local specialist: Sharon Louthian
Sharon
Sharon Louthian
Local specialist in US and Morocco | Replied on Nov 07, 2023

Hi Linda,

Thank you so much for the wonderful review and for sharing so many great photos from your trip. We are so pleased to hear that you had a fabulous trip! We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your time with Yassine and that you got to live your dream of riding a camel in the Sahara Desert! Thank you so much for trusting us with your trip!

Thanks again and keep in touch!
Sharon, Yassine, and the rest of the Morocco Immersion family