Just got caught up on http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-c...Advice/Morocco
Wouldn't phase be myself, but going with a friend who has never travelled. Only in Marrakech for a few days. There's nothing particularly dangerous right?
And would wearing Berber clothes help prevent being hassled?
Cheers
Wouldn't phase be myself, but going with a friend who has never travelled. Only in Marrakech for a few days. There's nothing particularly dangerous right?
And would wearing Berber clothes help prevent being hassled?
Cheers
A "high degree of caution" is something that I would exercise almost wherever I go - barring Japan, perhaps. For instance, in Sydney or Melbourne I would be looking out for drunks, skinheads or other intolerant sorts who would bash up someone that looks 'foreign'. Does DFAT publish a warning for that?
And an Aussie dressing up in Berber clothes might pass muster at Mardi Gras, but certainly not in Morocco.
And an Aussie dressing up in Berber clothes might pass muster at Mardi Gras, but certainly not in Morocco.
Morroco Safe?
Spent 2 weeks in morocco this past summer. Casablanca, marrakech, sahara, and fes. We dressed conservatively though many tourists were not. No one hassled us and we had an amazing trip. My advice regarding dressing as a local: not that many men wear gandoras or djellabas these days. Buy it if you like as a souvenier, but its not needed to get around.
I was in Casa, Tangier, Fes, Chefchauoen, Meknes and Rabat during the spring of 2011 (shortly before the Djema el Fna explosion) and although we saw several protests (it was the height of the Arab Spring), never felt at all threatened.
Two separate groups of friends--who could be described as high-maintenance travelers--were in Morocco (including Marrakech) this spring/early summer for the first time and all raved about it. None gave any indicate of feeling unsafe.
Here's the US State Department's travel information on Morocco.
I would travel there tomorrow if I could.
Two separate groups of friends--who could be described as high-maintenance travelers--were in Morocco (including Marrakech) this spring/early summer for the first time and all raved about it. None gave any indicate of feeling unsafe.
Here's the US State Department's travel information on Morocco.
I would travel there tomorrow if I could.
Sounds like all will be good then. I travelled through the Middle East last year during the Arab spring and felt pretty safe, but my friend isn't as opened minded yet. And wearing Arab dress saved me a lot of hassle in some souks.
So any recommendations where to stay in Marrakech, I'm looking at the Sofitel Imperial Palace, but am open to suggestions (from backpackers to 5-star)
So any recommendations where to stay in Marrakech, I'm looking at the Sofitel Imperial Palace, but am open to suggestions (from backpackers to 5-star)
There she might have some hassel in Marrakech but it's normal, Safe and nothing to worry about.
Read some recent travellers reports about a Solo female Traveller Safety in Morocco : http://www.frommers.com/community/fo...-alone-morocco
Happy Travels.
Kathryn
Read some recent travellers reports about a Solo female Traveller Safety in Morocco : http://www.frommers.com/community/fo...-alone-morocco
Happy Travels.
Kathryn
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So any recommendations where to stay in Marrakech, I'm looking at the Sofitel Imperial Palace, but am open to suggestions (from backpackers to 5-star)
I just got back from Marrakesh and I thought it was as safe as anyplace I have been to. I hired a guide for the Medina just to avoid overpaying and to avoid being hassled and hustled too much. But most tourists did not have guides.Originally Posted by Dredgy
Sounds like all will be good then. I travelled through the Middle East last year during the Arab spring and felt pretty safe, but my friend isn't as opened minded yet. And wearing Arab dress saved me a lot of hassle in some souks.So any recommendations where to stay in Marrakech, I'm looking at the Sofitel Imperial Palace, but am open to suggestions (from backpackers to 5-star)
I stayed at the LeMeridien using Starwood points. Good, quiet, clean room. Thet added some charges to the bill but the gladly removed them when I told them they were not valid. Same thing happened to me in Chicago, so that is hardly a Moroccan thing.
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wearing ballet tutu might have had the same effect Originally Posted by Dredgy
....wearing Arab dress saved me a lot of hassle in some souks.
Seriously, there's nothing specific to fear in Morocco other than the usual low level tourist hassle.
Suspended
The biggest hassle you will have in Morocco is the occasional taxi driver who will attempt to get you to agree to pay too much.
Dress sensibly. They see tourists all he time, and are generally very welcoming.
http://www.riadmurakush.com/
A real gem, can heartily recommend it.
Dress sensibly. They see tourists all he time, and are generally very welcoming.
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So any recommendations where to stay in Marrakech, I'm looking at the Sofitel Imperial Palace, but am open to suggestions (from backpackers to 5-star)
I stayed at Riad Mur Akush located a 10 minute walk from Jmaa El Fna Square, and had a wonderful stay, incredible hospitality, and decent prices.Originally Posted by Dredgy
Sounds like all will be good then. I travelled through the Middle East last year during the Arab spring and felt pretty safe, but my friend isn't as opened minded yet. And wearing Arab dress saved me a lot of hassle in some souks.So any recommendations where to stay in Marrakech, I'm looking at the Sofitel Imperial Palace, but am open to suggestions (from backpackers to 5-star)
http://www.riadmurakush.com/
A real gem, can heartily recommend it.
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Originally Posted by FedUp2
And an Aussie dressing up in Berber clothes might pass muster at Mardi Gras, but certainly not in Morocco.
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Nothing to worry about in Morocco.
Dressing no frills and respectful makes the path smoother.
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And an Aussie dressing up in Berber clothes might pass muster at Mardi Gras, but certainly not in Morocco.
Haha I will remember that next Mardi Gras, though no one who meets me picks me as Australian (even other Australians, while in Australia).And an Aussie dressing up in Berber clothes might pass muster at Mardi Gras, but certainly not in Morocco.
The Riad Mur Akush looks awesome (love the Moroccan style) but unfortunately not available for the dates I will be there. Agadir is looking like an option as well, since it seems safe, not too touristy. Though probably not as "authentic" either.
I would consider also Fs a safe and enjoyable place to visit.
Had great time, and never been annoyed by vendors or so.
Maybe it helps I'm not Norwegian looking
Had great time, and never been annoyed by vendors or so.
Maybe it helps I'm not Norwegian looking
I did a two week round trip by rental car through Morroco this summer and it was safe. Just be aware as in any tourist destination all over the world there will be people try to sell you over priced stuff and try to get some money from you when you ask for directions
I (a male from the US) was in Marrakech in March this year, and regularly walked the route from the main train station (rad vernacular architecture) to Jamaa el Fna (outdoor market/food vendors at night/troubadour haunt)- you can see the route here: http://goo.gl/maps/3Q6rm. It's not that it was too far, but I regularly did this day and late at night and didn't feel worried at all. Casablanca was fine as well.
It was a pleasant contrast to my experience in Tangiers eight years ago, when I was followed around for an hour, including into hotels and restaurants. Apparently, according to another thread that I cannot locate now, that issue has gotten much better. Not sure if I need to rush back to Tangiers though.
It was a pleasant contrast to my experience in Tangiers eight years ago, when I was followed around for an hour, including into hotels and restaurants. Apparently, according to another thread that I cannot locate now, that issue has gotten much better. Not sure if I need to rush back to Tangiers though.