Getting to the MA from Morocco
 

Looking for advice on this one...

I'm a Peace Corps volunteer (read: poor) in Morocco, closer to FEZ than CMN. I'm off in August and am considering a trip to the MA.

I realize August is a horrible time to visit a place hotter than I'm in, but, other than that, what should I be considering? I'd be open to pretty much anywhere, but hopefully for as cheap as possible.

The only direct flight I see is CMN-CAI; is there some other city I should check out? AMM? I've never traveled to the MA and don't know much except Pyramids and Petra.

If it matters, I'm a single female traveling alone with a basic knowledge of Arabic (but I could never blend in).

I guess by "MA" you mean "Middle East"? Cairo is, on the whole, a much more interesting place to visit than Amman. (There are many threads here comparing them and giving tips.) Also closer to Morocco and probably cheaper to fly to. Both are extremely cheap to visit (hotels, food, taxis, etc), but it's easier to get around speaking English in Jordan. But, especially with a little bit of Arabic, you will have no problem in either. Both give visas on arrival for Americans.

You can also fly non-stop from CMN to Dubai, which is worth a visit and which also doesn't require a visa. August is low season, so prices would be good, although the flight might be expensive.

I'm also not sure what you mean by "MA," but if you want cheap destinations that have direct flights from where you are, you might try Istanbul (direct flight from CMN is available). Istanbul will be vastly more pleasant that either Dubai or Cairo in August, both of which will be unbearably hot.

Istanbul is going to be somewhat more expensive than Egypt, but seriously cheaper than Dubai or anywhere in the Gulf. It is a really pleasant place to visit, fascinating and very easy to navigate. There is enough to do and see there to keep you busy for weeks. I personally find it about a thousand times more congenial than CAI (which I really can't stand).

If you are dying to go to Egypt, then you could try Alexandria, which is also very cheap and has a more temperate climate than Cairo. It takes two hours to get there on the (very cheap) train from Cairo.

Thanks much for the suggestions.

Yes, "the MA" is "the Middle East." Sorry, thought that would be clear in this forum. I forget how many abbreviations y'all are used to!