Mesmerizing Morocco Tour: One-Week Off the Beaten Path

Our two-week trip to Morocco, arranged by Zicasso’s travel company, was simply magical! We (a party of four over-70 Americans) found it very easy to book a customized adventure with the founder that met and exceeded our desired goals.

Our journey began with a four-night stay in Marrakech, which included a day trip to the Ourika Valley in the High Atlas Mountains. We then traveled overland to the desert (Erg Chebbi), making an overnight stop on the way to and from the luxury tented camp in Merzouga. Following a night's stay in the desert, we continued on to Fes, Chefchaouen (the “Blue City”), and Tangier. We were accompanied by an experienced English-fluent Berber driver who provided the epitome of service. Once we arrived at our destination, our driver ensured we were connected with a local guide for walking tours that were informative and fun. We were free to wander on our own as well.

To Americans contemplating a similar trip, we had two main concerns prior to leaving: the earthquake damage in and south of Marrakech, and the Middle East political situation. We encountered no problems whatsoever related to either. While in Marrakech and the Ourika Valley, we saw evidence of earthquake damage, but experienced nothing we considered a threat to our safety. Meanwhile, the beautiful Ourika Valley was one of many highlights, so we were very glad it was possible to go there. We discovered the wonderful hospitality Morocco is known for during each part of our journey.

As far as personal safety, follow the advice you would in any large city or tourist area: keep valuables safe and don't carry your cellphone in such a way that it could be easily snatched. The same goes for physical health. We followed general advice to enjoy things that were offered to us in restaurants serving tourists or as part of arranged street tours, while avoiding the temptation to try “exotic”, uncooked things we might find on our own. We ate well, enjoyed lots of mint tea, occasional alcoholic drinks, and had no major problems.

In addition to the Ourika Valley, other highlights included visiting the desert region (camel riding is optional, but a fun-filled 45 minutes if you are game), having a meal of delicious couscous in a Berber home, taking a cooking lesson in Marrakech with a chef, shopping in city souks and at the Fes leather and pottery-making establishments, and learning interesting historical facts during guided walking tours of Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen, and Tangier.

If heading north, arrange to stop, if only briefly, at the seaside community of Asilah, which holds a festival each year featuring colorful street murals that remain in place until the following year. While in Tangier, tour the American Legation Museum. Among other things, you will learn about the long history of good relations between the US and Morocco, which, in 1777, was the first country to recognize the US. I could go on!

Speaking for our group, the trip was one that will remain in our memories for years to come thanks to all who were involved!

All accommodations were satisfactory. My favorite city lodgings included the riads in Marrakech and Chefchaouen, where I enjoyed a swim in the indoor pool, and the palace in Fes.

There are almost no words to describe the gratitude we feel for our incredible trip to Morocco. We were completely blown away by this travel agency! My husband and I, our two kids (ages 10 and 12) and a close friend just returned from our 7-day journey from Tangier to the beach near Tetouan, Chefchauen, Fes, and Rabat. From the very first phone call with our travel planner, our experience was fantastic. She listened carefully to our interests and priorities and then built a fantastic trip in our budget that WAY exceeded our expectations. As a result we had an amazing mix of cultural experiences, relaxation, unbelievable food, adventure and shopping.

The travel agency's staff were always available before and during our trip, and responded very quickly to emails and calls.  It was clear to us that they were all extremely sophisticated knowledgeable world travellers. We were especially impressed by how they thought of SO SO many details that we never even imagined would be important such as having a very comfortable mini-van with wifi, device chargers and a wide variety of snacks. They anticipated absolutely everything that we might want or need and had it all ready to go before we even thought of it. When our son had his birthday in Fes, they arranged for a variety of ways to make it special for him.

All of the Riads and the one beach resort where we stayed were breathtakingly beautiful, comfortable, safe, with all amenities, five-star food, and staff who always went way out of their way to be helpful.

The tour guides that our travel agnecy arranged spoke perfect English, and shared information that really made the country and its people come alive for us. They were never preachy or boring, and always took our lead on what we wanted to do, where we wanted to go, what we wanted to learn, and when we needed to just be quiet and process all of our rich experiences.

We cannot recommend the travel company more highly. This was truly a life-changing extraordinary experience. We all feel that we are coming home with expanded ideas of who we are and the world we live in.

Thank you!

The driver was very good and attentive. He was very flexible and helped take me to places not on the itinerary, such as restaurants and churches I wanted to go to. He was also very good with arranging times for guides to meet up.The guides were OK, the ones in Tanger, Chefchaouen and Rabat were good. Though I did expect a higher level, in terms of art, architecture and academic research.The riads were all very good, service, personal and very attentive.The villa was beautiful setting, tastefully renovated and well maintained. F&B staff excellent.The hotel in Chefchaouen, comfortable, nice roof terrace for breakfast. It was very good the owner was there. He was a passionate photographer and traveller and most simpatico.Riad Karawan, very beautifully decorated and restored - but room a bit dark and not practical for the more elderly. But I personally loved it.Riad Euphoriad had great design features and very helpful staff.The food at the villa was good.The two favourite hotel rooms where the two I specifically asked for.

Travel Company Comments:

Dear Anthony,

Thank you for taking the time to write about your trip with us to Morocco. We really appreciate your feedback and we're glad that you were able to enjoy your time in Morocco!

With regards to the guides' knowledge, we deeply apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused. We wish you did share with us this feedback while you were on the ground and we contacted you to check on how your trip is going, as we would've gladly changed your guide within the hour for you! But we hope that this did not affect your time in our country and that you still had a memorable stay while traveling with us.

Shukran!

The staff of the travel company who managed our trip were professional and communicated well. However, we felt that they had not visited all the hotels or eaten at the restaurants recommended to us. Perhaps they didn't know that there was a Spanish holiday when we were in Chefchaoen and that the city was overrun with visiting Spanish students. We didn't anticipate that and believe that the travel companh should have.  Our room was directly next to a terrace dining area with a large raucous party enjoying themselves till midnight.

Perhaps they should have asked if we went to night clubs at home, that would have prevented us going to a restaurant on our first night in Marrakech.

On the other hand we enjoyed several outstanding restaurants. Several hotels were excellent. The hotel in Tangier was very tasteful and stylish without being expensive.

I guess the conclusion I draw is that the travel company was inconsistent.