Excellent Morocco experience, thanks to Kimkim.

Morocco | Apr 8 - Apr 16, 2025

This was an excellent trip and I've been recommending Kimkim to everyone! It was a busy program, but there was nothing I would have preferred to omit. It was all fascinating and VERY well organized. To go through the various elements:
Our driver Abdelkarim was an outstanding driver and a delightful personality. We enjoyed his company and willingness to help throughout the trip. However, he really could do with some more English lessons! Communication was not his strong point, so on this we would give him a lower grade.
We really liked the hotel in Chefchaouen, Dar Jasmine, especially the outstanding view from the balcony of our room. And the delicious breakfast. It was a shock having to climb 100 steep stone steps after a 3-hour flight and queuing 90 minutes for passport control, followed by a 3-hour drive with multiple stops at police security checks, but the hotel was lovely.
Hazim, our guide in Chefchaouen, was fine and an entertaining character.
We had a long day driving from Chefchaouen to Fes but the stop at the tomb of Rabbi Amram ben Diwan was interesting and the Roman ruins of Volubilis exceeded our expectations. Our guide there, Achmed, was excellent.
In Fes we stayed at Riad La Maison Bleue, which was beautiful, although the least comfortable of the places we stayed at. If I were returning to Fes, I would probably look for somewhere else to stay, despite the luxurious surroundings.
Our guide in Fes, Hassan, was very good and he showed us a tremendous amount in the short time we stayed there. Unfortunately our day in Fes was a Friday, so many of the shops were closed. I would have liked longer in Fes, but that was just the way it worked out with our own timing restrictions.
There was a stop in Rabat on the way from Fes to Marrakesh - interesting to see the tombs and Hassan Tower.
On arrival in Marrakesh we barely had time to freshen up before the scheduled Food Tour. I had wondered if that might be too much for us, but it was such an amazing experience and great fun that I'm really glad we did it. It was one of the highlights of the program. Our guide in Marrakesh, Ishmael, was also excellent.
We liked our hotel there, Les Jardins de la Medina. The restaurant was very good and the gardens were attractive, though I was sorry there wasn't a better view of the Atlas Mountains from the roof.
Our day trip to Essaouira was one of the highlights of our stay in Morocco and we enjoyed everything about the day, apart from our guide, Isaid, who spent most of the time on his phone.
On our last day in Marrakesh, the cooking class at La Maison Arabe was outstanding and I would highly recommend it to future visitors. Incredibly well organized and presented and we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the end of it.
That afternoon, we attempted to visit the hotel La Mamounia for tea. Visitors should be warned that the hotel has a very strict dress code and anyone wearing sneakers, or any footwear resembling sneakers, will not be allowed into the hotel or grounds. We discovered that the hard way!
Another point worth making is that it's really difficult to get the small change you need in order to keep tipping everyone. Don't bother to try the banks or the exchange offices. We finally got some change and smaller denomination notes with the help of our guide in Fes.
All in all, a very enjoyable visit to a friendly and hospitable country.