Start to Finish - Our Morocco Vacation was more than we hoped for!
Morocco
|
Feb 17 - Feb 28, 2024
Here are some thoughts about our recent trip to Morocco -
A good vacation in Morocco begins with your driver/guide and Samir was the BEST! He was waiting for us at the airport when we arrived and was on call every minute until we departed. He was reliable (always on time) and a wonderful representative of Morocco. He told us about the country's history and culture and gave us his personal perspective, making it even more interesting. He is an amazing guy! We had some long days of driving - from Marrakesh to Essaouira to Casablanca to Fes to the desert to Boumaine Dades and back to Marrakesh - but they were wonderful. Morocco's topography and scenery are stunning and Samir's driving made us feel safe and in good hands. We laughed a lot and had some terrific discussions. Samir was the key ingredient to making our vacation a special one.
We started vacation planning with some general idea about where to go in Morocco but we needed lots of help. Emailing and texting with Ali was wonderful - he answered every question and gave us suggestions that we were better than the ones we had come up with. We even had a chat on WhatsApp. I can't believe how he transformed our original mixed-up plan into a smooth and well-organized journey.
One of the best things about going with a private driver is that you have control over timing - when to get started in the morning, when to stop, how long to stop, and flexibility about when to eat along the way. So much better than group tours we've been on. We had a chance to meet people during our two nights in the desert and at breakfast in our roads. Along the way, we had a nice encounter with a group of young girls at a pastry shop. Samir saw that they wanted to talk with us and made an impromptu introduction - it was lovely.
The riads! We loved them. They are generally small with around 10 rooms - ideal for the two of us, with no large tour groups to contend with. Breakfasts were abundant and delicious! The riads were utterly charming. Loved the style, staff, and beauty of the riads.
There is so much more to say but simply said Morocco was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! We couldn't have asked for more. One thing for sure - we will use KimKim again. The match they made for us with Original Travel in Morocco was perfect. Now we know we can trust their referrals and relax when we plan our next trip. It was sooooo easy. Here's to many more once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
Hotel Reviews
Our review matches those of others - Tiziri Luxury Camp is AWSOME!!! The men who run the camp have perfected the art of welcoming new visitors and making them feel at home. The tents are wonderful - luxurious yet simple. It gets cold in the desert at night but the radiator and 20 lbs. of blankets kept us warm. The heating pads helped, too.
I would not recommend this hotel. There was a terrible smell in the hallway, our ac didn't work correctly, the teapot was broken, and the service in the rooftop restaurant was very slow (more than 45 minutes to get our order), and the pizza was terrible. On the good side, the breakfast and the morning staff were terrific.
We loved Le Pelerin!!! This small riad is elegant and welcoming. Every detail is perfect. The style is a modern Moroccan with a sophisticated style. The staff were over-the-top great! I would highly recommend this riad to anyone. It is a sweet oasis in the chaos of Marrakesh. Breakfasts...terrific! Rooftop open for relaxing or a bite to eat. Finding the riad would be a challenge without the help of a driver/guide. Arrangements were made and the staff came to the main road and guided us back into the medina. Walking through the narrow alleyways was daunting for a first time Marrakesh visitor but the dark alley opened into a glowing gem of a riad. The surprise factor made it even more beautiful.
Our stay at Riad Chbanate was memorable - we would definitely stay there again!!! Its central location was great, making it easy to get around - down to the beach and for shopping. In contrast to the activity out of doors, the interior of the riad was calm and lovely. The rooms were very, very large with a swing in the center of the room (it was very comfortable :) The bathroom had a deep tub for soaking and was very separate from the bedroom. Breakfasts were huge and prepared to order. So delicious. We ate dinner in one evening and it was very romantic - roses, a wood-burning fireplace, candles, and excellent food. Loved this place!!!
This large riad is sumptuous! Its furnishings and design are beyond belief beautiful. You feel like royalty. The rooms are huge with charming details. Breakfasts are delicious and the dining room is lovely. Highly recommend staying at this elegant riad. It is a one-of-a-kind!
This was my favorite riad because of the great food!!!! Dinner was a complete surprise - gourmet cooking in the middle of the Dades! The food was traditional but with a contemporary flare that made it amazing. I'd give the chef a 5-star rating!!! Even more for his ingenuity :) The style of the riad is interesting - it retains its authenticity but has a flare with modern elements. The terrace and the pool!!!! Beautiful in the setting of the mountains and greenery of the valley!!! The entry to the riad is simple, giving no hint of what is to come. The welcome of lemon tea was a lovely surprise...an elegant switch from the mint tea. I LOVE DAR RIHANA!!!
Activity Reviews
The mosque is an amazing structure but having to stay over in Casablanca to see it was not pleasant.
The gorges were amazing! A big surprise to find such beautiful cliffs and valleys. Would recommend staying longer. The trails look wonderful.
Great overview of Marrakesh! Terrific guide. Felt more comfortable roaming around the medina after the tour.
It was a nice, simple orientation to the city.
The mosque was amazing!
A beautiful drive through the high Atlas mountains. Highly recommend.
Fun roaming the main square and trying street food. Felt safe that the food would be good based on our guide's recommendations.
The guide was a very nice gentleman.
The scenery along the coast is interesting, however, it is flat, and little to see other than the ocean. It was good that about halfway through the trip our guide/driver took the highway. It made the trip faster and I don't think we missed anything along the way.
We took the tour on a Friday and much of the medina was closed.
This was a terrific experience. Being welcomed into a local family's house was an honor. After the family warmed up to us (and we to them), the visit was fun. We were joking and laughing. Couldn't have been better.
This is a must-do when in Morocco. We drove into a snow storm in Morocco's "little Switzerland" and we saw monkeys there. The Roman ruins in Volubilis are not to be missed!
Going into the desert is an amazing experience. The tents at Tizeri camp were beautiful, clean, and well-maintained. The desert experience was at the top of our list of adventures in Morocco.
Hi Janet,
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience of your recent trip to Morocco! Reading about your adventures with Samir and your journey through the stunning landscapes of Morocco was truly heartwarming.
Knowing that we played a part in facilitating your once-in-a-lifetime adventure brings us immense joy. We look forward to helping you plan many more unforgettable journeys in the future.
Here's to endless wanderlust and countless more once-in-a-lifetime adventures!
Warm Regards,
Ali