Backpacking Through Morocco

 My mother returned recently from a trip to Morocco and was very enthusiastic about it. She climbed the mountains, slept in reasonable hostels and did few camel trek.

Me, I haven’t been there yet but if you are into the North Africa experience here is some basic information

Sights wise Morocco pales in comparison to Egypt, nevertheless it’s a remarkable place to visit. Excellent marketplaces dot cities; colorful palaces, mountains, beaches, friendly locals (plus the usual band of con-men, hustlers, beggars, and pushers notwithstanding) this is an excellent gateway into Africa. So if you are holidaying around Spain and Portugal and have a little more time on your hands you can’t go wrong with paying a visit down south to Morocco.

• Highlights: Marrakech’s  Djemaa el-Fna (loaded with fire eaters, food stalls, and other curiosities), The Roman Ruins of Volubilis, The Beach’s of Essaouira and Agadir, The Medieval Splendour of Fez and Chefchaouen.

• Lowlights: Tangier and Teutouan are fairly dodgy (loaded with cons and ripoffs) and are the only way to get to Morocco other than flying in.

• Typical Tourist Trail: Taking a Ferry from Algeciras in Spain (every hour on the hour) or Gibraltar (much less frequent) to Tangier or Teutouan from where the typical tourist trail circles around the Imperial cities (Rabat, Mekenes, Fez, and Marrakech) with forays into the Rif mountains and the Beaches of Essaouira (Jimi Hendrix Town).

 The best way to go in some places is to have a guide but if you have your lonely planet and are dressed conservatively especially if you are a woman than you’ll be able to have a good time on your own.

If you need to book something such as the camel trek just do it on the spot as everywhere you’ll have offers don’t miss vising the  mountains and the berbers.

Have fun