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RE: Jerez 2019 - anyone going?
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Piwin
Posts: 3559
Joined: Feb. 9 2016
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 RE: Jerez 2019 - anyone going? (in reply to Goldwinghai)
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Sorry, didn't want to scare you off!
I could also tell a lot of heart-warming stories from Morocco.
For your wife, the basics are just dressing modestly (won't matter here since we're in the winter months, but in summer it'd mean stuff like not wearing a sleeveless top for example), no smoking in the street (men can, women can't) and keeping PDA at a minimum. That'll go a long ways in reducing the likelihood of bad encounters.
If you want to go to a city and have zero hassle, here's what I'd recommend: book a room in a riad with good reviews. These are small establishments, usually no more than a dozen rooms (if even). Essentially guest houses. A riad is good because you have the opportunity to build a rapport with the owner, and, since they don't cater to that many people (especially not in the winter season...), you'll have their full attention and they're good at pointing you towards what's going on and what you might like to see (if you want to see some traditional Moroccan music, they'll point you to the right restaurant to go to, etc.). If you want an establishment where you can drink and smoke, they'll also know where to send you. If you want to meander the city or a souk off the tourist map, you can always get a guide (which a riad should be able to provide). Prices are much more affordable than you might imagine. The downside is that you might get carted around a bit, but the upside is that with a guide all the problems mentioned above just sort of vanish (The people who'd bother you if you were on your own know better than to screw with a working man's business). Of course, since you have to depend on others to a larger degree than you would normally, then the quality of your stay will depend on the quality of those people (I can say from experience that spending 10 days with a mountain guide who's a complete **** is no fun at all...). So if you do it that way my guess is that you won't have any trouble at all (of course that also means less "adventure"), but you do want to make sure to check the reviews and not just choose one on a hunch.
Oh yeah, if you go, take half a day to go to the hammam (preferably catering to locals, you'll have to go separately). European hammams are for pussies  Seriously though, they have no idea how to do it in Spain. A Moroccan hammam is hardcore but you'll leave feeling 20 years younger. 
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Date Jan. 13 2019 9:07:00
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Richard Jernigan
Posts: 3430
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA
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RE: Jerez 2019 - anyone going? (in reply to Goldwinghai)
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I have reported a number of minor annoyances experienced in Tangier, the only place I visited in Morocco. Weighing one very positive experience against these small annoyances leaves me glad that I visited.
But without that one positive experience, which I recounted years ago on the Foro, I would have retained a negative impression.
I have traveled a fair amount, much of it by myself. Impressions of various places depend strongly upon the experiences I have had. The opportunity for experience is to a large extent random. How opportunities turn out depends largely upon one's attitude.
For example: Last year we went to Yucatan. I noticed that by leaving a few days earlier, I could spend el Dia de los Muertos in Mexico City, while Larisa needed to keep working in USA.
One day I walked from my hotel in the Zocalo to the Diego Rivera museum west of the Alameda, about 1.5 km. At the west end of the Alameda I sat on a park bench. A decently dressed young man approached and sat on the opposite end of the bench. After a few minutes he asked me what time it was. After I told him, he started in on his con. I was a little surprised, to me he didn't look the part of a con man. I ignored him. He scooted toward me on the bench. I said, "No me acercas."
He ignored my warning until I showed him the hiking staff I carried, with a sharp steel point. Without another word, he got up and left.
I smiled to myself. At last my Mexico City experience seemed complete. I had been approached by a con man. I reminisced fondly upon past experiences with con men and my old friend Pat H., almost fifty years ago. Somehow we fell into the practice of amusing ourselves by pretending to go along with the scam until the opportunity occurred to maneuver the con man into a situation he perceived as dangerous to himself, causing him to abandon the scam and depart.
The brief contact with the con man last year was a positive experience for me, which might have turned out otherwise for someone else.
Not that I was always impervious to a good Mexico City con. I fell for the scam more than once. When I ended up angry and embarrassed, I would say to myself, "I should have seen that one coming."
Trips to Fez and Marrakesh remain on my bucket list, but they have never coincided at the tops of both my list and Larisa's. I think I would enjoy them much more with her than I would alone.
RNJ
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Date Jan. 13 2019 21:58:21
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ddias
Posts: 73
Joined: Apr. 16 2017
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RE: Jerez 2019 - anyone going? (in reply to Goldwinghai)
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Been fascinating reading everyone's posts here... thanks!
Re: my Morocco trip. I've booked flights to Jerez on March 2nd for two nights. Then I intend to get the ferry from Tarifa to Tanfier on Monday 4th March. Have return flight booked from Marrakech on 10th March. In between I intend to make my own way down to Marrakech or do the following tour with a guide. Cost is 1050 euros, and although expense, I'm tempted to just do it to save hassles. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Day 1: Tangier - Chefchaouen
From the ferry or the airport in Tangier we pick you up and start to drive through the Rif mountains and Tetouan city to enjoy the views of the beautiful mountains of Morocco till we get to Chefchaouan one of the stunning villages in the feet of Rif mountains. Chefchaouen medina with it’s blue color become one of the best town to visit in Morocco, surrounded by many funky arts and crafts stores, roof-top restaurants and cafes. Over night in Chefchaoun
Day 2 : Chefchaouen - Volubilis - Meknes - Fes
After breakfast in the riad our journey start towards Volubilis crossing several Rif villages. We stop in Volubilis to discover the Roman ruins and we learn about the Moroccan BC history, then we will drive to Meknes city (the 17 th century heritage) where we will stop for lunch. Afternoon is time to visit the historical sites of Medina such as Bab el Mansour, Moulay Ismail mausoleum. Later on we head to Fes city where we will spend the night.
Day 3: Fes Sightseeing
Today is for exploring the oldest city in Morocco, walking in its alleys and small streets. Our visit starts by visiting the Royal Palace gate, the Jewish head quarter, the first Mellah ever built in as well as the most interesting sites of Fes with a professional guide. Over night in Fes
Day 4: Fes – Sahara Desert Merzouga
Early morning we star the day towards the sahara from the Riad, crossing near the national park of Ifran « the switezland of Morocco » as it calls. To enjoyits beauty and to have a memoriable photos, a break will be taken. After that we will head towards Azrou to see the Barbary Apes/ monkeys in the cedar forest. We Continuing to Midelt for a lunch meal in a restaurant. By the afternoon, we will cross the pass of Tizi N Telghomt to reach Errachidia while admiring the views of Ziz gorges, which offers amazing photographic opportunities. Later on, we will have a stop in a panoramic view of Ziz valley. The drive continues to Erg Chebbi Dunes passing by Aoufous and Erfoud the capital of fossils, where you may want to visit a local fossil craft workshop. After that we will continue to the captivating dunes of Erg Chebbi. Arrive to the hotel and get ready for a camel ride for an hour and half to enjoy the sunset. Overnight and dinner in nomad tent camp site.
Day 5 : Merzouga – Todgha gorges – Dades Valley
If you wake up early enough, the Sahara desert offers an amazing sunrise. Afterwards, you’ll peacefully ride the camels back to your hotel in the edge of the dunes appreciate in the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes with first lights. After breakfast and
shower, we will leave towards Todra gorges well known as an important destination for rock climbers. The highest and narrow west gorges in Morocco, where we can do some walking before arriving to Dades Valley for dinner and accommodation.
Day 6 : Dades valley – Marrakech
We drive trough the valley of rouses to visit the world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will stop for lunch. Afternoon we drive via the high atlas mountain crossing the pass of Tizi n Tichka to Marrakech
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Date Jan. 26 2019 4:21:16
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