Driving through Morocco with young kids?

[Surelyshirley4]

Am feeling bad and not sure if I should have said anything.....
Friends visiting from Down Under are planning on driving through Morocco with their young kids when they come overseas. They will go across from Southern Spain. I don't know any of the details yet but it won't be an organised tour - think they plan on self drive car hire, with a view to seeing Casablanca.

I've just mentioned to them as lightheartedly as I could, have they checked the travel advice for Morocco? Now I'm worried I shouldn't have said it.
My thoughts are, there is no way I would consider driving anywhere in North Africa at the moment, especially with young children, due to the increased threat of terrorism. I admit I am very paranoid about these things and risk averse when it comes to my family and I know a lot of people have the view, don't let terrorism change your life etc. etc. and the chances of anything happening are extremely slim.
They are a well travelled couple and have good bush skills etc. but are they taking an unnecessary risk to themselves and their family? I realise they have to make their own decision and it's absolutely not my place to tell them what to do.

Have I opened my big mouth and made them worry about their holiday or should I have subtly said something (as I have already) to make them consider carefully what they are doing? WWYD?

Well North Africa can be a bit mad on the roads but if they're well travellled & confident drivers i don't see any problem with driving through Morocco.

Have they actually checked they can take a hire car from Spain?

I'm not sure, I was wondering that too. Guess they could just hire one over there if its not possible. Thanks for thoughts.

The Gov are citing terrorism as a threat in Spain too. And in the US.

Personally, I think you have to live your life. Terrorism is a threat all over the world at the moment. Even spending your life hiding under your bed won't make you completely safe.

Having been to Marrakech & surrounding area last winter I'd be much more concerned about the road safety aspect than terrorism tbh; it's absolutely crazy, horses and donkeys pulling overladen carts in the fast lane, motorcyclists driving wrong way round roundabouts, it was terrifying and I'm a very confident and assertive driver.

Yes, maybe the road safety is more of an issue then!! Just hope I haven't upset them
Thanks for your comments.

To be honest, it's none of your business and if you said that to me is be really cross! How would you feel if they said to you "Cornwall? Again? Is that not just a bit safe and boring?" If they're well travelled then they'll be used to looking at safety advice, checking car hire rules, understanding how to minimise risks and how to have an amazing time. Just wish them well and let them do their own planning and worrying.

Mmmmmm, evertonmint, that's why I worried I had done the wrong thing, whoops!

Is the Marrakesh Express still running? I went on that years ago and it was an amazing experience. It ran from Casablanca to Marrakesh. We used Interrail then and travelled throughout Europe and Morocco. That might be safer for them than driving over there.

If they're seasoned travellers then they'll not be phased by the suggestion.

OP I don't think you should feel bad about saying anything. I've travelled to all kinds of places, some rather unsafe, and I've never gotten upset if anyone asked me if it was safe, had I checked travel advice, etc.

If someone just came out and said, I think you're awful for bringing your kids there, okay I might be miffed. But just saying, wow is that really safe? is just opening up a conversation, giving you the chance to say, actually it should be fine.

There's actually not much to see in Casablanca, it's a bit of a shite hole to be honest.
Went on business for 3 days and other than the 3rd biggest mosque in the world and Ricks cafe there isn't much there.
Not many people spoke English either, we were fine as my French is pretty good but without that it would have been difficult at times.
No idea about safety though

It's a few years since I've been there but it felt v safe. Main motorways were of a high standard and generally road surfaces were good.

I would recommend that they get ALL vaccinations recommended particularly for Hepatitis as the quality of the water/sanitation isn't great and it's very easy to pick up a nasty bug. Definitely travel with health insurance, details of medical points and the medication to deal with a dehydrated child [and parent] with bad diarrhoea and vomiting. You can get decent stuff locally but I didn't find that English was widely spoken in shops not designed for tourism.

All great advice, thanks everyone. I ended up adding a lighthearted comment in a further message about having visions of them driving on scary roads avoiding all the donkeys coming the other way!! They took it well, asked if I thought it was safe there at the moment (by the way, their country's current travel advice is to exercise a high degree of caution) and should they not go. I replied that it's probably as safe as the anywhere in the world and to not let me put them off. All is ok and I'll let them know the suggestions about the train, vaccinations, Casablanca etc.
Am glad I did say something after all!
Thank you all

I recommend this company. Their website is good for research too
www.naturallymorocco.co.uk/about-morocco/holiday-options/family-holidays-in-morocco/