Morocco in Nov/Dec with a 2.5 year old?

[artifarti]

My DP's mean employers are such that no time off for him until Nov/Dec. We would like to have a Winter holiday and whilst we don't want it to be baking, a bit of warmth wouldn't go amiss. I don't really want to fly long-haul and have done the Canaries to death so was wondering about Morocco. Our DS will be nearly 2.5 then.

I wondered what tips/advice anyone might have. We wouldn't be ridiculously adventurous but probably wouldn't want to just sit by a pool all day either.

Are we mad to consider it with a toddler? Has anyone been anywhere lovely/with a great travel agent?
Are toddlers easy to feed there (ours isn't fussy but starts panting in a theatrical way if it's remotely tangy!)
How likely is it to bring out the worst in my DP's ever-gippy holiday tummy?
Would you hire a car?

Any advice at this early planning stage much appreciated!

if your worried aout food etc- try portugla instead

Morocco is great!

A lot will depend on your budget. Feeding your toddler will be fine. Driving is easy too once you are away from the cities/towns.

What about going to Marrakech for a few days and then the coast?

ivykaty44 - love Portugal but think it will be out of season by then whereas Morocco is more 'all year round'.

Thanks hf - budget will be beyond backpacking but it's fair to say we will probably not be rubbing shoulders with Liz Hurley et al! So good mid-range and a bit more if I stop spending money. Yes, Marrakech plus Essouira (sp?) was what I was looking at. Did you/do you travel independently or throgh an agent? Any recommendations welcome!

I am once bitten twice shy, having had a mega dose of holiday tummy from Morocco.

In the few days before that happened, I loved it, but after that experience there is NO WAY I would contemplate taking a toddler there. That's just my not necessarily rational view and there are risks wherever you go, or even stopping at home!

Bumping as I'm hoping to do the same for Christmas.

yes marrakech combined with beach hol in agadir would be good. you may want to avoid street food in marrakech if you have sensitive tummies.

there is a long row of cafes and restaurants just away from the main square, going down from the koutoubia, where you'll find plenty choice for food. there's a fab all you can eat moroccan buffet where you can try all sorts, plus various med type places for pizza, pasta, steaks etc.

also any of the bog hotels will have cafes and restaurants serving meals for most palates. we stayed at jardin de la koutoubia, lovely lunches there. gorgeous filled baguettes, salads, light meals.

agadir's very touristy so you'll find plenty there.

oh, and yes fine with a toddler..but i would say that as i lived there til i was 5!

We took dd in feb when she was 1.10 and it was fine - no gippy tummies and evryone really friendly - in fact the dcs acted as a sort of shield I think.

We stayed in a riad found on ownersdirect but it was far too nice for a toddler - we had to watch her like hawks with all the knickknacks.

Even if you dont like tagine etc all the restaurants do omelette and chips and theres loads of pastries and wonderful bread.

*big hotels fgs!! not bog hotels!

Thanks everyone, useful stuff.

lilputlady - yes, it's a hard one to weigh up. We took DS to Sardinia, he caught something on the plane and spent the first two days puking over me! But in actual fact it's DP who is usually the sensitive flower, bless...

Where are you thinking of going/staying MisSalLaneous

Marrakech and Essaouira would be a perfect combination.

This place is great for finding somewhere to stay in Essaouira www.jackapartments.com/eng/

Go to Marrakech first. Get a taxi from the airport. Stay for 4 days - then get a taxi back to the airport and collect your hire car and head to the coast. That way you totally avoid any city driving.