Fes to Marrakesh

[bubble2000]

Any tips/tour operator recommdations please!!

we went to Fes...toured around the country...the agressive hustlers in that place ruined our stay...it was full on....non stop...even spitting at us if we didnt buy things....i would never go back there...!!

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Hustlers in fes or throughout Morocco ???

Have you considered hiring a car?? How long do you have? Although you can easily drive between the two in around six hours along new motorways there are plenty of great things to see between the two, Meknes, Volubilis or if you are feeling brave you can swing south and catch Aït Benhaddou, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley and Merzouga.

The Moroccan authorities, in response to complaints about street hassle have introduced 'tourist police' that have greatly reduced the hen pecking hasslers and street hawks. Walking around Fes or Marrakesh is very different these days compared to twenty years ago. Hiring an official guide as well will almost certainly eliminate hassle as well.

Marrakech is better now than it was twenty years ago. We still got hassled but less aggressively - although the old con of "the gates to where you want to go are closed and I'll show you another way around" still abounds. Just be firm, polite and maybe even carry a few Dirhams with you to smooth the way a little. The earlier poster who mentioned the tourist police is absolutely correct and they are fairly visible. Also, many of the local trades people will look after you as the hassling affects their trade.

Hustlers in fes or throughout Morocco ???

Hustlers generally gravitate towards the tourist areas, so yes Fes, Marrakesh, Essaouira etc. Most of it is of the "Hello my friend, hotel, tour guide, hashish?" variety but as alluded to above the tourist police have had a real impact insofar drastically reducing the really insistent street hawkers who used to follow you all day, most of the time a firm "no" is enough for them to move on. Women still get some low level grief, kissing noises as you walk past or just being stared at. Marrakech has become quite upmarket these days and it draws in a more affluent crowd compared to the backpackers of yesteryear and local businesses are increasingly geared towards this and take a dim view of their customers getting hassled so tend to me more protective and proactive in policing behaviour. While the larger cities are more cosmopolitan the rural areas are still a bit of a shock insofar as very conservative views and women being under the veil, behind closed doors or in the kitchen.

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Fes was the worst...essaoaria was fine same as agadir and marrakesh...Tangier was also awful....once we had to tip a policeman to guide us to a taxi....the lads surrounded us...and we are very experienced solo travellers etc but found it very intimidating in tangier at train stations etc....

Ive only got 20 year old experience. As a blonde it was like what is must be to be a celebrity - hassle all the time, guys crossing the street to bump into me. I was in Morocco for a month though, so got good at batting the attention off. Glad to hear it has improved.

The route from Fes to Marrakesh is lovely though so definitely worth taking some time over it.

I'm short with a bit of a Mediterranean look about me and have had no hassle in Morocco, but my six foot something pale, ginger, bearded partner got all the attention. He was like a celebrity, with guys on mopeds stopping to admire his beard frequently.

Thanks for sharing your experiences - i am planning to wear long flowing dress and also am travelling with partner and two teenage boys so hopefully that may help!!!

Can I recommend the following cooking classes in Marrakesh.

Amal Cooking School

I did it a few years back and it is fun, well run and a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the medina

Who we are

Welcome to the Amal Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to the empowerment of disadvantaged women through restaurant training and job placement.

Amal’s ultimate goal is personal transformation and developing job and life skills for our trainees to eventually achieve economic and social stability.
Our program offers the trainees a platform where they can enhance their capacities and learn new skills. Our trainees have five qualities:

-are between 18 and 35 years old
-have no income or very low income
-are in a difficult social status, such as divorced, widowed, a single mother or orphaned
-are motivated to learn and work
-are ready to take advantage of the tools available at Amal to improve their skills.

When trainees are selected they start a six-month training program to learn all aspects of the restaurant industry in order to secure a job. They will go through different kitchen stations to learn essentials such as salads, sauces, desserts, cooking, baking, cleaning and serving. In addition, they will attend classes to learn hygiene, security, service, French, English and other soft skills.
The trainees will go to an internship after six months of training. At completion, Amal finds the graduates jobs in restaurants, hotels, riads or private homes that will allow them to be financially independent.
Amal takes care of living expenses during the whole period of the training, provided that the trainee respects the regulations and discipline of Amal.
Amal does not ask the trainees to pay anything for the program, before or after their time at Amal. Amal does not get paid by anyone to do this work. Amal is a self-sustained social entity that strives to make positive change in women’s lives.

I’d second hiring an Official guide, we did a tour with a driver and guide. They kept all the harassment away, so we could enjoy the places to visit.