Feb half term in Marrakech - anyone been with small children?

[AdventuringwithDD]

I've booked a last-minute week away with 4yo DD to Marrakech during half term. Very excited.

It's just going to be the two of us though, and I'm starting to get a bit worried about nailing the logistics of travel whilst wrangling a child.

Hopefully seeking advice on:

• Airport taxi's and avoiding scammers
• Navigating the Souks as a woman/ with a young child. I haven't been since I was a teen and it was pretty dicey then. Things may have changed.
• Travelling with Club Med and using their childcare (can I leave the hotel whilst DD is in their care?)
• Using public transport

Lastly if there are any must-have travel essentials that helped you with being a solo parent on a trip, I'd love to hear about them.

Many thanks in advance, a usually competent 35 year old woman who's having a what-have-I-done moment.

We went with a two year old last year and it was a fantastic trip. Moroccan people were incredibly warm and kind to children and i found i had a more positive experience in the souks and generally because i had my toddler with me. The gardens (the YSL one and the secret garden in the souk) were great options for a run around during the day. Restaurants were very child friendly. We booked an airport taxi through our hotel and that was all very smooth and easy. We used a tuktuk and taxis a few times to get around the city and that worked well too. Only hazard to watch out for are motorbikes whizzing through the narrow lanes in the souk. Make sure your daughter is aware and stays to the side of the lanes.

We absolutely loved Morocco, hope you have a great trip.

Thank you, @Rightgroove

That's really reassured me and now I just can't wait to explore. Thinking about adding another case to our flight so I can take it empty and return with a haul of goodies 😍

We went with young dc and had a great time. The biggest hassle were the snake charmers who we had to be very firm with. We took a trip to the mountains which was a lovely break from the heat. Just keep your wits about you and it will be amazing. The orange juice in the main square was a great place to just rest and dc loved watching them make it. Have fun!

We also went with two small kids - age 3 and 6. No hassle as I recall, maybe having DC helped with that. They loved it.

Take your 4yo to the souks she will love them! There is a building somewhere in the souks with permanent shops (not just stalls) where you can also see people making items eg weaving rugs. Plus it has toilets 😁

Also recommend a camel ride (not in the medina but further out, your hotel can advise), very touristy but great fun for kids. The YSL gardens are worth a visit too.

Definitely take hand sanitizer or wipes, especially if you have kids like mine who touch everything. And take some imodium/rehydration sachets in case of tummy bugs (speaking from experience). Comfy shoes, sunglasses, hat as the sun can be very bright. It may be chilly in the am/pm.

My four year old loved it last year and the souks were a highlight/ I took him off without my husband and didn’t get any hassle as a 32 year old white woman with a fair child and if anything the people were incredibly friendly and kind towards us.

I’d say just keep them close due to the motorbikes and scooters more than anything and if you don’t walk through the centre of the snake charmers etc than you should be fine. Le Jardin is a restaurant in the centre of the souls which is like a hidden jungle oasis and has tiny turtles roaming around which my son LOVED. And the Jardin Marjorelle was also beautiful. We did quads (son was with me and I could control speed etc) and visited a mountain village which was fab.

I’d look at private transfers as much quicker in the heat than public transport, plus more reliable on a timeline (more than anything not all of it is properly air conditioned so not ideal with young kids in heat).

You can also look to book a transfer from the airport which can also probably be arranged with your hotel so someone is waiting for you.