Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Tour of Morocco, independent reviews
 Reviewed 9 Sep 2008 by Yoginee Patel |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were far too many to list... The highlights were: the tour of the Fez medina, night in the Sahara sleeping under the stars and waking up to sand dunes all around us, walking in the Toubal National park area, catching a local train, the buzz on the main square in Marrakech - nothing like I've ever seen.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go with the flow when you are there - don't expect the same things that you get in your home country - every country is different and have different ways. Open up to the people there. They are genuinely friendly and just want to talk (and maybe sell something - which you can say no to. After all, they’re only trying to make a living).
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely yes. I was very impressed with the number of opportunities that our tour provided to the local people and the level of exposure to the local culture. I was happy to support their chosen organisations - especially the disabled foundation in Todra.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fabulous. Our local guide really made it a wonderful experience.
| Reviewed 13 Oct 2009 by Martin Champness | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I liked the guided tour throu Fes. There was so much to see and take in. I liked the following, the Jewish quarter, the ceramic factory, the tanneries, the souks, we did so much in Fes. The camel burger was a new experience. Once we had finished the tour we went to a hotel that looked over the city to listen to the call to prayer from all the Mosques down below, wow it was great.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack light. You can get most of anything that you might need in Morocco. Once you have got your money, make sure that you get a lot of lose change (coins) this is for tips to the locals.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, where possible we used local restaurants, shopped where the locals shopped and we visited projects for the handicapped. To minimize the impact on the environment we used trains, buses and we walked where possible.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
From the start our tour leader Brahim Todra, started teaching us Arabic words & phrases to use, his knowledge of the places we visited was invaluable, the group of people we shared our holiday with also contributed to making this a great holiday.
| Reviewed 30 Oct 2008 by Ligek Kwek | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Its a tie between a) Sitting with a group of like-minded people under the stars with the full moon in Sahara desert, enjoying a hot plate of chicken Tajine for dinner and b) the Roman Ruins at Volubilis.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you plan to go for a local hamman, do buy your own set of "gloves" and olive oil soap and bring them along. Be sensitive to local customs and wear long sleeve tops (e.g. long-sleeve T-shirt or shirt) especially when you're in the mountains and when visiting local homes. Be prepared to bargain when you are in the Medina. Make sure that you check (and agree with) the prices before you go into a taxi or cafe/restaurant. In general, meals are prepared only when you have placed the order, so be prepared to wait a while. In addition, be prepared as temperature could drop drastically in the desert and mountains.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, we went to local home and purchase items produced by the locals.
We travel using a combination of public transportation (local bus and trains) as well as mini bus (just enough to pack all of us) and brought all our trash with us.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was really good. We all feel that we have travelled a long time even though it was just 2 weeks. Great variety of activities including train ride, public bus, walking in mountain villages, the camel ride into and out of Sahara desert etc.
| Reviewed 5 Sep 2008 by Lorraine Lui | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Definitely the Sahara. It was my first time to be in any desert, not to say actually riding a camel into it and camping under the moonlight. The camel-riding bit was fun, and I like to believe I developed a special bond with the young camel whose back I rode on twice. The camping was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and made more enjoyable with the local Berber guides' delicious chicken dish as well as the songs and drums. The exploration of the desert was also unforgettable -- I shall never forget the time, when after having climbed to the top of the sand-dunes to watch the sun-rise, we were too exhausted to climb cautiously back down, thus proceeding to just swim-slide ourselves down the sandy dunes.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Hmmm...be prepared for monotonous food. This isn't really the fault of the tour operator I guess, just that foreigners might not be prepared for the same food offered by the local cuisine every day. (this is especially the case because I stayed about a week longer than the two-week duration of the tour, so that I stayed an entire month in Morocco). Every night eating tajine and brochettes and fritz and salty soup and Salade Moroccain can be quite tiring.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. One most remarkable example is when we stayed in the house of Mr Action, who is a local Berber man living in Ouazazate. The tour operator provided him with loans and financial support so that he could construct an extension in his house to become a guest-house. The company definitely is helping the local community, though the step each time might be small.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Enjoyed every bit of it. True some places are unbearably hot, but one can't complain too much!
| Reviewed 14 Apr 2008 by Adrian Adamson | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking through the souks in Marrakech.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you pack the correct kit and take the right medication for stomach upsets etc because pharmacies are not always available (Sahara etc.). Pack books, mp3 players etc for long journeys.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely benefited local economies. Little or no negative impact on environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant holiday, I enjoyed it despite being unwell.
| Reviewed 13 Jul 2007 by Christine Robinson | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Ooo far too many to remember but I absolutely loved the camel ride and the night in the Sahara Desert and the thrill and excitement of Fez. As for beauty then you just can't go past the view from the pool area at Ait Ben Haddu - out of this world!!!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
When making purchases at the Souks make sure you have heaps of fun. The Moroccan stall holders enjoy the lead up and the bartering. If you think you have a bargain then go for it. If you are a single person then try to go out with at least one other person. The Moroccans are flirts and some people could find this offensive but it doesn't happen so often if you are two people shopping together.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes definitely. Natalie was a credit to the travel company when it came to both of these subjects.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely fantastic. I will definitely be doing more tours with this operator. I have also told a travel consultant friend of mine to recommend your company to their clients.
| Reviewed 11 Jun 2007 by Barbara Richmond | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Camping in the Sahara was amazing - the stars were so clear and the moon so bright. Also Ait Benhaddou views were great, as we got there before all the coach tours did.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Remember - this is not an all expenses included trip, the tour leader is not supposed to be an expert guide and the accommodation is fairly basic - but the trip is brilliant. Also the itinerary is quite full, so come with energy to spare.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
In as much as this is possible yes. Our guide also encouraged us to respect local customs and dress and taught us some basic Arabic, which went down well.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant!
| Reviewed 10 May 2007 by Robert Wallace | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The camel trip into the desert and overnight stay there, sleeping out under the stars and a full moon; plus the mule ride in the High Atlas up the village and overnight stay in the gite there.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for budget accommodation - take all the little items recommended, including universal sink plug. The trip is good value for money and was very interesting day in, day out.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, it definitely helped local people and we were made very aware of minimising our effect on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
One of the better ones we have been on. Heaps of things to tell people about. We would recommend it, but also ensure people realised it is at the budget end of the scale.