One of the best times of the year to travel to Morocco is October. Although it does not offer the flowers of spring, October’s weather is perfect. October has cooled off from the harsh summer but does not have the rain of spring.

October 2012 – Something to remember
One thing to keep in mind if you are planning a tour to Morocco in October of 2012…the Aid El Ahda (Sheep Sacrifice). This year, the largest holiday of the Islamic Calendar falls around the 26th of October. The country nearly shuts down for a day or two. Guides are difficult to find, shops are closed, and some restaurants aren’t open. Just remember to plan ahead around these dates…

Our Morocco Tour for October
This year we would like to highlight the Fabulous Fortnight Tour offering 14 days / 13 nights. One of our most popular tours, this Fabulous tour takes you into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, the ancient medina of Fes, the Sahara desert, Marrakech and more… For those looking to experience the real Morocco, this tour is perfect.

Where is the best place to eat in Fes? There are number of great restaurants in Fes, however, I would say that Riad Dar Dmana offers some of the best authentic Moroccan food. If you have a free night, you would want to consider making a reservation at the Riad Dar Dmana.

Last night my family had the opportunity to have dinner at the Riad Dar Dmana. Hayat, the main cook, once again surpassed our expectations with delicious food. We started the meal with the most amazing Moroccan salads. We could have called it quits after the first course of 12 different Moroccan salads. The flavors were just like a home-cooked meal.

The main course was an outstanding chicken tagine with prunes, apricots, and pineapple. My family demolished the tagine Continue Reading

Last night we had the opportunity to have dinner at the award winning Riad Kniza. Recently, Riad Kniza was voted best in Africa by tripadvisor for their outstanding service. Because many of our 5 star riad clients stay in the Riad Kniza, we were pleased to hear of their award. Great job Riad Kniza!

An Amazing Taste of Morocco
Mr. Kamal, of the Riad Kniza, invited our family for a dinner meal at his riad. Having lived in Morocco for 10 years, my family of 6, have tasted numerous Moroccan meals. Last night’s dinner got a few “best ever comments…”. After being seated by Mohamed, our attentive waiter, we enjoyed the cozy atmosphere by the fireplace.

“Best seafood dish I have ever tasted!”
The first course was a seafood bastilla; shrimp and kalamari wrapped in a thin crust. Garnished with 2 slices of lemon and hot sauce, the combination was delightful. My eldest daughter remarked that it was the best seafood dish she had ever tasted. Continue Reading

This is a very common question that people begin to ask as they are looking to plan a trip to Morocco. Because this might be a once in a lifetime tour to Morocco, they want to make sure they experience the best Morocco has to offer. I thought I would give you a list of my favorite places to vist in Morocco…

Fes Medina
The ancient medina of Fes is one of my highlights. Stepping back 1000 years, you will experience life in this maze of a city. From traditional markets to tanneries, Fes has so much to offer. As some have put it, “Sensory overload!”

Chefchaouen
Another highlight to me is the famous “Blue City” of Morocco, Chefchaouen. Tucked away in the Rif Mountains, this little town offers a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. Bring your camera along to capture the ever changing shades of blue.

Sahara Desert
If you have time, you can’t miss the Sahara desert. Continue Reading

For those looking to travel in April, you might want to finalize your travel plans right away. Since April is one of the highest seasons of the year for Morocco tours, the riads can be fully booked. If looking at our tour planner is any indication, we know that tourism in April in Morocco is booked up.

Can I still book an April Tour?
If you are interested in booking one of our private tours for April, you are not too late. I am sure we can help you organize a tour for your group, however, we can not guarantee our first choice of riads and hotels. Because things are extremely full, we will need to offer you some alternative choices, but we know you will still enjoy your time. Our team is able to handle last minute bookings, but we do not recommend this as we like time to provide you a quality service.

What if the riads are full?
If the riads are full in Marrakech and Fes, we will then offer you an alternative hotel. Since the pricing of riads is higher than hotels, you might be able to upgrade to the next level hotel for the same riad tour price. Continue Reading

People often ask me what is the best time to take tours in Morocco, however, sometimes people forget to consider the times you might want to avoid. Actually, there are not really any times in Morocco that you should avoid 100%, but you should be aware of these two and be ready for them.

August – Do you enjoy the heat?
Before you plan your tour to Morocco in August, you should know that it is very hot. The temperatures can easily soar over 110 degrees during the day. If you can plan your trip during another time of the year, I would encourage you to do that.

Is it unbearable? Morocco is hot, but we still have many travelers come during that time. With their air-conditioned vehicles, riads with swimming pools, and a driver that understands the heat, you can still enjoy Morocco during August.

Aid el-Adha – the Sheep Sacrifice
Another time that you need to be aware of is the largest holiday of the year – like Christmas – the Aid el-Adha. Continue Reading

Perhaps one of our most enjoyed day trips from Marrakech is The Day in the Life of a Berber! This hands-on cultural day is full of fun, learning, and experiencing Berber culture. This day excursion or overnight trip can easily be added to your Morocco tour. Want to know more?

What is it?
The Day in the Life of a Berber is a program that has been developed by Mohamed in a small village south of Marrakech. The program is based out of a traditional Berber house that is equipped to hold a fairly large group of people. The programs intent is to allow visitors to experience more of the real culture.

So what to you do?
The program is packed full of fun activities like learning to brew mint tea, baking bread in the clay oven, cooking tajine over the coals, and experiencing life as Berbers. Continue Reading

One of my favorite things to do in Morocco was to sit and watch my friend Mohammed show his Berber carpets. Sipping our mint-tea, we enjoy a feast of the eyes…the Berber carpet experience. Make sure you enjoy a carpet show on your Morocco travels.

Amazing Color
Berber carpets are fabulous and I own a few! They are full of color and a wide variety of patterns. Make sure you know what color you really need for your home! Some people come prepared with color swatches that match their homes…while others have no idea! They just buy what looks good to them. Although this can work, it is safer to have done a little research before you come.

Pricing
The first thing I can tell you is that there are no fixed prices on carpets. You need to bargain and bargain hard. Pricing is based on size, style, age, and quality of work. Continue Reading

“Do you offer group tours to Morocco?”

We get asked this question a number of times per month – people looking to join others on a budget tour to Morocco. Over the past 10 years of working in Morocco, we have listened to what our clients have said…stick with what you do best…private morocco tour packages.

What do you mean by custom design?
Our goal is to work with our clients to create the perfect tour to Morocco. We want to know what you like, what you dislike, etc… Together with you, we can create a tour that works best for you. This is your holiday.

Tours that just work!
We do have a number of tried and tested tours that just work. Continue Reading

So one of my favorite experiences in Marrakech is heading down to the Jemaa El-fna, the famous square. The square truly comes alive at night…not with tourists…but with locals out to enjoy the stories, music and entertainment. At first look, the square can be very intimidating but it is well worth a visit.

Number 81
Over the years, I have tested a number of the barbecue stands at the square and #81 has been my favorite. The guys who serve are super friendly and they take good care of you. You might want to order some brochettes (shishkabab) or try one of the many other options on display. One thing to remember is that each both usually specializes in something, so if you just want soup or steamed goat, you will need to try another booth.

Fresh Orange Juice
The other thing to try is the fresh squeezed orange juice. Continue Reading