Which tour did you take? 9 Day Reverse Customized tour from Tangier and returning to Casa
What was the highlight(s) of your trip? Home Stay in Fez was a favorite. Also, everyone really enjoyed Chefchaouen and would have enjoyed staying longer. Tangier was enjoyed because it is so beautiful and international and we were able to do a Camel Ride on the beach. They also enjoyed taking the high-speed train to Tangier so I was glad we could make that happen.
Are there any places/activities that you’d advise leaving out in the future? Why? No. Our problem was that we just needed more time! We did discover that we did not have as much energy to explore the the Medina in Fez due to less sleep the night before at our Home Stays, so I might think about doing that differently. Ali took us on a coffee stop and tried to keep things moving for us, but everyone was pretty tired by our lunch stop and we needed to take the afternoon to rest so that we could be alert for our lecture in the evening.
How was your guide overall? Ali was very knowledgeable and we could tell that he was trying to help us to have the best trip possible. His restaurant suggestions were good and I could tell he was working behind the scenes to get us into hotels early. He also helped the girls find fun places for pictures, brought stomach medicine for one of my guys who got sick, and told us stories about how he met his wife and his university experience– all of this earned him the title, Uncle Ali from my students. On occasion there were a few miscommunications, probably on my part, as happens when travelling cross-culturally. But we found Ali to be accommodating and proactive and courteous, and hope he knew how much we appreciated him!
Please share your thoughts about your tour driver (include his name) and vehicle. (Ie. Safety, courtesy, condition of vehicle, etc.) Abdoul drove us in a large van that was clean and comfortable. It was clear he was an experienced driver as he navigated city traffic. He tried to make us as comfortable as possible, including playing some fun music when we asked. On one occasion, one of my travel companions did not have a hat as we were getting ready to start an outdoor tour with no shade. Abdoul let this young man borrow one of his. He also helped the young women on the trip carry their heavy bags and it was always kind and respectful to them.
What did you think of the accommodations on this tour? Very good. Dar Laura was a favorite for the rooms, the staff, and the food! I also loved that Jill was able to stop by and say hello in person. Hotel Walid and Dar M&D were both good even though we only stayed one night at each. The staff were so helpful.Hotel Ibis in Tangier was very convenient to the beach, though it was not as nice or well kept as the others. A/C did not work consistently and the showers flooded. However, I would consider staying there again due to proximity to the train station and the beach. It was fine for our student group but other travelers might find it sub par.
Any other comments you want to share? I am very interested in coming back again with a group of students because this trip was so successful. Much of that was due to the work you all put into making this happen for us! If I am able to return, I would be glad to work with all of you again. Taking a group of 10 people for a Travel-Learn can be a lot to manage but having a driver and guide relieved much of the stress.
-Becky (June, 2026)
