Imperial Cities of Morocco Tour – 7 days

Posted By : Anshu_P
Please avoid Sami travels. I am a single woman travelling alone. I was promised a 4 star accommodation everywhere (chefchauen, fez, marrakesh, Dades and Merzouga desert) However the operator gave me 3 star accommodation in Chefchauen, Fez and in Marrakesh. In Marrakesh my Riad was in a very isolated area inside the medina - where I did not feel comfortable at all. Before arrival in Morroco Sami gave me a list of riad names for my stay. After my arrival, I discovered that he changed my accommodation without telling me in 2 out of 5 cities(chefchauen and marrakesh) - because he did not book in advance, and there were no vacancies !! This is a big safety red flag- because I had shared a list of my stay with my family before travelling - so they know where I am. I did not appreciate these changes - and he did not even think it’s important to give me a heads-up. When I complained to him about quality of accommodation in Fez (it was a poor quality Riad) and changing of Riads in Chefchauen without telling me, he threatened to cancel my tour (this was on day2). He also told me I complain a lot - and the Riads are all “clean”. So I completed the whole tour because I did not want to be stuck in a foreign country alone and with no support. Hence when he changed my Riad in Marrakesh also without telling me- I said nothing. Further more, he changed my driver 3 times in a 7 day tour ! I paid for 4-star accommodation, which I did not get in most places; my drivers and Riads were changed a few times without telling me, and in marrakesh my raid was in an isolated place. Very bad experience. I was also told I’ll be in an AC car- but the AC did not work!!the official itinerary in Viator included a guided tour in Marrakesh- but no guide turned up. The driver just drove me around Marrakech. Thankfully the drivers were all very nice and helpful. But the agency is very poor.poor value for money/ and definitely cannot be trusted. Pls avoid.
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Posted On : 2024-01-05 08:27:13

Posted By : Sarah_M
I had a terrible situation in which a tour I had scheduled several months prior also through Viator (with transfers to and from the airport in Marrakech, and all accommodations and breakfasts included) said they didn't have my reservation and couldn't accommodate me, after trying to have me cancel through Viator and book directly with them just 2 days before I left for Morocco.

This tour was the only one available which had the dates I needed and was within my price range. Sami is the tour organizer, and when I spoke to him he assured me he could accommodate me and he would make the schedule work with my dates and transfers, etc. Then the morning I was leaving, he said the tour began and ended in Casablanca (even though I sent him all my flight information) and insisted I take a train to meet in Casablanca and also book accommodation. Eventually we worked out that I would be picked up and dropped off in Marrakech.

At the airport I met with my "tour guide" Ayyoub, who was actually just a driver, but was very knowledgeable and amazing. Honestly, my tour probably would have been a disaster without him. We set out to Casablanca. I went to dinner and then Ayyoub took me to the El Hank Lighthouse, which was beautiful!

The next day, we were going to try Rick's Café for my breakfast (they were closed for Ramadan). We found one of the few open cafés near the Mosque, and I toured the Hassan II Mosque which was stunning! We then went to Rabat and saw the Mohammed V Square and Mausoleum (which was closed for Ramadan). Then we went to the Gates of Chellah (which were closed for Ramadan), and then to the blue city of Chefchaouen for the night.

The following morning, I walked around the shouk for a bit, and then Ayyoub found me and we left for Fes. I saw the royal palace gates, and quickly stopped by the Mellah (Jewish quarter). Then Sami met up with us, and we went to a pottery cooperative where I got to see all of the steps involved in making and designing the tiles and pieces, which was awesome. Then I went to a tannery where I got to see the process of turning animals into leather and fur. After that, Sami found a guide of the shouk for me, and we walked around and went to a spice shop which showed me the process for making argan oil and information on prickly pears, and a rug cooperative where I got to see how they make the rugs and the different types. I had a traditional break fast and dinner, which was great!

The next day, we went to Ifrane which was beautiful and to Azrou where I got to feed some adorable monkeys! Then we made our way to Merzouga in the Sahara Desert, where I said goodbye to Ayyoub and hello to Jimmy the camel. I was put into a small group and we went up the dunes to watch the sunset and sand surf, which was awesome! Then we rode back down in the dark, and were shown our (very) luxury tents and had a traditional Berber dinner, made friends, and watched a drum show by the fire.

I set about 42 alarms and woke up super early to view the spectacular sunrise, had breakfast, and headed back to meet up with my guy, Ayyoub. We then went to the Dades Gorges, Valley of Roses, and went to Ouarzazate for the night. Turned out my new friends from the desert were staying at the same hotel!

In the morning, Ayyoub and I went to Ouarzazate-wood where I toured the film studio which was very cool to see. Then we went to the Kasbah and headed to Marrakech on a scenic road, which was beautiful. We got to Marrakech at 3:00ish and went straight to the Badi and Bahia Palaces, Saadians Tombs (all of which closed at 3 for Ramadan), and the Jardin Majorelle (which was sold out for the day). I then attempted to visit a Synagogue in the Medina (which was closed by the time I arrived). I walked through the Medina attempting not to get lost, and found the sellers extremely pushy and aggressive. I went to my Riad which was adorable, owned by a French couple (so they had a bar! With booze!) and had the nicest shower since Casablanca! I went to meet up with my friends at Chez Zaza in Jemaa-el-Fna Square for dinner, which was lovely, and we had a night cap at Le Salama Skybar which was gorgeous and even had bellydancers! I walked back to the riad (about a half hour walk) and many shops were still open. I got a little lost at the end, and I recommend taking a cab as far as possible, because it was a little scary alone at night.

The next morning, Ayyoub drove me to the airport and we said goodbye.

Each day, Ayyoub was making all of the arrangements, he was the one who came up with the game plan for my itinerary, since I had one less day and was coming from Marrakech, he was the one booking my accommodations - all of which should have been done by the tour organizer. He was a buddy to me, and he did an incredible job! I will definitely say that the itinerary on the website says several times that this tour can be customized, etc, but was not as flexible as it sounded. Also, there should have been an alternative itinerary for Ramadan, or at least a warning. I had no idea until I got there, and several sites were closed. If there was an alternative schedule, there wouldn't have been disappointment and feeling of missing out on things.

Overall, I had a great time and Ayyoub was the best possible scenario for me! Thank you for everything!
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Posted On : 2023-04-17 20:44:54