Where to go in 2025?

How about Algeria and a return to the Tassili n’Ajjer? This part of the Sahara is arguably one of the most beautiful deserts on the planet for its diversity and is accessible to everyone.

The vastness of the black rock forests and ochre dunes is complemented by the intimacy of the Djanet oasis, the heart of the Tuareg country, and the mineral memory of the Erg Admer, which bears traces of prehistoric human activity. Camping under the Milky Way, suspended in a sky of forgotten purity, adds another dimension to this rare journey.

Hi everyone, I’ve given my 18-year-old daughter a week in Morocco in February. I’d like to mix a bit of Marrakech (or elsewhere) with a hotel and pool, plus a trip into the desert with some beautiful dunes. How can I structure this without making the journeys too long? Is it possible to do Marrakech to the south in 2 days, stopping at lovely spots along the way? Just to clarify, I’d prefer not to rent a car, and my daughter isn’t very "adventurous." Thanks in advance for your replies and tips!

Hi everyone, I know there are some *reaaaal* Morocco experts here, so I’m giving it a shot. Early June, we’re heading back to the country for the third time for a little week-long trip. We’ll arrive and depart from Essaouira, where we’ll rent a car to drive south down to roughly Sidi Ifni. The plan is to make short stops of 2-3 hours max, a mix of coastal spots and a bit inland. We’re looking for natural, quiet places that feel untouched. We loved Taghazout years ago and Larache two years back—just to give you an idea of our vibe. What spots would you recommend along this route? I’m tempted by Paradise Valley but worried it’ll be as crowded as Agadir. What do you think? Any other valleys in the area worth the detour? Thanks, and have a great weekend! 😊

Hi there,

I'm urgently planning a trip to Tunisia in November, backpacker-style (no agency, no guide or taxi, public transport, youth hostels or small hotels, local restaurants). I'm not interested in the beach, and I like to take my time at archaeological sites and museums (twice as long as the average visitor). I'm aiming for about two weeks, give or take.

First, I'm trying to roughly outline a route/schedule so I can book my flight as soon as possible (no desert in the south this time—I went there years ago and want to stay independent). I’ve sketched out the following itinerary, knowing that apparently, there are quite a few towns without budget-friendly hotels (even on Airbnb), which means I’ll be staying longer where they’re available. Three questions: 1. Does this seem reasonable overall (time spent in each city)? 2. Should I add other cities, maybe in the northwest? 3. For hotels, in November, is it better to scout options on booking sites first, then book on the spot for cheaper rates (no site commission + possible negotiation)? Also, are hotels not listed online and found randomly on-site much cheaper?

ROUGH ITINERARY (order to be confirmed)

TUNIS 5 days (cheap accommodations: 13 or 19 €) 2 days: Medina, souks, Bardo Museum, Royal Mausoleum of Tourbet El Bey, Zitouna Mosque (exterior) 1 day: Sidi Bou Said 1 day: Carthage 1 day: A-R Dougga (bus to Tebersouk 2h + taxi) – pack a picnic + option: hike to Zaghouan (750m+, 10km round trip) – worth it? Doable alone?

KAIROUAN 2 days (very expensive room: 40-50 €!) Great Mosque, Medina, Three Doors Mosque, medieval cemetery, Sidi Sahbi Mosque...

SOUSSE 3 days (room 15 €) 2 days: Medina, archaeological museum, Port El Kantaoui, the Ribat (fortress), Contemporary Art Museum Dar Am Taïeb, Dar Essid (17th-century traditional house) 1 day: A-R El Jem (60km away) + option: 1 day A-R Monastir? Worth it? + option: 1 day A-R Mahdia (or 2 days sleeping there)?

OPTIONS -> Gabes to mix things up? But is it easy to find cheap lodging and get around/visit alone? -> Other sights or stops to sleep: Sfax, El Kef, others? -> Kerkenna Islands (easy accommodation?)

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions on these options. Once I’ve adjusted the duration, I’ll book my tickets for early November! (By the way, do you think I should arrive and depart from two different airports?)

Hi there,

We’re planning to visit southern Morocco from April 30th to May 11th (10 full days). I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice on the itinerary I’ve planned. We’ll be arriving in Ouarzazate and departing from Agadir. We’re thinking of renting a Dacia for this little road trip. Thanks in advance for your tips!

**Ouarzazate** – Arrival at 7:00 PM. Dinner in Ouarzazate, then drive to Ait Ben Haddou. **Night in Ait Ben Haddou** – To visit in Ait Ben Haddou: - The Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou - The Kasbah of Tifoultoute (on the way down to Ouarzazate) In Ouarzazate itself: - Visit the Kasbah Taourirt (gorgeous) 30 minutes south of Ouarzazate: - Fint Oasis Leaving Ouarzazate (eastbound): Route of the 1,000 Kasbahs - Kasbah Amridil (just before arriving in Skoura) - Skoura Palm Grove (a must-see) **Valley of the Roses** – Tamellalt / Boulmane Dadès – Night in Tamellalt? Boulmane Dadès? **Dadès Gorges**: 2–3 hour hike/walk (in the Valley of the Monkey Fingers) Then head toward the Todgha Gorges Arrival at the Todgha Gorges/Tinghir in the late afternoon (3-hour drive) **Visit Todgha Gorges**: no particular activity—it’s the road that’s stunning. **Tinghir** – Night in Tinghir? The next morning, head toward either: - Zagora (3h20 – 208 km) - Or M’Hamid (4h48 – 305 km) **Night in Zagora? M’Hamid?** **Drive to the Sahara Desert** – First night in the desert: camels, oasis, etc. Second night in the desert Return to Zagora or M’Hamid, then depending on arrival time, drive to Agdz? Taliouine, or Taroudant (a bit far) **Night in Agdz? Taliouine? Taroudant?** Then drive to Taghazout **Night in Taghazout** Drive to Essaouira **Visit Essaouira the next day** **Night in Essaouira** Return to Taghazout the following morning **Night in Taghazout** One extra day (buffer) **May 11th** – Drive to Agadir for morning flight departure

Hi there,

I’m planning a road trip to Morocco in about a month. I’ve read quite a few discussions, posts, comments, and travel journals that have helped me prepare, but I still need your valuable input. The north seems easier to plan. It’s the south that’s got me wondering.

The plan: - 20 days in the south solo, going off the beaten path (looking for simplicity, encounters, discovery, and breathtaking views) - 10 days in the north with my wife and her 8-year-old daughter (so more coastal, some sightseeing—more "classic") When: August (I know it’s not the best time, but no choice) Duration: 20 days in the south + 10 days in the north (might seem short) Distance: 3,000 km in the south over 20 days. Rental vehicle to be decided (4x4?) (I’ve done a Portugal road trip from Lille—5,000 km in 3 weeks—and Italy several times, usually around 4,000–5,000 km in 3 weeks).

Route (I need to plot this on a map like Maps.me or Google...): Start in Marrakech -> Tinmelt -> Icht -> M’hamid El Ghizlane -> Agdz -> Khamlia -> Errachidia -> Tinghir -> Imilchil -> Boulmane Dadès -> Ouarzazate -> Telouet -> Demnate -> Arousse -> Ahansal Gorges -> Tilouguite -> Bin El Ouidane -> Oued El Abid Gorges -> Ouzoud Waterfalls -> Marrakech

On paper, this all seems "doable"... I’ve never been to Morocco before. It’s my first time. I’ve heard that Morocco is best experienced "slowly and peacefully," taking your time. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these points—that’s the whole point!

I’ve got a few questions and could really use your help with your on-the-ground knowledge and experiences: Is this really doable? Are the roads on this route passable? Any tips? Thanks so much for your help and for any time you can spare.

Have a great day. Yoann

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Cairo in April 2025 and would love to do a 3-day desert excursion. Either the trip to SIWA or the classic "Bahariya Oasis and White Desert" circuit, ideally private or in a small group.

We’d prefer to go through a local agency in Cairo. Does anyone know a reliable one?

Thanks in advance!

Gaby

I'm planning to go to the Marrakech area in mid-February 2026 and I'd like to spend a few days in the Ouarzazate region, taking the Tizi n'Tichka Pass. I've heard that in winter this road can sometimes be closed due to snow. Is it closed for long periods?

Where can I find information about the road conditions?

I tried downloading the MaRoute app on my smartphone, which was recommended by Dan49ch, but it's no longer available. Has it been replaced by another app?

Thanks and see you soon

Hi there, we're leaving on October 17th for 5 days. Arriving in Tunis. I'm looking into heading west toward Tabarka and the Kef region.

Itinerary:

- Bizerte and surroundings (Cap Negro, etc.)

- Kroumirie massif (2-day trek)

- Tabarka

- Then return via Dougga

- Possibly the Kef region.

Could you let me know if the area (Kroumirie / Tabarka) is still pleasant in mid-October or if it's already too late?

Also, what are the must-see spots I shouldn’t miss if I’ve forgotten any?

I see that the Kef region is interesting too—I’ll look into it more. All info is welcome!

Finally, depending on your feedback, maybe it’d be better to head toward Cap Bon or Sousse / Mahdia instead.

Hello everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Amateur Egyptologist here, 🙂 and I’ve finally planned a trip there before age catches up with me. I’ve booked a 10-day tour with our dear Amandine Marshall and her favorite agency (which I won’t name to avoid advertising).

The organizer’s fact sheet recommends:

Personal gear - Sunglasses - High-SPF sunscreen - Toiletries (preferably biodegradable products) - Hat or cap with neck coverage

Personal first-aid kit - Aspirin/paracetamol - Anti-diarrheal tablets - Throat lozenges - Antiseptic cream - Insect bite cream - Bandages and adhesive tape - Any regularly used medications or toiletries

What luggage should we bring? - Travel bag (70 liters) or suitcase. - Small backpack (30 liters) for day trips.

What should we pack? - Shoes: opt for "trekking" or mid-mountain hiking shoes with thick but flexible soles, preferably made of canvas. Choose shoes with good ankle support. - Lightweight, loose-fitting canvas pants that are comfortable and versatile. - Shirts/T-shirts: 2 or 3 shirts, preferably long-sleeved to avoid sunburn. T-shirts are also recommended, but watch out for sunburn. - Sweater or fleece for the evenings, as winter nights can get chilly.

Would any seasoned Egypt travelers have any tips or suggestions to add? Thanks!

Hello,

I backpacked in Egypt back in 1998 (as I have in all my other destinations). We’re planning to go again in early 2026. The country has surely changed, and I have a few questions for those who’ve been there recently: - Is it possible to travel completely independently from Cairo to Abu Simbel (Aswan), both legally and safely? - If some stretches are better with guidance or a guide, could you let me know where, please? - In 1998, the only way to get to Abu Simbel from Aswan was by plane. What’s the situation now? - I read a tip about arriving the day before in Abu Simbel, staying overnight to be there at opening time and enjoy the site before the organized tours arrive. Do you have any links for hotels near Abu Simbel, please?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice! 🙂

Hi everyone,

I’ve got a bit of a dilemma about our return trip from Abu Simbel to Cairo.

On November 24th, we want to travel from Aswan to Abu Simbel during the day, arriving between 2 and 4 PM to check into our hotel and see the Sound and Light show at the temples. This transfer isn’t booked yet—I still need to find ground transportation for two. We also want to visit the two temples early on November 25th, before the minibuses arrive.

That’s when things get tricky for the return to Cairo!

- **PLANE from Abu Simbel**: There’s an EgyptAir flight at 1:30 PM, but it stops in Aswan at 2:10 PM and doesn’t leave again until 8:20 PM, arriving in Cairo at 9:50 PM. Since it’s a combined flight, I assume our luggage will follow. We *could* wander around the airport area, but that doesn’t thrill me—plus, we’ll have already seen the Kalabsha Temple.

- **GROUND TRANSPORT back to Aswan** (with prior authorization, like on the way there).

- **PLANE from Aswan**: Take the same flight mentioned above, but from Aswan at 8:20 PM. But what do we do with our luggage while waiting for the flight?

- **TRAIN from Aswan at 9:05 PM**, arriving in Cairo—or even Alexandria—at 6:05 AM, since we need to go there too! This could be a fun experience if the conditions are decent. The only catch: we’d need to book the train 17 days in advance, meaning by November 8th, when we’ll be in Kharga (the last leg of our 5-day desert trip). Our French-speaking guide might be able to help reserve the tickets, though???

Which option seems the most enjoyable 😉, the least hassle 😕...

Thanks so much for your help! Sylvie.

Hi fellow travelers, I’m looking for a nice hotel in Agadir, in a lively neighborhood, with a room that has a private bathroom, toilet, and AC (not essential). We’ll be staying for 2 or 3 nights before heading south. We land in the late afternoon—definitely not the best time to go hunting for a place to stay, especially since it’s our first trip to Morocco. Thanks for your tips!

Hi there,

We’ll be traveling to Egypt in mid-February and plan to spend a full day on the Giza Plateau: visiting the pyramids site + the new GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum). The question is simple: in what order should we do these two visits? I’m torn: - Pyramids in the morning because it’s less crowded, or in the afternoon for the setting sun? - GEM in the morning since tickets are timed slots, so it’d be easier to stick to the schedule than if we visit the pyramids first (we don’t know exactly how long our visit will take and when we’ll be able to get to the GEM), or in the afternoon? Anyway, I’m looking forward to your suggestions for planning this day!

On another note, the day before, we’ll arrive at our hotel on the Giza Plateau around 2:30 PM. How could we spend the rest of the afternoon (keeping in mind we don’t want to overdo it since we’ll have just flown in from France and had a very short night before!)?

Thanks in advance!

I’m heading out solo on September 14, 2025, for a month-long road trip in Algeria. Taking the ferry from Almería to Ghazaouet on September 17. Planning to visit Tlemcen, Oran, Tipaza, Algiers, Ghardaïa, Constantine, M’Chouneche, Ouargla, and the Tadrart Desert toward Djanet.

How do I go about booking accommodations? What’s the best way to exchange currency under good conditions? What are the restrictions for traveling alone by car, and is it possible to drive solo all the way to Ghardaïa? I still have a spot available if anyone’s interested.

Hi there,

We found a guide who offers the trip from M'hamid to a camp (departure at 3 PM, tea, meal, camel ride, overnight stay, breakfast, and return to M'Hamid by 11 AM the next day via the sacred oasis). He quoted us a price of 380 € for April. What do you think of this rate? This might sound like a silly question, but is it common to negotiate the price for this kind of thing (we're booking from France)? It’s still a big part of our travel budget.

Thanks

Hi there,

I’m leaving for Tunisia in five weeks for a full 15-day trip. I’ll be arriving in Monastir and departing from there as well.

I’d like to do a route that’s a bit different from my first stay, which was more focused on cities and culture (Tunis, Sousse, Kairouan, El Jem).

I’ll be getting around by public transport.

I’d like to head south toward Tozeur, and I saw that you can take a *louage* from Monastir to Sbeitla (2h30). I imagine it’s not too complicated to get to Tozeur from there afterward? The issue is the return trip to Monastir and safety in Sbeitla.

If this route seems too complicated, I might opt for Djerba instead, which looks simpler.

Thanks in advance.

Hi there,

I’m reaching out about my summer trip plans (from 07/18 to 08/02). I’ve already bought my flight tickets to Cairo. Here’s my planned itinerary: Cairo – 2 nights White Desert – 2 nights Hurghada – 2 nights Luxor – 2 nights Aswan – 1 night Marsa Alam – 4 nights Cairo – 1 night -> So, I was planning to rent a car after the desert to go to Hurghada, then Luxor, then Marsa Alam (but the drive from Marsa Alam back to Cairo seems really long, so I was thinking of skipping it and going from Luxor back to Hurghada instead). Could you help me make sense of this, please?

Thanks so much!

Hi everyone, I’m traveling with my teenage daughter at the end of February with plans to do the Marrakech/Merzouga loop by car. We arrive Friday evening (7:45 PM) in Marrakech, and I’d love to head south first thing Saturday morning.

Would you have any ideas for accommodation with breakfast included that could help me avoid the center of Marrakech and let me quickly get back on the road? I checked Booking but didn’t find many options... Do you think it’s better to pick up the car right at the airport in the evening or have it delivered to the hotel the next day? Thanks in advance for your replies! !

Hello VF friends! We’re planning to leave Marrakesh by rental car—this will be our second trip to Morocco. While we want to revisit some places, we also hope to explore new regions. Here’s the start of our itinerary, which could take 2 to 3 weeks. We don’t want to cover too many kilometers each day.

- Depart Marrakech for Essaouira, stopping to visit the Inzerki beehive. We’ll stay 3 nights in Essaouira to explore the city and the surrounding area. - Head toward Tamanar or that region for another 3 nights, exploring on a star-shaped route. We’d like to see the Paradise Valley and the coast. Not really keen on stopping in Agadir.

We’ve been to Tafraoute before, but I’d love to see some *greniers* (granaries) again, so we’re considering 1 or 2 nights there.

- Tiznit for 2 nights, making our way to Plage Blanche. - Guelmin and the Tighmert oasis for 2 nights. - Tata for 2 nights, visiting Akka Iguane and other villages.

After that, we’ll head east.

We’d love to hear about your experiences, great tips, and recommendations!

Thanks so much, and happy holidays!

I’ve read everything and its opposite in travel guides and online. It seems that hotel owners—and the government—require tourists to pay in foreign currency rather than the local one (pounds). This is a huge problem for me since I’ll be in Egypt for 3 months. I can’t exactly walk around with thousands of dollars on me (I’m from Quebec). I could pay with a credit card—easier—but I think there’s an extra fee. Is that really the case? But what do I do if a small-town hotel doesn’t accept credit cards??? I thought about using a WISE debit card, but again, what if the place doesn’t have a payment terminal??? Can I hope that some establishments in less touristy areas might accept payment in pounds? And most importantly: does the same issue apply to paying for entry to archaeological sites??? A big thank you for your insights—I’m totally in the DARK here!!!

Marc Lamarre

Hi there,

I’m planning my next trip outside Europe for next year, but unfortunately, I don’t have a choice with the dates—it’s late June to early July. Last year, I went to Japan for three weeks, and it was constantly 36-37°C with over 90% humidity. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either.

For Egypt, I know it’s a period to avoid if possible, but I’m thinking that by the sea, it might be manageable. Otherwise, I’ll consider another destination.

Day 1: Arrival in Hurghada in the evening Day 2, 3, 4: Hurghada Day 5: Hurghada, then drive to Luxor in the early afternoon Day 6: Luxor Day 7: Luxor, then drive back to Hurghada in the late afternoon Day 8, 9, 10, 11: Hurghada Day 12: Return flight

For the Hurghada trip, either rent a car or—easier—a private car/van. Is it worth adding an extra day in Luxor?

During the stay, we’re planning activities like camel rides, quad biking, jeep tours, snorkeling, and jet skiing.

Thanks for your replies

Hi, how’s the visit to the pyramids going? Do we buy tickets on the spot? Is the distance to cover significant? How do you get around—on foot? Are there shuttles? Thanks

Hi everyone,

Even though I come to Morocco four times a year, it’s been a long time since I’ve made the trip by car. I need to refresh my knowledge! I’ll be traveling in early October. I have a car that’s about 20 years old. The plan is to cross via Algeciras/Ceuta.

A few questions:

1) Does this crossing still exist? If so, do I need to buy the ticket in advance or on the spot? From whom? Any advice is welcome!

2) What documents are required for the car?

3) If anyone is making the trip around the same time, it could be fun to drive together 😊

I know there are experts on this forum.

Thanks in advance

Hi there! I’m planning a 15-day trip to Egypt in the second half of July. Yeah, I know it’s not the best time, but we don’t really have a choice. Plus, we’ve traveled a lot and feel like we handle the heat pretty well.

We’re thinking of a classic itinerary: Cairo (pyramids and museum) Aswan-Luxor or Luxor-Aswan cruise + hot-air balloon in Luxor +/- Abu Simbel (not sure if it’ll be too rushed) 3-4 days by the Red Sea

I’ve got a few questions (I might have more later—I went to Egypt 15 years ago, so things have changed!):

1) Do we know the opening dates for the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo? 2) Can we book a French-speaking guided tour for Cairo in advance? I assume the cruise part is easier to arrange through an agency. 3) We see cruises going both Aswan-Luxor and Luxor-Aswan. Is one direction better than the other? Intuitively, it seems more logical to fly Cairo-Aswan, cruise up to Luxor, then take a bus from Luxor to the Red Sea rather than the other way around. But when I was in Egypt before, I remember going *down* the Nile (and didn’t visit the Red Sea).

Thanks in advance!!

Hi there,

I’ve booked a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan. The excursion to Abu Simbel is offered as an option, but for a family with 2 kids, it comes to 500 € for a lot of bus travel and very little time on site. Is it possible to find a local agency, taxi, or guide on the spot who’d offer the trip for less? Do we have to travel in a convoy? Thanks for your tips! Fred

Hello, I’m looking for testimonials from Pieds-Noirs who have recently returned to Algeria.

There can’t be many left after 65 years of the country’s independence.

I’m planning to go back myself soon to reconnect with my roots... before I pass away...

I’ve started making a few pre-bookings for hotels and apartments to rent in Algiers. At first, I received friendly and welcoming responses. Then, when I mentioned I wanted to stay for two or three weeks—maybe even a month—explaining that my trip wouldn’t be strictly touristy but more of a pilgrimage to the places of my childhood, and that it would likely be a very emotional journey, I expected a positive and warm reaction to my approach. Instead, I suddenly stopped getting replies from the three or four people I’d contacted. So now I’m wondering about the reception former Pieds-Noirs can expect...

Anyone here who can share their experience of returning? I specified “recently” because it seems that right now, diplomatic relations between the two governments are extremely tense, not to say hostile... even if Macron claims otherwise...

Hi there, 🙂

This autumn’s trip should be in Morocco—barring any geopolitical issues between now and then.

After many trips to the south of Fès, I’m giving the north a try.

My plan is roughly to do a road trip loop from Rabat back to Rabat, passing through Asilah, Tangier, Tétouan, Chefchaouen, Akchour, Fès, Meknès, and Volubilis.

That’s a lot of cities. Probably a bit too many for our taste—we usually prefer more isolated spots...

So I’m looking for tips on little backroads, secluded beaches, half-day hikes, and offbeat places.

If you’ve also got recommendations for accommodation... (We’re open to splurging over 100 € if it’s a real favorite.)

Feel free to think outside the box—this is an open-ended plan! !😉

Thanks

Hi everyone! 😊 We’re traveling as a family to Marrakech from April 19 to 24, and there’ll be 15 of us (all ages), staying in the Targa neighborhood (El Idrissi Street). I’d love your advice on a few things! 🙏 🚗 Vehicle rental We’re thinking of renting 3 cars. We’ve seen really low prices online, but often without insurance. 👉 Do you have any reliable contacts or personal experiences to share? 👉 Would you recommend getting specific “tourist” insurance? 🏛️ Visits – Bahia Palace & Saadian Tombs We’d like to visit the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, but:

We can’t find single tickets online We only see guided tours with fixed times (like 9:30 AM / 4-hour tours)

👉 Do you know if it’s possible to book without a guide? 👉 Or do we have to buy tickets on-site? (We’re a little worried about crowds and lines, especially with older folks in the group.) 🍽️ Restaurants / meals We’ve spotted the Grand Bazaar Marrakech for a meal. 👉 Any thoughts? 👉 Could you recommend other restaurants in the same budget? (We’re a big group, so it needs to stay reasonable.) For lunch/snacks, we’ve seen:

Snack Toubkal Goûter Saveur

👉 If anyone’s been, I’d love your feedback! 😊 🛒 Practical info – Targa neighborhood We’ll be in Targa (El Idrissi Street). 👉 Are there shops nearby for quick groceries (breakfast, water, etc.)?

If you’ve got any great tips, contacts, or little tricks, I’d love to hear them! 😍 Thanks so much for your help! 💖

Hi there, I’m traveling solo to Egypt. Could you give me a rough idea of the budget for: meals hotels taxis including tips visits... Just an estimate, of course. For 15 days, what would the price range be, considering there’s an overnight train and a Nile cruise? I’d like to compare with a travel agency. Is it more worthwhile to go through an agency despite the downsides of group travel? Otherwise, if a travel buddy is interested in this country, why not? Thanks a lot!