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 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 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?)

Hello,

For a week-long trip starting from Marrakech with a rental car, if you had to choose between these two loops, which one would you go for and why? 1) Marrakech - Ouarzazate - Dades Gorges - Merzouga - Marrakech (map itinerary) 2) Marrakech - Ouarzazate - Dades Gorges - Zagora - Marrakech (map itinerary)

Important info: this is for mid-February, so nights will be cold. For option 1, we’re thinking of staying in a "solid" hotel in Merzouga rather than camping in a tent without heating (our 10-year-old might not like that ^^). If you’ve got any experience to share about cold winter nights in the desert while camping, that’d be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance!

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!

Hi there!

As mentioned in a previous post, we're heading to Morocco in April for 9 days instead of the originally planned 7.

Here's the itinerary I've mapped out to ideally have a complete trip, but I think it might be too ambitious. What do you think? Here's the itinerary (click)

For those who can't open the link: Marrakech (the afternoon of our arrival + 1 day, we’ve already been there without the kids, the goal is not to stay too long) – night Aït Ben Haddou Ouarzazate Skoura – night Oasis de Fint Dadès Gorges Tinghir – night Merzouga – night Zagora – night M’hamid – ideally a night in the desert Agdz Marrakech – night (itinerary via Telouet)

What do you think of this plan? Will it feel too rushed, or is it manageable? Since we don’t know the places, it’s hard to tell if we’ll want to stop everywhere along the way or if there’s enough time to spend at each spot. I’ve included some night-stop assumptions (1 or 2 nights).

We’d love to hear your thoughts! We’re traveling with my wife, a 13-year-old teen, and a 10-year-old. We’ll have our own rental car.

Thanks! !

Hi there,

We’re heading to Ouarzazate and southern Morocco in 7 days. Here’s our route (map). We’re a family of 2 adults and 3 kids (11, 9, and 5 years old). Could you let me know if there are even more scenic roads to take, and any must-see spots, please? 😉

Day 1: Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dadès Day 2: Dadès + Todra Day 3: Tinegir – Djbel Saghro – N'Kob Day 4: Tazzarine – M'Hamid (overnight in Erg Lihoudi) Day 5: M'Hamid – Draa Valley – Agdz Day 6: Agdz – Fint – Ben Haddou Day 7: Telouet – Ouarzazate

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 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 everyone, we’re renting a small car in Marrakech for an 8-day trip (Marrakech-Essaouira-Marrakech-Ouarzazate-Zagora-Marrakech). Is this doable? Thanks for sharing your experiences...

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’ll be late June to early July. Last year, I went to Japan for three weeks, and it was a constant 36-37°C with over 90% humidity. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either.

For southern Morocco, I know it’s a period to avoid if possible, but for those who’ve been there in early July, did it cause any major issues? Otherwise, I’ll start thinking of another destination.

Here’s the rough itinerary I had in mind, renting a car for the whole trip:

Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech late morning Day 2: Marrakech Day 3: Marrakech -> Aït Ben Haddou -> Ouarzazate Day 4: Ouarzazate -> Vallée des Roses -> Dadès Gorges Day 5: Dadès Gorges -> Tinghir -> Todra Gorges -> Erfoud Day 6: Erfoud -> Merzouga (Erg Chebbi desert) Day 7: Merzouga -> Ouarzazate Day 8: Ouarzazate -> seaside? Agadir or Essaouira Day 9: ?? Day 10: ?? Day 11: Return to Marrakech and flight back late afternoon

Is this schedule too rushed? Does Ouarzazate deserve an extra night? The seaside isn’t a must, as long as we can swim somewhere—pool or lake. We’re planning activities like horseback riding, camel treks, quad biking, and jeep tours.

Thanks for your input

Hi there,

A group of 11 of us will be spending a week in Marrakech in May. I’d love your thoughts and advice on these excursions I’ve shortlisted—or any others I might not have considered:

- Visiting Marrakech: with or without a guide? Is one day enough for the main sights? - Essaouira: Is a day trip a good option? Is the journey scenic? - Ouzoud Waterfalls: Is the place worth the trip? - Agafay Desert: Any recommendations to avoid the tourist crowds? - Imlil Valley and Mount Toubkal: A worthwhile detour?

Of course, I don’t plan to do everything in one week, but your input will help me decide... Thanks in advance! !

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.

Hello, I’m traveling to Algeria from October 27 to November 16, 2026. I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through the process about the accommodation attestation required for the visa application: - Does it need to cover the entire duration of the trip? - Is this document mandatory for a hotel to rent a room? - Is it checked during inspections? - Is a hotel booking (e.g., via Booking.com) sufficient for the visa? - If so, does it need to be paid in advance?

I plan to visit several cities and do one or more treks with a guide or agency. If you have any contacts you’d recommend, I’d be grateful!

Also, I’d love to share this trip with a companion who’s already done some traveling. We’d organize the journey together, of course.

Thanks for your feedback! Safe travels to all, Dom, Dijon, 64 years old

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Morocco, arriving in Marrakech and leaving from Essaouira.

For my itinerary, what do you recommend as a cheap mode of transport: private driver, car rental, train, or taxi?

It’ll be a 5-6 day trip with my husband.

Thanks in advance! Have a great day, Émilie

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 I'm looking for a short family getaway to Hammamet in May for 5 or 6 days. Any recommendations?

Hi there, I'm currently planning our trip to Morocco for next May. We're looking to explore a part of the country we haven't visited yet, and I'd love to get some opinions or tips for my itinerary. We'll have a rental Duster to get around. -1- Marrakech to the Paradise Valley, arriving in the late afternoon. 2 nights there so we can explore the next day. -2- From Paradise Valley to Tafraout. Along the way, we'd like to visit some agadirs (Ikounka, Imeghguiguilne, Ighir, Tizourgane). I'm wondering if we'll have time to see them all, if we should visit all of them or skip some? Or if there are other suggestions? -3- I plan to stay 3 nights in Tafraout. Night 1 we might arrive late. The following days to visit the village of Tagdicht, the Blue Rocks, and the Ait Mansour Valley. Doable? Road or track conditions? Too much or too little time? Anything else to see? -4- I was thinking of taking the road to visit the underground village of Icht. Then heading to Tata to visit the Tollé and/or Messalites caves. Same questions as before (road conditions, time, anything else)? -5- Road to Tissint for a walk. Road to Taliouine to visit the Glaoui kasbah. Spend the night around there. Same questions? -6- Road and visit to the Ifri granary. Then head to a part of Morocco we already know :-)

Anyway, quite a few questions...

Since we've been to Morocco several times before, I know there won't be any issues once we're there. It's just that I'm trying to plan ahead a bit so we don't miss what there is to see in the area, without rushing too much ;-)

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!

A lot of people find it important to stick to their budget when traveling—not to skimp, but to visit as many places as possible since traveling is their hobby.

In this post, I want to share some tips for those coming to Morocco who want their trip to be budget-friendly.

1. Prebook everything: hotels or riads, car rentals, or tours. If you book these in advance, it’ll make your life easier. You won’t have to deal with hagglers or people trying to overcharge you for services that are available online for free. Use platforms like Booking, Expedia, carsrental.ma, Airbnb, and other booking services to get this done properly.

2. Exchange your money to Moroccan dirhams as soon as you land. 1 € is always a little over 10 dirhams, but many people get charged as if it were exactly 10 dirhams per euro.

3. When visiting an old site or the old medina, avoid talking to vendors and shop owners—they’re really good at getting your attention and making you overpay for things.

4. Ask your tour guide to buy things for you. Yes, they do get a commission, but you’ll probably pay way more if you buy something yourself that they can get cheaply.

5. Walk everywhere. You don’t need a taxi for every little trip. Pick a good location and walk—most Moroccan cities are safe during normal hours.

6. Buy your food, drinks, etc., from supermarkets at normal prices. They can’t overcharge you since they scan every product.

I think that’s it for now.

Take care

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, I’ve booked a stay from late October 2025 to early November at the Barcelo Tiran Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. I’m traveling alone, so obviously I won’t be wandering around by myself. Given the recent events, is it safe? Has anyone just come back from Sharm or is planning to go?

Thanks

hi, My wife and I want to take our first trip to Marrakech around 12/27 for 7 nights. If you can help us find somewhere to stay that includes breakfast at a minimum. From what I understand, the most authentic option might be a RIAD. Our plan is to explore Marrakech. Thanks for your help

Hello,

We’re torn between a riad in the medina and one on the outskirts (south of Marrakech) with the advantage of peace and quiet, a big pool for the kids, but it’s far (10 km).

We’ll have a rental car. Is it easy to park near Jemaa el-Fna square, for example? Are the rates public (so we know what to expect)?

This would save us from taking taxis multiple times a day since we’ve been told it’d cost around 12 € each way. The bill could add up quickly.

Generally speaking, would you recommend staying in Marrakech itself, in the old city, or in the surrounding area? We’ll only be there for two nights with a 10-year-old girl and a 14-year-old teen who both want to explore the city but also enjoy the pool.

Thanks

It’s been a long time since I took these roads before Covid... what shape are they in now?

Hi there, I have a layover in Algeria. I won’t be leaving the airport. The two tickets aren’t with the same airline. Do I need a transit visa? Thanks for any details and your help!

Hi everyone, Last-minute trip to Marrakech for a week—what unusual discoveries can you recommend in the city? Thanks for your quick tips!

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.

Hi, I’ve got a long morning in Tozeur in mid-April (I need to be at the airport by 2 p.m.). I’d like to visit the palmeraie and the main sights in Tozeur and the immediate surrounding area within a few kilometers. Looking for ideas and tips—what to see and how to do it? If needed, I can keep my rental car (or take a taxi). Thanks so much!

Hi there, We're interested in urbanism, architecture, Arab-Muslim culture, and the daily life of locals... A rough idea: Fez and Meknes. A good plan? Maybe too touristy? We prefer off-the-beaten-path destinations (we’ve traveled to Iran, for example). What else is there to see in the region? We’re open to any suggestions. Thanks for your tips!