Posts by MLEscapes
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Which cities to choose in Morocco for 7 days?
Hi Lilia,
Attila’s itinerary is great. A few details that matter when traveling with parents in their late 70s: in Fez and Marrakech, book a riad close to a medina gate where taxis can stop (Bab Boujloud in Fez, for example), and ask for a ground-floor room. Riad staircases are often steep, and there’s almost never an elevator.
For trains, first class is worth it since seats are reserved: expect around 2 h 30 for Fez–Rabat and 4 h for Rabat–Marrakech. For Essaouira, the Supratours bus takes about 3 hours, but a private taxi will be more comfortable if your parents get tired.
In late December, nights are chilly: make sure the riad is well-heated, and book your New Year’s Eve dinner early.
Have a great trip, all three of you! Margherita
Attila’s itinerary is great. A few details that matter when traveling with parents in their late 70s: in Fez and Marrakech, book a riad close to a medina gate where taxis can stop (Bab Boujloud in Fez, for example), and ask for a ground-floor room. Riad staircases are often steep, and there’s almost never an elevator.
For trains, first class is worth it since seats are reserved: expect around 2 h 30 for Fez–Rabat and 4 h for Rabat–Marrakech. For Essaouira, the Supratours bus takes about 3 hours, but a private taxi will be more comfortable if your parents get tired.
In late December, nights are chilly: make sure the riad is well-heated, and book your New Year’s Eve dinner early.
Have a great trip, all three of you! Margherita
Desert experience with a 5-year-old child
Hi Virginie,
A week is doable if you dedicate 4 days to it and plan the route well for the little one: Marrakech – Dadès Valley with a stop in Aït Ben Haddou, then Dadès – Merzouga to arrive in the afternoon, one night at the camp, and the return trip in 2 days with an overnight stay near Ouarzazate. At the camp, a one-hour camel ride at sunset is more than enough for a 5-year-old, and kids love sliding down the dunes.
If 4 days of driving seems like too much, there’s a gentler option: 2 nights in Essaouira, with dunes and the beach just south of the city. It’s not the Sahara, but there’s sand, camels, and it’s only 3 hours from Marrakech.
Have a great trip! Margherita
A week is doable if you dedicate 4 days to it and plan the route well for the little one: Marrakech – Dadès Valley with a stop in Aït Ben Haddou, then Dadès – Merzouga to arrive in the afternoon, one night at the camp, and the return trip in 2 days with an overnight stay near Ouarzazate. At the camp, a one-hour camel ride at sunset is more than enough for a 5-year-old, and kids love sliding down the dunes.
If 4 days of driving seems like too much, there’s a gentler option: 2 nights in Essaouira, with dunes and the beach just south of the city. It’s not the Sahara, but there’s sand, camels, and it’s only 3 hours from Marrakech.
Have a great trip! Margherita
Do you know a guide in Essaouira?
Hi there,
Partirester is right—you won’t get lost in Essaouira. But with 11 people, a guide makes the visit much more lively: the history of the mellah, the Skala, the port, and the thuya workshops in half a day.
Hire an official guide—they wear a badge issued by the Ministry of Tourism. Your riad can recommend one. Agree on the price and duration before you set off to avoid detours through shops.
Enjoy your visit! Margherita
Partirester is right—you won’t get lost in Essaouira. But with 11 people, a guide makes the visit much more lively: the history of the mellah, the Skala, the port, and the thuya workshops in half a day.
Hire an official guide—they wear a badge issued by the Ministry of Tourism. Your riad can recommend one. Agree on the price and duration before you set off to avoid detours through shops.
Enjoy your visit! Margherita
First draft itinerary for southern Morocco during the end-of-year holidays with kids
Hi Sazkia,
For your 4 free nights, an idea that fits with hiking: 2 extra nights around Dadès or Todra (there are some beautiful walks between the villages), then 2 nights in Imlil before your flight. Imlil is about 1.5 hours from the airport, it’s peaceful, and you can do a half-day hike without exhausting yourselves before the long trip.
For the return trip, I agree with Fangui: the Tichka Pass is still the simplest route in winter—just keep half a day’s buffer in case. For hikes, the trails aren’t marked: a short loop can be done alone, but for a full day, a local guide arranged through your accommodation is really worth it.
Happy planning! Margherita
For your 4 free nights, an idea that fits with hiking: 2 extra nights around Dadès or Todra (there are some beautiful walks between the villages), then 2 nights in Imlil before your flight. Imlil is about 1.5 hours from the airport, it’s peaceful, and you can do a half-day hike without exhausting yourselves before the long trip.
For the return trip, I agree with Fangui: the Tichka Pass is still the simplest route in winter—just keep half a day’s buffer in case. For hikes, the trails aren’t marked: a short loop can be done alone, but for a full day, a local guide arranged through your accommodation is really worth it.
Happy planning! Margherita
Marrakech - Merzouga circuit in December by shared taxi with young children
Hi MelJol,
I agree with Milo53: with a 2-year-old, shared taxis on this loop could be exhausting (waiting at departure, no car seat, no stops when your little one needs them). Your itinerary works well in 7 nights with a private vehicle: Marrakech 1, Skoura 1, Dadès 1, Merzouga 2, Tamnougalt 1, Marrakech 1.
In December, ask everywhere for heated rooms, and at the Merzouga camp for extra blankets: nights can be close to 0 °C.
Happy planning! Margherita
I agree with Milo53: with a 2-year-old, shared taxis on this loop could be exhausting (waiting at departure, no car seat, no stops when your little one needs them). Your itinerary works well in 7 nights with a private vehicle: Marrakech 1, Skoura 1, Dadès 1, Merzouga 2, Tamnougalt 1, Marrakech 1.
In December, ask everywhere for heated rooms, and at the Merzouga camp for extra blankets: nights can be close to 0 °C.
Happy planning! Margherita
