1

...... good tight itinerary with flexibility , destinations easy distances apart, if you find 3 days in Chefchoune too much you can use the time further on. On you way to Volubilis passing through the Holy Village of Moulay Idress take some time to explore it, if you feel like some exercise climb the high ground behind it and admire the view of the village.

Have a good trip and please write a about it latter.

2

Thanks.

Do you know if hotels / hostels in Morocco will normally allow me to leave my luggage after I've checked out? Is it safe to do so?

Is it also possible to see the main sights in Fez over two days?

3

..... the hotels I used did allowed left luggage, the Ibis Hotels. If booked for train or buses luggage may also be left for a small fee at the stations, this was my experience.

You should see enough of Fez in two days, might whet your appetite for more on another trip, just enjoy what you find and don't worry about what you are missing, there's too much for 2 days anyway.

4

+1 for Moulay Idriss, I love the place and think it's much more interesting than Meknes. In fact, I would advise avoiding Meknes and staying in Moulay Idriss.

Most cheap hotels will hold on to your bag while you explore (for no charge), and I have never had an issue with security when I’ve done it. I even leave my passport in my bag when I leave it with the hotels as I trust the hotel owners more than myself carrying it around in my day bag!!

I also think you itinerary is a good ‘un. Morocco can be deceptively slow to travel around and there’s a lot that can scupper your finely tuned planes, so keeping things simple and uncluttered is the best plan you can have. Only going to a few places and focusing on the north (IMHO the best area of Morocco) is a great plan and will mean you have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the places you’re in. It’s great you’re spending 3 days in Chaouen. It’s the most relaxing laid back place in Morocco and it really can’t be appreciated in a day, or even 2.

2 days in Fes will allow you to see all the major sights like the tanneries and the souks. Fes will feel like a freakin’ mad house after the serenity of Chaouen and will probably leave you feeling exhausted after 2 days anyway so see how it goes as you can always use one of the 2 days set aside for Tangier at the end if you want an extra day in Fes.

When in Tangier (another crazy cool place), go for a tea and a smoke at Café Hafa, an old hang out of the beat authors, Jimi and the Stones. It’s a real Tangier institution and is well worth the taxi to it for the outstanding views and the extensive menu……..tea, tea and only tea!

5

..... agree with Kate on Tangier in particular see..... http://www.journeybeyondtravel.com/news/tangier-morocco ... there's lot to do and see, Tangier is much improver and underestimated, however just have a glimpse now, have a full embrace another time along with Fez.

6

It is good itinerary for me too, you are one of they few people who not want to see the whole Morocco in a few days :). What you think about Taza? I was never there but heard it is interesting city. And it is not so far from Fes and little on the way to Tangier. Or maybe better from Chefchaouen via Taza to Fes?

7

I sure would not spend two consecutive nights in Tanger and would add a night in Fes.

8

I've never forgotten the one night I spent in Tangier.
On my way to refresh my visa at Ceuta, after only 3 months in the country, a very green David took the day train all the way from Marrakech to Tanga, which was delayed by 4 hours due to engine failure, sitting still almost as much as moving. I did meet an English speaking gentleman from Sudan and we had a very lengthy interesting conversation, which I am quite sure rendered him exhausted. We ended up at the same hotel.

Soon after checking in, and this was about 10:30pm and I was starving, I went out. I found a chicken restaurant in the neighbourhood, small crowded place but with several floors, and I think I ended up on the 4th floor up some steep and narrow stairs. No sooner was I served my plate, than the lights went out! Black. I swear, a guy held his lit lighter so I was able to eat, and then the waiters had all made torches out of twisted newspapers which helped me get back down all those stairs. We had a great laugh over all this.

Once I got outside I was lost! Thankfully, the friendly hotel desk clerk had given me a card and some total stranger practically took me by the hand back to it.

I only spent one night in Tangier, and it is a sweet memory.

9

Meknes is not a 'must do' place. I would miss Meknes and use the extra time in one of your other destinations. You can always visit Volubilis on a day trip from Fes, but I would say that exploring current day Morocco is more interesting that visiting some mediocre (in south Mediterranean terms) Roman ruins.

10

I agree about the ruins, especially if you have seen similar ones in Italy, Turkey, etc.

11

Thanks for all the responses, that's given me some things to think about.

My only reason for visiting Meknes was to use it as a base to see the ruins, if there not that great it might be better to cut it out of my itinerary and use the extra day in Fez.

Normally I visit a lot more places when I travel, but this time I decided to keep it more relaxed and go at a slower pace. I've also already been to Marakech so thought I'd focus on the north. I read up on the southern destinations and it didn't appeal to me much and I've already done a desert trip in Tunisia so don't feel the need to see it again this year.