Is this Morocco itinerary too ambitious? Thoughts?

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michaelannm
michaelannm

My boyfriend and I are traveling around Morocco September 9-20. Here's the itinerary we're eyeing:

Fly into Casablanca
2 nights in Fez
2 nights in Chefchaouen
1 night - overnight train from Tangier to Marrakesh, bus in AM to Essaouria
2 nights in Essaouira
4 nights in Marrakech (day trip to Atlas Mts)

Is this not enough time in Fez? Is Essaouria worth it for two nights? I'm pretty much sold on checking out Chefchaouen though we realize it's pretty out of the way.

Look forward to any insights! thank you!

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moroccotraveler
moroccotraveler

....... has a the little matter of Eid al Adha crossed your mind, read this recent thread and see if you have more questions......
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/africa/morocco/eid-al-adha-in-morocco

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michaelannm
michaelannm

Oh wow. Thank you for flagging. While this looks like a very interesting time to be in Morocco - is it safe to assume that September 12/13 (the holiday falls on the 13th), is not a good day to travel? Right now our itinerary (with dates below) has us on Sept. 13 taking the bus to Tangier from Chefchaouen and the overnight train to Marrakech that night. Seems like a bad idea to have our biggest travel day be on the holiday? I imagine Fez would be interesting on this holiday.... ? Thank you so much for your help!

September 9 - Fly into Casablanca
September 9, 10 - 2 nights in Fez
September 11, 12 - 2 nights in Chefchaouen
September 13 - 1 night - overnight train from Tangier to Marrakesh, bus in AM to Essaouria
2 nights in Essaouira
4 nights in Marrakech (day trip to Atlas Mts)

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michaelannm
michaelannm

We've changed our itinerary!

September 9 - Fly into Casablanca
September 9, 10 - 2 nights in Chefchaouen (bus from Casa)
September 11, 12, 13 - 3 nights in Fez (over the holiday, bus from Chef)
September 14, 15 - 2 nights in Essaouria (rent a car one-way to drive from Fez to Essaouria)
September 16, 17, 18, 19 - 4 nights in Marrakech in a raid and a resort (day trip to Atlas Mts)

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is driving on our own from Fez to Essaouria totally crazy? We don't mind long drives, but will the traffic be crazy the day after the holiday?

Thank you all!

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moroccotraveler
moroccotraveler

...... my information is, Eid will/ may fall on the 10th., beginning in the evening, celebrations through the 11th. untill evening falls.
Islamic religious events are contingent on a lunar sighting, at times varying by a day, usually decided locally and late.
The chaos around travel lasts for a day or two either side of Eid, so 4 - 5 days.

Best to settle-in somewhere for the duration, a hotel in a town/ city where you'll have something to do and see, places like Marrakech and/ or Essaouira where tourist facilities tend to roll-along in spite of Eid...... not sure Chefchaouen fits the bill, not so easy to get to, a bit small and conservative with a lots of stuff closed for the duration.

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