Hi, I'm just wanting some personal opinions please. I'm comparing Morocco vs South Eastern Europe (Romania/Bulgaria/Bosnia/Macedonia/Ukraine) etc. We have 3 months in total.
. Which appears to be more touristy - Morocco or SE Europe?
I've checked out international arrivals, but it doesn't tell the whole story. We'd prefer un-touristy.
. Which did you personally prefer? Morocco or SE Europe?
. Would you spend all 3 months in SE Europe or would you do 1 month Morocco and 2 months SE Europe?
Hi,
You're comparing apples and oranges.
First of all you're comparing 1 country to a diverse group around 12 countries. Ukraine is not in Southeast Europe by any definition.
Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Albania are much less touristy than Morocco. Croatia, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria is about as touristy as Morocco. It all depends of course on the exact location and the season.
Talking about the season, which are these 3 months?
3 months is a lot in Morocco, but very short for the entire Southeast Europe.
Morocco and Southeast Europe don't combine well with each other. I mean logistically it couldn't be easier to fly between them(cheap flights from Morocco to Istanbul by Air Arabia), but they have little to do with each other, totally different places. On the other hand the Iberian Peninsula has a lot in common with Morocco, history, culture and it makes sense to see them on the same trip.
I'd choose either some countries of Southeast Europe(not all of them!) OR do Morocco and Spain(and maybe Portugal).
The time of the year could be also decisive. Morocco and Southern Spain are usually fine even in winter(unless you want beach activities), spring and autumn would be ideal, while Southeast Europe is best from April to October.
Thanks Sergentchef and Khamlia. This will be our first real trip to Europe and as we are (7th generation) Australians we are completely removed from Europe so have no idea about it at all. We have no expectations of visiting countries that are similar to each other ... here in Australia our nearest neighbour is Indonesia!
We had thought about splitting up the time 1 month in Morocco and 2 months in SE Europe but it just seems easier to wander SE Europe for 3 months.
The months we will be visiting are March, April and May. I understand that In March we should head over to the coastal areas but it seems that April and May will be OK everywhere weather-wise and with lower tourist numbers (outside of Easter). I should also say that we're not going to Europe with any expectations of warm weather - just so long as it doesn't snow!
Thanks again for your input. I really appreciate your help.
It will not be so much crowded at the coast even in April and May, but it will be better weather than in March. March would be suitable for Morocco LOL
If it's your first time in Europe I'd not start with going to Southeast Europe or Spain, because these are very untypical parts of Europe.
Ideally I'd start in Britain than move on to France, Italy and I'd finish with Greece(Southeast Europe). This is a possible itinerary for 3 months and it's like going back in time of history and culture and it takes you from a somewhat familiar culture(Britain) to a totally different(Greece) gradually.
It's just what I'd do if this would be my first time in Europe. That said Southeast Europe is an amazing region, relatively cheap and untouristy and there's nothing wrong if you want to do that.
as we are (7th generation) Australians we are completely removed from Europe so have no idea about it at all. >
That is hard to belive, unless you live at a station in the Outback! :-)
7th generation or not, you'll hopefully understand that you're still pretty much European. Speaking a European language not the least. I know that Australian education is not exactly strong on history and culture, but you have still 4 months left to tune in to this by reading a lot, watching movies, listening to European music, going to a gallery to study European art, go to some ethnic restuarants to taste the foods of different European countries, etc.
Very difficult to compare but if I need to choose, I will choose South East Europe. You have plenty of things to do and to see for (much more than) three months.
Morocco is nice too. One month is not enough but maybe not to stay there for three months.
But again, a lot of difference between Eastern Europe and Nothern Africa.
Michel
You may prefer to go to Morocco in March, it is very early for Eastern Europe. Even May is still early if you want to go to the mountains, like the Carpathians in Ukraine and Romania or the karst mountains in Montenegro and Albania. You could consider instead Georgia and Armenia which are further South. You could also include Southern Spain, even Portugal, from Morocco, in early spring.
...... "we are (7th generation) Australians we are completely removed from Europe so have no idea about it at all".
It might be better to begin in the 5 countries of the British Isles where language, food and some shared cultural lifestyles even after 7 generations might still prevail.
Australians are always welcome in these countries, often viewed as long lost cousins, if within your family you have surnames typically from the British Isles it's a basis for conversation and/or speculation.
From most places in the British Isles cheap flights to any of the countries listed above are easily arranged, Morocco included.
Thank you so much everyone for all of your very helpful comments which I really appreciate. We realise that Morocco would be better in March, which is why it's quite tempting to go there, as well as the fact that it's interesting. But we are currently leaning towards staying in SE Europe because, as you all have said, there is lots and lots to do there. Thank you again and happy travels to you all.