Marrakech
 

Anyone been here as I'm heading there for Christmas, so was wondering what it was like :)

some nice golf course's and a couple of nice restaurants but apart from that its a **** hole. One place you cannot miss is jad mahal, go there for a brilliant dinner then get a table in the bar at the back to watch the band the fire eaters fakirs and belly dancers.

Frantic!-especially the souks.Have your wits about you and prepare to be hassled constantly if you go bargain hunting.
Bartering is all part of the fun and is expected-unless you want to pay over the odds.
Lots to see and do as it's obviously very historic and quite stunning.
A horse drawn carriage through the city is cheap a wonderful experience and very enjoyable.
Dress respectfully and appropriately (especially aimed at women) and if you get lost,try and find your own way.You will get plenty of friendly offers of help.Ordinarily you will be expected to pay for this help or you will be directed to your guides' shop or a relative thereof!
Just remember,by and large everyone wants to make money out of you,so be polite but firm without being aggressive.It may get on your nerves after a while,but it's part of the experience.Fours days there was enough for me and I wouldn't go back!
Take cash with you but don't flash it about as again,you will get unwanted attention.The Medina is like stepping back in time with the snake charmers and birds of prey.Awesome!
Keep an eye out for the cranes that nest on the minarets.
Marrakech has a closed currency-the Diram,so you will have to change your currency at the airport when you land and change it back when you arrive to fly back.Look out for a GLOBAL EXCHANGE outlet at the airport-that's who I used...
Make sure that you keep your receipt when changing your currency initially as you will need this.
Lots of tourists were falling foul of this as they had their currency changed by the hotel and were given receipts by their hotels.
When they tried to exchange at the airport using these receipts,they weren't recognised or accepted.You will be left with unusable currency.Be warned!

We had a fantastic time there last year, the horse drawn carriage is a must. Agree with all of the above post.

The square in the evening is manic, but a great experience. :thumb:

I think the horse drawn carriage will be on the cards for Christmas day :D

WHAT!!!!!!!!

After all that Billyray has said your still going:cuckoo:

:)

You can spend your dirham in some other countries as well !

:wonder:

Billyray had it all covered did he mention it a **** hole lol.
I was there 3 months ago there's lovely weather and cheap we stayed at the atlas targa, quite nice hotel all inclusive food was good.
You better get your French dictionary out to as that's all they speak. Don't flash money as said before your being watched constantly. You don't feel to safe there. In the markets there was pigs hanging in 40degrees heat all day the smell and flys is disgusting. There's not alot there either so get good hotel.

Stuart it's one of them things its to say you been there.
I been Egypt like 4 times and I would go again even with all the hassle but Marrakech is something else lol there some hassle there. Just gotta tell them straight NO. Great leather very cheap there all my gimp suits/leather travel bags from there lol

I went a few years ago and would never go back.

Dirty, full of pick pockets, especially around the square and the market streets

Whatever you do, if you value your life, do not get in a taxi from the city centre

Blimey, not a great response from here, I guess I must have just had a lucky break there, or I just took the place for what is is.

Both the wife and I are looking forward to returning.

I heard they rob you nicely

Mybe the pick pockets wernt indigenous

I mean that they wouldn't actually steal

Ahhhhhhh,there is an ulterior motive to why Steviebaby is going,thought as much.
:)

Its already booked and we are only going for 4 days so if its bad its not too much of a hassle, Will be at the Moroccan House hotel and its full board but will still eat out. Hotel is in the new part so I presume it won't be as much of a dump as other parts of the city ?

I will visit Atlas mountains and I'm sure that will take a day so it doesn't leave a lot of time to see other things?

Quick tip apologies if already mentioned but always wear sunglasses (except at night of course) so they can't make eye contact or see what you are looking at. It makes it harder for traders to hassle you or draw you in. Haggle, haggle, haggle at least 75% off what they first say and don't take it too seriously it's all part of the experience. Watch for pick pockets in medina. The market is amazing at night and comes alive after sunset.

I did Atlas Mountains, climbed mount toubkal biggest mountain in North Africa, very tough but exceptional scenery, hot at bottom snow on top!