Wanderlust - 04.2020

MOROCCO

wanderlust.co.uk April 2020 131

When to go

Morocco is a year-round

destination, but the weather varies

around the country. Dates of the

Islamic holy month of Ramadan,

when Moroccans fast during the

day, change slightly every year; in

2020 it will end around 23 May.

March-May and September-

October: The best time to visit the

inland cities of Marrakech and Fez.

April-June and September-

October: An ideal time for visiting

thedesertandthemountains.

Nightsarecoldoutsidethese

monthsandthere’ssnowonpeaks.

July-August:Thecoastgets

crowdedwithdomestictourists.

Health&safety

HepatitisAandtetanus

vaccinationsareusuallyadvised

(check„itfortravel.nhs.uk).There’s

ariskofaltitudeillnesswhen

travellingtodestinationsof

2,400morhigher.Drinkbottled

waterandavoidcontactwithstray

animalsasrabiesispresent.

Gettingthere

AirArabia(airarabia.com)„lies

fromLondonGatwickdirectto

Tangierthreetimesaweek.Flight

timeisaroundthreehours;fares

startfrom£74one-way,including

Vitalstatistics

Capital:Rabat

Population:Around36.5million

Languages:Morocco’soŽicial

languagesareModernStandard

Arabic–althoughMoroccan

Arabic(Darija)isthevernacular–

andTamazight(Berber).French

isalsowidelyspoken,Spanishis

oftenunderstoodinthe

northandEnglishiscommon

intouristareas.

Time:GMT+1

Internationaldiallingcode:+212

Visas:UKpassportholdersdonot

needavisatoenterMoroccofor

staysofuptothreemonths.

Money:TheMoroccandirham

(MAD),currentlyaroundDh12

totheUK£.ATMsarefoundin

citiesandmajortowns,and

creditcardsareacceptedat

mosthotelsandshops,but

you’llneedcashforcheaper

establishments,ruralareas,

marketsandtipping.Eurosand

USdollarsarealsowidely

acceptedinmajorcities.

Footnotes

Morocco

Sarah Gilbert

THE TRIP

The author travelled with

Audley Travel (01993

838420; audleytravel.com/

morocco) who ožer tailor-

made trips to Morocco.

An 11-day cultural tour,

including Fez, Asilah, Rabat,

Casablanca and Essaouira,

costs from £3,610 per

person, including „lights, B&B

accommodation in boutique

riads, private transfers and

a selection of private tours.

taxes and 10kg carry-on luggage.

One-way fares to Marrakech

start from £40.

Getting around

CTM (ctm.ma) and Supratours

(supratours.ma) buses can

transport you to most places

in the country.

For a faster option, you can try the

train network (oncf.ma): the Al Boraq,

a new high-speed train, covering

Tangier, Rabat and Casablanca.

Air Arabia (airarabia.com) also

„lies between nine Moroccan cities.

Cost of travel

If you’re on a budget you canget

by on around Dh600 (£47) perday

by sleeping and eating cheaply,

European vs Moroccan

Cité Portugaise, El

Jadida; (above) the

interior of the Hassan II

Mosque in Casablanca

GOOD TO

KNOW

The dress code is

more relaxed by

the beach but in

towns women

should dress more

modestly, covering

shoulders and

knees to avoid

unwanted

attention.