Morocco

Bouydog said:
How difficult is it with a dog ?
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We had been looking at this, and I may not have this all correct, as the OH deals with dog stuff. Someting to do with blood test to dog either before entry to Moroc or once you have landed in Moroc?

thewanderingfamilee.blog

Travelling to Morocco with dogs

Travelling with 1 dog can be a nightmare, we travel with 3 and 2 bouncy springer spaniels no less. We’ll tell you how we travel, what the dogs need, how they cope with strays, change of food …
thewanderingfamilee.blog thewanderingfamilee.blog
 
I saw your proposed route @jim and pat dalton and I have attached ours from 2019. Hopefully it's of use to you and Graham and others thinking about/planning a future trip.
You will see that if you save the spreadsheet as a pdf files then it preserves the links to the campsites and stopovers.
 
Bouydog said:
How difficult is it with a dog ?
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You need a rabies blood titer test BUT it has to be performed and entered into an EU vet in the Pet Passport. Can take 4 weeks for the result to come back. This port is happy to accept an emailed cert. Risky unless you're confident of sufficient antibodies.
f you've no EU PP, then the vet needs to do this too, I think ... as the import to EU doesn't seem to work with an AHC. The vets in Algeciras do this. If the titer test was done a while ago, you must ensure all rabies tests are within date. And entered in the PP, so not administered by a uk vet.

On arrival at Algeciras, we went to a vet, who did the PP check. Completed an online form and made an appointment with PIF (the Spanish DEFRA) equivalent. The PIF check it all and issue an export / import (cert). We didn't show this on the way out, but presumably will show it to enter EU. €129 at vet. A friend made the vet appointment the day before for 1600 (may have got one the same day). PIF app was the same day at 2100. Crossed the next day.

I believe some folk don't bother, but this is the official route.

If you've a hound, there are so many wild dogs. More than we've seen in Greece, Albania, Romania, Turkey etc. Some are quite aggressive.
 
jim and pat dalton said:
Thanks webby, quite agree

I did look at the blue city but left it off for some reson, I can't remember.

Tiznit!! now that sounds good, Pat likes her jewelry (well actually its me! I can't resist buying it for her) great recomendation. The rest of the city sounds good too

Tiznit is in!! :)
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There now, Jim. Only had a few hours yesterday. But like. Good vibe. But more tourists than we've seen so far in 6 days.
 
Please do give us a bit of positivity @Clunegapyears as we are planning to cross over again in December.
Given the madness in the Middle East we are a bit more apprehensive than in previous trips.
So much so that we have bought Irish stickers to cover our UK ones when we are in Morocco. My wife has an Irish passport so hopefully can explain why if we need to.

Anyway tell us it's all good and the people are as friendly as ever.
Where have you been? We are thinking Essaouira for Christmas.
 
Webby said:
Please do give us a bit of positivity @Clunegapyears as we are planning to cross over again in December.
Given the madness in the Middle East we are a bit more apprehensive than in previous trips.
So much so that we have bought Irish stickers to cover our UK ones when we are in Morocco. My wife has an Irish passport so hopefully can explain why if we need to.

Anyway tell us it's all good and the people are as friendly as ever.
Where have you been? We are thinking Essaouira for Christmas.
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From your recent post "We've seen the link so don't need reminding anymore about why you wouldn't go." And now you are asking for reassurance........LOL!!!.

An Irish Sticker on a vehicle bearing a UK number plate, will this work?

Link is a month old now, but those looking to harm anyone, including innocent locals are obviously still there, one sleeping cell thankfully removed from doing harm.

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middle-east-online.com

travel safe those already in Morocco.
 
Sorry but you seem to have misunderstood "don't need reminding anymore about why you wouldn't go"
and so you come back with news of a sleeping cell of terrorists in Morocco. Why ?
Then you finish off with a "travel safe" is that sarcasm
I really think you need to consider the purpose of your posts in this thread.

I was asking someone in Morocco how it was going for them. Where they were staying and making contact with a fellow traveller. Something positive rather than negative armchair speculation. I have already said we are apprehensive about visiting.
By the way I know "they are obviously still there"
 
Check out Andre and Lisa Youtube travelled around Morocco for two months earlier this year, extremely informative and a pleasure too watch.
 
Webby said:
Please do give us a bit of positivity @Clunegapyears as we are planning to cross over again in December.
Given the madness in the Middle East we are a bit more apprehensive than in previous trips.
So much so that we have bought Irish stickers to cover our UK ones when we are in Morocco. My wife has an Irish passport so hopefully can explain why if we need to.

Anyway tell us it's all good and the people are as friendly as ever.
Where have you been? We are thinking
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What Middle East problems? No sign of it here ! We're in a uk registered and labelled car and we both have Irish passports!

Yes, folk friendly. Though car park guardians everywhere, but as car loaded with camping kit and gin, we are happy to pay any from £0.30 to 2. And a number of beggers, some places worse than others. Pleased shop sellers not been too forceful.

I'm on PolarStep - Katherine Clune and blog is Clunegapyears.com.
 
You must go and though I confess I haven't looked at your itinerary in detail a quick glance looks fine. We spent 2½ months there in Spring 2023 and hardly planned 2 days in advance but had a wonderful time. Other than reading threads on other forums my advice is: below, just Google the reference:

  • Top of the list AVOID RAMADAN, everything closes, it even becomes difficult to get a meal during daytime, tourist sites close and even campsites!
  • If you're worried about stocking up on booze (they can confiscate it but I've not heard it happen) there are lots of Caves in the big supermarkets (but closed in Ramadan)
  • DO. NOT BRING A DRONE IE FLYING CAMERA THING THEY WILL CONFISCATE IT AND THEN SEARCH YOUR VAN
  • Get your ferry ticket from Carlos, it will be the cheapest available and you'll get a gift
  • No one does fully comp or breakdown cover but I reinsured with NFU as they do a 3rd party green card
  • At Tangier Med there are booths for insurance and money change and get a local SIM for your phone as roaming charges are huge
  • Expect customs delays...they XRay your whole van!
  • If you have an afternoon crossing, stay the night in the carpark by the booths, there's a cafe and loos
  • However many days you've allocated for Marrakech...add more, it's wonderful
  • Whilst at Camping le Relais in Marrakech if you have any issues with your van, ask reception to contact local mechanic, they'll come and fix it on site.
  • The Roman town of Volubilis is a must see
  • The Painted Rocks are worth a visit
  • Unless you stick to the coast you will be going up one of the Atlas Ranges and it will give your van a good shaking but the views are worth it and you'll miss out by not doing the Atlas mountains INMHO.
  • Don't bother with Agadir unless you want a McDonald's fix... it's too touristy
  • Cascades d'Ouzoud are stunning but it is a bit of a tourist trap, if you are reasonably fit you don't really need a guide...politely decline
  • Wild Camping is frowned upon but campsite are dirt-cheap
  • Motorways are excellent but more rural roads are of very variable quality
  • Unfortunately litter is everywhere, it's such a shame in a beautiful country
  • I will not add any other places to visit as they are so numerous, pick according to your taste
Just go, unless the foreign office actually recommends not going, because there are always tensions in the region... there was in 2023!

Go with an open mind, the people are friendly and open and very honest in my experience. You will need to haggle but that's part of the fun. You will have a wonderful time, Away with you now and enjoy yourself.

PM if you need more
 
Owlhouse said:
We thank you for all your comments and info - think we will be going, around February(?) and will possibly have another van with us as well so can share the trip. Will try and report back with how it went.
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February is a good time to go, still cold at altitude with snow but as Spring opens up and it gets warmer it will be great, however, Ramadan is the whole of March 2025, personally I'd avoid Ramadan as many of the sites you'll want to visit will be closed. One of the must-see's, the Grand Mosque in Casablanca, is closed to non-Muslims the whole of Ramadan and the tourist rip-off which is Rick's Cafe (Sam's Bar) will only be open after sunset with no French 75 cocktails...if at all. I spoke to a, less than devote, Moroccan bar owner and he said he closes his bar during Ramadan and goes on holiday to France for a month. If I were going again next year I'd arrive on 1st April, but if the scenery is your sole aim then March will be beautiful, bountiful and balmy.
 
Agree with Hymer Snobs comments. Will just add
- stray dogs and cats often in a poor state. Heart wrenching.
- we're currently in the Middle Atlas. Dense fog at times. Yesterday was 6C. But 2 days ago was high 20s at Meknes / Fez so come prepared for all weathers.
- we have got used to having meals out with no wine! Make up for it back at tent or rented accommodation!
- definitely worth moving around as varied and diverse landscapes.
 
Clunegapyears said:
Yesterday we drove from Azrou to the sand dunes at Merzouga. Amazing scenery. Most stunning and varied drive we have ever done and bear in mind we were full time travelling in EU for 6 years.
Went from snow and 1C to sand and 24C

View attachment 74557
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Been travelling Europe for 6 years 🤬🤬
Bl**dy Brexit.
Jealous moi? To right. Carry on enjoying, when I can’t.
 
Great to hear things are going so well in Morocco.
We will be crossing over in December.Where are you staying in Merzouga.
We are looking forward to climbing Erg Chebbi again.............and those temperatures
 
Webby said:
Great to hear things are going so well in Morocco.
We will be crossing over in December.Where are you staying in Merzouga.
We are looking forward to climbing Erg Chebbi again.............and those temperatures
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As only one night, we had a hotel ... motorhome being repaired in uk. A friend we are loosely travelling with, stayed at Camping Liberte. It is right on the dunes. A good tagine too. Downside is salt water showers etc.
 
Still no sign of the V5 from the DVLA after the weight upgrade. We can't get across the border without it unless of course we do the tour on the Motor Scoot (far better that the ancient Merc methinks, Kathy! :) )

Pat now has has an eye check up appointment coming up and now we are properly certified couple, I guess I shall have to look after my new bride. So we might delay leaving by 1 week and do a straight run down to Algeciras (rather than the original planned slow drive) in order to catch up.

I've identified 45 golf courses in Maroc (see I am doing research), that at least should keep me occupied for a while. will defo get back on track though, hopefully we shall meet up; I shall bring some cake!

Jim
PS: Kathy I now have 4 motorcycles less than last week and a fatter wallet, That leaves only 10 left, so you see; I'm serious about retiring from racing (well until next April maybe)
 
As we enter week 6 of my stupidity of being diligent and trusting the DVLA with the upgrade of my Motorhome weight plate.

Today the DVLA at first denied they had received my V5C, only to later tell me that my case was opened on the 12th of November (not in mid October) and It will take 4 weeks from that date. no ability to fastrack it or escalate it even tho they are clearly late

I have requested a live call back from management rather than continue with web chat, apparently they can do that and I'm also making a formal complaint. But I already know what they will say, dont' I !!!

I will get to Morocco, hopefully before Ramadan.

Moral of the story, "don't ever trust the incompetent DVLA"
 
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