Paula Hardy, Mara Vorhees, Heidi Edsall
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By: Lonely Planet Publications
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Subjects -> Travel -> Africa -> Morocco
Subjects -> Travel -> Africa -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Africa -> General AAS
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7
Average rating: 3.0 of 5
Recommended with reservations. 3 out of 5 stars.
23 of 26 people found this review helpful.
Recommended with reservations.
I recommend this book, but with reservations. I used it last month during a solo-trip to Morocco that took me through Casablanca, Marrakesh, Ourzazate, Agdz, Zagora, M'Hamid, into the Sahara on a camel, through the Dades Gorge, Er-Rashidia, Azrou, Meknes, Volubilis, and finally Fes.
In general it provided fairly accurate information on getting around, prices, and where things were. But nothing in the book prepared me for the constant hassles, harassment, scams, crime, and corruption that were a part of my everyday experience in country. If you end up using this book, know that it ignores some of the most important parts of what life is like for travelers. With that said, there were no MAJOR inaccuracies of the type that could have gotten me in serious trouble.
Pros:
Solid logistical information, food overview, and language guide. Interesting historical and background sections.
Also good maps (although I couldn't have survived without GPS or at least a compass because there are very few street signs).
Listings of restaurants were helpful even if LP seemed to give rave reviews to average places.
Cons:
Totally ignores the hassles of everyday life. (The book should have a section on how to act: Ignore anyone who tries to talk to you. Always count your change for the simplest of transactions and decide early on how much you're willing to argue over. Never stop on the side of the roads, even if kids are begging for water in the desert (they WILL rob you). Be prepared to bribe police in rural areas--a guide on how much would be nice. Don't accept invitations for tea even if you've done something nice because you'll either get robbed or pressured to buy something...the list goes on.)
Largely ignored the most important things about accommodations. The authors pay too much attention to "friendly staff" and the decorations in lobby at the expense of things like cleanliness, bed bugs, running/hot water, lighting in rooms, doors that lock, etc. As a general rule, independent "4*" hotels will be 2*'s or worse at five or ten times the price. Don't expect a/c or heating unless you're dealing with a major chain. Don't trust online ratings from orbitz, [...], etc, unless they're chains. I ended up in Ibis Mousaffir's at the end of my trip and wished I'd stayed there the whole time.
Doesn't do a good job of prioritizing places to see. Instead, the book rates every site pretty highly, which makes it tough when you're pressed for time. For instance, Casablanca is pretty much a waste of time but LP makes it sound interesting and exciting. The same goes for desert towns that have little to offer but get a couple of pages.
Bottom line: Use LP Morocco but make sure you know what it leaves out and what it gets wrong so you can plan accordingly.
Editorial Review:
Be inspired by the adventure of Morocco - take a camel trek through the Sahara, hunt out bargains in an exotic souq, soak up the buzz of Marrakesh then catch some waves off a pristine Atlantic beach. Experience the color, life and lure of the Maghreb with our comprehensive guide. STAY IN STYLE on any budget in cozy kasbahs or glam riads
GET AROUND with 97 detailed maps of the cities and more remote regions
TRAVEL YOUR TASTEBUDS with our enticing chapter on Moroccan food and drink
EXPLORE the insider's Marrakesh with our walking tour through the souqs and tips on this happening city
GET HIGH above it all - our trekking chapter gives advice on the best mountain journeys
