Good Morning
Just a short(ish) review of this tour from which I have just returned. As it was the first time that this tour had operated I went with an open mind, which was just as well because from day one there were a few problems, ranging from hotels to the actual journey. A couple of the hotels were changed because they simply weren't up to the usual JY standard.
The Kasbah style hotel near Merzouga just wasn't suitable for JY customers, it was more for adventure holiday customers such as the customers of G adventures. However, being in the middle of the desert I didn't see any other type of hotel, they were all Kasbah style. On the plus side whilst there we all enjoyed the four wheel drive into the dunes to see the sunset and the following morning eight of us enjoyed our optional camel ride in the dunes to see the sunrise.
We travelled long distances by coach most days. We crossed large fertile plains, travelled along mountain passes in the High Atlas mountains, across deserts and along the coast. Impressive scenery. Service being slow whenever we had a break had a knock on effect invariably making late check-ins at hotels. Facilities were usually good at comfort breaks, a few Dirham being the norm to tip. In fact, tipping is a big part of Moroccan culture.
There were 30 of us in the group. Our TM Tracey and local guide Mohammed worked really hard to try to make this holiday a success and immediately sorted out any issues. Mohammed's English wasn't the best and at times we struggled to understand him, but this was certainly balanced by his enthusiasm. We had a good coach and we felt safe with our coach driver Hassan, but personally I think he had to do too much driving on many days, with just short breaks.
My highlights of the holiday include Fez and going into the old Medina, which dates back to year 800 (ish) with it's narrow alleyways, we would soon have been lost without a local guide. It was like being transported back into medieval times. It even seemed quite biblical with us often having to step aside to allow donkeys laden with goods led by their owners, pass us by. Another highlight in Fez was the world famous tannery.
Marrakech's UNESCO listed square of Jemma El-Fna didn't fail to impress. On our evening visit we sat on a high terrace in a cafe, sipping mint tea (not me, felts safer to drink cola) watching the entertainment unfold. Here we weren't harassed by the locals expecting tips from us for watching the little shows and taking photos.
On the last day of the holiday in Marrakech we visited the grand Bahai Palace before going to a cookery class. The cookery class held in a riad in the medina, was a great success. The riad was "Dar Cherifa" and was a coffee bar. It was quite unbelievable entering this beautiful building through a very small door tucked away in a very narrow alleyway. I didn't partake of the class but just watched it, which was mainly chopping up fruit and veg. It was our lunch and although we had to wait a long time for the chicken to cook, I think we all voted the class as a hit.
Our last evening was at Chez Ali, a man made tourist attraction, which attracted coach loads of tourists. We had dinner which wasn't great in sumptuous Berber tents (not at all like the real rag tag ones in the desert), with various entertainers. After dinner,outside, we watched a spectacular horse show, part of which was the traditional Fantasia or gunpowder race. I had previously watched Fantasia on the b each at Essaouira, which would be a lovely place for a two night stay. At the end of Fantasia and our final night a lot of the group left on a high, dancing back to the coach.
All in all this can become a super holiday but JY do need to rejig it before the next departure. I have written to Customer Services as now doubt a few others have regarding the holiday.
Anyone on the tour who wishes to add further thoughts to my review, I would like to read them.
Regards,
Di
Hi Di
Thanks for taking the time to post a review, it is always good to have details when it is a new tour. Let's hope Just You take on board your comments.
Regards
Sue
