The following general outline offers practical information, suggestions and answers to some frequently asked questions. It is not intended to be the definitive guide for your trip.

AIRPORT FORMALITIES
Airport Departure Tax: None at this time
Duty-Free Items: When entering Morocco, you will have to fill out a form that asks for, among other things, your profession.
The import and export of Moroccan currency is prohibited, but any amount of foreign currency may be brought in.
The following may be imported duty-free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; one litre of spirits and one litre of wine; 50g of perfume, a camera, a pair of binoculars, a musical instrument, camping equipment, and reasonable amounts of coffee and tea.

Prohibited Items: All narcotics (hemp, opium, cocaine, morphine, heroin, etc.), firearms, obscene literature, pictures, or articles. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

ACCOMMODATION We have handpicked a selection of charming riads, maisons d'hôtes of 4 & 5 lanterns and 4 & 5* hotels in Morocco. In the desert area accommodation is in authentic kasbahs or kasbah-style hotels. We have tried to describe as accurately as possible the general style of all relevant properties. We want to help you reserve the right holiday and therefore recommend you discuss your requirements with us.

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING We have indicated where a property has air-conditioning or heating facilities for cooler evenings in the winter months.

ALCOHOL Although Morocco is a relatively-liberal Muslim country, alcohol is not as readily available as it is in non-Muslim countries. This is particularly relevant in hotels, riads and restaurants outside the main cities and in the south of the country. Morocco has many fine locally-produced wines. Sometimes small riads not serving alcohol may allow you to bring your own.

ANIMALS & WILDLIFE As in most rural communities, indigenous animals are an essential part of the way of life. The braying of mules and donkeys, the bleating of sheep and goats; the crow of a cockerel or the barking of a dog is not a complaint that receives much sympathy from the locals! Care should be taken to minimise the presence of insects in your accommodation. Keep surfaces clean, dispose of refuse regularly and ensure that food is not left uncovered. Cats and dogs are often resident where an owner or manager lives on the property of a riad. They are normally docile and enjoy making friends. Their domain is generally restricted to the public areas of the property and gardens. If you are allergic to cats and/or dogs please ensure that you check the suitability of your chosen accommodation with us prior to confirming your booking.

ARRIVALOn arrival at Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech airports you will be met you by the driver of your private vehicle and transferred to your riad or hotel or riad. You will be handed our comprehensive information pack containing the contact number and time and place of rendez-vous of your guide.

BANKING/CURRENCY
Currency:Moroccan Dirham (Dh or MAD) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Dh200, 100, 50, 20 and 10; coins in denominations of Dh10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes.
Currency exchange: Moroccan Dirhams can be obtained only in Morocco. Travellers can exchange currency at the airport, immediately on exiting the Customs Hall; at hotel reception desks or at banks. There is no commission charge for exchanging cash. Visitors will be issued with a receipt that they must keep in order to exchange Moroccan currency back before departure, sometimes into the original national currency but more probably into Euros. Money can be withdrawn in banks with a credit card or with an ATM card directly from a cash dispenser in most cities. Personal checks will not be accepted.
Credit cards: Most credit cards are accepted. American Express may not be accepted. Check with your credit card company for details.
Travellers cheques: Travellers cheques are accepted but you will be charged a fee.

BEDS Please let us know your room preference (single, double, twin or triple) at the time of booking.  We will make every effort to request your choice to the hotel or riad, but cannot guarantee your choice will always be available.  Please note that riads normally have a limited number of 'twin' rooms available and scarcely any have triple rooms.  Some riads and hotels have family rooms and suites which will accommodate two adults and up to 2 children. Special prices will apply, so please ask for details.

BREAKFASTSBookings in our riads and hotels include breakfast.  Unless specified otherwise, this is usually a Moroccan style breakfast, usually consisting of coffee or tea, bread with home-made jams and honey, Moroccan pancakes, yoghurts, fruit and eggs. Most hotels have a breakfast buffet service; riads have individual plates.

BUSINESS HOURS
Shopping hours: 0830-1230 and 1500-1900 Monday to Saturday; Friday 0830-1130 & 1500-1900.
Tangiers and northern Morocco:
0900-1300 and 1600-2000, Monday to Saturday; Friday 0900-1130 and 1600-1900.
Office Hours: 0830-1200 and 1430-1830 Monday to Friday. Some offices are open Saturday morning 0830-1130.
Banking Hours: 0830-1115 and 1430-1630 Monday to Friday. Some banks are open Saturday morning 0830-1130.

CANCELLATION CHARGES/ HOTELS AND/OR RIADS Will vary according to each property, so please check with us for details and further information.

CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT According to all international standards, you will usually be able to occupy your hotel/riad room after 2.00pm and you must vacate it by approximately midday. Subject to your itinerary, we shall endeavour to obtain an earlier checkin and later checkout, but this cannot be guaranteed.

CLIMATE To give you an idea of the temperatures you can expect, the tables below give the average maximum (midday) and minimum temperatures (in ºC) for Morocco. Temperatures in the High Atlas Mountains vary according to the altitude. Even though spring and autumn days in the mountains are usually warm and sunny, evenings can be quite chilly. In the Saharan regions, temperatures from midday to late evening vary considerably.

Marrakech :

High Atlas :

Foothills of the Atlas Mountains :

Sub-Sahara :

The climate naturally varies according to each region. The coast has a warm, Mediterranean climate, tempered on the eastern coast by southwest trade winds. Inland areas have a hotter, drier continental climate. Cooler climate prevails in the mountains. The Atlas Mountains area is quite dry, yet with frequent snows in winter. In the south, the weather is very hot and dry throughout most of the year, with the nights coolest in the months of December and January. November to March is the rainy season in coastal areas while the summer is mostly dry with high temperatures. Rainfall is irregular and diminishes progressively from the north to the south and from the west to the east.

CLOTHING Lightweight cottons and linens are best during summer, with warm medium weights for evenings during winter and in the mountains. Waterproof material is advisable in the wet season, particularly on the coast and in the mountains. Whatever the season, it’s wise to pack a few warm items of clothing in addition to cool, cotton, summer clothing, but please avoid short shorts. In early spring and autumn, a warm jacket or coat is necessary in the evenings, especially in the mountains and areas near the Sahara, where the temperature can drop quite dramatically after sunset. Along the coast, evenings can be cool and damp throughout the year. During the daytime, however, it gets rather warm, and you would do well to wear lightweight clothes, as well as a good pair of sunglasses and sun protection for your head.

Proper Attire:Please observe appropriate dress codes when visiting religious sanctuaries, buildings, sites, or palaces, where modesty is the rule. If you are inappropriately dressed, you may not be allowed to enter. Casual clothing is acceptable for tourists, but we discourage short shorts, halter-top’s, or muscle shirts worn in public.

CLOTHING/PACKING CHECKLIST Please check the items below to be taken with you on your trip.
This is not intended as an all-inclusive list, but only as a suggested packing guide.

• Valid Passport.
• Photocopy of passport
• International Certificate - Vaccinations-Health.
• Insurance Policy.
• Credit Cards - Travellers Cheques.
• Photocopy of Credit Cards.
• Listed numbers of Travellers Cheques.

CLOTHING - WOMEN TOILETRIES SUNDRIES

• Comfortable outfit for air travel
• Vitamins - Aspirin/Tylenol - Motion sickness pills - Antibiotics
• Short-acting sleeping pills - Pepto-Bismol - Decongestant
• Antacid -Antibiotic ointment - Insect repellent
• Anti-malarial pills
• Sun screen/Sun block - Lip balm
• Prescription medications -Band-Aids
• Prescription glasses - Eyeglass case
• Underwear
• Sandals or casual shoes - Walking shoes or tennis shoes
• Rubber thongs (shower)
• Hat - Windbreaker (seasonal) or jacket
• Pullover sweater or sweatshirt
• Comfortable long pants
• Shorts
• Casual slacks/skirt
• Socks - Sunglasses
• Short sleeve shirts - Long sleeve shirts - T-shirts
• Pyjamas - Shampoo & Conditioner
• Scarves
• Blouses
• Swim-suit/sarong
• Light-weight robe/cover-up
• Deodorant _ Sewing kit
• Toothpaste & toothbrush _ Small scissors
• Belt(s) - Feminine Hygiene supplies - Kleenex
• Dental floss - Handi-wipes
• Mouthwash - Ziploc bags
• Nail file - Tweezers - Deodorant
• Costume Jewellery - Hairbrush/comb - Travel clothes line
• Razor - Pillowcase for dirty clothing
• Q-Tips/cotton balls
• Nail clippers
• Playing cards - Money Pouch
• Small calculator
• Small Alarm Clock
• Converter/plug set
• Small flashlight - Binoculars
• Small notebook or journal - Pen
• Sewing kit

CLOTHING - MEN

• Comfortable outfit for air travel - Deck of cards
• Sandals or casual shoes - Walking shoes or tennis shoes - Rubber thongs (showers)
• Hand lotion - Books/Magazines
• Hat
• Windbreaker or jacket
• Pullover sweater or sweatshirt
• Long pants* - Belt(s) - Bandana - Underwear
• Comfortable shorts
• Socks - Plenty of film - Neck pillow for airline and/or road travel
• Short sleeve shirts - Long sleeve shirts - Shirts - Casual slacks
• T-Shirts
• Pyjamas
• Light weight robe/cover-up - Swim trunks

CAMERA EQUIPMENT

• Camera bag - Cleaning Fluid/Tissues - Camera/Lenses
• Lens Brush/Puffer - Lens filters - Extra Batteries/Charger
• Flash & Flash batteries * - Lead Protective Film Bags
• Ziploc bags
• Camera instruction book
• Stick-on labels for film
• Video Camera/Charger
• Blank video tapes

CAMERAS & FILM Photographers should note that they cannot photograph military establishments, airports, and strategic dams, bridges and buildings. Taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest may result in problems with authorities. Before photographing any person, religious festival or rural homestead it is courteous to ask permission. Commercial photographers require a permit from the Ministry of Information. Certain tourist sites charge for video photography.
Equipment: Bring cameras and lenses you are comfortable using. If you get new equipment before you go, do so as far in advance as possible. Shoot and develop at least a dozen rolls before departure to work out problems.
Lenses: A combination of fixed and/or zoom lenses with focal lengths from 28 mm to 200 mm is good for general travel photography, although you can take excellent photographs with only a 50 mm lens. A zoom lens in the 70 to 200 mm range will help you capture the sights. A macro lens is helpful for shooting close-ups, but a good set of extension tubes will work very well. A 2x converter is also handy. Bring a small cleaning kit and blower brush to keep equipment clean.
Film:We recommend that you bring plenty of film, for you will undoubtedly shoot more pictures than you planned. Even those not all that interested in photography will probably shoot one 36 exposure roll of film per day, and enthusiastic shooters will far exceed that amount. Be sure film is fresh and when possible, keep it refrigerated or at least cool. A film speed of ASA/ISO 64 is an excellent choice for colour slide film. Use this speed when possible rather than higher speed films. There is a noticeable difference in quality and it is worth the extra effort to keep your camera steady at a somewhat slower shutter speed than you would otherwise use. For colour prints, there are several good choices, including Kodak and Fuji films (ASA/ISO 100 & 200) for daylight photography, ASA/ISO 400 & 1000 are good for lower light and night-time situations.
Batteries: Put fresh photo-quality batteries in your camera and other electric equipment before you leave and bring at least two sets of spare batteries with you. Your camera will be useless without them, and batteries can be expensive in Morocco.

COMMUNICATION
Telephone: Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 212. Outgoing international code: Please check with your country of origin.
Mobile telephone: GSM 900 networks exist. Coverage is mainly available in the cities in the west of Morocco.
Fax: Available in hotels.
Telegrams: Facilities are available throughout the country at main post offices.
Internet: Access is widely available in business centres, hotels and in Internet cafes.
Post: Airmail to Europe takes up to 1 week and can be unreliable. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1430-
1830, Sat 0830-1400.
Languages: Arabic (official); Berber dialects, spoken by large minority; French, often the language of business, government, and diplomacy. Spanish is also spoken in some areas and English is understood, particularly in the north and in main tourist areas.

CUSTOMS IN MOROCCOGreeting: Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Many of manners and social customs emulate French manners, particularly in the middle class. The visitor may find, in some social situations, that patience and firmness will pay dividends. Often visitors may find themselves the centre of unsolicited attention. In towns, young boys after money will be eager to act as guide, sell goods, or simply charge for a photograph while unofficial guides will always offer advice or services. The visitor should be courteous but wary of the latter.

Normal social courtesies should be observed in someone's home. Casual wear is widely acceptable, although swimsuits and shorts should be confined to the beach or poolside. Smoking is widespread and it is customary to offer cigarettes.
Tipping: Service charges are usually included in hotel bills; it is customary to tip hairdressers, cinema ushers, and waiters between 10-20 Dirhams. Tipping is expected in better restaurants; around 10-15% of your bill is normal. A dirham or two should suffice at the more humble restaurants and cafes. A whole range of other services, some of which you may not notice or want, are also performed with the aim of pocketing a few dirhams. Remember that for many porters, guides, etc., this is how they make a living. On the other hand, aggressive hustling shouldn't be rewarded.
Religious Sites: Non-Muslims are not allowed in any mosques in Morocco with the exception of Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and Moulay Ismail Mosque in Meknes, except on Fridays. Remember to show respect when touring religious sites. In these Muslim mosques, men should wear hats and women should be well covered with slacks or a long skirt, a long-sleeved blouse buttoned to the neck, and a scarf over the hair. All should remove their shoes before entering the mosque and should not be present if there is a religious gathering.

DEALING WITH JET LAGWith the joys and adventures of international travel come certain unavoidable inconveniences such as occasional lost luggage or bouts of jet lag. In fact, studies reveal that as much as 90% of long distance travellers experience a degree of jet lag.

Jet lag describes that out-of-sorts feeling associated with long flights, particularly those across time zones. Symptoms and severity vary but may include drowsiness, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, headaches, insomnia, and swelling of the extremities. The number of time zones crossed affects the severity of jet lag. The internal body clock follows circadian rhythm, which is controlled by the hypothalamus that processes nerve signals. That clock is designed for regular cycles of light and darkness. Depending on the number of time zones crossed, it may take several days for that rhythm to be restored. But that is not the only influence. Other factors include cabin pressure, stale air, lack of humidity, and your overall physical condition at the beginning of your trip. Although jet lag can not be completely avoided, there are some simple things you can do to help minimise its effects.

Consider the following for your next scheduled trip:

• Start your trip well rested with a good night's sleep prior to departure. Getting adequate rest before starting on your journey will help minimize the amount of catching up you’ll have to do when you arrive at the destination. Once home, try to schedule a day of rest before returning to work.
• Drink plenty of fluids - water and juices will help you to stay well hydrated. Seasoned travellers recommend that you carry a bottle of drinking water with you and drink eight ounces every hour.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine just before and during flights. Both possess diuretic properties that promote dehydration. Alcohol also causes drowsiness and contributes to feeling sluggish.
• Once settled onboard, reset your watch to the time zone to which you are travelling. This small act helps you begin adjusting to your destination’s local time.
• As much as possible, create a dark environment during flight. Studies have shown that bright lights strongly affect individuals’ body clocks. If necessary, try eye shades and earplugs to help block distractions and convince your body that it is night-time. Closing window shades and turning off overhead lights may also help. Sleep on the plane if your flight has an early morning arrival time.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing and comfortable shoes that will help in the event you experience mild swelling. Experienced travellers often bring lightweight slippers to wear during flights.
• Although not always feasible, look for opportunities to walk around while in flight. Do simple isometric exercises (contracting and relaxing as many muscle groups as possible) in your seat. These will improve circulation, help promote increased alertness, and reduce chances of swelling.
• If you arrive in the morning, plan to stay awake. If possible, wait until the local bedtime to sleep. Many people swear that this is key in determining how quickly they adapt to local conditions. You will sleep better and will be less likely to suffer insomnia than if you nap upon arrival.

ELECTRICITY Usually 220 volts. Older buildings and a few areas still use 110 volt sockets, but you are unlikely to be visiting these areas. Two pin, round, plugs are used.

FOOD & DRINK Drinking Water: Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation (with iodine drops) is advisable. Milk is pasteurised unless you buy it fresh in the countryside, in which case it should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available, but make sure that it is reconstituted with bottled water.
The national drink is mint tea. Coffee is prepared very strong. Laws on alcohol are fairly liberal for non-Muslim visitors. In cities, bars are open for both locals and tourists. Check with your guide about which are recommended for tourists.
Local Cuisine: Morocco’s traditional haute cuisine dishes are excellent, and often elaborate. Specialties include harira, a rich soup; bastella or pastilla - a pastry stuffed with pigeon and almonds; couscous, an all-in-one dish of semolina, meat, and vegetables. Tagine comes in several versions and may include meat, fish, or poultry that is combined with vegetables and other ingredients, and is stewed in terracotta dishes over charcoal fires. Mechoui is roasted lamb. Pastries are delicious, and include kab el ghzal, (horns of the gazelle); briouates,croiossants, beghrir, served with almonds and honey.
To be safe, eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Note: If you have food allergies or are on a special/restricted diet, please notify your travel agent or our office in advance, so that we may try to comply with your needs. Also, please advise your travel agent or our office if you have any mobility restrictions, so that we may inform our representatives accordingly. They will always strive to accommodate you to the best of their ability.

HALF BOARD Hotels with half board include breakfast and dinner normally a fixed menu with or without a choice of dishes on it. The evening menu is usually available around 7 o’clock and you should make the hotel aware as soon as possible if any dishes will not be suitable. Dinners at riads are normally individually prepared according to regional cuisine. Please advise us at the time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements.

HEALTH & SAFETY We are committed to raising the standards of Health & Safety throughout all our programmes. Our guests' safety and well-being is of the highest importance to us. However, please note that since many of our properties have unique character and individuality, it is not always possible to meet the same exacting standards enjoyed in the UK and Europe. We ask you to familiarise yourself with the property on arrival, particularly when travelling with children and raise any concerns you have with us.

HEALTH REQUIRMENTS No vaccination certificate is required for visitors coming from Europe or America. An anti-cholera vaccination certificate may be required of visitors coming from areas where the disease is prevalent.
Anti-malarial treatment is not necessary. There is a minimal malaria risk, exclusively in the benign vivax form, existing from May to October in rural areas.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming in fresh water. Swimming pools that are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe. Soil parasites are also present so wear shoes. Hepatitis A and E also occur.
Healthcare: There are good medical facilities in all main cities, particularly in Marrakech, Fes, Rabat and Casablanca. Private clinics and hospitals meet high quality standards. Emergency pharmacies (sometimes in the Town Hall) operate outside normal opening hours. Government hospitals provide free or minimal charge emergency treatment. Full health insurance is essential.
Medical Insurance: Doctors and hospitals in Morocco often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travellers, who require medical care overseas, may face extreme difficulties. Always come with adequate travel insurance and ensure you give the policy number and contact details to Olive Branch Tours at the beginning of services.
Medications: If you are on medication, be sure to bring enough for the duration of the trip in the original prescription bottle. Be sure to also bring enough of any over-the-counter medications you use as well. Please check the latest regulations with your doctor.

HOTEL STAR/RIAD LANTERN RATINGS. Many hotels and riads in Morocco do not have official ratings as in many other countries. Those with star or lantern ratings are not UK/EU ratings, nor are they always representative of the hotel's standard of rooms and service and differ from city to city. If you require further information on ratings of a particular hotel or riad, please let us know.

INTERNET ACCESS Most of our properties used now have wi-fi Internet access at the Reception desk and a growing number, particularly in Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech, have Internet access in their bedrooms. Most hotels and riads charge for this service.

KASBAH HOTELS These hotels built of ochre-red pisé (reinforced mud bricks, or adobe) are in the style of castellated castles. Accommodation is simple but comfortable, and friendly service makes up for any lack of sophistication. All bedrooms have en suite shower or bath room. Half board is included in the price which consists of a breakfast and a simple 3-course meal.

LIFTS Most riads in Morocco do not have a lift, however, you can request ground floor rooms if required. Please do not hesitate to check with us, should this be a necessity.

LUGGAGE Travelling light is always the first and best rule! We recommend passengers limit their luggage to one medium sized soft bag per person or two small duffle bags. In this security conscious era, airline luggage restrictions may change without notice. Also, luggage limits vary depending on ticket class, plane size, destinations, etc. It is always best to confirm with airlines for specific limitations.
Generally speaking, from the US, economy class passengers are allowed to check in two (2) normal size pieces of luggage (each piece measuring no more than about 62 linear inches, which means length plus width plus height), and not exceeding 70 pounds per bag.
Scheduled flights from other countries and within foreign countries generally limit luggage to 44 pounds total, plus one carry-on personal item. Further restrictions apply for charter flights. We will advise you of those restrictions in your final documents.
Most airlines now allow only one carry-on bag in addition to one personal item such as a laptop or handbag.
Most bags within the 22 x 14 x 9 (or, a total of 45 linear inches) size restriction will be considered legal carry-on size by major domestic U.S. airlines. Many US airlines check-in desks have sizing boxes within which your bag must fit. Obviously, no knives or cutting instruments are allowed in carry-on baggage. All luggage should have identification inside as well as secure baggage tags on the outside.

NOISE & BUILDING WORKS Traffic, road work, animals and other sounds form part of everyday life. What constitutes ‘noise’ to one person may not be a problem for another. In Morocco, the mohaddin’s call to prayer takes place five times a day and you should bear this and general daily activity in mind if you are staying in the city medina and if you are a light sleeper. Please let us know if you have any special needs regarding this. Occasionally, building work is unavoidable as we do not control such work and may not know about it in advance. Whenever possible, we will notify you of any work that we believe may affect your holiday.

PASSPORTS & VISAS Passports: For international travel, a passport must be valid for at least six months from date of departure, containing at least two blank pages is necessary. Visas: European Union, UK, U.S. and Canadian citizens do not require visas in advance. Citizens from other countries, please consult your nearest Moroccan Consulate.

Important: Please look at your passport prior to travel to insure that:

1) Your passport is valid for at least six months after the date of travel.

2) You have sufficient blank pages for visa stamps that will be added as you travel in and out of various countries.
Please note: Pages reserved for amendments and endorsements cannot be used for visas.

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS & BOOKING. Should you like us to pre-book any restaurants for your stay in Morocco, please do not hesitate to ask us.

RIADS Riads are traditional houses situated in the Medina (Old Town) which have been renovated and turned into tasteful guesthouses. They vary in size and style but all offer guests the opportunity to experience authentic accommodation in stylish Moroccan surroundings. They are usually entered through a wooden door in the wall of a narrow alleyway in the Medina, and from the outside look quite unpretentious. However, once inside it is quite a different story - a typical riad is arranged around a cool central courtyard, often ornately decorated with coloured zelliges (mosaics). There is usually a small fountain or garden with orange and lemon trees, and sometimes a beautiful pool. The ground floor usually comprises of a lounge, dining room and small b'hous (tiny nooks, with sofas and cushions to relax or dine in). Occasionally there might be one or two bedrooms at this level. The bedrooms are usually situated on the first and second floors and overlook the courtyard. They are accessed by a steepish stone staircase, as is the roof terrace, which provides seating and awnings, where guests can relax or have dinner and listen to the intermittent sound of the mohaddin calling the faithful to prayer. This is also the place to sit and relax in the evenings and enjoy the wonderful views across the Medina. Bedrooms (mainly with double bed) tend to be small, long, narrow, shady and cool with small shuttered windows and a door overlooking the interior courtyard. Suites will be similar in design but with more space for a sitting area and sometimes an open fireplace. Bathrooms are usually small with shower/WC (although some are available with bath on request at selected riads) and are decorated with brightly coloured tadelakt walls. Riads in Marrakech and Fes tend to be larger and more ornately decorated than those in Essaouira, which are generally smaller and decorated more simply, usually painted in white with splashes of colour, reflecting the colours of the sea. However, each riad will reflect the character, taste and style of its individual owner.

RIADS FOR EXCLUSIVE RENTAL WITH OR WITHOUT PRIVATE CHEF. We can arrange for exclusive use of an entire riad in the heart of the Medina in Marrakech, Fes or Essaouira, complete with its own private maid and cook, who will prepare delicious Moroccan dishes for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own riad.

SAFETY As with travel to any destination, common sense should be the prevailing guide to avoid problems. During the day, take only the indispensable in your backpack or fanny pack. Do not take your passport, airline tickets or all your money on day trips. Always leave these and other valuables in hotel safes. Take copies of your documents and only the amount of money you think you will need. Leave your jewellery at home! Aggressive panhandling is common.

SATELLITE TV Where satellite television is available, we cannot guarantee that there will be stations broadcasting in English. Should this be an important factor to you, please check with us prior to confirming your booking.

SHOPPING Crafts are a staple of Morocco. Coopartim, state sanctioned cooperatives sell local handicrafts at fixed prices and issue an authenticity receipt or a certificate of origin for customs when exporting. Souks are also worthwhile places to visit for local products. Maronquinerie (leatherwear) has been highly prized among traders since the 16th century. The country is also known for its production of wool rugs and carpets, pottery, jewellery, brassware, woodwork, silver, copperware; and silk or cotton garments. Painted and sculpted panels for interior decoration are commonplace, and intricate tiled ornamentation still graces the interior of various Medersas and other religious buildings and wealthy homes. The mashrabiyya, screens allowing Muslim women to observe the goings-on in the street unseen, survive also. While these items aren't likely candidates for souvenirs, they do serve to show that Moroccan crafts aren't completely dependent on floods of tourists.
Bargaining is essential, and good buys generally work out at around a third of asking price. In the south there are Berber carpet auctions, especially in Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tarouddant, and Tiznit. Visitors will need a guide to make the best of these occasions.

SMOKING. Please note that there are very few ‘non-smoking’ bedrooms and public areas in Morocco.

SWIMMING POOLS. Riads with pool (splash or plunge) tend to be the first to get booked and are generally unheated (unless specified otherwise). Please ensure you give plenty of notice to get the riad of your choice. Very few pools have covers, fencing or life rings, so children must be supervised at all times.

TELEPHONES & MOBILE PHONES. Many riads and all hotels have telephones in the room or at the Reception desk. For ‘phoning home, we recommend that you take your GSM ‘phone with you. The coverage in Morocco is generally good, except in some rural or desert areas, where you might not always get a signal.

TIME ZONES/TRAVEL TIME. Morocco is on Greenwich Mean Time, GMT, or five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in New York., except in summer where it becomes GMT+1. Flying time from New York to Casablanca, Morocco is approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes, nonstop.

VEGETARIAN & OTHER DIERTARY REQUIREMENTS. Guests who have special dietary requirements should inform us at the time of booking and provide full details of such. Whilst we will endeavour to ensure that that the riad or hotel tries to make these special arrangements for you, you must appreciate that the range of products available in Morocco (such as soya based and wheat/gluten free foods) is limited, particularly outside the main cities. However, the Moroccan diet is generally very healthy, with fresh fruit and vegetables readily available.

HISTORIC OVERVIEW: Morocco's strategic location has shaped its history. The Berbers, or Imazighen (free men of the land), settled in the area thousands of years ago and at one time they controlled all of the coastal land between Morocco and Egypt.

Divided into clans and tribes, they have always jealously guarded their independence. The early Berbers were little affected by early arrivals beginning with the Phoenicians. Many foreigners have come to this area, some to trade or settle, others as invaders sweeping the land and dominating it. Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, and Byzantine Greeks successively ruled the area. Arab forces began occupying Morocco in the 7th century A.D., bringing with them Arab civilization and Islam. Other invasions followed. The Alaouite dynasty, which has ruled Morocco since 1649, claims descent from the Prophet Mohammad. Morocco's location and resources led to early competition among European powers in Africa, beginning with successful Portuguese efforts to control the Atlantic coast in the 15th century. France showed a strong interest in Morocco as early as 1830. Following recognition by the United Kingdom in 1904 of France's "sphere of influence" in Morocco, the Algeciras Conference (1906) formalised France's "special position" and entrusted policing of Morocco to France and Spain jointly. The Treaty of Fez (1912) made Morocco a protectorate of France. By the same treaty, Spain assumed the role of protecting power over the northern and southern (Saharan) zones. Morocco’s first French Resident-General, Marshal Lyautey, built ‘villes nouvelles’ (new towns) alongside established towns. He established Rabat as the new capital and developed the port of Casablanca. By the 1930s, more than 200,000 French had made Morocco home. Allied forces used Morocco as a base during World War II to drive German forces from North Africa. The first nationalist political parties based their arguments for Moroccan independence on such World War II declarations as the Atlantic Charter (a joint statement issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill that set forth, among other things, the right of all people to choose the form of government under which they will live). A manifesto of the Istiqlal (Independence) Party in 1944 was one of the earliest public demands for independence. That party subsequently provided most of the leadership for the nationalist movement Sultan Mohammed V inspired an independence party after he was exiled by France in 1953. His replacement, the unpopular Muhammad Ben Aarafa, whose reign was perceived as illegitimate, sparked active opposition to the French Protectorate. France allowed Muhammad V to return in 1955, and negotiations leading to independence began the following year.

The Kingdom of Morocco recovered its political independence from France on March 2, 1956. By agreements with Spain in 1956 and 1958, Moroccan control over certain Spanish-ruled areas was restored. On October 29, 1956, the signing of the Tangier Protocol politically reintegrated the former international zone. Spain, however, still retains control over the small enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in the north. After the death of his father, Muhammad V, King Hassan II succeeded to the throne on March 3, 1961. He recognized the Royal Charter proclaimed by his father on May 8, 1958, which outlined steps toward establishing a constitutional monarchy. A constitution providing for representative government under a strong monarchy was approved by referendum on December 7, 1962. Elections were held in 1963. In June 1965, following student riots and civil unrest, the king invoked article 35 of the constitution and declared a "state of exception." He assumed all legislative and executive powers and named a new government not based on political parties. In July 1970, King Hassan submitted to referendum a new constitution providing for an even stronger monarchy. Its approval and the subsequent elections formally ended the 1965 "state of exception."

An unsuccessful coup on July 10, 1971, organised by senior military officers at Skhirat, was followed by Morocco's third constitution, approved by popular referendum in early 1972. The new constitution kept King Hassan's powers intact but enlarged from one-third to two-thirds the number of directly elected parliamentary representatives. In August 1972, after a second coup attempt by Moroccan Air Force dissidents and the king's powerful Interior Minister General Oufkir, relations between the opposition and the Crown deteriorated, due to disagreement on opposition participation in elections. The king subsequently appointed a series of non-political cabinets responsible only to him.

Stemming from cooperation on the Sahara issue, rapprochement between the king and the opposition began in mid-1974 and led to elections for local councils, with opposition party participation, in November 1976. Parliamentary elections, deferred because of tensions with Spain and Algeria over the Sahara dispute, were held in 1977, resulting in a two-thirds majority for the government backed independent candidates and their allies, the Istiqlal and the Popular Movement. The Constitutional Union finished first in local elections in June 1983, and parliamentary elections in 1984. The king is head of state, and his son, the crown prince, is heir apparent. Under the 1992 constitution, a prime minister appointed by the king is head of government. Of the333-seat unicameral parliament, two-thirds of the members are chosen directly by universal adult suffrage; the remaining one-third is indirectly elected by community councils and business, labour, artisan, and farmer groups. The parliament's powers, though limited, were expanded by the 1992 constitution and include budgetary matters, approving bills presented by the King and establishing ad hoc commissions of inquiry to investigate actions by the executive branch. Morocco is now ruled by King Mohammed VI.