Hi Jo, your trip sounds incredible! Morocco (specifically Tangiers) has been #1 on my bucket list since I was 16 years old and read my first Jane Bowles book. But.... I would be traveling alone as a solo female, no friends, no meeting other people to go with, no travel buddy... and that does still scare me. I've traveled through many parts of the world completely solo (without a travel partner) but would feel better if I had at least one friend or acquaintance to travel to Morocco with, as you did. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this.
Hi Kimberly, as I was chatting about in the post, I highly recommend doing a tour as I did. I was solo through most of the trip & was nervous before I went which is why I booked the tour. It changed the whole experience for me. Gave me some company, a guide and a fab way to immerse myself in the country without worrying about being alone. On the Go Tours & Nomadic Tours - the company I went with, have great & very reasonably priced tours. Then after the tour I was totally comfortable being alone in Marrakesh for the end of my trip. Hope that helps! 😁
I'm so glad you didn't listen to The Internet! I spent a month around the High Altas earlier this year, working on books for Lonely Planet, and absolutely loved my time there. I never felt hassled, not for a moment. 'Salam, sister' were probably the two words I heard the most. And I so look forward to returning.
Jo, I love this so much – especially the gap between “Morocco as the internet describes it” and Morocco as you actually lived it.
That line about Tesco car parks feeling more threatening than the medina made me laugh, but it also nails the bigger truth: fear is such a terrible travel advisor, especially for women in midlife who’ve been told for decades that the world is out to get us if we dare wander off alone.
We’ve had that same experience again and again with slow travel — the places we were most “warned” about usually end up feeling the most human, the most generous, the most alive.
And your point about being noticed in your 50s? Yes. There’s something unexpectedly lovely about feeling seen again, even if half the interaction starts with, “Would you like to buy…?”
As for places that surprised me most: probably Belize and North Wales, in totally different ways. Both softer and kinder than their reputations, and both places I’d go back to in a heartbeat.
Also now I’m low-key plotting a 2030 World Cup Morocco detour…
Great writing. We (wife and I) love Morrocco and have made it our base (Agadir) after selling up in the UK. Super chilled slightly shy cousin of the other big cities. Second base hopefully is going to be Thailand. All the best
Morocco has always intrigued me. But like most Middle Eastern and African countries. It was no longer on my bucket list. Thanks for bringing it back. Like the idea of doing a tour.
Hi Jo, your trip sounds incredible! Morocco (specifically Tangiers) has been #1 on my bucket list since I was 16 years old and read my first Jane Bowles book. But.... I would be traveling alone as a solo female, no friends, no meeting other people to go with, no travel buddy... and that does still scare me. I've traveled through many parts of the world completely solo (without a travel partner) but would feel better if I had at least one friend or acquaintance to travel to Morocco with, as you did. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this.
Hi Kimberly, as I was chatting about in the post, I highly recommend doing a tour as I did. I was solo through most of the trip & was nervous before I went which is why I booked the tour. It changed the whole experience for me. Gave me some company, a guide and a fab way to immerse myself in the country without worrying about being alone. On the Go Tours & Nomadic Tours - the company I went with, have great & very reasonably priced tours. Then after the tour I was totally comfortable being alone in Marrakesh for the end of my trip. Hope that helps! 😁
Just checked. It is reasonably priced! 9 days for €1200 🤩 adding it to “next year”! Already saved your post to refer back to. 🙏🏼 Thanks so much.
Brilliant! Yep sounds like the tour I did. Well worth it. So happy to have helped Kimberly! 😊
Hi Jo that does help, thank you so much!
I'm so glad you didn't listen to The Internet! I spent a month around the High Altas earlier this year, working on books for Lonely Planet, and absolutely loved my time there. I never felt hassled, not for a moment. 'Salam, sister' were probably the two words I heard the most. And I so look forward to returning.
Right? ❤️ A wonderful place that’s for sure! Great to connect 😊
Jo, I love this so much – especially the gap between “Morocco as the internet describes it” and Morocco as you actually lived it.
That line about Tesco car parks feeling more threatening than the medina made me laugh, but it also nails the bigger truth: fear is such a terrible travel advisor, especially for women in midlife who’ve been told for decades that the world is out to get us if we dare wander off alone.
We’ve had that same experience again and again with slow travel — the places we were most “warned” about usually end up feeling the most human, the most generous, the most alive.
And your point about being noticed in your 50s? Yes. There’s something unexpectedly lovely about feeling seen again, even if half the interaction starts with, “Would you like to buy…?”
As for places that surprised me most: probably Belize and North Wales, in totally different ways. Both softer and kinder than their reputations, and both places I’d go back to in a heartbeat.
Also now I’m low-key plotting a 2030 World Cup Morocco detour…
💛 Kelly
Yes! Let’s meet there if not before! 🥳
🤝
This is so inspiring; thank you!!
Thanks Madeleine! Honestly, every time I travel somewhere new my mind broadens even further. ❤️
Great writing. We (wife and I) love Morrocco and have made it our base (Agadir) after selling up in the UK. Super chilled slightly shy cousin of the other big cities. Second base hopefully is going to be Thailand. All the best
Morocco has always intrigued me. But like most Middle Eastern and African countries. It was no longer on my bucket list. Thanks for bringing it back. Like the idea of doing a tour.
Safe travels!
Thank you, Jo. This is exciting and inspiring. I’m flying to Madrid today, open-ended…
Love seeing your joyous photos, Jo! 😍 Morocco is a spectacular place.