Driving to Morocco??

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Tim S
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Driving to Morocco??

Post by Tim S » Tue Feb 18, 2020 1:54 pm

My in-laws are living in Santander these days, which makes a great excuse for a Lotus trip sometime this year.

Had the maps out last night and started looking at the ferries from the south of Spain to Morocco. That could make a great excuse for a big trip! But I've never been. Anyone had any experience of driving there? Is it as stupid an idea as I suspect it might be?!

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Dark
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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by Dark » Tue Feb 18, 2020 2:29 pm

There is a Harry's Garage video on YouTube where he drives to Morocco.
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greyrigg
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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by greyrigg » Tue Feb 18, 2020 4:59 pm

Haven’t driven to Morocco but have driven in Morocco. Over the Atlas Mountains and down into the desert and back along the coast.

Fantastic scenery and the roads are quite good, only the other traffic to look out for, especially the lorries.

Driving in Marrakesh is an experience, no rules and every type of transport from donkeys to artics.

We had a Renault Clio hire car (strange thing with a boot) but great air con so drove in the heat of the day (45 degrees C) so that we could explore when it was cooler. Just booked accommodation as we went, the best being Villa Maroc in Essouria https://www.villa-maroc.com

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campbell
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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by campbell » Tue Feb 18, 2020 7:55 pm

Road trip !!

Sounds epic.
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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by C7Steve » Wed Feb 19, 2020 6:18 am


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Tim S
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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by Tim S » Wed Feb 19, 2020 1:19 pm

Thanks all. Harry's trip looked good, though I suspect he's got more funds to help get out of trouble if needs be. Will def give it more thought. Time of year would be an issue, though - presumably needs to be in winter if it's manageable in a non-AC Else.

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alicrozier
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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by alicrozier » Wed Feb 19, 2020 1:31 pm

All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Any references to laptimes, speed or driving on the public highway are purely for dramatic effect.

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philthy
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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by philthy » Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:10 am

Myself and JJ drove to Sahara through Morocco in a smart car last year.

Customs when you arrive is tough with a car. From memory you need to fill in a form when you arrive and answer questions, handy if you can speak French for this.

The roads down to Casablanca are EU funded motorways so as good as can be seen in France/Spain.

Off these roads is hit and miss, we drove quite a way on dirt tracks to get over the Atlas Mountains as they were doing work on the main roads.

The atlas mountain roads are incredible, twisty and straight fast parts. Only place I’ve been where it feels you are in an Iraq war zone at then at the top of a Swiss alpine pass 30 mins later.
The locals are the biggest hazard, we were nearly in a few smashes along the way, most cars on the road are bangers held together with hopes and dreams.

Is it worth the hassle, probably not, I’d much rather take the time and drive through the Pyrenees/Alps on my way home.
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Tim S
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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by Tim S » Fri Feb 21, 2020 3:00 pm

Useful thoughts there. And yes many cracking roads in Spain that are yet to be discovered. I'm feeling the sensible hat coming back on!

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Tim

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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by Mikie711 » Fri Feb 21, 2020 6:36 pm

Harry's trip look amazing, Tim life is to short just go for it, even with any hassle it all adds to the memory. Maybe I am a bit blasé about it as I work in Africa which has helped redefine my perception of dodgy but what the hell it would be a brilliant trip to do and certainly more out of the ordinary than most.
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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by fd » Sat Feb 22, 2020 2:17 am

Mikie711 wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2020 6:36 pm
Harry's trip look amazing, Tim life is to short just go for it, even with any hassle it all adds to the memory. Maybe I am a bit blasé about it as I work in Africa which has helped redefine my perception of dodgy but what the hell it would be a brilliant trip to do and certainly more out of the ordinary than most.
Quite, you'll be in a box soon enough, the challenges are part of the memory . . .

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Re: Driving to Morocco??

Post by jj » Sat Feb 22, 2020 7:50 pm

Philthy has summed up our trip pretty well, but I’d still go - even just for the photo opportunities!

Roads were, on the whole, in horrendous condition but i thought it was fun and friendly. But then when people saw us getting out that smart car, everyone was friendly.

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