Morocco with Oussaden Tours

My husband and I are experienced travelers (125 countries) and know there are very few travel bargains any more. When we read an ad in ITN for a 15-day/13-night tour of Morocco for $2,085 each including air from New York, we thought the price was too good to be true.

With departures guaranteed, the package from Oussaden Tours (8 W. 38th St., Ste. 104, New York, NY 10018; 800/206-5049, www.oussadentours.com) included stays in 4-star hotels and two meals daily (including one with a Moroccan family) plus an optional night in a tent on the Sahara.
We traveled about 2,500 miles in a 2006 Kia minivan with two others and our excellent English-speaking driver/guide. With this size of group, small deviations from the daily itinerary were easily accommodated — especially to exploit good photo opportunities.

Morocco is a blend of high mountains, hot desert, modern cities and gritty villages. It is populated by colorfully dressed women and men, reflecting traditions of their many ethnic origins (yellow slippers are in style).

Our July timing was late in the tourist season. March or April would have been better, I think, but the tourist dropoff made bargaining more successful. A splendid handmade runner carpet woven by a nomad woman cost us only $300. Morocco was a bargain in more ways than one!

— MARY C. LUDWIG, Sarasota, FL