Morocco with General Tours

The ancient Roman ruins at Volubilis cover at least 14 acres. We spent several hours exploring the hillside area. Photo: Gilbert

We took the 8-day “PriceBuster Morocco” tour with General Tours (53 Summer St., Keene, NH 03481; phone 800/221-2216 or visit www.generaltours.com) in March ’02.

We traveled to Casablanca (a big, busy city with little romantic ambiance); Marrakech (its wide, new boulevards, palm trees and resort hotels contrasted with narrow lanes, old buildings and souks; the French influence was particularly evident); Fez (the complete atmosphere of the medina is to be experienced — crowded and colorful), and Rabat.

We also did a day trip to the old Portuguese colony of El Jadida — quite lovely. We walked along the ramparts of the Old City, smelling the freshly baked bread from the community ovens.

General Tours does a good and reliable job of planning. Hotels were excellent (and we chose the least expensive option) both in facilities and locations. All of them housed various tour groups.

Jo Gilbert monkeying around in the square Djemaa el-Fna in Marrakech.

Our guides (we had four) ranged from average to excellent. They all took time and care with us, though several places were skipped over.

The price, including air from New York, was $900 (2004 prices start at $1,159), and we paid an additional $500 in tips and gratuities. We would take another trip with General Tours.

All of Morocco left us with an impression of color. Don’t turn down any chances to go.

— ROBIN & JO GILBERT, Sunnyvale, CA