PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Each passenger must be in possession of a passport, valid for more than six months AFTER the return date of travel. No visa is required for U.S. passport holders for a stay of up to three months. Non-U.S. citizens must contact the Morocco Consulate for visa requirements.

DRIVER'S LICENSE
If you are renting a car in Morocco, an International Driver's License is recommended and should be obtained prior to arrival.

CUSTOMS
Visitors may bring into Morocco personal effects including cameras and up to 10 rolls of film. In addition, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, one bottle of wine, one bottle of liquor and 8 ounces of eau de cologne are also permissible. Food items and medicines in reasonable quantities for personal use are also allowed.

BAGGAGE
Passengers are allowed only 44 pounds (20 Kg) of checked luggage and one item of hand luggage per person. You may wish to pack an extra (foldable) travel bag to carry back any purchases you make on your trip. However, due to limited trunk space on vehicles, we encourage you to travel with only one suitcase per person. We strongly recommend that you purchase baggage insurance prior to departure from the USA.

TRANSFERS
When you arrive at the airport in each city you will be visiting -if you have transfers - you will be met outside Customs by a representative from our local ground operator and taken to the vehicle which will transport you to your hotel.

If you have not arranged transfers in advance, you will not be met at the airport. In that case, you may go directly to your hotel or, should you have a car rental, you may pick up your car from the car rental company with the voucher with which we have provided you. Please keep your hotel and car rental vouchers in a safe place and present them (one at a time) as each service is provided.

REMEMBER! AFFIX YOUR BAGGAGE TAGS AND WEAR YOUR NAME BADGE.

CLIMATE
Annual sunshine levels are more than 8 hours per day in Agadir, Fez, Marrakesh and Ouarzazate with average temperatures above 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Morocco is an unusual country weatherwise; it is possible to go from the snow of the Atlas Mountains to the hot and dry Saharan desert in one single day! The country has, more or less, a continental climate, hotter and drier in summer to the south, but moderated by the sea to the west. In summer, the inland desert is very dry and hot, but its winter nights can turn quite cold.

WHAT TO PACK
The following are suggestions for both men and women:

• Valid passport
  
• Traveler's Checks
  
• Copy of the first page of your passport
  
• Copy of your airline ticket
  
• Departure documents (voucher, airline tickets)
  
• Medicine
  
• Camera, batteries and ample supply of film
  
• Travel alarm clock
  
• Pocket-size Kleenex
  
• Moist towelettes
  
• Sewing kit. Safety pins
  
• Sunscreen, tanning lotion
  
• First Aid kit
  
• Extra luggage locks
  
• Money belt
  
• Extra set of luggage keys
  
• Extra set of eyeglasses
  
• Soft, foldable slippers for plane
  
• Prescriptions for medicine and eyeglasses
  
• Folding umbrella

CURRENCY
Morocco's currency is the Dirham (DH) divided into 100 centimes. There are 10, 50, 100 and 200 DH notes, 1 and 5 DH coins and 5, 10, 20 and 50 centime. Money may be exchanged at a bank or at an approved change office (indicated by a golden sign) or at hotels (which all offer the same rate of exchange). No commission is charged and you will be given a slip, which will be required at the end of your stay to change any remaining Dirhams back into the original currency. (Note: Dirhams cannot be taken out of Morocco.) It is illegal to change money in the streets.

TIME
Moroccan time is the same as Greenwich Mean Time, or 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time USA. This does not take into account any local seasonal time changes.

BANKING HOURS
Banks are generally open from 8:15 AM to 11:30 AM and from 2:15 PM to 4:30 PM. Hours are shorter during Ramadan (the Islamic holiday) and longer during the summer with no lunchtime closing.

HEALTH
No vaccinations are required for entry to Morocco from the U.S. or Europe. Occasionally, vaccination against Hepatitis A is recommended. However, we suggest that you please consult with your personal physician to determine your special needs, if any.

DRINKING WATER
Drink only bottled water. Two well-known local brands are Sidi Ali and Sidi Harazem. If you are prone to intestinal problems, take an appropriate medicine with you. We strongly suggest your packing an anti-diarrhea preparation or medication. Water is safe for bathing or brushing your teeth. NEVER drink water from an oasis or a stream.

VOLTAGE
Some wall sockets in Morocco are only suitable for low-voltage appliances. Generally speaking, 220 volts are found in new buildings while 110 volts exist in older ones - sometimes both. We advise that you check first with the hotelier or tour escort before attempting to use any appliance. Typically, the two-pin round European plugs are the norm. Most American appliances will need transformers and plugs (converters) which you should consider packing, as hotels may have very limited availability (if at all).

TIPPING
The world of tourism relies heavily on personal services. The truth has fashioned tipping into a universal practice. The very term is an acronym which stands for the words "to improve performance." It is customary to show your appreciation to hotel personnel and to the guide and driver of the car/coach.

We suggest the following tipping scale (per person, per day):

Hotel Personnel: $1.50
Driver: $2.00-$3.00
Tour Guide: $4.00-$5.00
Private Car/Driver: $175.00 per couple (for a week of services)
(Given at the end of the tour)

While service charges are normally included in hotel and restaurant bills, tipping is a matter of personal choice. Most people leave some small change if they're satisfied - 5%-10% of the bill, for example, is usually plenty. It's also common to leave small change at bars and cafe tables.

SHOPPING
The traditional handicraft items of Morocco are the best bargains. Hand-knotted carpets, many of them colored with vegetable dyes, make lovely mementos. Leather goods marquetry (furniture, ornaments, chess sets), pottery, embroidery, baskets and jewelry are found in every region. Have fun practicing your bargaining skills - it's encouraged and expected and it is the custom of the country! Generally, it is best to shop around and compare prices before bargaining. If time is short, a simple rule to follow is to offer one-quarter of the asking price and settle for half. On occasion, a local guide may lead you to merchants - which can be quite helpful. Do keep in mind that he may receive a commission (very small) on items you purchase; this is traditional. (We do not condone this practice and are powerless to prevent it.) It is best to take all items with you, as we can assume no responsibility and are unable to help you with any items that you purchase or ship. We also remind you that there is a limit on the U.S. tax exemptions on goods acquired abroad.

STORE HOURS
Generally, stores are open from 8:30 am to Noon and from 2:00 - 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Many shops remain open much later than this; some shops close on Friday to observe the Islamic Sabbath.

TELEPHONES
Note that most hotels impose a fee for placing a telephone call from your room - even if it is a collect or credit card call. We suggest that you pre-arrange for your family to call you at an appointed hour (i.e., late night) for a savings, or use your AT&T, Sprint or MCI calling cards. Call your long-distance phone service before you depart the U.S. to obtain access codes.

FOOD & DRINK
Moroccan cuisine is considered one of the finest in the world-delicate fish dishes, succulent meats, sun-drenched fruits and exquisite vegetables - abundant with rare and exotic spices. Be sure to sample some of the typical Moroccan fare - tasty kebabs (charcoal-grilled brochettes of chicken, liver or Iamb), the famous pastilla (pigeon pie), kefta (small cakes of minced Lamb in a pepper sauce), the many variations of couscous, the traditional national dish (a steamed grain usually mixed with vegetables and/or meat), and mechoui (oven or spit-roasted Lamb). Don't forget to indulge in the wonderful sweet pastries that are available, such as honey cakes or almond feqquas. And, an absolute must is mint tea (the national drink); it is a refreshing drink that can be enjoyed throughout the day.

HOLIDAYS
As in the United States, many days are observed for national feasts, or local festivities, during which time some monuments, museums, etc., may be closed. This is especially valid during the Holy month of Ramadan. Check with the National Tourist Office for information and guidance.

SECURITY
It is important to be cautious when traveling, as you are carrying important items such as passports, credit cards, cash, airline tickets, traveler's checks, vouchers, etc., the loss of which might interrupt your vacation. Do not leave any of these items unattended or in your hotel room. Always keep a record or copy of these items and carry it separately from the actual items or leave a photocopy at home. Ladies should exercise common sense and caution while carrying purses and men should carry their wallets in an inside pocket (or, perhaps, invest in a money belt - an increasingly popular item purchased by travelers before leaving the U.S.). Never leave valuables unattended in a car.

ENTERTAINMENT
Nightclubs - often with belly dancing - are plentiful and can often be found in hotels and local restaurants. In medina restaurants, the most common evening entertainment is a display of folklore, - folk music and dancing. In Marrakesh, the evening street life is very festive - a veritable assembly of snake charmers, musicians, dancers and vendors. Do check with the hotel concierge or our local ground operator for a list of events and/or recommendations.

• Women are advised to dress in a restrained, unprovocative manner. Refrain from wearing short, tight-fitting or low-cut clothing.
  
  
• Casual clothing (jeans and T-shirts) is acceptable for daytime. Shorts are discouraged unless worn around a resort hotel. For dinner at hotels or fine restaurants, you may wish to get more dressed.
  
  
• Always ask permission before taking photographs of anyone, especially veiled women. A small tip may be expected by a photographed person (i.e., a water-carrier or camel attendant).
  
  
• Arabic is the national language of the Kingdom of Morocco. The easiest way to communicate is to use French, their second language. English is understood in many hotels and markets, generally, wherever tourists are found. (As a matter of courtesy, it is very useful to have a few words of Arabic in your vocabulary.)
  
  
• The majority of mosques do not allow non-Muslims to enter. Please inquire locally.
  
  
• Never begin a bargaining session for an item that you are not prepared to buy. It is considered ill-mannered.

ASSISTANCE
Our local ground operator representative is available to assist you during your stay. Please refer to the information provided with your travel documents for their address and telephone numbers. They are your first point of contact (unless you need urgent care) in the event you have a problem or simply wish additional information, reconfirmations, or to purchase local tours/excursions.