Out of Spain, Portugal, and Northern Africa, whats the best to see?
Go to Barcelona and see the Sagrada Familia cathedral. And go to Fes, Morocco, and see the tanneries. Marrakesh is a lot like Fes but the market has far more restaurants than in Fes. I stayed at the Ibis hotel in Marrakesh–immediately to the right of the train station. $53 bucks a night and well worth it; even the crappiest of the dives in Fes wanted over $25 a night. You can buy lovely earrings in the Marrakesh market (right by the entrance) for cheap–well under a dollar a pair. If you need a pair of glasses–bring your own frames (you can get them from thrift stores for a buck) and a prescription, and have them made in Tangiers. Photograys here cost $140 for two lenses; in Spain it was $57; in Tangiers, $30. If you truly want carpet for yourself, research prices in the US before you go. We met these Moroccans who allegedly lived in Canada who struck up a conversation with us on the train to Tangiers and went on and on about this "government run carpet shop" where they buy carpets for a thousand dollars each (delivered to the US price) and resell them in the US for four times as much. After telling them that I might be interested, but that I would check on ebay that night to see what they were selling for, the guy abruptly disappeared. At any Moroccan restaurant==pay for your food BEFORE you eat it. They have a knack for adding extra stuff (like a salad or bread tray) and if you touch it, even to nibble, they charge you for the whole thing. If you insist on paying in advance, you won't get screwed. And always keep enough in small bills to pay with exact change, whether it's the cabdriver or at a restaurant. One time we didn't do this, and they tried to overcharge us by $4, with some stupid excuse–I dont' even remember what it was—and I (a conservatively dressed grandmother) yelled at them in English. Of course, they didn't understand a word of it, but eventually decided to give me back my change to shut me up.In Tangiers==strongly recommend Hotel Paris, in the new section,but close to the old city. We paid $25 there. Strongly recommend AGAINST Hotel Continental in the old city–I think the price was $42 and it was mediocre. Moroccan trains are very good. But skip first class; it costs half again as much and it really isn't more comfortable, because you can't stretch out like you can in second class. (On the last train ride we paid for first class tickets, and, an hour later, voluntarily switched to second class, so that should tell you something). Brush up on even basic French before you go to Morocco–Spanish is almost useless there. Source(s): Personal experience 6 years ago 2 people rated this as good Thanks!