Mark Willenbrock moved to Morocco in 1999 and lives in a traditional riad in the Fes Medina. He speaks English, French and the local Arabic dialect and has been exploring Morocco and leading tours there for more than 15 years.
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Q. Is Morocco safe and should visitors take a guided tour?
A. Morocco is incredibly safe. The late King Hassan II, allegedly said "look after the security forces and they will look after you". Morocco has a police force and a gendarmerie, and both are very evident, no matter where you are in the country. Statistically, levels of crime are better than in southern European countries. I certainly never worry about leaving valuables in a car in Morocco – something that would be unwise in Spain. Guides in Morocco may insulate you from some of the more persistent beggars and shopkeepers, but their purpose is more to open doors into the private areas of this still sometimes conservative country, and to get you beyond the souks and tourist trinkets. It's a complex country and the real gems are often hidden – how many visitors to Fes see the Mokri Palace? How many tourists get beyond a Saharan camp to sit and chat with a genuine nomad family about their hopes for their children? www.madaboutmorocco.com
