This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my site! See our privacy policy for more information.
I am a little ashamed to say I took a guided tour. I know I should not be, and yet I kind of was. My husband and I visited Morocco in the winter and opted for a ten-day guided trip. It was a first for me. While he has cruised and done excursions before, I never had.
Throughout the trip, we had city guides showing us the major sights and helping us navigate the souks. We had a driver who took us all over Morocco, stopping in some pretty iconic places along the way. We were very much along for the ride. Usually, I am the one planning, directing, and calling the shots. This time, I handed over the reins. We were sheep, and I am almost always the shepherd. And honestly, that alone made this trip feel like a big deal. Should you plan a trip to Morocco or take a guided tour?
So what did I really think about it? Let’s get into it.
My Ethos
I pride myself on being an extremely thorough travel planner. It is actually kind of my entire thing. I spend hours researching, planning and executing every detail of a trip. Of course, I miss things sometimes. An essential border crossing permit in Chile. A painfully tight layover I did not think through in Italy. Forgetting to book accommodation for one single night on a two-week trip. All true stories.
But in general, I leave no stone unturned. For the past seventeen years of adult travel, I have had successful, full, fun trips because I put in the work ahead of time.
I am also a bit of a control freak. How I spend my time on trips really matters to me. I made this comparison in my London guide. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a replica built in 1997. While I appreciate Shakespeare, it is not how I want to spend my time or money because it is not the original. I would rather be in a museum looking at ancient artifacts and paintings that actually shaped history.
So the idea of having someone else plan every detail and then following their schedule was a big undertaking for me. It required a surprising amount of bravery, or maybe just surrender.
If you want a glimpse into what this obsessive planning looks like, head to my destination guides. They are designed to help you coordinate your own trip so you do not miss a thing and most importantly, so you eat well.
Why We Chose a Guided Trip for Morocco
A big reason we chose a guided trip for Morocco came down to convenience. While we are living in France, I am commuting, and that is a generous word, back to Portland, Oregon to work as a nurse. Because we are only in France for two years and I love my job, my boss and I worked out an arrangement where I return to the U.S. three times a year to work on-call shifts.
With that in mind, I was in the States for nearly a month in October. My plan was to use downtime to plan our Morocco trip. But, anyone who lives far from family and friends knows that sitting in front of a computer for hours while visiting home is nearly impossible. There were too many demands on my time and most of them had nothing to do with trip planning.
By the time I returned to France, I felt unprepared and overwhelmed.
On top of that, my confidence in driving through Morocco was dropping by the minute. Mountain passes, long distances, and stories about police stopping foreigners were not things I wanted to navigate. While trains and taxis between cities were an option, I knew I wanted to go into the Sahara, which would require a guided experience anyway. One thing led to another, and while searching for a Sahara tour, I discovered Morocco Meander.
Why Morocco Meander
I came across Morocco Meander’s website and was immediately impressed by how thorough their tours were. They offer a wide range of itineraries that truly meet different needs. Short trips, senior-focused tours, bird watching, geology-focused itineraries and more.
I found a ten-day itinerary that hit nearly every place I wanted to see. I was nervous about traveling over New Year’s, but it was second nature to them. I worked with Ismail to fine-tune what was already a strong itinerary and while I was nervous about handing over control, I felt confident that if we followed the plan, we would have a great experience.
Between their communication, organization, and consistently five-star reviews, it felt like a solid choice.
The Pros of Independent Travel
Even after a positive guided experience, there are still a lot of reasons I prefer traveling independently and why this will always be my default.
Your Own Schedule (This One Is Huge)
Having full control over your schedule is, for me, the biggest advantage of independent travel. If you wake up tired, overstimulated, or just not feeling a plan you made weeks ago, you can change it without asking permission. Some of my favorite travel days have come from scrapping plans entirely and doing something slower or simpler instead.
When I plan my own trips, I build in flexibility on purpose. If one day is packed, the next is lighter. If we have an unexpectedly great meal somewhere, we can linger without worrying about what comes next. That freedom is hard to replicate on a guided tour, no matter how well organized it is.
Ready to Explore? Book Here ↓
Spontaneity and Following Your Curiosity
Independent travel leaves room for curiosity. You can follow a side street, pop into a museum you did not plan for, or eat somewhere because it smells incredible, not because it is on the itinerary. Even control freaks like me love a side plot.
Guided tours, by nature, are structured. There is usually a timeline to follow and places to be. While that can be efficient, it does not leave much space for wandering or for those accidental moments that end up being the highlight of a trip.
Budget Control
If you are traveling on a tighter budget, planning things yourself often gives you more control. You can decide where to splurge and where to save. You can book simpler accommodations, choose cheaper transportation options and prioritize experiences that matter most to you.
Guided tours can offer value, especially when logistics are complex, but the upfront cost can be a barrier. Independent travel allows you to shape the trip around your financial comfort level.
Choosing Help Only When You Want It
One of my favorite parts of independent travel is opting into guidance only when it adds value. City walking tours, food tours, guided hikes, wine tastings, or day trips to rural areas can easily be layered into a self-planned itinerary.
You get expert insight without giving up control of your entire trip. It is the best of both worlds, especially in cities where public transportation and infrastructure are easy to navigate.
Food, Always Food
Food is non-negotiable for me. I want to eat when I am hungry, linger when a meal is good, and walk away when it is not. When I travel independently, my days often revolve around meals rather than the other way around.
The idea of having most meals predetermined or eating somewhere because it is convenient for a group makes me nervous. Independent travel lets me seek out places that feel intentional, not obligatory.
Dependability and Ownership
When I plan my own trips, I trust myself. I know the level of research I put in, and if something does not work out, I own it. There is a certain satisfaction in knowing that the trip unfolded the way it did because of choices I made.
That sense of ownership matters to me. It is also why I can laugh at mistakes later, because they are mine.
Other People (Or the Lack of Them)
Independent travel means you do not have to compromise your pace or preferences with strangers. You are not waiting on late arrivals, adjusting plans to group dynamics, or navigating personalities that clash with your own.
If you are traveling with someone you love and travel well with or alone, that autonomy is incredibly freeing.
Morocco is a great place to ditch the groups and makes friends with cats.
Depth Over Drive-By Experiences
When I plan a trip, every destination has a reason. I want to understand why I am there and spend enough time to feel grounded in a place. Some guided tours move quickly by necessity, which can feel like skimming the surface rather than truly engaging.
Independent travel allows for depth, lingering, and repetition, which is often where real understanding comes from.
The Pros of Guided Travel
This is where guided trips really shine, and where I was genuinely surprised by how much I appreciated having help.
When Things Don’t Go as Planned
This one deserves to be first, because it matters more than people realize. When my phone was stolen from my pocket in Marrakech, having a guide was invaluable. Navigating a police station in a foreign country with a language barrier is not something I would have wanted to handle alone. Our guide helped translate, explain the situation, and advocate for us in real time.
Even after we left Marrakech, Ismail continued coordinating with the police and keeping us updated. This was not part of the itinerary. It was not required. But it made an incredibly stressful situation manageable. Without a guided trip, this would have been a very different experience.
It’s Truly Plug and Play
I will admit it, there was something incredibly nice about just showing up. We were picked up from the airport, dropped off at our riads, and told the plan for each day. Our driver Youssef walked us through what to expect, how long we would be driving, and what stops we would make along the way.
In cities like Fes and Marrakech, we had local guides who were vetted and trusted. We were not guessing who to hire or worrying about being steered somewhere sketchy. That became especially true when shopping in the souks. We were guided to authentic shops with quality items that were a bit out off the beaten path. I can’t imagine we would have found them on our own. That peace of mind allowed us to focus on actually experiencing the place instead of managing logistics.
Booking Simplicity (This Was Huge)
Booking one thing was honestly a luxury. I booked the tour, and the tour booked everything else. Riads, city guides, tickets, excursions, breakfasts. All I had to do was walk up to the front desk and say my name.
There were no extra confirmation emails to keep track of, no surprise fees, and no moments of panic where I realized I forgot to book something essential. For someone who usually has spreadsheets and folders for everything, this felt wildly freeing.
The People (Yes, This Can Be a Pro)
Earlier I mentioned that other people can be a downside of group travel, and that is still true. But it really depends on what you want out of a trip. If you enjoy meeting new people, swapping stories, or making temporary travel friends, group tours can be great.
Even on shorter guided experiences, I usually find at least one person or couple I connect with. You are all there for the same reason, which makes conversation easy. While our Morocco trip was private, I can absolutely see the appeal of a small group tour for travelers who want that social element.
The Nitty Gritty Details You Don’t Have to Think About
This was one of the most underrated benefits. Border crossings, road conditions, route changes, weather issues, ticket timing, and backup plans were not our responsibility.
We were driving toward Ifrane when the road closed due to snow. Yes, snow, in Morocco. It was one of the rainiest and snowiest years they had experienced in over a decade. If we had been traveling independently, we might not have discovered the closure until it was too late. Instead, our driver rerouted effortlessly and adjusted the plan without stress or scrambling.
Ready to Explore? Book Here ↓
Guided Tours for Solo Travelers
Guided group tours are an excellent option for solo travelers, especially women. When you are visiting a country for the first time, or traveling somewhere that feels less familiar, having built-in support can make a huge difference.
A friend once told me she skipped the Sahara on her Morocco trip because she was traveling alone and did not feel didn’t feel like getting murdered in the desert. While the fear might be exaggerated, the sentiment is valid. Sometimes it feels safer and more enjoyable to explore with others around you.
Confidence Building Through Guided Travel
Guided trips are also a great confidence booster. If you have not traveled extensively, or if you are stepping onto a new continent, having someone else handle the logistics can help you relax and learn as you go.
Over time, that confidence builds. You start paying attention to how things work, how to navigate unfamiliar places, and what you feel comfortable doing on your own. A guided trip does not mean you will always need one. Sometimes it is just a stepping stone.
A Hybrid Approach
My current travel style is a big of a mixed bag of these things. While I like meeting other travelers, I’d prefer to do most of my exploration with just my husband. He is very much a yes man which means we follow my itinerary and stop by all the places that I am most interested in (yes, I am very lucky!!). We go at the speed we are comfortable and arrive early before the crowds, as is our preference.
Some experiences benefit from expert guidance. The Louvre is a great example, having someone show you what is important beyond the Mona Lisa in this massive museum is worthwhile.
So while I still prefer to plan my own trips, dictate my own schedule and find my own meals, I do appreciate a guided day tour for in-depth exploration, experiences that involve driving (when I normally wouldn’t rent a car, because trust me I’m a confident international driver), or destinations where logistics are complex.
Here is a list of some tours I personally have been and loved!
- Venice Food Tour
- Palermo Food Tour
- Alsace Wine Tasting
- Alsace: Colmar, Riquewihr etc.
- Everglades Airboat
- Bordeaux Wine Tasting
- Vatican Key Master Tour
- Rome Food Tour
- Rome Vespa Tour
- Tapas Tour in Spain
See a trend here? My stomach makes most of my plans.
Would I do it Again?
The age old question, if given the opportunity, would I do the same thing for Morocco again? And in this scenario absolutely. We would have had to take a guided tour to the sahara anyways and after passing plenty of road signs that were in Arabic only I was so grateful that Youssef was driving and navigating and I was not. While I speak a lot of French (Morocco’s other language) and feel confident driving abroad, this was one step beyond both of those things. Additionally, timing alone would have made planning overwhelming, and I am grateful we chose this path.
So for Morocco, and probably for other unique trips I want to take, it was perfect. Other guided tours I’m considering are a safari, Egypt, Jordan, Antarctica and even a cruise (kind of in the middle) to the Alaska national parks.
But in general, I’m still going to plan my own trips, follow my own schedule and eat at the places that spark joy for me.
The Bottom Line
We had a lovely trip in Morocco and I’m so grateful for our guide Youssef and the tour organizer Ismail. I would wholeheartedly recommend Morocco Meander (not sponsored) for first time visitors. Can you plan Morocco on your own? Absolutely. Can you also let someone else handle the heavy lifting? Also yes.
My advice is simple. Use guided trips where they help, travel independently where you can, and most importantly keep getting out there. You really cannot go wrong.
If you want to plan your own trip, check out everything you need to know before visiting Morocco.
