Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Even many official guides will suggest visitors turn their tour into a shopping trip, and
the pressure to buy can be immense. Fez' carpet sellers are masters of their game. If you
really don't want to buy, it might be best not to enter the shop at all: once the parade of
beautiful rugs begins, even the hardest-minded of tourists can be convinced to buy
something they didn't really want (honeyed words suggesting that you could always sell
the carpet later on eBay at vast profit should be treated with extreme scepticism). It's also
worth remembering that any time you enter a shop with a guide, the price of the goods im-
mediately goes up to cover their commission. Shopping in Fez needn't be a battle - indeed
it's best treated as a game - but it's worth being prepared.
Beware the touts who board trains to Fez, often at Meknès. They can be very friendly,
approaching you claiming to be students or teachers returning to Fez - they'll often have
'brothers' who have hotels, carpet shops or similar.
INTERNET ACCESS
Wi-fi is common across most midrange accommodation and above, and is sometimes
available at cafes and restaurants.
9am-10pm)
Has English
as well as French keyboards.
9am-10pm)
9am-11pm)
Above the
téléboutique
(telephone office) on the corner.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Clinique al-Kawtar
( 0535 61 19 00; Ave Mohamed el-Fassi, Route d'Immouzzer)
Large modern
hospital in the ville nouvelle, just off the main road to the airport.
9pm-6am)
Located in the north of the ville nouvelle; staffed by a doctor and a pharmacist.
MONEY
There are plenty of banks (with ATMs) in the ville nouvelle along Blvd Mohammed V, all
offering foreign exchange. In the medina there is an ATM at the post office and at banks
on Blvd Ahmed ben Mohamed Alaoui in R'cif, as well as these useful spots:
8.45am-6pm Mon-Thu,
8.45am-noon Sat)
