Morocco travel tips

Do remember that Morocco is a Muslim country, so dress conservatively. During the holy month of Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours.

Do ask permission before taking pictures of anyone, and be sure to offer a tip in appreciation (a few coins). Some of the more photogenic scenes include the water sellers, trained monkeys, snake charmers and "dentists" with trays of teeth in front of them indicating their level of experience.

If you're harassed by a tout or a self-proclaimed guide (called faux guides) calmly but firmly decline their offers. If the harassment continues, do make an obvious attempt to seek out a policeman. If it's your first visit to a medina, do consider hiring an authorized, official guide at the local tourist office or at your hotel. Not only will you not get lost, the presence of the guide will also discourage other would-be guides from approaching you.

If you're not Muslim, don't enter a mosque. Visit the ornate medersas instead. At smaller, less frequented mosques, custodians may allow you to enter outside of prayer times, if you ask politely.

Do take drug laws seriously - even though drugs such as hashish seem widely available, drug laws, particularly when foreigners are involved, are taken very seriously.