What should I NOT pack for Morocco?

After kitting out hundreds of travellers, I find the most useful packing advice is often what to leave at home. Top of the list is revealing clothing for town: short shorts, crop tops, strappy or low-cut tops worn alone, and anything sheer or skin-tight. It is not that there is a law against them, but Morocco is a conservative country, and these items make you conspicuous, draw unwanted attention and feel less comfortable than the loose, covered alternatives. Save the beachwear for the actual beach and cover up the moment you walk back into town.

Several practical items also tend to be dead weight. Heavy jeans are hot, slow to dry and rarely worn once you feel the heat; a single bulky winter coat is worse than a few packable layers that flex with Morocco's big day-night temperature swings; and high heels are simply defeated by cobbled, uneven medina streets. I also tell people not to over-pack toiletries — Moroccan pharmacies and supermarkets are excellent and stock most international basics, so a fortnight's supply of everything just eats your luggage allowance and the space you will want for shopping.

On the security side, leave the valuables and the flash at home. Expensive jewellery, designer watches and large amounts of cash are best not brought at all — they invite attention in crowded souks and are a worry you do not need. Bring a normal amount of cash and rely on ATMs, which are widely available in cities. A word on drones: Morocco restricts them heavily and they are frequently confiscated at the airport on arrival unless you have advance authorisation, so unless you have done the paperwork, leave the drone behind to avoid losing it.

A few final do-not-bothers. You do not need a US-style plug adapter — Morocco uses the European type C/E two-pin sockets, so bring that and skip the rest. You rarely need to pack large amounts of medication you can buy locally, though always carry your own prescription drugs in their original packaging. And resist the urge to fill every inch of the case on the way out: Morocco is one of the great shopping countries, and almost everyone returns laden with rugs, lamps, ceramics, leather and spices. Pack light, leave space and a little weight allowance, and you will thank yourself at the airport home.