Hello - october is a wonderful time for visiting Morocco, just be aware, that the climate in the central parts of the country can be very hot. I have always prefered the southern parts of Morocco, because the atmosphere here is so friendly and relaxed.

From Casablanca you can easily take a bus to other towns. The CTM-busses are fine, never overbooked and air-conditioned. You must buy the ticket the day before the trip.

You could make a "triangle" Casa - Marrakech - Essauira - and this way see some very different and beautiful places / parts of the country.

I have not been in Casa for a long time, but it should be no problem to find a hotel or riad at a reasonable price.

In Marrakech I always book from home in www.hostelworld.com in Dar Badra - a very nice small riad in a quiet but central part of the old town. The owner Dominique and the staff are very helpful and nice.

From Marrakech you could go to Essauira - a very special and beautiful town by the sea. Here I can recommend Riad Chez Brahim - a modest but clean and nice place, with an extraordinary good atmosphere.

It is located in a quiet neigbourhood in the old town - in Rue Mourabitine 41, near Bab Marrakech, or even closer to Bab Marrakech, Le Petit. You can have a taxi to very cheap from the bus-station to Bab M (Le Petit)- and then pay somebody a little tip to help you to find the place.

You will love Essauira - everyone does - and to see some of the sourrounding beautiful country I will recommend you a tour on camel or horses from this place : www.ranchdediabet.com . In october the climate is wonderful for a tour along the beautiful coast.

From Essauira you can have a bus to Casa - the road along the coast is very beautiful, it is great sight-seeing!

Enjoy -- hope you will have a great time !

Best regards

Hanne

Thanks Hanne!

Do you suggest renting a car to travel between cities? Do you suggest we go to Rabat, Fez or Tangier?

I appreciate your advice.

Hi Jaffa!

We rented a car both times we were there. Morocco is easy to get around in by car. There are good freeways (actually tollways) up the Atlantic coast.

Everyone goes to Fez and Marrahech, the two most traditional cities.

I don't think I'd go to Tangier unless you have some special reason. Tangier lives mainly on the tourist day-trip trade from Europe. Why take European Morocco when you can spend your time seeing the real thing.

With the time you save from Tangier, you could try driving up into the Atlas mountains, or maybe down into the desert on the other side.

David

Hi David

Thanks for your response. Do you think it's possible to go to Casablanca, Fez, Marakesh and Essauira in about 7 days if we have a car?

Thanks again!

My personal suggestion for a 7.5 day would be Fes, Marrakech, Aitbenhadou, with possible day trips to Essouira, Ourika Valley, etc. ...

You'll have no trouble getting between the bigger centers. Casablanca to Marrakech is about 2.5 hours on the motorway. Casablanca to Fes is three hours via Rabat and Meknes, with no dawdling along the way (although I don't know how you'll resist the urge to check those places out).

From Marrakech to Ouarzazate in the Dades valley, beyond the High Atlas, is about 200 km, on two-lane undivided highway. Still, you should be able to do it without difficulty in a few hours. To continue beyond Ouarzazate toward the Sahara oases is 160 km, until the road stops abruptly at the Algerian border.

I'm afraid we didn't get to Essaouira or the southern beaches, so I have no first-hand knowledge in that department.

In the parts of cities where you can take your car, we always found easy parking. Hotels, of course, have their own parking lots. Naturally, in the medinas, no cars or any other vehicles are allowed (or could fit through the gates). Burros are still used to haul the wares there.

David

Hello again -- I have always travelled by bus, but if there is only a short time, renting a car might be a fine possibility --- I can not recommend you any place for rental, but I know, that others have good experiences with this, and it should be no problem to find a reliable place for renting a car.

If you do and as a part of the trip do the driving between Essauira and Casa - then be aware of thet this is a very beautiful road - and you ara passing very interesting small twns - so make your plan after this, take your time!

Hanne