Everywhere you plan to visit, with the exception of Essaouira, can be gotten to easily by train. I see no advantage whatsoever in renting a car and many would discourage it entirely. Staying in the medinas and historic centers of the cities is by far the most interesting choice and having a car is a liability in these places. I think you'd be doing yourselves a disservice to not stay in the hearts of these beautiful cities.

Side trips are easily and cheaply arranged by car and driver through your accommodations which relieves you of care of the vehicle so you can enjoy yourselves. It's also the best way to get to Essaouira and it's fascinating staying inside the walls where there are luxury hotels and riads for rent.

I love Morocco and have spent quite a lot of time there. It's never occurred to me to drive myself and I encourage you to use other readily available, practical, cheap and comfortable options. Otherwise I think your itinerary is a good one and you'll find other smaller places to visit as you go.

www.virtualtourist.com

www.visitmorocco.com

www.seat61.com Maroc

Like your route do not rent a car there too dodgy.

Driver/guides work best for me when there or train

check consular advisories for safety issues

insuremytrip.com always wise Happy Planning!

Thanks for your comments re renting a car. Don't you miss alot if you go by train - like small towns and sites next to the road where you could easily stop when you have a car??? Thanks

We've been to Morocco several times and rented a car on each occasion, always without problems--other than corrupt policeman who try and rip you off for "speeding".

The freedom that our own car gave us was very welcome and much better than cars and drivers.

Having lived in Fez for some tme and also guided a number of tours around the country, I would say a couple of things. The car can be a hassle and at times hard to secure.

Trains and grand taxis are a good option. First class train travel is affordable and comfortable.

When driving to Fez, do stop in at Moulay Idriss. It is a great little village with amazing views and good street food. If Scorpion House is open they do a great lunch.

Do change your booking in Fez. There is no value in staying outsde the Medina. You will kick yourselves later for missing the fun of staying in a unique place. It is a safe, welcoming city. You can swot up by reading the over 3000 articles on The View from Fez (http://riadzany.blogspot.com/) which is the main English language site for Morocco.

On the way to Marrakech you could try the Xaluca Hotel in Erfoud... (http://www.xaluca.com/) It is a lot of fun and great Kasbah architecture.

Essaouira is great (Eat at Taros)and do stay within the Medina, not along the very windy coast.

For souqs and markets Fez is huge and amazing. Marrakech is smaller and more touristy. Also try and find the local markets. Each small town has a weekly market (usually named for the day on which it is held). For example, check the story on The View from Fez about the Tuesday market in Azrou. On any day there are around 900 souqs (markets) in Morocco.

Most of all, relax and enjoy. It is a welcoming, safe country full of generous and friendly people.

Thanks Lifeman and theviewfromfez for your comments - especially those restaurant recommendations!!!

I looked at train prices and they are really cheap but we like our independance!!!! And it is always nice to stop on the way when you see a great town etc. Lifeman what rental company have you used in the past - sounds like the local ones are cheaper but they don't seem to have any internet sites!!!

Sounds like most people are only recommending one day in Meknes - will this be enough for our first medina visit as well as the roman ruines??

Is 3 days in Fes not to much???

We would love to find some more time for the dessert but realise that you cannot fit everything into one trip.

Also a one night stopover recommendation between Fes and Marrakech will be great!!!

We did this trip last year with our family in December and I would definitely recommend getting the rental car.We flew into Marrakesh and rented the car as we left the city at the airport.

We had 3 nights in Marrakesh(riad)before we headed to Essaouria.Loved loved loved Essaouria(riad)!!! We spent 3 nights there(Christmas Eve and Christmas Day where we spent time on the beach and had a hamman which was so nice,fresh fish on the harbor and the BEST shopping in both selection and prices).The Essaouria medina is a mini Marrakesh but feels so picturesque and easy to walk around without getting lost as in Fez and Marrakesh.

From there we drove up the coast and spent a night at El Jadida(Ibis hotel overlooking the ocean and great location-can walk to the markets).

We headed up to Casablanca for a day's sightseeing to the big Mosque which is definitely worth the English tour and then over to Rabat for the night(Ibis hotel-very nice).

From there we drove to Fez and stayed several nights and then started backtracking to Meknes(Ibis hotel is a fabulous location right outside of the medina and near EVERYTHING and very nice.)We spent half a day at the Roman ruins(Voulibias sp?) and enjoyed the ride and countryside out to the ruins.

I enjoyed the Riad experience in some cities but I cannot stress enough how nice and centrally located the IBIS hotel chain was in Morocco.They are NOT like the Ibis hotel chain in the UK and in France. They have beautiful gardens;have bars(read liquor!!!) and restaurants;wonderful complimentary breakfasts;really great prices and the rooms are quite nice along with helpful staff.

The driving is easy and we got no hassles. It was easy to get around but be aware that there are NO automatic cars for rent in Morocco at anytime according to the 4 agencies that I queried.Our Tom Tom GPS program didn't work due to a bad download but reading the maps and signposts was no problem. If you know some French it is very easy for almost everything you will encounter.Great trip and one that my whole family enjoyed!

Forgot to add that the highway between Casablanca and Marrakesh will remind you of the western states of the US with its beauty. There are gas stations and also various restaurants along the stops. Casablanca was the only city that was total craziness as we drove into the Mosque so we parked the car and took a taxi all the way in to the city that day.We drove Meknes to Marrakesh in one day and it went quickly!

We used one of the international car rental companies from Casablanca Airport, returning the car at Marrakesh airport when we left. However, even Hertz tend not to offer the new(ish) cars you get in the US or Europe. The cars that we have had have always been well used with dented bodywork.

Make sure you note all the bumps and dents before you drive away--I find that pictures on my phone work well here. Local companies IME seem to offer older cars and I've avoided them on recent trips.