5 days in Morocco - what to do?
 

My husband and I will be visiting Morocco in June for 5 days. I would appreciate any tips from travelers on an upscale riad in Marrakesh. I had thought we would do a couple of days in Marrakesh and a couple of days elsewhere - I see mention of sand dunes and also of Fez. Have not done much research at this point, so dont know what is geographically feasible (time-wise) - all suggestions are welcome. This is to celebrate my 40th bday ... and we are looking forward to some nice one-on-one time without our three kids!
Thanks!

With only 5 days, you dont really have time to get up to Fes (8 hours from Marrakech). You could, however, go out to the desert at Zagora (this would require a 2-day side trip).

In Marrakech, the Riad Farnatchi and Riad Enija are very nice upscale places.

You might also consider a lunch or even overnight trip to Kasbah Toubkal (at the base of Mt. Toubkal) - it will be heaven in the hot June weather. Book well in advance - it is very popular!

Thank you for your reply. What is Kasbah Toubkal? Do you recommend any particular guide books or sites to educate myself re. Morocco?

Thanks,
Kaneez

Kasbah Toubkal is a kasbah (old walled fortress) which is now a hotel at the base of Mt. Toubkal. Do a google search on it and you'll turn up their website and loads of reviews.

Many people use Lonely Planet and Rough Guide for Morocco. Trip Advisor is also a good place to start research on the net.

Lonely Planet guidebook has loads of information on each city, how to get to almost all locations including prices for accommodations as well as transportation costs by bus, average fares for taxi's and flights. It really makes planning your vacation there easier I found.

The new Fodor's guide (the first in years) is supposed to come out in February.

There's also a really fantastic website about traveling in Morocco that I found incredibly helpful: www.triotours.com. It has an incredible amount of transportation information and is very well designed.

La Maison Arabe in Marrakesh is very pretty. Even if you don't stay there, it might be nice to book their hammam as a birthday treat. It isn't very expensive (I think mine was about $65). They have a beautiful hammam---and you'll be the only person in it, swimming in rose petals! Other upscale hotels offer the same thing, so look at different hotel websites and make a reservation a couple of days in advance.

We spent 2 weeks in Morocco for our honeymoon and our Riad in Marrakesh was our favorite. The Riad Slitine is located right in the medina and when I walked in, my mouth literally dropped. It was gorgoeous and the service was superb! http://www.riad-slitine.com

As for side trips, we enjoyed the coastal town of Essouira. It is about a 2.5 drive from Marrakesh.

Sir-I am planning a trip for early April, only in the preliminary stages (meaning I've done nothing other than sign on to Fodors!)-what can we expect to pay for a nice hotel each night? Want something beautiful/clean etc that is more Moroccan than Western. Thanks!