AlanM1

Is there enough to do for 5 days in and close by Marrakesh? We plan on a quick trip in January and any advice would be helpful. Is Fez too far for a day trip?

Clifton

Won't know until April first hand, but have read about a lot of things to see in and around Marrakech. But replying because I had a driving distance chart bookmarked from my research I thought you could use. Fes shows as 7.5 hours each way.

http://www.triotours.com/faq/ma/travel-around-car.htm#9

That whole site has tons of info on it. Other than that, posting on the Africa board, rather than Europe, would likely get more knowledgeable posters than myself. (although I've read some good talks about Morocco here by posters who don't seem to use the Africa board)

stardust

I'm doing some research on Marrakech myself right now, and it seems like there are quite some possibilities to take daytrips to the Atlas mountains or the border of the Sahara. It seems quite easy to find a driver/guide while you're in Marrakech.

jgg

I am in the midst of planning a trip to Morocco for March. Definitely plan a daytrip to the High Atlas Mtns. Essaouria on the coast is apparently about a 3 hour drive. The riad we will be staying at recommended that as a daytrip, but for me, I think it is a bit far for one day.

My understanding is that a daytrip to the Sahara desert is not really possible as it is a very far drive. We will be doing a 3 night trip to the desert, spending one night sleeping in the desert under Berber tents.

Underhill

You might find more information on the Africa board.

prr761

Spent 2 days in Marrakesh and would have liked at least 2 more. We were on a tour, which left from Fes, and it was a fantastic, scenic drive, but a very long distance. I think you could enjoy the area around the city for a couple of days, and I agree that maybe to get a guide and go out from there for a couple of days would be interesting. At this point in my life (and age), I declined to venture out on my own into the mountains and desert.