Marrakech questions
 

Re-posting here because someone suggested that more people may answer here than in the Africa forum...

Hello,
My husband and I booked a trip to Marrakech from Barcelona in late March - arriving Friday morning and leaving Tuesday mid-day. I have read a lot on this forum and elsewhere and am still having trouble figuring out what we can/should do in this amount of time. Obviously we want to do stuff in Marrakech, although I don't think we want to be in the city the entire time as it seems from reading other posts that it can get a bit overwhelming. We want to see the market, the main square (sorry for lack of actual names right now), see the Jewish sites, go to a hammam, and maybe take a cooking class.

Am also considering day/overnight trips. I think we've given up on the desert thing - it's just too far away and would take too much time (right?). We like to be physically active, so perhaps a trip to the Atlas mountains for a hike? Is this possible as a day trip? Is there anything else you would suggest?

Also does anyone know of tour companies that allow you to join onto a group tour/day trip, to help us keep costs down?

Thought about going to Essaouria either for a day or an overnight. It seems kind of a hassle to switch hotels and then come back to Marrakech again, but it also seems very rushed for a day trip. Some people rave about this city, but will it be warm enough in March to be worthwhile? And I'm not sure how we could fit in a mountain trip AND this.

Sorry for the scattered-ness. I am usually not so lost on planning a trip like this. Would appreciate any help.

The market is on the main square, but there is more to Marrakesh than that. The ruins of the el Badi palace are interesting. And more ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622870770847/

You might want to read a guidebook to orient yourself, but you might still need a guide to visit the souk and the old city in general. We were there in November and the climate reminded us of California as between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

Marrakesh Travel Guide: 2357 real travel reviews, tips, and photos from real travelers and locals in Marrakesh, Morocco at VirtualTourist.Great tips just book a nice central Riad
booking.com otel.com hostelbookers.com hire driver guides from $35/half day what I do. Desert Atlas no worries.
viator.com for private guides ans also group tours more $$

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...a_de_Marrakech

seat61.com/morocco for train self guideing visitmorocco.com
careful many touts on line always pay with CC never wire money.

I actually dont think you need a day out. Why don't you treat yourself to a full on spa day on one day maaybe combined with cooking class, which will leave give or take 2 days to explore Merrakech.

Riad Safa is a lovely riad i would also recommend

http://www.riad-safa.com/

I think the main square, the souk and just getting to the know the central area will consume a day (you need to chill, eat, drink and talk to people), the various hammam, old style schools, old houses and maybe a supper in an old house in the souk another day, the french quarter and some of the city external features maybe another day.

Cooking, good idea (just how thin can you make pastry) or a visit to the football. That leaves a day trip into the Atlas which can be organised when you get there. I love Essaouira but it's not worth a trip there for just a day, I'd stay where you are.

Things you will need, a haggle target price for a taxi from the airport to the hotel(100-120) 2 years ago) (or take the very nice bus for about 1/4 of the taxi) and a few tripadvisor restaurant recommendations