Morocco Recommendations Needed

We're planning a 2-week trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco over Christmas, but we can't decide where to visit in Morocco and how much time to spend there compared to Spain & Portugal.  For those who have been to Morocco, what cities would you recommend visiting and for what length of time?  Also, would you recommend flying or taking the ferry?  Thanks!

KK,

DF and I spent the week before Christmas in Morocco last year--I can highly recommend it.  We spent 4 days in Marrakech and 3 days in Essaouira.  If we had to do it all over again, however, we would have spent most of the time in Essaouira--we absolutely LOVED it there!  Marrakech is beautiful, but to be honest, we found the polution and constant noise kind of hard to deal with--and I lived in Manhattan for 10 years!  Essaouira, on the other hand, is a lovely coastal town, much more laid-back and friendly (and surprisingly liberal, considering it's a Muslim country).  Wonderful restaurants and nightlife as well.

PS-The weather was gorgeous, warm and sunny during the day, but be warned--we needed hats and coats at night.  Hope this helps.

Marybeth

My son is in Morocco right now, will let you know what he says when he gets back!

Thanks Marybeth, that's very helpful! 

i used to live there.. casblanca, rabot, fez, marrekch, they are all great! just watch out as they will may take advantage of being a western.... they like to rip ppl off...

we spent nearly a month travelling (by train,ferry and bus) from france, through spain, and morocco. i loved morocco as it was unlike anywhere i had travelled previously. we took the ferry into tangiers (would recommend just staying a short time until you can get on your way). we took the train to fez. i loved fez. it's magical. we stayed in an amazing riad for about £25 a night. and then on to marrakesh.

but it really depends on what you expect on a holiday. it can be a grotty, crowded in some places, and yes you will have constant people offering to guide you, begging for money. it can become tiring.

when we do it over again...we'll stay longer in fez. i also would decide how much money i would give to beggars. i didn't give any. but i noticed the locals often gave money to the blind and elderly.