We flew from Dulles to Paris to Casablanca--- spent two nights in Casablanca; had dinner in the restaurant famous from the movie, Casablanca...stayed in the Novotel Casablanca --I found it to be adequate, but nothing "wow" about it. Had to get used to everybody smoking in hotel lobbies, restaurants and bars...We visited the Hassan II Mosque--we needed a new charger so we found a mall that is new and quite modern with high end stores like Prada and a play land for kids with rides and games. Happy to leave Casablanca, our driver for the week, Mustapha, drove us to Marrakech--about a 3 hour drive..they have decent rest areas along the main highway --except one which offered only a hole to do business in (which the ids were too freaked out about).
Marrakech was wonderful-- first, the accommodations were ridiculously luxurious...I'm not sure how much my MIL paid for three rooms for 5 nights--but by far the most beautiful, luxurious and "rich" hotel I'd ever experienced...Here is a link for those interested
http://www.mamounia.com/uk/index.php
Highlights: sunrise hot air balloon ride on the outskirts of town
- breakfast in the home of a poor Berber family
-shopping in the souks and medina (scared the crap out of my oldest daughter because some people were extremely aggressive)
- riding camels
-the luxury hotel, pool and spa
- Chez Ali dinner show with horses etc.
- the food and wonderful restaurants
- getting to know our tour guide and hearing learning about the culture and traditions
