To Marrakesh and Casablanca from Spain

I've never taken a car across the strait, so have no idea what's involved, but I've done plenty of driving in Morocco. The semi-coastal road (Hwy 1 ?)from Tangier to Classablanca is drudgery. I'd fly down and rent a car. If it were my first trip, it'd toss in Fez, even at the expense of Cassablanca.

Yep, what Ed said. Skip Casablanca. There's no Ricks American Cafe and there's very little to see. Fly. It's insane not to. Flights are dirt cheap, frequent, easy, and best of all they let you avoid all the grotesque and inauthentic stuff manufactured for tourists that is inflicted on everyone who arrives by boat. Stunningly cheap flights can be had from many cities in Europe. Fly direct to Marrakech. Spend a while there, maybe rent a car to get out and over the mountains. Then head for Fes. You can either do a driving loop, or take a good train (legacy of the French) from Marrakech to Fes. Both Marrakech and Fes are worth a few days. Then fly back to Europe from Fes. Lots of options for cheap flights. Just check your schedule carefully, as many of the cheap-o flights do not run every day. Only place I'd suggest steering clear of are all the ferry ports. They are the equivalent of Tijuana.

Actually there is a Rick's Cafe and it was the one thing I really enjoyed in Casablanca. Touristy .. yes .. but the place is beautiful and the food wonderful.

If there's really a "Ricks American Cafe" in Casablanca now (there wasn't when I was there) it's new, manufactured for tourists who mistakenly think there's something to actually see in Casablanca, and about as authentic as the puppets at Disneyland. BTW, the film was shot in Hollywood studios, and the airport scene in Van Nuys, CA. Unless you have lots of time to kill, I can't think of a single good reason to spend any of it in Casablanca. If going to Morocco, priorities should be: 1. Marrakech 2. Fes 3. other things in and south of the Atlas Mountains
I'd put Casablanca down about 20th or 30th on the list. Personally, I was very disappointed and had wished I skipped Casa, but I suppose others might be able to find something worthwhile there. Lots of other place with better things to do and see IMHO.

Thanks to one and all for your suggestions and information. You've just helped me move this trip upward on my "bucket list" Mike

Okay, then, we'll put you in the anti-Casablanca category!

"If there really is a Rick's American Cafe..." says David. Well, in my post above I said that there is, it is beautiful and I ate there. That was in March of this year. So help me, God, I speak the truth.

It showed up about eight or ten years ago, up on the north side of the medina.

Yes, Ed, this year was the 8th anniversary.