Morocco - itinerary for 19 days

Hi, we would like to spend 19 days in Morocco. (10 - 28. September) Could you help me with itinerary? Our day concept is:

1 - Casablanca (airport, Hassan II mosque) - afternoon bus to Chefchaouen (how many buses a day and what time to Chaouen? 4pm?)
2 - Chefchaouen
3 - Morning Bus Chefchaouen - Fes
4 - Fes
5 - Fes - Er Rachidia (better Rissani?)
6 - Rissani - Merzouga
7 - Merzouga
8 - Merzouga - Er Rachidia - Tinerhir - Boumalne du Dades
9 - Dades gorge
10 - Boumalne du Dades - Ouarzazate - Taroudannt
11 - Taroudannt - Agadir
12 - Agadir- Tiznit - Tafraoute
13 - Tafraoute
14 - Tafraoute - Agadir
15 - Agadir - Marrakech
16 - Marrakech
17 - Marrakech
18 - Marrakech-Casa
19 - Casa - airport (morning)

We prefer Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Agadir-Tiznit-Tafraoute, Marrakech.
What do you think about Dades gorge, Ouarzazate, Agadir? Interesting?
Also can you give me some tips for place to stay (hotel), buses and any experience?
Thank you!

what about essaouira?

Is there something interesting in Essaouira (and Agadir)? Except swimming in cold ocean :-) And eating fish (during Rammadan?!)
I dont know. Give some advice... As I said we prefer trip to Tafraoute. Just stay for a night in Agadir...

Wow. You are packing a lot into 19 days.
The Dades Gorge (drive up into it for at leat 20km) is one of the most scenic routes in Morocco. Essaouira is worth one night if you can work it in--relaxed atmosphere, nice setting. It is one of my favorite places in Morocco.
Most people including me think Agadir is not worth a stop--spend the extra night in Marrakech. I am not a fan of Taroudannt (dull) but some like it. I kind of like Ouarzazate but I think I am in the minority.
Be prepared for hot weather, especially in the Merzouga area.

Essaouira has excellent shopping and it's a neat place to see!!!

Oh yeah, I also agree with Marocfan - I find Agadir to be pointless and Taraoudannt dull. Marrakech can be crowded with a lot of merchants trying to get you to their shops but it's definitely a good place to spend at least one night. The night life there is kinda cool! I don't know what your experience is with seafood, but I've never had fresher than one can get in Essaouira!!

I can't think of a single reason why you would want to go to Agadir...Um maybe to fly in or out. The place looks half finished and is only good for watching the hordes of Moroccan tourists who relentlessly promenade up and down the strip.

Why the minutely detailed travel itenary? It seems like hard work, not my idea of relaxing, but then I'm not you.

I like Ouarzazate too. It's got a surreal quality to it, the food was nice and the people were O.K. Good for a base for a day or two.

Contrary to what most say, I got food poisening from the fish stalls in Essaourira. I passed out and was taken care of by the fantastic staff of Dar Afram guest house. Most of it looked O.K, but I definantly wouldn't go back and eat the prawns.

Dades Gorge was one of my highlghts. A blissfully peacfull place to stay a night, and less touristy than Todra. The Tagine I ate a couple of doors down from the Hotel la kasbah de la vallee was the best I had in Morocco.

I have read of others who have gotten sick after eating the "fresh" fish in Essaouira...that's why I never eat it when I visit this wonderful town.

Allright - don't bust my bubble - I love the fish in Essaouira. I'm not in Morocco unless I have Essaouirian sardines and crab at least once. Even my husband likes the fish there and he hates fish!! I think it's a lot like the safety factor - you can get food poisoning or shot anywhere! Besides - you always hear about bad stuff more often than good, makes it look worse.

Well on my last visit (March) the sea was so rough the fishermen couldnt get out to fish...and they were selling fish that had been around too long.

Ahhhhh! That could do it. Well, you know what they say about fish (and company) that have been around for more than 3 days!!!

LOL

You're right; forget Essaouira. But consider this alternative: if you leave Boumalne by bus or grand taxi in the morning you will get to Ouazazarte in time for the 2pm bus to Tata, which is a classic southern town. The run along the N12 south of the anti Atlas is a much much better route than the northern one. You will get to Tata at about 8pm (Hotel Renaissance is fine). There is then onward transport about 8 am to Bou Izakarn where you can pick up a bus or grand taxi to Tiznit.

Everyone says Tiznit is worth a stop but I never have time. Time is also your problem. As marocfan says, this itinerary is very stretched and believe me you won't get it done. One stop has to go. Anway, you can get from Tafraoute to Marrakech in a day. Skip Agadir. Take the early bus to Inezgane where you will pick up a bus to Marrakech. But the best way is to try and get from Inezgane to Aoulouz where a bus leaves at about 7am or 7.30 am for marrakech over the Tizi n Test. Spectacular.

Me? I'd leave Chefchaouen for another trip and take more time in Fes and the south. Chef. is pretty but touristy. Good walks to amazing villages from Tata (you can see them from The Mountain behind the hotel). Same from Tafraoute, beautiful village houses with not a tourist in sight.

If you want a seaside stop, try Taghazoute just north of Agadir. Beautiful beach. Last year before they develop. OMG.

I haven't seen any mention of Asilah as a destination worth visiting. Any thoughts out there?