Ferry from Spain to Morocco

My wife and I have just bought Sydney-London-Sydney tickets for March. Other than travelling in France and Spain in a hired car, is it difficult to cross from Spain to Morocco by ferry and travel by train or bus to Casablanca and Marrakesh? We could then fly back to a major city in Spain or France. if this is not practical, should we fly from Spain to Morocco and join a local tour?

A. Li, Lindfield.

There are plenty of ferries operating between Spain and Morocco but the best option for you is going to be the one between Tarifa​ in Spain's Cadiz Province of Andalucia to Tangier city. If you take the ferry from Algeciras​ you'll enter Morocco at Tanger-Med, the port facility, which is located about 40 kilometres from Tangier itself, although there is a bus between the two. There are several sailings daily and the crossing takes only about one hour. You can find more information and make a booking on the Direct Ferries website directferries.co.uk. From Tangier you can then take the train to Fes and onwards to Casablanca and Marrakesh. From Marrakesh there are many flight options to get you back to Spain or France.

Experienced travellers should have no problems making their way independently by local transport in Morocco but travel first class on the trains and keep your wits about you.

If you're not confident take a guided tour. Try Bunnik Tours bunniktours.com.au, Peregrine peregrineadventures.com and World Expeditions worldexpeditions.com are all quality, reliable operators.