Traveling to Morocco for 2wks... any cool and off the wall places to visit?

[mac]

Some where there isn't many tourists and its mostly just a small town. I enjoy going off the beaten path. Any place I can try different cultural experiences? My mother is from there, but she left when she was 13 years old, so she doesn't remember much since she hasnt been back. I would just love to experience real Morocco and hang out with the locals. I do speak French so that will help a bit, I hope.

Is weather ok around Oct/Nov?

[Nadia]

Yes itll be warm October. I wear sleeveless in December, but gets cool at night.

Perhaps try Sale - 5 mins in a taxi from Rabat, or sidi Mousa which is a little farther - 10 mins from Rabat.

Also Sidi Bouknadel or Kenitra are nice places to visit, and not too far off the beaten track - still on the main train route.

Personally I like Marrakech as one can travel in and around the city taking in Sea, mountains, valleys, souqs......Rabat is less touristic - large city but on the perimeter has Chellah gardens (old Islamic teaching ruins) Oudaya, Kasbah, also near to Sale medina and Souq.......
As you say speaking French will help, you will pick up Arabic quickly, and they (the friendly Moroccans) will want to learn English from you.
I wonder which part your mother was from?