I think you'd be as well to book a trip when you're there (probably something like 9 til 2 in all). The actual journey time is around an hour. Resembles a little Marrakech, with it's ramparts and has a couple of souks and a tannery against a backdrop of the High Atlas. There's a strong Berber culture to Taroudant, and it's not a large town, so a few hours will probably suffice to have a pleasant wander around. A little pictorial flavour here
http://www.morocco-travel.com/morocco/Taroudant/
Cost...maybe about £20 or under, with a tour operator.

thanks very much for that phoebe

it looks like a lovely little place to visit and i cant wait

thanks again

angie xx