The Trip: Morocco and Spain

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 6 years ago

The Trip: Morocco and Spain

By Geoff Hoddinott
Gaudi's Casa Batllo.

Gaudi's Casa Batllo.Credit: Geoff Hoddinott

NAME

Geoff, Barbara and Lauren Hoddinott, Mt Colah, NSW.

THE TRIP

Geoff Hoddinott.

Geoff Hoddinott.Credit: Geoff Hoddinott

Morocco and Spain

THE ITINERARY

We were not looking forward to the long-haul flight but, with careful planning by our agent Travel Managers, and great service from Qatar Airways, 30 hours after leaving Sydney we were in our small resort of Les Jardins de Zyriab on the outskirts of Marrakech in surprisingly good shape. We had booked three private tours for our week in Marrakech; one to the coast at Essaouira, one through Marrakech itself including the souks, and a two-day overnight trek into the Sahara. We departed Morocco from Casablanca (dinner at Rick's Cafe), and flew to Spain, staying in the coastal town of Torrevieja for five nights and then up to Barcelona for the final three nights of this trip.

BEST BITS

Ranking chronologically; the stunning view of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains from our apartment at Les Jardins de Zyriab, the neighbouring peacock that flew in for breakfast every morning, the quality of tours, the cacophony of sights, sounds and smells in the Medina, Moroccan tea, Moroccan coffee, camping in the Sahara, the professionalism of our Moroccan tour guide and bargaining in the Souks – we ended up with a large 40-plus-year-old Moroccan silver teapot at a mutually agreeable price. In Spain, the vibrant colours along the coast, the amazing city of Murcia, the ease of driving, and then, in Barcelona, the metro system, the Gothic Quarter, Gaudi's Casa Batllo, the sangria and cava and the stunning restaurants at all price levels.

Advertisement

WORST BITS

Some of the lengthy security checks in transit, people thrusting monkeys and snakes at you in Marrakech markets, oh, and knocking back an offer in the night markets of 200 camels plus a house in Marrakech with a Ferrari in the driveway in exchange for our daughter.

BEST TIP

Plan, plan, research, plan and plan. Having done our homework, we came home satisfied that we had experienced the best of everything available within our timeframe and budget.

WHERE TO NEXT

Samoa in November this year and then Russia in 2018.

Send 350-word submissions for The Trip to travellerletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au with THE TRIP in the subject line. Use the same format as above and attach a high-resolution headshot. Published entries win a Lonely Planet guidebook.

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading