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Morocco
  • NattyE
  • Craig Maude
Dec 2023 – Mar 2024

Morocco

A 87-day adventure by NattyE & Craig Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 14, 2023
    Morocco
    1

    Arnes

    Dec 14–15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 9 °C

    Arnes is a municipality in the comarca of la Terra Alta in Catalonia, Spain.The most noteworthy building of this town is the Town Hall, an example of Catalan Renaissance art. It was built in 1584 by Joan Vilabona of Queretes in nearby Matarranya. There is a raised area with benches close to the church shaded by mulberry trees with views over the Roques de Benet, among other mountains of the Ports de Tortosa-Beseit. Local people like to sit there in the afternoon enjoying the landscape.Read more

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    Parque Natural del Cabo de Gata-Níjar

    Dec 16–17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    The Cabo de Gata-Níjar National Park is a natural park located in Almería, Spain. It is the largest protected coastal area in Andalusia featuring a wild and isolated landscape. Spain's southeastern coast, where the park is situated, is the only region in mainland Europe with a hot desert climate.

    A little cycle in the morning to the coast line and lighthouse. Stunning coastline.    Read more

  • Morocco

    Manilva

    December 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Manilva is the westernmost municipality in the province. Its lands descend from the lower Genal to the coast and are formed by small hills mainly covered with vineyards.

    The village is located two kilometres from the coast, presided over by the Church of Santa Ana. In addition, there is a second annex nucleus located on the coast, Sabinillas, where the Castle of Sabinillas dating back to the time of Charles III is located. All along the coast, in addition to the extensive beaches, we find other places of interest such as the Duquesa Marina or the Punta Chullera Tower.Read more

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    Cycle Ride to Casares

    December 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    This municipality is located on a hill between the Serranía de Ronda, the Costa del Sol and the Campo de Gibraltar. Its landscape therefore varies between the steepest and most spectacular area of the Serranía represented by the Pic de Los Reales and the cultivated lowlands of the Guadiaro Valley with their cereal fields, passing through a small stretch of coast.

    The village, declared a Historic-Artistic Ensemble, is considered one of the most beautiful in Spain. According to tradition, its origin dates back to Roman times when Julius Caesar had it built to express his gratitude since he had healed himself by bathing in the Baths of the Hedionda; However, the current urban enclosure is of Arab origin.

    Although the village is especially interesting as a whole, we can mention other places and monuments worthy of interest: the ruins of the Castle, the Church of La Encarnación, the caves of Ballesteros, those of the Hedionda, the Sima de los Huesos (precipice) and finally the birthplace of Blas Infante, politician and writer considered the father of Andalusian nationalism.    Read more

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    Beach-Front Walk to Puerto Dequesa

    December 19, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Puerto de la Duquesa is one of the Costa del Sol's marinas that is enjoyed by sailors and tourists alike. Located one hour's drive from the airport of Malaga and 45 minutes form Gibraltar airport. La Duquesa seems like a thousand miles away from the throng of the holiday resorts. It is relatively quiet during most of the year. The restaurants come alive in July and August.

    Duquesa, as it is known locally, enjoys an advantageous location to the west of Marbella . The essence in this distinction is that the area retains a vast amount of unspoiled natural scenery and authentic local character - while sharing the fantastic climate of the rest of the Costa del Sol.    Read more

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    13

    Puerto Sotogrande

    December 21, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Located in the municipality of San Roque, in the province of Cádiz, the port of Sotogrande is an exclusive place with an incomparable tourist attraction. Boasting magnificent facilities, it is surrounded by luxury developments and exceptional golf courses, including the now legendary Valderrama, one of the Ryder Cup venues, and the Real Club de Golf de Sotogrande.Read more

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    Cycle Ride to Gaucin

    December 23, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Gaucín is a mountain village of spectacular beauty located in the west of the Andalusian province of Malaga. One of the first famous White Villages of the Serranía de Ronda, the stunning views to Gibraltar and North Africa have led it to be known as the Balcony of the Serranía.

    At over 600 metres above sea level and nestled in the foothills of the Sierra del Hacho and the mountains through which the Genal river flows, it is the perfect place to experience the beauty and culture of Andalusia.

    Only 30 km from the Costa del Sol and 60 km from Gibraltar, Gaucín is easily accessible via the A377 road and is well connected to the ancient city of Ronda.

    Gaucín enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate and is blessed with over 2750 hours of sunshine a year. The cooler summer nights offer a respite from the heat of the day. In spring and autumn, you can enjoy the mountain air with clear blue skies and an average of 6 hours of sunshine a day, producing a unique light. During the months of April, May, June and October you are more than likely to enjoy temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. The warmest time to visit is from July to mid-September when temperatures average around 28 degrees. In winter average temperatures hover around 16 degrees and the rainiest month is December with an average monthly rainfall of 124mm.    Read more

  • Morocco

    Benarrabá

    December 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Today, Benarraba is a bustling village which makes its living from woodcutting, agriculture and cattle farming, as well as enjoying deserved renown for its hand-made pork products. In response to the ever-increasing demand for mountain holidays and the peace and quiet to be found in spots populated with chestnuts, pines, cork oaks and gall oaks, the village has opened the Banu Rabah rural hotel, located in a privileged position overlooking the Genal Valley.

    History: Exactly when Benarraba was founded is uncertain, though its origins are thought to be linked to the Benimerines, who may have given the village its name, which means "the sons of Rabbah".
    The present-day village stands on the side of Mount Poron, once the site of a castle which overlooked the localities of Gaucin, Jubrique, Genalguacil and Algatocin. Legend has it that this castle was connected by a series of underground passages to those of Gaucin and Casares.
    One historic event in the village's history is the 1636 visit and overnight stay of the ninth Duque of Medina Sidonia, Don Alonso Perez de Guzman, to whose lordly estate Benarraba belonged, while en route to Montilla to meet his wife, Doña Juana Fernandez of Cordoba, whom he had married via proxy.    Read more

  • Morocco

    Hike to Genalguacil

    December 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Genalguacil, with its astonishing urban structure inherited from the Muslims who were at the origin of the village, is arranged in the form of a staircase on the steep terrain that has hosted it for hundreds of years, like a white brushstroke on this green panorama of chestnuts, holm oaks and cork oaks.

    The parish church of San Pedro de Verona and its characteristic octagonal tower dominate this complex with deep Muslim roots.

    History
    Although its origin is undoubtedly Arab, archaeological remains dating back to prehistoric times have been discovered in its municipal territory.
    Its name comes from the Arabic Gema-Al Wacir, which means "the gardens of the vizier".

    Medina Conde, in her "Historical Conversations of Malaga", evokes the existence of gold, silver and copper mines in the past. However, there are still some remains of the exploitation of these minerals at the site known as Los Morteretes.
    Following the conquest by the Catholic Monarchs, its population certainly remained in the village until the time of its participation in the Morisco uprising in the middle of the sixteenth century; According to the chronicles of the time, Don Alonso de Aguilar, a Castilian nobleman, was killed during these clashes by the Morisco leader Feri de Benestepar. The year 1570 marked the definitive expulsion of the Moriscos and the territory was repopulated by native Christians from Extremadura and other Andalusian regions.
    Later, Genaguacil was ceded as a fief to the Duke of Arcos and belonged to this duchy until the abolition of these territorial privileges.    Read more

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    Setenil de las Bodegas

    January 3, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Its municipal territory is located in the north-east of the province, in the extension of the Ronda Depression, and has a gently undulating landscape with cereal and olive groves, crossed by the Guadalporcún River.

    The village sits on a slope that slopes down from the castle to the river's edge. Its main curiosity is the beauty and originality of its urban layout: the semi-troglodyte houses take advantage of the shelter of the rocks of the ravine created by the river. Also worth mentioning are the fortified castle and the Church of La Encarnación.

    History
    Of Roman origin, although the first news of a stable settlement is from the Arab period. The Muslims built the fortress of Xatanil which was part of the Cora Takurunna, whose headquarters were in Ronda.

    After being conquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1484, the town became part of the royal domain.

    In 1630, after numerous lawsuits, Setenil finally freed himself from the jurisdiction of Ronda.

    The town played an important role in the partisan struggle against the French army during the War of Independence.    Read more

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    Hike to Algotacin

    January 5, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Algatocín, located on the road that connects Ronda to the Campo de Gibraltar, has always captured the attention of the traveller: its particular urban structure, inherited from the Berber peoples who founded the village, has a staggered physiognomy that adapts to the slopes of the land, which creates an image of white volumes against a green background of chestnuts, holm oaks and cork oaks.

    The Parish Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, as an obvious mark of identity, rises above the white village, crowned by a brilliant cap of blue mosaics.

    The historical antecedents found in the municipality of Algatocín date back to the time of Roman rule: near the village, at a site called Cerrogordo, archaeological remains belonging to this era have been discovered.
    However, the origin of this village is related to the Arab presence in this territory. Its name seems to come from the Berber tribe of the Benu-Atus: Al-Atuiyin, although legend has it that its origin is linked to the daughter of the second Muslim king of Ronda, Algotisa, who chose this place to build her palace.    Read more

  • Morocco

    Cycle Ride to Estopona

    January 7, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    The smallest corners of the village of Estepona, located in a privileged location, captivate visitors. Its renovated old town, one of the most beautiful in Andalusia, offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy a real urban garden, "The Garden of the Costa del Sol".

    Its interlacing of whitewashed streets, adorned with colourful flower pots, gives it its essence of an Andalusian coastal village. As for its customs and traditions, they coexist in total harmony with its more modern and touristic facet.

    History
    Its history is based on the presence of the Phoenician, Roman and Arab peoples.
    During the ninth and seventh centuries B.C. The Phoenicians arrived on our shores, established trading posts and cohabited with the native population.
    At the end of the third century B.C. During the wars between the Carthaginians and the Romans, the Romans conquered the Iberian Peninsula. The most important location from the Roman era is in the area of the Guadalmansa River where there are remains of baths that may have belonged to the Roman city of Salduba.
    The beginning of the eighth century marked the conquest by the Muslims. A fortress was built: the Castle of Nicio and later, in the time of the Caliph Abd Al-Rhamán III, a fortress called Estebbuna, a name that remains a great enigma since no one has yet been able to decipher its meaning.
    In 1456 the troops of the Castilian King Henry IV conquered Estepona. After the reconquest of Granada in 1492, the strategic position of Estepona prompted the Catholic Monarchs to take the decision to rebuild the old Muslim castle by strengthening its southern flank and adding an independent fortress called the Castle of St. Louis as well as various crenellated towers along the coast of Estepona.
    In the shelter of this castle, 30 families inhabited Estepona. The present town is a direct descendant of this castle; It first extended under the shelter of the walls and later, when these were no longer needed, it left the fortified perimeter and took advantage of the stones to build new houses.
    In 1729 a patent from King Philip V granted it the status of a city, thus freeing it from the jurisdiction of Marbella.    Read more

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    Meandering around the Rocks

    January 12, 2024 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
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    Birthday Ride to Gaucin

    January 14, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Gaucín is a town and municipality located in the mountains of Andalusia in the province of Málaga in southern Spain. It is inland from Marbella, Puerto Banús and Estepona and not far from Ronda.

    The village has a population of approximately 2,000. It lies about 600 metres above sea level in the Sierra del Hacho, dominated by the Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle), originally a Roman stronghold, expanded by the Arabs.    Read more

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    Torreguardiaro

    January 24, 2024 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    When Joseph McMicking appeared on the scene with his plans to develop an exclusive community at Sotogrande, the coastal road, the N340 was a single-track tarmac road with dusty verges. The fishing village through which it passed had hardly grown, a collection of cottages housing the fishing families whose boats were drawn up in the sheltered bay at the eastern end of the village. The oldest part of the village surrounded the ruined tower that is now in the paseo the car park.

    Torreguadiaro is distinguished in that it has two towers. The first and oldest, Torre Quebrada de Guadiaro, was built in the 15th century. It was a lookout to warn the surrounding farming families of any approaching pirates from the Barbary coast on the opposite shore of North Africa and a refuge for shepherds. The Torres are a feature on the Mediterranean coast occupying headlands every few kilometres.

    In 1516 there is a report that the tower needed replacement due to it having been struck by lightning and split in two. A new tower, called, not surprisingly, Torre Nuevo de Guadiaro, was built on higher ground just south of the original tower. It is one of the most elaborate Torres on the coast with two floors, stairs, a chimney and an exterior door accessed by a rope ladder. The whole is roofed and is 14 metres in diameter and 16 metres tall. It can be seen next to the access road that leads from Torreguadiaro down to Sotogrande marina. In the late 18th century the Torre was equipped with a cannon and manned by a small company of soldiers who were housed in a small barracks building alongside. Later the building was used by the Guardia Civil. It was restored in 2015.    Read more

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    1

    Onwards to the Port of Algeciras

    January 25, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
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    1

    Asilah

    January 27, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Asilah (Arabic: أصيلة) is a fortified town on the northwest tip of the Atlantic coast of Morocco, about 31 km (19 mi) south of Tangier. Its ramparts and gateworks remain fully intact.

    History

    The town's history dates back to 1500 B.C., when Phoenicians occupied a site called Silis, Zili, Zilis, or Zilil (Punic: 𐤀𐤔𐤋𐤉𐤕, ʾšlyt,[2] or Punic: 𐤔𐤋𐤉, šly)[3] which is being excavated at Dchar Jdid, some 12 km (7.5 mi) NE of present Asilah; that place was once considered to be the Roman stronghold Ad Mercuri, but is now accepted to be Zilil. The town of Asilah itself was originally constructed by the Idrisid dynasty and Umayyad caliph Al-Hakam II rebuilt the town in 966. The Portuguese conquered the city in 1471 and built its fortifications, but it was abandoned because of an economic debt crisis in 1549. In 1578, Sebastian of Portugal used Asilah as a base for his troops during a planned crusade that resulted in Sebastian's death, which in turn caused the Portuguese succession crisis of 1580. The Portuguese kept hold of the town but in 1589 the Moroccans briefly regained control of Asilah, but then lost it to the Spanish.

    In 1692, the town was again taken by the Moroccans under the leadership of Moulay Ismail. Asilah served then as a base for pirates in the 19th and 20th centuries, and in 1829, the Austrians punitively bombarded the city due to Moroccan piracy.    Read more

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    Kasbat & The Port

    January 30, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    The Kasbah of Moulay Ismail is a vast palace complex and royal kasbah (citadel) built by the Moroccan sultan Moulay Isma'il ibn Sharif (also spelled "Ismail") in Meknes, Morocco. It is also known, among other names, as the Imperial City (French: Ville Impériale) or Palace of Moulay Ismail, or the Kasbah of Meknes. It was built by Moulay Isma'il over the many decades of his reign between 1672 and 1727, when he made Meknes the capital of Morocco, and received occasional additions under later sultans.

    Unfortunately closed with no access to any part of the ancient citadel.    Read more

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    1

    Mohammedia

    January 31, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Andalusian Gardens, Medina and Hassan II Tower visit

    Hassan Tower or Tour Hassan is the minaret of an incomplete mosque in Rabat, Morocco.It was commissioned by Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, the third caliph of the Almohad Caliphate, near the end of the 12th century. The tower was intended to be the largest minaret in the world,and the mosque, if completed, would have been the largest in the western Muslim world. When al-Mansur died in 1199, construction on the mosque stopped. The minaret was left standing at a height of 44 meters. The rest of the mosque was also left incomplete, with only the beginnings of several walls and 348 columns being constructed. The tower, along with the remains of the mosque and the modern Mausoleum of Mohammed V, forms an important historical and tourist complex in Rabat.Read more

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    Oulidia

    February 2, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    The city is located 60 km from El Jadida and 66 km from the provincial capital, Safi.

    It is an internationally renowned beach resort that sits in a large coastal lagoon protected from the ocean. Fish and seafood abound. Oualidia was founded in 1634 by Sultan El Oualid, who built a fortress to protect the natural harbour. It is also very well known for its oyster culture.

    In the upper part of the city, you can still see some remains of its kasbah, built in 1634. On the side of the path down to the lagoon is the palace of King Mohammed V, awaiting restoration.

    One of the attractions of Oualidia is its lagoon, which has a longitude of 12 kilometers and is lined with sandy beaches and dunes. Fish are plentiful, along with seafood and oysters.
    This lagoon with calm waters is ideal for swimming. Birdwatchers will have the opportunity to see flamingos and other birds.

    To the south, outside the bay, is the beautiful Karam Daif beach, open, wide and very well maintained, with a blue flag.    Read more

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    Heading for the Atlas Mountains

    February 5, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    Arrived at imlil for a few days and a visit to Chechoua , this valley had been devastated by the earthquake last September …. The road is barely open , if it had been wide enough to turn around we would have , clearly smashed up and it’s our fault for not researching, thought this would be a good place for some mountain cycling…. not much of that… apparently it’s a top hiking place.Read more

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    Imlil Hike Day 1

    February 6, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Awesome surroundings. We may not be cycling but the mountains and hiking are fabulous. The courageous villagers are continuing to support tourism in the face of the devastating earthquake that happened last year. We feel welcomed combined with a sense of privilege and gratitude.
    Stunning place and we feel we are now experiencing the true Morocco 🇲🇦💕!!    Read more

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