Thursday
Sail 10.15 PM from Portsmouth to Santander on the Brittany Ferries Cruise ship [not included approx. £750 depending on your vehicle and cabins]. We are on the ferry overnight, so there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the crossing. New ferry Galicia includes breakfast and evening meal
Friday
On the ferry all day
Saturday
Arrive in Santander 8AM, and regroup when everybody has disembarked the ferry. We hit the road and we will arrange a hotel for the night (cost approximately £60 not included). The adventure can start off the ferry as snowstorms are common at this time of year through the Picos mountains. A long day on empty motorways [no tolls] 9 hrs approx 400 miles, it must be done to break the back of the journey. Overnight Almendralejo
Sunday
It’s on the road after a good breakfast towards Algeciras, we don’t rush as there are speed cameras so be aware; fines incurred will be waiting for you when you get back to the UK. On arriving in Algeciras, 4hours approx. 213 miles. We head straight to the port to catch the first possible ferry to Tangers Med, Morocco. On arriving in Tangers Med, we sort out vehicle insurance for those who have not got it and currency for the next few days, It’s a cash country. We fill up with cheap Morocco fuel and hit the road for our first night camping in Morocco, Moulay Bousselham. 3 hrs approx. 102 miles, Motorway and Tolls.
Monday
It is an early start to Marrakesh on the A1, motorway skirting Rabat and Casablanca, Is a fabulous journey in itself as you can sea the Atlantic rollers on the beach, and then it all changes in the run into Marrakesh as the Atlas Mountains raise up in front of you. We stay at the world famous La Relais du Marrakesh campsite for the evening giving you time to explore Marrakesh and visit the Medina Jemaa el Fna, 7 hrs to Marrakesh 288 miles Motorway and Tolls
Tuesday
Now the journey really begins as we head further south, skirting around Agadir and travelling on the Atlantic Highway which goes to South Africa! before leaving Marrakesh we call at the supermarket which sells everything but alcohol which you need to bring with you. This is also the place to buy your sim card if you want one. Camping could be wild beach camping or campsite from now on its flexible
Wednesday
It’s time to start exploring! As we hug the road along the Atlantic coast, passing through Sidi Ifni, on to the Plage Blanche for some beach driving [tide permitting] and wild beach camping.
Thursday
We keep heading south along the wild coastline looking out for the many rusting hulks of ships. We will be heading for Tarfaya / Cap Judy via Tan-Tan gateway to the Western Sahara, and we will be here overnight spending time having a look around and buying food for the next leg to Laayoune, the last major town before the border. We will spend the night at Laayoune campsite.
Friday
Laayoune to how far do we go south? Before running back up alongside the berm, where we will head back up towards Smara through the Sahara Occidental. Wild camping
Saturday
We head towards the Oued Draa riverbed, working along the border where possible. Wild camping is on the cards for the evening.
Sunday
Working our way along the Draa valley towards Assa and maybe beyond to Foum El Hisn.
Monday
Foum El Hisn to Tata making ground on the Sahara Highway, the N12. We will arrive in Tata and have a look around this border town.
Tuesday
Tata to Taroudant via Igherm; we have now turned north and are headed back up country. Taroudant is well worth a visit and is known as the Grandmother of Marrakesh in the Sous Valley, it is enclosed by ramparts with an excellent souk and square; here we will stay in an Auberge for the night (cost included).
Wednesday
It’s time to do some serious mileage by motorway back up the coast to Larache (450 miles and 8 or 9 hours). Stops will depend on how well we are keeping with the schedule.
Thursday
Larache to Tangers Med to catch the ferry back to Algeciras where we will spend the at the Holiday Inn Express £60 approx
Friday
Travel from Algeciras to Salamanca (a 400-mile drive) to the jewel in the crown for our last evening of the holiday, it’s a very special place to end your adventure.
Saturday
We travel from Salamanca to Santander to catch the 3 PM ferry to Portsmouth.
Sunday
It’s time to relax on the Brittany Ferries cruise ship as we sail back home. We should arrive in the UK at about 8.45 PM. In total, you will have travelled approximately 3500 miles.