We meet on Friday evening to catch the 9.15 PM cruise ferry from Portsmouth to Santander. We need to be at the check-in for at least 1hr before we sail, Russ will be waiting for you to check you in and to handout 2-way radios please fuel up before the ferry saves time when getting off the ferry. We will have a get together when on the ferry for a full briefing on Saturday lunch time, this new ferry Galicia includes breakfast and evening meals
Sail 9.15 PM from Portsmouth to Santander on the Brittany Ferries Galicia Cruise ship. We are on the ferry over two nights, plenty of time to get together for a meal chat about your holiday, relax and enjoy the crossing,
[Brittany Ferry to Spain & Morocco ferry not included in the price, Portsmouth to Santander Ferry approx. £850 return, Algeciras to Tangers Med Morocco £140 open return approx.]
Friday
On the ferry all day as it calls in France to restock/fuel/crew change. Lunch time briefing on your forth coming adventure.
Sunday
Arrive in Santander 8AM, Spain regroup off the ferry and hit the road for our first night in Spain we are travelling to Sevilla for the night, the adventure starts off the ferry as we travel through the Picos mountains. Approx. 9 hrs drive approx 500 miles on empty motorways, with no tolls, set the cruise control and go! [ 4* Hotel included]
Monday
It is on the road after a good breakfast towards Algeciras Port, this is a short journey on mainly empty motorways we do not rush, there are speed cameras and be aware, fines come back to the UK. On arriving in Algeciras, we head straight to the port to catch our ferry to Morocco 2hrs on the ferry including getting on and off approx. We should arrive in Tangers Med around mid-afternoon, where we will arrange vehicle insurance for those who do not have it, and currency [Morocco is mainly a cash currency] It’s on the road to Chefchaouen the blue and white city. We stay at the Hotel Parador in the centre this is a 4* Morocco hotel. We have time to wander around the souks and stunning blue & white streets, it is a very bohemian place, time to chill in the evening in the square and watch the world go by, Seville to Algeciras 2.5hrs 114 miles, Tangers Med Port to Chefchaouen 3hrs 80 miles.
Tuesday
After breakfast we head across country through the fertile breadbasket of Morocco to the out skirts of Meknes to visit the famous Roman ruins at Volubilus , from Meknes we head in to the Foret du Cedres where we booking into a private Auberge in the middle of a valley for the evening, to relax and enjoy the sun go down. 7hr including stops, tarmac.
Wednesday
After breakfast we fuel up and hit the road towards the Sahara Desert but not before seeing the wild monkeys in the Foret du Cedres. In winter this area is snow bound. We have a few miles to do today, but its worth it, as we head towards the Gorges du Ziz and around Ar-Rachidia to Boudnib , where we will be met by François and shown to our Bedouin tent for the evening, this French owned Auberge is famous in Morocco for its hospitality and food oh and the wine. [please be aware the tents are not en-suite but are spotlessly clean and tidy! 6/7hrs tarmac.
Thursday
After a fabulous breakfast we head off into the desert but not before we have fuelled up and bought provisions for lunch, today we will see our first sand dunes and head along the Algerian border to Erg Chebbi. Erg Chebbi should be one of the seven wonders of the world as it raises out of the ground and forms massive san dunes as far as the eye can see. We be staying here for two evening, at a Auberge on the very edge of the dune! 8hrs off road/ sand dune travelling.
Friday
Today is a rest day by the pool or, camel trekking, sand boarding, going on a 4×4 rally raid in buggies into the dunes, or maybe pop into Merzouga. Russ will be taking a trek out to where the Bond movie Spectra was filmed for those who want to go. Or just go for a walk in the dunes and later watch the sun go down and the sky fill with stars. Nil
Saturday
After breakfast it’s time to fuel up and head back around Erg Chebbi on to the Paris Daker rally route, its tough sand driving today, so we don’t drive to long before we call in at Porta Sahara one of the best Auberges, for drinks on the roof looking over towards the Algerian border. Its then back into the sand and this is a day you will never forget, Mountains, valley’s and dried out riverbeds [hopefully] We finish the day with a well-earned gin and tonic or cold beer in Chez Le Pacha Mhamid by the pool! 8hrs off-road / sand dune / tracks
Sunday
Its back into the desert with some excellent driving, more sand dunes, riverbeds, and dried out salt lakes, taking in Oued Draa & Lake Iriki where the Titanic is wash up! Honest. It’s a fabulous day and a tough one as we roll into Foum-Zguid for our last night on the edge of the Sahara, we will be staying in the best hotel in town Bab Rimal 6hrs Sand dune and track off-road
Monday
It all starts to change as we leave the desert region behind and start our road journey to Oulad Berhill at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains, the Hotel Arganier d’Or is set in an orange grove with a stunning backdrop of gardens to look around, with a swimming pool as well, this is fantastic tarmac all the way watch out for camels crossing the road 6 hours approx. Tarmac
Tuesday
Oulad Berhill to Marrakesh via the famous Tizi-n-Test mountain pass through the High Atlas Mountains, there will still be snow about and you will be able to see Mount Toubkal the highest mountain in North Africa on your right at 4167 meters high, on this leg watch out for goats in trees 8 hours driving approx. tarmac/rough track.
Wednesday
Marrakesh Time!!! After several days of amazing driving, it’s time to chill out and relax in Marrakesh, and time to visit the souk’s, and then watch the sun go down in the Jemaa el-Fna or just hang out by the pool and recharge your batteries and reflect on your journey, 1 day 2 nights.Nil
Thursday
We need to hit the Motorway leave Marrakesh and say goodbye to the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara, this is a toll road, with lots of speed traps, the tolls are not expensive and the motorway excellent and little traffic apart from around Casablanca, we are on our way north to the small fishing village of Moulay Bousselham to spend our last night in Morocco and French owned beautiful Raid on the beach its perfect for that last evening. 6 hrs
Friday
We breakfast early and, on the road, to catch the first ferry possible into Spain, tonight we will stay in a Spanish town in the centre of one of the biggest wines growing areas, Merida, time to enjoy a glass of red and tapas at its best. Chillout the Spanish way! Maybe buy a few bottles to take home? 7 hrs including the ferry.
Saturday
Travel from Merida to Salamanca the jewel in the crown for our last evening of the holiday, it’s a very special place to end your adventure, It’s a time to party in the Plaza Mayor square. Everyone who visits cannot wait to come back it is that good! You will arrive in Salamanca with plenty of time to explore.3hrs
Sunday
Salamanca to Santander, on the last leg to catch the 2.15 PM ferry to Portsmouth.
Early start to be in Santander before check in closes 2PM 4 hrs.
Monday
Cruise ship Galicia back to Portsmouth for 8PM approx.