From Fes, we had a very long drive to Marrakech through the stunning scenery of the middle Atlas mountains. We explored Marrakech with its many souks, pretty Bahia palace and amazingly chaotic Djemaa el Fna square, before heading out of the city to the Ourika Valley. We drove up the valley to the foothills of the High Atlas mountains, stopping in a Berber village. We visited the house of one of the villagers, drinking some traditional mint tea (rather too sweet for our liking!) before heading further up the valley for some amazing views. [View Full Entry]

---

---

We got up rather too early for my liking to catch the catamaran from Algeciras to Ceuta. We got some great views of Gibraltar from the boat, and the crossing wasn't too rough (although I don't think I should get a job where I have to walk around on a swaying boat!). In Ceuta (a Spanish enclave on the North African coast), we had to queue for quite a long time to cross the border into Morocco. From the border, we drove through the very scenic Rif mountains towards Fes. It was very interesting to see lots of busy little villages [View Full Entry]

---

---

We left Portugal, driving through the pretty scenery of the Alentejo, and into the equally pretty Andalucian countryside, before arriving in Seville. The next day we explored the city (Lara made me walk a long way!), visiting the city centre and cathedral. The cathedral is very impressive, with a tall bell tower which is built on the minaret of a mosque that used to stand on the same site! In the afternoon, we admired the elaborate Plaza de Espana before relaxing by the river Guadalquivir. It was really sunny, and lots of the squares around the city are lined with orange [View Full Entry]

---

---

We set off to explore Lisbon in the sunshine, driving through the city centre on our way to the Belem district. We arrived to see Belem tower in the glorious sunshine, but by the time Lara had taken my photo, the mist had descended. It stayed that way all morning, and when we went up the Santa Justa elevator in the city centre we could barely see Rossio square! We decided that I'd lead the way, and take Lara to Sintra, where I'd been before with Laura. I successfully negotiated the train and the bus to get us to Sintra (not [View Full Entry]

---

---

I'm back in Spain again, this time with Lara! We flew to Madrid, and had a good look around the city, but Lara didn't take my photo anywhere. We were enjoying the slightly warmer (and definitely less wet) weather than we'd left behind at home, but when we set off to drive West, into the mountains, we found that it had snowed! The road was, fortunately, cleared very efficiently and we drove to Avila. Lara took me to see the cathedral, and I had a play in the snow, before we admired the medieval city walls from a short distance away. [View Full Entry]

---

---

My travels with Lara took us on from Spain to Portugal, and the university town of Coimbra. The university itself is mingled with the narrow streets of the old town, up on a hill above the Mondego river. Some of the buildings reminded us a lot of home! [View Full Entry]

---

---

Hi! I'm on holiday with Hannah again in Essaouira, Morocco! This place is really serene compared with the frenzied atmosphere of Marrakech. I'm having a lotta fun eating amazing seafood tagines and sitting in quaint little cafes playing Chinese card games. The camels here are adorable! Hannah took me on a lovely camel ride on the beach, across sand dunes, ending with a few splashes in the sea. The sand dunes are actually surprising steep and it was a bit of a rollercoaster ride! It didn't really help when Hannah started singing and dancing to the soundtrack of Les Mis... Anyway, [View Full Entry]

---

---

I am currently in Spain with Laura. We are spending a couple of weeks touring the central region. There are not so many English tourists or speakers in this part of Spain so Laura is having to try and speak some Spanish! One of the places we visited we Salamanca which is a great town. We visited the old and new cathedrals (which is still old by most countries standards). We also went to the university which is one of the oldest in Europe. We went hiking in the Sierra de Gredos regional park. The scenery was lovely and not how [View Full Entry]

---

---

YAY! I'm on holiday with Hannah and living a fun-filled American life in sunny Chicago (which is only actually windy in spring and fall). I've been doing a lot of shopping, since these American malls are infinitely superior with lots of food to keep Hannah happy. In fact, one particular mall we went to was fully equipped with a Sushi buffet! Another thing I find strange about these Americans are that they seem incapable of walking - they spend all their time driving from one end of a parking lot to another or even from one's house to their neighbours'! But [View Full Entry]

---

---

We got up early to go up on deck as our ferry sailed through the small islands of the Stockholm archipelago. The gaps between the islands seemed rather too small for our very large boat, but somehow it fitted through! On arrival in Stockholm, we went on a tour of the city. I was very excited to go to the City Hall, where all the Nobel Laureates I've heard so much about were given their prizes! The ballroom was amazing, decorated from floor to ceiling with gold mosaics! [View Full Entry]

---

---