Have you ever ridden a camel? Their ability to resist high temperatures made them North Africa’s most successful mode of transport. As well as camel caravans, Morocco offers picturesque landscapes, such as the Grand Bazaar of Tangier, the Tetouan Medina or the Chefchaouen Kasbah, the latter of which is a quaint scene of small blue houses on the slopes of the Rif Mountains. Morocco also has a distinctive and delightful taste; make sure to try aromatic peppermint tea and delicious handmade cakes of puff pastry, almonds, dates, pistachios or honey.
Any time of the year is the perfect time to visit one of Europe’s most welcoming capital cities. Begin your visit with some of the city’s principle points of interest that transport you back to the Age of Discovery, such as the Belém Tower (constructed to control trade with Asia) and the Hieronymites Monastery (erected in honor of Portugal’s great navigators). Food enthusiasts must try the typical golden cod dish with a traditional Belém cake for dessert. And don’t forget to use one of the city’s famous tram lines to climb up to Barrio Alto to enjoy Lisbon’s trendiest entertainment spots.
This tiny town of less than 27,000 inhabitants is one of the leading tourist destinations in the south of Portugal. Its main attraction is the Isle of Tavira; 11 kilometers of pristine white sand that are only accessible by boat. But don’t think that the town itself has nothing to offer the keen visitor. The views from its medieval castle are sublime, as is the feeling of the gentle sea breeze on your skin as you look out toward the water from the ancient Roman bridge.
A piece of Britain in Spain, and the last remaining colony on European soil. A simple hop across the border from La Línea de la Concepción (in Cadiz province) and you will find yourself in a typical English town, complete with avid tea-drinkers, scrambled egg with bacon and (who could forget?) fish and chips. But dig a little deeper and you will reveal all of the finer details that make Gibraltar unique; the Spanish sun, the giant Rock, its famous but mischievous monkey population and the tunnels built to protect the colony from German invasion in the Second World War.
