A few weeks ago, I received a rather interesting offer to enter a competition A Grand Adventure – through Money SuperMarket! For more info, go to their site. The competition is really anywhere in the world, breakdown of the adventure, and no need to add the flight to get there. The Adventure has to be within the 1,000 pound allotment, which is roughly $1600 – I calculated everything in $ because frankly it was easier.

I have rewritten this post several times, I started off originally in Asia, but it somehow didn’t feel right. My mind keeps going back to one specific place.

I have been obsessed with Morocco for many many years, in fact, if you have been following this blog from the beginning, you will know that I am a history political geek that grew up moving around with a Diplomatic Father and then followed suit and worked in the same field. Travelling has always been a passion since I entered this world, but there are some places I have yet to see, due to timing, and Morocco is one of them! This is A Grand Adventure trip, that I am dying to share with my husband and my little man (aka the toddler/boss of the family).

So my fantasy trip is this itinerary:

Challenges – breaking up the train trips enough that they are exciting not exhausting for the little man. Since the budget is roughly $1600 it was difficult to decide where to stay, as Hotels seem to be a better place to stay rather than apartments, which is what we typically like to do. I should add, $1600 is a pretty wicked budget if you are solo, but for 3 people, it is pretty lean (ferries and trains add up quickly).

10 night travel itinerary: 

Starting in Tarifa, Spain to learn how to paddle board, so much fun! I love the ocean so it would be fitting to try paddle boarding here, and lounge on the beach building sand castles with my little one. If there was more budget, I would probably stay a couple more days here, and live on Paella, but one must move on.

Holiday House Almenara in Tarifa – $107.70 – 2 nights = 215.40

Then take a ferry from Tarifa to Tangier, Morocco – Ferry costs $188.50 (for all 3, round trip)

Tangier Morocco for a night – Hotel Rembrandt $66

The only thing I want to see is the American Legation

Train Tangier to  Fez – 18.73 x 3 = 56.19

Hotel in Fez – Riad Ahlam $102 x 2 nights = 202

Fez is rather special, my Grandfather was posted here in the 50′s, he was in the British Air Force. My Father spoke about this time in his life often, and absolutely loved Morocco, Plus, this is where he declared he would be a diplomat, which he became. I want to find their old house. And sit at the Gates of Fez.

Train from Fez to Marrakech $35.65 x 3 = 106.95

Hotel in Marrakech – Riad Khol  special for 3 nights $301.89

Obviously, if you are in Marrakech you have to stroll around the market area, but not for too long, as it would probably get crowded and mundane.

The Badii Palace, seems to be one place I cannot miss! In my next career choice, I will probably be taking up Anthropology, so I have to visit Maison Tiskiwin – owned by veteran Dutch anthropologist Bert Flint – Again, I am a nerd and this is exciting.

train from  Marrakech to Casablanca – 16.92 x 3

Casablanca Hotel Novotel $120 1 night

Casablanca has an incredible amount of things to do and see, but the one that is outdoors, and my little man would be o.k seeing is the White Mosque. I would love to stay in this area for longer, but one must move on at some point.

Train back to Tangier via Fez - for all 3 of us $115.62

Tangier – Hotel Rembrandt $66

Grand total = 1489.31

O.K so I didn’t budget in food, really, do I need to do that. It kind of reminds me of our daily allowances in the Foreign Service when we travel! We typically eat in markets and buy our food on the go. Our son is active, not interested in sitting, and neither are we.

What would your Grand Adventure be?

Travel Lady with Baby