After spending two weeks in Morocco, we were excited to head back to Europe. We had around two weeks left to travel from Southern Spain to Paris to catch our flights. Though two weeks might seem like a long vacation, it felt short for us since we’re used to traveling for six months at a time. We were also worried about the weather in France, so we aimed to cross it quickly, having already visited extensively at the beginning of the trip and the previous summer. Therefore, we decided to focus on Spain this time.
We enjoyed our extended stay in Spain. We spent several nights along the coast of Andalucía, grabbing great deals at beachside hotels and delighting in long walks and people-watching from bar terraces. There was even some shopping involved! Since we packed lightly for the motorcycle trip, we had some spare room for new clothes. It felt luxurious to get new outfits after wearing the same clothes for weeks and sometimes avoiding laundromats to save time.
BF encouraged me to go shopping, which I usually avoid, and I’m glad he did. He bought me a green pair of pants, a lovely white top with floral designs, a black top that’s a bit more dressed up than a tank, and one of the most comfortable t-shirts ever.
We visited Gibraltar, a small piece of the United Kingdom at the southern tip of Spain. It felt unique after seeing many similar-looking cities. We had to wait to enter Gibraltar due to it not being part of the Schengen area, but it was worth it. The $15 tourist pass around the Rock was a great deal; it’s a nature reserve with miles of tunnels and strategic spots used to protect against foreign assaults. We even saw caves that were used as a military hospital during WWII. Another interesting aspect was the presence of monkeys everywhere, reminding us to guard our belongings and food.
It was a fun day, and we marveled at the unique location where we could see Spain and Morocco from the top of the Rock. Unfortunately, there was an incident in Sevilla where someone stole our tankbag’s harness and BF’s air cushion seat, causing some inconvenience but not stopping us from continuing the journey.
Next, we headed to Granada, home to the famous Alhambra palace. We explored the old town and enjoyed the local tradition of free tapas with drinks. Granada’s nightlife is famous for its gypsy music and dance, but we didn’t find the authentic experience despite trying a few places.
Our next stop was Valencia, known for its futuristic complex and old town. I even tried a delicious bean and chorizo stew instead of the local rabbit and chicken paella. Before reaching Barcelona, we camped on a secluded beach. The police initially told us we couldn’t camp due to protected dunes but hinted we could move a bit and stay as long as we left the area clean.
Barcelona was nostalgic for me since I lived there in 2007. We toured the city, from the Ramblas to the Tibidabo hill, and revisited old memories. Girona, often overlooked by travelers, was our last stop in Spain, where we enjoyed the charming city center and great Spanish food and wine.
Crossing back into France through the Pyrenees, we encountered bad weather but only for a day. We spent the night near the border, avoiding too much cold riding. In a couple of days, we crossed France, visiting places like Millau with its highest bridge in the world. Our last stop was Bourges, known for its medieval cathedral and economical hotels before reaching Paris.
Back in Paris, BF had his flight two days before mine, so I booked a hotel for the first night and used my Iberia miles for a free night near the airport. We spent our last day shopping, where BF bought me some new running gear and got some for himself.
A mix-up with the hotels near different airports led to an early morning drive, but we made it in the end. I spent my last day in Paris visiting family and friends.
As for the costs, I initially tried to track expenses but gave up to enjoy the trip. We managed to keep expenses under 100 euros a day for the two of us, excluding shopping and souvenirs. This trip was entirely covered by my online income, thanks to my blog readers and advertisers. Next, I’ll be heading to Belize for New Year and Miami in February.
I’ve shared some travel tips on my blog for places like France, Italy, and Morocco, so feel free to check them out for your next holiday!