Our Year 2023 Review in Photos – from Spain to Morocco

Where have we been in 2023? What have we been up to? Good questions! The short answer is that we made it to Africa – Morocco, to be exact.

Since we started our world trip in 2016, we spent a lot of time in Asia and the Middle East. Getting to Africa is putting our travels back on track with our original travel plans, and we can’t wait to travel there. Though, to be honest, we initially planned to travel down the East Coast of Africa, from Cairo to the Cape. But recent events in countries like Ethiopia and Sudan forced us to change our plans. However, we are very excited about our decision since Morocco was high on our travel plans anyway!

Let’s have a quick recap on how we get there, and where we are now. And, of course, what’s next for 2024?

Our Travel Highlights Since 2016

If you haven’t been following us since the beginning of our trip, you can find some of our preferred countries.

Of course, we visited more than seven countries, but below are some of the highlights so far!

Mongolia | Sri Lanka | Papua New Guinea | Pakistan | Tajikistan | Grenadines

Our Year 2023 Travel Summary

Here is a quick overview of some of the highlights of 2023 for us!

January 2023

It was a highly academic month, as I studied towards a TEFL certification. The curriculum included classroom practices, which saw me going to London. It’s been a while since I went to the British capital, and though it was a short visit, I really enjoyed revisiting some of the city’s main attractions.

And yes, I am now a certified TEFL teacher!

Highlights:

• Scones in London.
• Oysters in France

February 2023

As travelers, it’s pretty common to explore faraway destinations, but we rarely visit our own backyard. And it’s so true, we barely visited France! Well, we went to Toulouse, well deserving of its Pink City nickname, and to the region of Dordogne, not your typical French destination, but a lovely area packed with small, quaint villages, and historical places.

Highlights:

• Toulouse cuisine and city vibes
• Dordogne quaint villages

March 2023

We returned to Spain and started a 4×4 road trip crossing the Pyrenees to Aragon and Navarre.

Our trip followed the Vibraction RB5 roadbook, taking us through mountains, fields, villages, and ancient ruins. A mix of landscape, culture, and traditions! And we loved it!

Highlights:

• Aragon: Mallos de Riglos rock formations and Loarre Castle
• Navarre: Bárdenas Reales desert and Gallipienzo village

April 2023

Our wheels took us to the Northern Coast of Spain Coast. Starting from the Basque Country, then Cantabria, the Asturias, and Galicia.

A rugged coastline, like the Praia das Catedrais, with neat cities and small villages scattered along. Including Iron age ruins like the Castro de Baroña. Another historic place we really enjoyed in the Dolmen of Dombate, one of the many dolmens in Galicia, and still featuring paint!

Highlights:

• Basque Country: both sides of the Pyrenees are stunning – from the Iraty Forest, millennia-old Cromlechs, to its famous cheese and medieval villages like Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, or eating pintxos in Bilbao
• Asturias: Hiking the Picos de Europa
• Galicia: Visiting the mythic Santiago de Compostela, the end of the famous Chemin de Compostelle

May 2023

From Galicia, we crossed into Portugal for a month-long of awesome things to see!
Portugal is definitely a must-see! Unique architecture styles, different wines, and a beautiful coast as well!

Highlights:

• Exploring the city of Porto, its multicolor houses, and tasting the wine of the same name
• Colorful Aveiro
• Admiring the stunning Peña Palace in Sintra, near Lisbon
• Driving the scenic Algarve Coast
• Faro: the city, the kitesurfing spot, the vibes.

June 2023

Andalucia! I think I left a part of my heart there. History, scenery, mountains, sea, food, horses, kiteboarding – everything we love in one place!

Highlights:

• Seville: From the Flamenco shows to the exquisite cuisine and stunning places like the grandiose Plaza de España!
• Granada’s Alhambra impressive complex
• Hiking Sierra Nevada of Andalusia: Mulhacen Peak

July 2023

We enjoyed our time in Andalucia so much that we were actually there for another one. This time, we were in the world-famous Tarifa for kiteboarding. But we managed to visit nearby places like Cadiz and Jerez de la Frontera.

Highlights:

• Tarifa kiteboarding
• Andalusian horse show in Jerez de la Frontera

August 2023

Africa, here we come! A quick ferry ride saw us finally reaching Morocco, the first step of our Africa trip.

Highlights:

• Chefchaouen, as blue as you can imagine!
• Casablanca Hassan II Mosque

September 2023

We spent most of our time around Essaouira for kiteboarding.

On September 9th, 2023, Morocco experienced one of its worth earthquakes. A 6.8 earthquake that shattered many villages in the Atlas Mountains. We were in Essouira at the time, and felt it strongly – though not as strong as its epicenter. Dramatic event, where many lives were lost, many more injured, and still thousands staying in Army tents until reconstruction happens.

Highlights:

• Essaouira Kitesurfing
• Learning how to cook Tagine!

October 2023

Moving east, we traveled to Marrakech, and explored the Atlas Mountains, a piste at a time!

Highlights:

• Marrakech
• 4×4 offroad driving in the Atlas

Atlas Mountains

November 2023

Fall is the perfect time to explore the Sahara desert.

We also did a quick visit to Fes, Meknes, and Volubilis.

Highlights:

• Volubilis extensive Roman ruins
• Sahara Desert: dunes, hike, camels, and 4×4 drive!

December 2023

The lack of snow allowed us to trek to Toubkal, the highest mountain in Morocco.

Our last stop in Morocco: Dakhla

Highlights:

• Hiking Mt Toubkal
• Dakhla kiteboarding

2024 Travel Plans

Our next destinations include Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ivory Coast. From there, we will see whether we continue by land or ship Zef the Def.

And for up-to-date travel info, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

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