Help Me Pick a Route

[ktmrider]

My daughter and I are traveling for three months or more starting in August. Originally, it was Japan, Mongolia, Trans Siberian Railroad to Moscow and then the Baltics depending on time. Well, with Moscow's recent action in the Crimea and US-Russian relations at a low point we are looking elseware.

Now, we are thinking hiking in Scotland followed by a portion of the Camino de Santiago in Portigul and Spain then dropping down to North Africa. Now, this is where my knowledge fails. If you had to pick one country for travel, would it be Morocco or Algeria? Why? Or would you look at other destinations in North Africa? We plan to spend time in Jeruselem and may finish in Instanbul (one of my favorite destinations of all time).

Feel free to comment on any must do's along the route, photographically or otherwise.

I am posting this from Thailand after spending the month in Thailand and ten days motorcycling through Laos. Have a bunch of photos to check out at home as this is my first trip with the M9 and will be spending the next month learning photoshop. Boy, the LED on the back really is worthless, isn't it.

 

[Sparrow]

... I like the sound of the first itinerary myself and the Baltic is a long way from the Black Sea after all

 

[ktmrider]

Who in the world knows what will be going on between Russia and the US by August?

Anyway, it looks like the trip will be Scotland, Spain, Morocco, and Israel. Am looking at things to do in travel guides but would love to hear from anyone with personal experience, especially if you had a really great or unique experience in any of the above destinations.

Ex: We will be on the steam train in Scotland which carried Harry to Hogwarts and riding Arabians in Morocco (think THE WIND AND THE LION).

 

[Mark T]

Morocco is considerably safer than Algeria, and it has well established tourist infrastructure. I worked in Libya a few years ago but I would not go to Algeria. Unless you are confusing Algeria with Tunisia, which is also fine?

 

[David Hughes]

Who in the world knows what will be going on between Russia and the US by August?

Anyway, it looks like the trip will be Scotland, Spain, Morocco, and Israel. Am looking at things to do in travel guides but would love to hear from anyone with personal experience, especially if you had a really great or unique experience in any of the above destinations.

Ex: We will be on the steam train in Scotland which carried Harry to Hogwarts and riding Arabians in Morocco (think THE WIND AND THE LION).

Hi,

Harry Potter and trains involve a lot of travel but you might like to Google "harry potter film locations map" and look at all the images etc.

As for Scotland, it's a big place and I don't know where to start nor how many weeks or days you are planning on spending there. Perhaps going from Edinburgh through the Trossachs, out to Mallaig on the train (best photographed from the road running more or less the same route) and then the Great Glen to Inverness, out to Ullapool and then back down the west coast to Dunoon and the ferry...

You could do an interesting circuit going from Fort William to Mallaig then the ferry to Skye and the road bridge back and then rail to Inverness; lots of scenery to see. If you've the time go further north of Ullapool or, at Ullapool, get one of the boat trips to the Summer Isles (the views en route are magical). And, if you like whisky, visit Islay. The ferry people will sell you a ticket to take you there via several islands.

Regards, David

 

[ktmrider]

Dave, I am on the "walkinghighlands" email list and we are planning one of the long hikes. I believe we end up or start the hike with the "Potter train".

Anyway, either 80 miles or 103 (I have to check out the proposed hike as I don't remember it from the top of my head). Anyway, weather in August? I assume rain. I also see the new John Muir trail will be open by then. And should I be making reservations at the hostels or B&B's in advance (Is August a busy time?).

 

[ktmrider]

After 100 miles in Scotland, we are going down to Portugal/Spain for 135 km on the Camino de Santiago. In Morocco, I have promised to pay for a horse riding excursion.

My daughter and I have owned horses here in Texas for 15 years. Since we won't be riding in Mongolia, we will be trying Arabians in Morocco. One of our favorite films from years ago is THE WIND AND THE LION. One of your countrymen plays a Berber chieftain who runs afoul of Teddy Roosevelt. If you have never seen it (circa 1973), it is worth renting.

 

[kbg32]

I would pick Morocco over Algeria as well.

 

[Lauffray]

Although I haven't been myself, I have heard from many experienced photographers that Moroccans do not like to be photographed by tourists, even just passers by in background. Your trip seems to be mostly hiking, but just thought I'd mention it

 

[David Hughes]

Dave, I am on the "walkinghighlands" email list and we are planning one of the long hikes. I believe we end up or start the hike with the "Potter train".

Anyway, either 80 miles or 103 (I have to check out the proposed hike as I don't remember it from the top of my head). Anyway, weather in August? I assume rain. I also see the new John Muir trail will be open by then. And should I be making reservations at the hostels or B&B's in advance (Is August a busy time?).

Hi,

Well, they have weather in Scotland but these days I wouldn't attempt to forecast it. We always book ahead and often wish we hadn't as it is easy to be diverted and stay a while longer.

OTOH, we have just driven north and booked in where ever we stopped and felt like staying. I'm sorry I can't say more than that.

English school holidays tend to run from mid July to very early in September but the Scottish ones end roughly mid to late August and here (UK) we take holidays mostly with the children and it can get crowded.

In August I'd worry more about the midges than the weather...

Regards, David

 

[Austerby]

The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are sublime - you'll be there in the run-up to the independence referendum (on 18 Sept) so it should be a lively time to be there.

Morocco is gorgeous - as photogenic a country as you'll find anywhere. Tangier, Meknes, Fes, Marrakech, Ouzarzate, the Todra Gorge, the Sahara, Essaouira etc are well worth your time. Quite an intense experience though: but the locals are friendly.

 

[LesTele]

The 'long hike' is likely to be the West Highland Way. Glasgow to Fort William. The Harry Potter viaduct is on the Fort William - Mallaig line, north of Fort William.

I've walked and biked the trail 6 times and on a couple of occasions it was too wet to take my camera (non-weather sealed FG20) out of my rucksack for 6 days!

 

[lawrence]

Although I haven't been myself, I have heard from many experienced photographers that Moroccans do not like to be photographed by tourists, even just passers by in background. Your trip seems to be mostly hiking, but just thought I'd mention it

That's entirely true. They will at least expect you to ask permission and if they do agree will usually want something in return. Having said that Morocco is a fantastic country and probably the most exotic place you can get to within four hours of London. If you do go I would recommend going to Fez rather than Marrakech, which I find too noisy and commercial.

 

[mfogiel]

If I wanted to make a grand tour of the US in 1 day, where would you like me to go - mind you, I want to see the North, South East and West, and Allaska too... 🙄
Cut down your plans to 1 or 2 countries at most. What you want to do is insane.

 

[ktmrider]

3 for 3?

3 for 3?

3 months vs 3 countries. Do not think it is too much since we are planning hiking or riding in each country plus time to play tourist. None of these countries comes anywhere near the size of the US.

Perhaps it does not apply to you but I find myself often ready to come home after an extended vacation. Then I can take some time, decompress and start planning my next sortie.

 

[jmilkins]

Sounds like a great trip. Riding the KTM or equivalent as well as horses? I'd ask over on ADVrider too...

 

[ktmrider]

On advrider, I am rpilottx.