Othello - Marrakesh to Porto

Cycling out of the souks of Marrakesh we head through the Oasis of Ouirgane Valley before climbing over the Atlas Mountains to the Tizi-n-Test pass. Then towards spectacular UNESCO listed Ait Benhaddou, the spectacular setting for many blockbusters including this Odyssey! We then hit the old caravan route between Marrakesh and the unforgettable Draa Valley and roll over with amazing views back towards the snow covered Atlas mountains before descending to Agdz. On to Zagora and then Merzouga where we swap bikes for pacing camels (camels don't trot) and head into the Sahara! We spend a night out in the desert, in a luxurious camp befitting this journey. Then we pedal north through the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge and riding which is hard to beat - palm groves, rocky villages and spectacular settings. Our Moroccan Stage finishes with a road not less travelled but never travelled as we take a unique pass out of the Atlas and head to UNESCO World Heritage listed Fes. People either fall in love with the Medina (which is also the world's biggest car free urban zone) or recoil in horror at the overload to one's senses! We love it - enthralling, historic, immensely vibrant and a perfect place to end the stage.

To continue our Odyssey into Spain on Stage 2 we shuttle from Fes to the Mediterranean coast and cross by boat, just as the Moorish invaders did just over 1300 years ago into - then - Iberia. We land in Andalucia - the very best region in Spain for history, atmosphere and passion! From Almeria we ride the Sierra Nevada - visiting Las Alpujarras - the white washed villages which dot the lower southern slopes, before taking on (optional of course!) the Pico Veleta - Europe’s highest road! After hitting the hills we roll to Granada then Cordoba for exceptional history and Moorish architecture in the Alhambra and La Mezquita. Then we head North West into Extremadura, the Spaniard's Spain where we roll through olive and orange groves into quiet beautiful ancient villages - ideal cycling! The Portuguese border comes all too soon but more fantastic terrain is still to come...

Our Portuguese journey starts in Alentejo, a region full of castles, monasteries, palaces, Roman and medieval ruins. With its rolling topography and views, every rise is a cyclist's delight. Our first destination in Portugal was one of its first defenses against Spain in medieval times - Monsaraz, a charming hilltop fortress now surrounded by vines which make some of Portugal's best wine! Then we roll to UNESCO listed Evora, the capital of the region with a wealth of history from the stunning Roman Temple of Diana to the Igreja de São Francisco, its splendid Gothic cathedral. Heading north into the Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede where the beauty of medieval Marvao greets us, and where one of the challenges of the tour awaits - Torre, Portugal's highest road and a beautiful 19km climb (@ 6%). Our finale is the Duoro Valley and we roll all the way down it marveling at the views, wineries and climbs! It is refined beauty at its best which contrasts perfectly with the Atlas Mountains and desert where we started our Odyssey 4 weeks ago!