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Day 5 – Homeward Bound from Rabat
Our final morning in Morocco began bright and early at 6:30 a.m. After a quick breakfast of baps, we gave the apartment a final tidy-up, checking every corner to make sure nothing was left behind. With everything packed, we left the key inside and gently pulled the door shut—our time in Rabat had come to an end. At around 7:40 a.m., we made our way on foot to the train station, where the airport bus (Line AE) stops. A few other travellers were already waiting, suitcases in tow. The bus arrived promptly at 7:55 a.m., slightly earlier than expected. We paid 25 dirhams each (just €5 total for both of…
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Day 4 – Fossils, Palaces & Farewell to Marrakech
Our last full day in Marrakech began at a leisurely pace. We got up around 9:00 a.m. and had a simple breakfast of snacks on the terrace, enjoying the sunshine and morning stillness above the Medina rooftops. We set out into the souks with a mission: to find a fossil. At the first shop we visited, we spotted a beautiful ammonite—actually one half of a matched pair. The seller initially asked for 500 dirhams (about €50), but after a bit of friendly haggling, we brought it down to 300 dirhams (€30). He even threw in an extra small fossil and two quartz pieces as a bonus. Later, we looked it…
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Day 3 – Train to Marrakech: From Coast to Kasbahs
We were up early today—just after 6:00 a.m.—for our journey south to Marrakech. With a light breakfast of snacks (I had half of my roll), we were out the door by 6:45, heading for the train station. We arrived a little too early, so we sat outside on a bench under the still-blue morning sky, watching the city slowly wake up. The train pulled in right on time at 7:35 a.m.—it doesn’t originate in Rabat, but travels up the coast, stopping briefly here. We were in first class, which gave us spacious, air-conditioned seats, though the carriage was an older one. There were some issues with unreserved passengers taking seats…
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Day 2 – Ruins, Royal Walls & Sunset at the Kasbah
Our second day in Rabat began with a trip back in time as we explored the ancient Chellah ruins. We caught a taxi from the train station and were soon wandering through a fascinating blend of Roman and Islamic architecture. The site was atmospheric and peaceful, made even better with audio guides that added context to what we were seeing—well worth the €13 each. One of the most memorable features? The many storks nesting on the ruins, their huge, twiggy homes perched atop crumbling walls. Afterwards, we took a taxi back to the apartment and had a relaxed lunch of snacks on the terrace. Once refuelled, we walked down to…
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Day 1 – Arrival in Rabat: Sunshine, Skewers & Strolling the Medina
We were up and out the door by 5:00 a.m., beginning our Moroccan adventure with an early morning drive to Dublin Airport. Our Ryanair flight (FR162) to Rabat departed right on time at 7:40 a.m., and we made the most of the journey by watching downloaded videos on our phones—a great way to pass the time. By 11:10 a.m., we touched down in Rabat under clear blue skies. First order of business: withdrawing some cash (€200 or MAD 2000) and picking up two local SIM cards—20GB each for just €10. Not a bad deal! We hopped on the AE airport bus which took us directly to the train station near…
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Day 5 in Seville: Italica Ruins, Torre Sevilla Views & Homeward Bound
🏛️ A Slow Morning & Some Last Explorations On our final morning in Seville, we visited the Archivo de Indias — the Archives of the Indies — a majestic building housing centuries of Spain’s colonial documents. While the interior is fairly reserved, it’s worth a stop to admire the architecture and its historical significance. From there, we wandered over to a circular plaza near General Castaños, enjoying a few more moments of sun before heading back to the apartment. After checking out, we stored our bags in a nearby shop to free up the rest of the day. 🚌 Italica Adventure (Almost Missed!) We headed for the bus station on…
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Day 4 in Seville: Jewish Quarter Walk, Real Alcázar & a Steakhouse Dinner
😴 A Slow Start & a Walk Through History We got a slow start to the day — so we took our time easing into the morning. Once we were moving, we followed Rick Steves’ self-guided walking tour through Seville’s historic Jewish Quarter. The walk took us through winding cobbled streets, quiet plazas, and beautiful old buildings nestled between whitewashed walls and flowerpots. It’s one of the most charming corners of the city — peaceful, atmospheric, and filled with history. 👑 Exploring the Real Alcázar of Seville After the walk, we made our way to the crown jewel of Seville: the Real Alcázar. This UNESCO-listed palace complex is a sprawling…
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Day 3 – Trip to Córdoba: Mosques, Palaces & Roman Bridges
🚆 Early Start & Off to Córdoba We were up bright and early for our day trip to Córdoba. Caught the #21 bus at 7:15 AM from near the Teatro Lope de Vega to Seville’s main train station, where — like all major Spanish rail hubs — they x-ray your bags before boarding. The train ride was smooth and comfortable, and we arrived in Córdoba by 8:50 AM. It was the coldest morning of the trip at just 9°C, but with rain jackets doubling as windbreakers, we were fine. 🕌 The Magnificent Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba After walking the perimeter of the old town and waiting for opening time, we queued…
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Day 2 in Seville: Torre Sevilla, Local Markets & Hidden Palaces
☀️ A Slow Start & A Riverside Walk We eased into our second day in Seville, enjoying a slower morning before setting off on foot across the river. Our destination was Torre Sevilla, the city’s tallest skyscraper, located on the Triana side of the Guadalquivir River. The walk took about 30 minutes, and along the way, we stopped at the Mercado de Triana, just beside the Castle of San Jorge ruins — a great spot for browsing local food and crafts. 🛍️ Torre Sevilla & A Bit of Shopping Torre Sevilla itself is a sleek modern tower, with an open-air shopping mall at its base. It was a bit of…
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Day 1 in Seville: Torre del Oro, Cathedral, Bullring & Sunset at Plaza de España
🌅 A Warm Start by the River Our first day in Seville, Spain began with a peaceful walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, under blue skies and a comfortable 20°C — perfect for sightseeing. Our first stop was the iconic Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold), a 13th-century defensive tower that now houses a small maritime museum. While the displays inside were modest, the real reward was climbing to the top for a panoramic view of the river and the city beyond. ⛪ Inside the Cathedral & Up the Giralda From there, we made our way to the breathtaking Seville Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in…