Christmas in the Desert

**TonyK** · #1 29 Oct 2002

I've got an urge to take the KLR650 abroad for Christmas. I fancy a reflective Christmas Day in the desert - so I'm thinking UK - Morrocco sometime in mid-December. I'd appreciate any ideas on routes at this time of the year - I'd like to avoid motorways and autoroutes if possible. Would the alps be too risky in winter? Any comments/tips on travel abroad at ChristmasNew Year much appreciated.

Tony K
UK

**RichLees** · #2 30 Oct 2002

many high altitude passes in the Alps and Pyrenees are closed from Nov to May. I had a gas on a KLR in the Pyrenees in winter 89, but I'd just take the boat from Portsmouth to Spain and head south from there. I don't care much for Moroccan cities, but the rest of the country is awesome. You'll probably have trouble crossing the high Atlas ... we had deep snow in April 2 years ago, but you'll love the desert and trails. enjoy

**TonyK** · #3 30 Oct 2002

Thanks Rich. Yep I've looked at the boat to Bilbao but the cost is high. Fuel across France would cost me a fraction of the fare. But impassable is impassable. So it looks like a long sea trip.

**Grant Johnson** · #4 30 Oct 2002

Seems to me that you can run down the west coast of France and Portugal, or straight through France to the Med and down the east coast of Spain. I've been down the Spanish east coast in December and it was fine. Cool but okay.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**TonyK** · #5 31 Oct 2002

Thanks Grant. That looks a good idea. Anything but a 36 hour ferry crossing full of people in 'Christmas Mode'.

**Darkenbad** · #6 5 Nov 2002

Hi,
Plymouth to Santander is only 23 hours and £200 with reclining seat (take a carry mat and sleeping bag).

If you were to get the Malilla ferry from Malaga or Algeciras, you could be cruising down the Draa Valley to Zagora within 2/3 days. The route takes the P19 straight south avoiding the High Atlas. I was in this area in October 2002 on my Africa Twin, its a nice introduction to the desert.

Have a good trip.

Pete K

**TonyK** · #7 8 Nov 2002

Checked Brittany Ferries website. Only two sailings a week to Santander and these are booked solid into the new year!
Looks like the long cold haul after all

**t0by** · #8 8 Nov 2002

Just got off the phone w/
Motor Sport Travel
01759 301 010

And booked Portsmouth-Bilbao mid-december
One person in a cabin+ me KLR
£136

Looking on the web was pretty useless.
e.g. £200 for the same route from P & 0
or £80 Dover-Calais, etc.

**ollieholden** · #9 8 Nov 2002

For all you Brits trying to get ferries to the continent (or even people wanting to come to lovely Britain!!?) - I have a contact who usually gets me better prices than any I've found on the web - may be worth a call.

Alternative Promotions
01934 824138

**eddie stafford** · #10 12 Dec 2002

Me and the wife is booked on the 21 Dec ferry from portsmouth to Bilboa and are going to make a quick run throught spain to morocco. Maybe sleep the first night half down to M and the next in the south before crossing into M on 25 Dec. from there clockwise around M. Fery back to UK on 4 Jan. If you are on the same ferry we will meet in Portsmouth.
Eddie

**TonyK** · #11 18 Dec 2002

Eddie, due to a change in plan it seems I'll be a few days behind you. I've now decided to take the 26th sailing from Dover to Calais and go down the east of France through the mountains and down the Med side of Spain then into Moroc.
See what happens from there. I expect to be in Morroco around the 31st, no doubt you'll be well into it by then.
Laters
Tony K