Our Big Summer Adventure Part VIII: Crossing Continents by Boat

Hey there friends!

Welcome to the next chapter of our Big Summer Adventure!

If you missed the previous posts, be sure to catch up on our adventures through Southern Europe in the Travel with Family section.

When we left off, our days in cosmopolitan Marbella had come to an end. We were leaving behind crystal-clear waters, beachside relaxation, and the fairy-tale charm of Marbella's Old Town.

But our next destination would be unlike any other.

This time, we wouldn't simply be changing countries.

We would be changing continents!

From Marbella to Tarifa

The alarm rang painfully early.

We still had one more day of traveling ahead of us before reaching our next destination, so there was plenty to organize.

A taxi picked us up from our apartment in Playa Real and drove us to Avenida Hermanos Blázquez, where we boarded the bus that would take us to Algeciras. We had conveniently returned our rental car the evening before.

Despite traveling with three children and what felt like half our household packed into suitcases, everything went remarkably smoothly.

The bus departed Marbella at 8:50 a.m. and arrived in Algeciras around 10:40 a.m. Following a short stop, we continued toward Tarifa, arriving shortly before noon.

At that point, another taxi ride was necessary to reach the ferry terminal. Under different circumstances, the short distance might have been walkable, but not in the middle of a Spanish summer's day while dragging multiple suitcases and keeping track of three children.

By noon, we had arrived at the port.

And suddenly, Morocco felt very real.

A Few Hours in Tarifa

Our ferry wasn't departing until later in the afternoon, giving us a few hours to explore Tarifa.

Tarifa occupies a unique place on the map.

It is the southernmost point of mainland Europe and sits directly across the Strait of Gibraltar from Africa. On a clear day, Morocco is visible from the Spanish coast.

The port area was incredibly lively.

The streets were packed with travelers, cafés buzzed with activity, and every terrace seemed full.

Rather than rushing around, we chose the sensible option: finding a charming Spanish café where we could enjoy coffee and snacks while taking turns exploring nearby streets.

Tarifa immediately won me over.

The whitewashed buildings, relaxed atmosphere, and sea views gave it tremendous charm.

One landmark especially caught my attention:

Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno, the medieval fortress that overlooks the harbor. Dating back to the 10th century, the castle has watched over one of Europe's most strategic maritime crossings for centuries.

Standing there, looking at the fortress walls and the sea beyond, I couldn't help but imagine the number of travelers, merchants, soldiers, and explorers who had passed through this gateway between continents over the centuries.

Crossing from Europe to Africa

Eventually, boarding time arrived.

Our ferry was scheduled to depart at 3:00 p.m., but delays pushed departure back by approximately forty minutes.

The waiting felt endless.

Children were restless.

Passengers were crowded together.

Everybody seemed eager to begin the crossing.

Yet despite the inconvenience, there was something undeniably exciting about what we were about to do.

After all, how often do you get to cross from Europe to Africa by boat in just one hour?

For anyone considering a similar itinerary, I highly recommend it.

The crossing is:

• Fast

• Convenient

• Cost-effective

• Generous when it comes to luggage allowances

In many ways, it feels easier than flying.

Our destination was Tangier.

I had always wanted to visit Tangier.

Although I had visited Morocco several times in the past, this would be my first time discovering the city that had fascinated generations of artists, writers, and travelers.

In my imagination, Tangier consisted of golden beaches, exotic markets, and endless sunshine.

Would reality match the image I had created in my mind?

First Glimpse of Tangier

The crossing itself was relatively smooth.

The only inconvenience was passport control.

All passengers needed to clear Moroccan immigration while onboard, which meant spending much of the journey standing in line.

Still, I have to admit that this system is brilliant.

By completing passport control during the crossing, passengers can simply walk off the ship upon arrival without further formalities.

As I stood at the railing watching Tangier appear on the horizon, I was genuinely surprised.

What emerged before me wasn't a small seaside town.

It was a sprawling modern city.

A true metropolis.

The port itself was impressive, and elegant minarets dominated the skyline, instantly reminding us that we had arrived somewhere very different from Spain.

My husband pointed toward the hill overlooking the harbor.

"There," he said.

"That's the Medina."

The ancient walled city.

The historic heart of Tangier.

The place we would explore the following day.

For now, however, our priorities were considerably less romantic.

We needed to collect our rental car and find our Airbnb.

Not Every Airbnb Is a Winner

Our apartment was centrally located and within walking distance of numerous restaurants and cafés.

At first glance, it seemed spacious and promising.

However, a few details quickly diminished our enthusiasm.

There was no elevator.

With multiple suitcases.

And several flights of stairs.

Half the fans didn't work.

And perhaps most importantly after a long day of traveling, the mattresses felt as though they had been carved from stone.

The apartment wasn't terrible.

But it certainly wasn't going to make the list of our favorite accommodations.

Fortunately, we were staying only one night.

Where Two Seas Meet

After a short break, my husband suggested we drive to one of northern Morocco's most famous landmarks:

Cap Spartel.

Located about 14 kilometers west of Tangier, Cap Spartel is known as the point where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.

He was determined that we arrive before sunset.

And thankfully, we did.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect.

As the sun slowly descended toward the horizon, the sky transformed into shades of gold, orange, crimson, and pink.

The colors reflected on the water with extraordinary intensity.

What made the experience even more magical was the awareness that two great bodies of water were meeting before our eyes.

The Atlantic.

The Mediterranean.

Together.

The surrounding beaches, cliffs, and viewpoints were crowded with both locals and tourists who had gathered to witness the spectacle.

It immediately reminded me of Santorini.

Not because the landscapes were similar.

But because everyone had come together for the same simple purpose: to admire a beautiful sunset.

Near Cap Spartel, visitors can rent traditional Moroccan garments and pose for photographs overlooking the ocean.

Naturally, my husband insisted that our daughter and I participate.

And I must admit:

It became one of my favorite memories of the day.

A New Adventure Begins

By now we were starving.

We had spent most of the day surviving on coffee, snacks, and travel food.

Determined to give us a proper introduction to Moroccan cuisine, my husband took us to a beautiful seafood restaurant known for its fresh fish.

The interior was stunning.

Huge aquariums lined the walls.

Traditional Moroccan lanterns cast warm light throughout the dining room.

It felt like exactly the place where a long travel day should end.

Or so we thought.

Because this was the exact moment another adventure began.

Halfway through the evening, my husband was suddenly struck by severe pain.

A kidney stone.

Again.

Only days after his previous episode in Portugal.

He immediately called a friend who lived in Tangier and asked him to drive him to a clinic.

Meanwhile, I remained at the restaurant with the children.

Trying very hard to stay calm.

The children were exhausted.

Two of them had fallen asleep in their chairs.

My appetite completely disappeared.

Although our food was finally arriving, worry had replaced hunger.

I eventually asked the restaurant to package everything to go.

The problem?

I couldn't drive us back to the apartment.

Not because I don't drive.

I do.

But there are two places where I refuse to drive:

Central Morocco.

And central Morocco at night.

After years of driving in Canada, where road markings are respected, speed limits generally mean something, and traffic follows at least a loose sense of order, I simply wasn't ready for that challenge.

Not happening.

The Most Unexpected Rescue Mission

My husband's friend eventually returned to the restaurant after dropping him at the clinic and kindly offered to take the children and me back to the apartment.

Problem solved.

Or so we thought.

Halfway there, my phone rang.

My husband.

Good news.

Because he had recently undergone tests in Portugal, the doctors already had enough information.

No additional testing was required.

They treated him, gave him an injection for pain, and within a short time he was feeling significantly better.

Suddenly, our route changed.

Instead of heading home, we turned around and drove to the clinic to pick him up.

I cannot describe the relief I felt.

The tension that had followed me all evening finally disappeared.

After collecting my husband, his friend dropped us back at the restaurant where our rental car was parked.

And that's when something wonderfully ridiculous happened.

We carried our takeout containers back inside.

Asked them to reheat everything.

Sat down.

And finally had dinner.

Honestly, it felt both completely absurd and completely perfect!

First Impressions of Tangier

We returned to the apartment late that night.

Completely exhausted.

Completely relieved.

And so tired that even the rock-hard mattresses suddenly felt comfortable.

What was my first impression of Tangier?

Honestly?

Mixed.

The day had been such an emotional rollercoaster that it was impossible to evaluate the city objectively.

In a single day we had:

• Crossed continents

• Visited two countries

• Watched a spectacular sunset

• Experienced a medical emergency

• Been rescued by a stranger

• Reheated our dinner at a restaurant

It was a lot.

The following day, however, we would finally have the opportunity to explore Tangier properly.

Would the city's famous Medina live up to the hype?

Stay tuned!💙

Love, Katerina

Continue the Journey

This summer adventure took us across Portugal and Spain before arriving in Marbella. If you'd like to follow our route from the beginning, you may enjoy reading:

·       Lisbon

·       Lagos

·       Benagil Cave & the Algarve

·       Seville Part I

·       Seville Part II

·       Marbella Part I

·       Marbella Part II

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