Thorough List of Recommended Websites

To facilitate your research for your future trips, here is a list of websites that we strongly recommend you to take a look at.

Transportation

http://expedia.ca

http://www.rentalcars.com/

http://www.rome2rio.com

Lodging

http://www.hostels.com/

https://www.vrbo.com/

Excellent Websites for Travelers
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/morocco
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/algeria
www.tripadvisor.ca/
http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/

Other Interesting Blogs We Consulted Prior to Our Trip

http://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/
http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/morocco-travel-guide/

Currency Converter

http://www.canadianforex.ca/?cid=1841&gclid=Cj0KEQiAtri0BRDLoaCF95e7o_sBEiQA_pgRQ80p6vcnW4_OfDkPc2JE564z-gVhgmTHgscU14Ett6IaApCQ8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLTrxprVmMoCFZN4AQodUpQJ3A

Music To Our Ears

Throughout our journey, music accompanied us. Traditional music, local hits, commercial american tunes, we heard many during our few weeks away from home.
Our different destinations inspired us and made us think about songs we already knew. Here is an extract of the playlist we created for the purpose of our trip that we listened mainly to fight against homesickness.
We hope that you will enjoy this playlist as much as we did!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNSYhfVYgY1T6HOzf5wT2oDHZTQ92ai-X

Tracklist:
1) Patrick Watson—Close To Paradise
2) Crosby, Stills&Nash—Marrakech Express
3) Foster The People—Pumped Up Kicks
4) Örsten—Fleur Blanche
5) Toto—Africa
6) Bran Van 3000—Oui Got Now
7) Bertie Higgins—Casablanca
8) Dooley Wilson—As Time Goes by
9) George Ezra—Barcelona
10) Patrick Watson—Places You Will Go

Algiers, Algeria

In Camus's birth country

We can't believe this is our last destination to our trip! The beautiful and warm weather of all the visited countries will be deeply missed... 

http://www.hotelalger-dz.com/hotels-alger-5-etoiles.html

Fatima, our Personal Guide in Algiers 

At first, one of our good friends back in Montreal gave us the coordinates of her cousin in Algeria. We thought it wouldn't be necessary since we seeked spontaneity in our trip. However, we discovered that our budget was getting tighter. We were hoping that Fatima could lodge us a few nights, but it turned out that not only did she take us in every day and offer us homemade meals, she volunteered to guide us through the city, making sure we saw the best of Algiers.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Iran

Put a Ring on It

Before the trip, our Algerian friend recommended us a donut place in Algiers, and so, Fatima brought us there. It was the Donut Factory. (https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g293718-d8521926-Reviews-Donut_factory-Algiers_Algiers_Province.html) They had mouthwatering donuts. Angel chose the one with strawberry frosting, Elena, the vanilla frosted donut, and Nanxin, the caramel and roasted almond donut. Many other flavors were available. This place was totally worth a stop!

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g293718-d8521926-Reviews-Donut_factory-Algiers_Algiers_Province.html

Under the Mighty Powerful Sun Part I
On Monday, Fatima brought us to Algiers's Palm Beach. For a hot sunny day, the place was relatively deserted. Apparently, the coast is specifically known to people in their 20s or 30s. For the following days, we would come every morning for a run.

Angel running in sand (http://wtd.unwto.org/photo-competitor/2012-07-09/un-matin-la-plage-de-bouznika)

Under the Mighty Powerful Sun Part II

We mostly spent our last few days tanning under the sun. We were very tired from all the traveling and needed to relax. It happened at times that we fell asleep. No worries, we were under the shade of a parasol and buttered ourselves with sun cream. On Thursday, however, Elena caught a horrible sunburn. She applied lotion, but it wasn't of much help. Later, she started to feel nauseous. She was bedridden the next day.

http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sunburn/five-ways-to-treat-a-sunburn

Falling Asleep near the Beach

We are grateful that Fatima let us borrow one of her rooms in her cozy home for us to spend our last days. Plus, it was also near the beach, which was very convenient. The day we had to leave for Montreal, we thanked Fatima infinitely for her friendly reception. She promised us she would pay  a visit whenever she would be in Canada.
Goodbye North Africa, goodbye Old Continent, goodbye beautiful beaches! Can't wait to see you again. 

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/VacationRentalReview-g2012132-d6993566-Furnished_and_fully_equipped_flat_in_Algiers-Rouiba_Algiers_Province.html

Visited on May 7th to May 14th 2017

Oran, Algeria

Next to the Sea
After eight hours of ferry from Spain, we finally met ground in Algeria. We are exhausted, and can't wait to go to the beach! Look at this beautiful view!

http://www.panoramio.com/user/1589213/tags/Oran

In Oran, we went to a restaurant called Le Ciel d'Oran (http://www.lecieldoranrestaurant.com/en/menu) for its renowned seafood dishes. We ordered this plate and shared it between us. Very delicious, but pricey. 

http://afrotourism.com/restaurant/le-ciel-doran/

We were able to rent a room with a television. How nice! Plus, Oran is not that much of a fascinating city so we spent some time watching local channels. The soaps were particularly cheesy so we virtually assisted football games (the European one). 

https://www.vrbo.com/6655639ha

Visited on May 3rd to May 6th 2017

Málaga, Spain

Sharing Footsteps with Picasso

As we walked into the city of Málaga, birthplace of Picasso, the medieval-looking architecture charmed us. As we wandered through the streets, street performers soothed us with their classical guitar. The Spanish are so romantic!

http://www.hotelalger-dz.com/hotels-alger-5-etoiles.html

La Concepción Garden

From the outside, the garden was stunning! However, as we walked in, we realized it was especially tiny. There were not many different species of plants, and the visitors were mostly lovers on their honeymoon. We were not impressed. We would have rathered visit Montreal's botanical garden for the umpteenth time.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A1laga#/media/File:Botanic_Garden_La_Concepcion_Malaga.jpg

Cathedral of Málaga

As we walked inside this beautiful church, we immediately pictured Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Raphael and Donatello. Although the cathedral is not located in Italy, the interior reflects the Renaissance to its finest details. Fun fact, this building actually took over two centuries to build.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Torrecatedralypalmeras.jpg

An Apple a Day

We got a little hungry on the road and wanted to eat something healthy. We came across a beautiful market and grabbed some fresh organic fruits. I think we fell in love with local markets...

http://www.spain-holiday.com/blog/organic-food-markets-in-malaga.php

http://retaildesignblog.net/2013/10/14/ataranzas-municipal-market-by-aranguren-gallegos-arquitectos-malaga-spain/

Revisiting Childhood

Ugh, bunk beds. At least it was cheap.

http://www.hostels.com/hostels/malaga/residencia-malaga-backpackers/19733?dateFrom=2016-04-29&dateTo=2016-05-02&guestCount=3&p=1&o=price#orderBy=price&propertyAnchor=p19733

Visited on April 29th to May 1st 2017

Gibraltar City, Gibraltar

The Rock
When a tiny city has more or less half of its area covered by a huge rock, you don't expect to do and see much as a tourist. Surprisingly, Gibraltar overflows with wildlife sites! Caves, nature reserves, botanic gardens, it has all that and more.

http://www.euro-t-guide.com/See_Coun/UK/Gibraltar/UK_See_Rock_of_Gibraltar_2-1.htm

St. Michael's Cave
From the outside, the cave seemed ordinary. However, as soon as we walked in, the vastness enchanted us. The stalactites were unique and the acoustics was so amazing; any band would die to hear themselves play in there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_caves_in_Gibraltar

Saint's Cafe Bar

We were craving for something sweet and warm that day so we went to a small cafe to drink some coffee and eat a freshly prepared apple crumble. (https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g187510-d3365671-Reviews-Saint_Cafe_Bar-Gibraltar.html) The atmosphere of the cafe was welcoming and we recommend you to pay a visit. Could we say that Kim Kardashian's newborn can brag about having a café named after him?

http://www.click-gibraltar.com/gibraltar-lifestyle/apple-crumble/

Visited on April 26th to April 28th 2017

Tarifa, Spain

Breakfast at Aeolus's

Wow! As we arrived in Tarifa from Morocco, the strong wind seemed to invite us into this tiny city. It was no surprise that the moment when we got to the beach, windsurfers and kitesurfers surrounded the premises. We were asked if we wanted to try out the sports. Since time was short and we weren't feeling particularly adventurous that day, we skipped. However, we did assist a local competition. It was astonishing seeing how athletes got propulsed by the wind as the water was absolutely waveless!

http://www.kiteschooltarifa.net/

Joaquín and Camila

Even though we only spent one night next door to this couple, they are probably the most friendly any one of us three have encountered in our lifetime. Joaquín, wind turbine engineer, and Camila, policewoman, were established at the auberge for a few months since the city recently developed its technology to exploit the powerful winds.    

https://desertpeace.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/where-are-the-normal-kids-in-israel-today/

Our neighbours in the hostels were very sweet and charming. They even invited us for supper.

http://www.aubergesdejeunesse.com/Auberge-jeunesse-Hostel/Auberge-Tarifa/116127/2016-04-25/1

The Neighbours

In Tarifa, we ate another couscous plate, but this time it wasn't spicy and it was a homemade dish made by our neighbours as a way of welcoming us to the country. It was a Tarifan tagine and it was really good.

http://beachhousekitchen.com/2013/01/23/radio-tarifan-tagine/

Ruins and Artifacts

Tarifa was built over 2,000 years ago as a result of trading with the North Africans. The ruins of Baelo Claudia possesses the elements of a typical Roman city, but earthquakes have destroyed most of the premises. We saw a statue, practically intact, who archaeologists believed to be Isis (the Egyptian goddess, duh!). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baelo_Claudia

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g315918-Tarifa_Costa_de_la_Luz_Andalucia-Vacations.html


Visited on April 25th 2017