Othello makes Outside Magazine's exclusive Epic Trips of the Year!

We are hugely proud to feature not 1 but 2 of our Odysseys in Outside Magazines Epic Trips of the Year.

Both Othello and Allies made it into this very exclusive list!

As part of our commitment to supporting the Moroccan people Bike Odyssey donated $20,000AUD to the High Atlas Foundation in 2025. Read about our riders experiences here which prompted this support and donation.

From the intensely rich and exquisite tagines of Morocco to the hearty paellas and seafood of Spain and onto the world renowned custard tarts of Portugal, this trip offers your taste buds a trip of a lifetime. There is no limit to the gastronomical pleasures you will encounter along the way.

Read more about the Food and Wine of the regions we ride through

The histories of Morocco, Spain and Portugal have been intertwined for as long as modern man has occupied these fascinating countries. The Hannibalic wars of the 3rd century BCE launched our relatively modern historical knowledge of these regions. The Barca family from modern day Tunisia with their North African allies (from modern day Morocco) battled Rome, using Spain as a launchpad (just like our Hannibal Odyssey!) to the consequent Roman occupation of all of Hispania (roughly Spain and Portugal). Two of ancient Rome's greatest emperors, Hadrian and Trajan (1st and 2nd century AD) were actually born in Andalusia!

As the Roman Empire declined and the Visigoths of Eastern Europe conquered so much of Europe, Islam rose in North Africa. In 711, King Roderick of the Visigoths was defeated by the advancing Moor army. Islamic caliphates were established through most of Spain. Consequently Islamic Moorish culture blossomed across Iberia for the next 800 years (200 years longer than the Roman's lasted). Christians from the north battled to slowly but surely push back the Moors in a process known as the "Reconquest" and in 1492 the Moors were driven out of Granada, their last European stronghold.

Medieval Spain, rooted in Islamic and Christian culture, is fascinating and so different from the rest of Europe.

From here Spain quickly unified, and in the 16th and 17th centuries the Spanish Empire was at its height and the dominant force of Europe. However, the rise of the Ottoman Empire and Protestant powers in Northern Europe started Spain's decline. In the early 19th century, when Napoleon occupied France and Spain, Spain struggled to recover for the rest of the century. The early 20th century brought war... WWI and WWII but Spain's focus was its own Civil War which Nationalist General Francisco Franco, lead to victory. More than 350,000 Spaniards died in the fighting, and Franco purged all remaining Republicans. Spain is left behind by the rest of Europe but in 1975 Franco dies and Spain joins Europe as we know it today.

Meanwhile in Morocco, almost at the same time as Granada was falling, the Arab dynasties begin after centuries of Berber rule. Morocco was a strong centralised Arab state for 300 years but in 1912 it became a French protectorate and 22 years of internal war followed.. Post WWII Moroccan independence was gained and since then a monarchy has ruled.

Roughly (very roughly!) Portugal followed Spain's historical journey but by the 15th century it was independent and fast becoming a dominant maritime power conquering much of the African coastline (including parts of Morocco) and beyond. Portugal then focused on the spice trade and a horrible claim to fame is that The Inquisition was formed in Portugal in 1536. For a quick century Spain ran Portugal under a single monarch. Independence was regained in 1640. From here a typical Euro maritime history path - trade, plunder wherever possible from Africa to South America, internal conflict between Monarch and Liberals and the poor generally being downtrodden and manipulated! For the last 50 years Portugal has been relatively stable but it was as recent as the 1960s that they were fighting guerrilla warfare in their African colonies..

Othello....

the protagonist of the Shakespearean play of the same name is a general in the army of Venice.  He is a Moor, a dark-skinned man born in Africa, and has risen through the ranks of the Venetian army through hard work and success in battle.  A respected general, but less respected as a person because of his dark skin and foreign roots.  Honest and passionate he deeply loves Desdemona, even when he kills her.  Iago uses Othello's trust in him to manipulate him, and Othello stops trusting in Desdemona, and begins to rely exclusively on Iago's advice. Desdemona was Othello's passion, and when she dies, he must die soon after, especially after he learns that she was innocent.

A desperate story and a magnificent tale of the best known Moor in western history. This tour will give you an insight into so much more!