Top 3 Favourite Countries of Ryan Maley from A Single Step
June 30, 2022 | Tagged: Top 3 Favourite Countries
The latest (and maybe the last for a while?), in my Top Favourite Countries series where I feature fellow travellers, backpackers and digital nomads.
So here it is, the Top 3 Favourite Countries of Ryan Maley.
So here it is, the Top 3 Favourite Countries of Ryan Maley.
Hello. I'm Ryan of A Single Step a blog focusing on my travels around the world as I attempt to stretch my salary and vacation days to as many trips as possible.
When I’m not jumping on a plane, I work as a Digital Manager for Manchester’s DMO, managing campaigns and delivering activities to promote my home city of Manchester to the world.
I am passionate about sustainable travel, and understanding the culture and heritage that have helped shape destinations. I truly believe that travel makes people better, more well-rounded, and culturally intelligent, and for these reasons, I believe above all that travel should be available and accessible for all.
I am passionate about sustainable travel, and understanding the culture and heritage that have helped shape destinations. I truly believe that travel makes people better, more well-rounded, and culturally intelligent, and for these reasons, I believe above all that travel should be available and accessible for all.
1. Spain
Shaped by family holidays as a child, Spain is undoubtedly my favourite country in the world.
Of course, there’s diversity across the regions, but overall the climate, culture, history, and gastronomy of the country is unrivalled for me.
For the past 8 years, my dad, step-mum, and brother have all lived in the south of Spain, enabling me to visit and explore the region multiple times each year very cheaply. I have become obsessed with discovering and sharing why southern Spain is so much more than the lager-drinking sunburnt Brits abroad image that it can sometimes be dogged with.
The Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, and the ebb and flow of power of different rulers, is reflected in the diversity of the region. This diversity is found in the language, architecture, culture and much more, making the southern region of Andalucía one of the richest cultural experiences you can have.
It’s hard to pick favourites in the region, but just to name a few: watching the sunset from Las Setas de Sevilla, an incredible wooden structure in the heart of the city; exploring the quite frankly outrageous Alhambra in Granada; wine-tasting at the renowned Bodegas Bentomiz in the quiet village of Sayalonga, East of Málaga; or simply enjoying a beer in one of the many beautiful whitewashed and plant-lined villages whilst watching the world go by. Whether you’re in a big city or the smallest village, the hospitality and friendliness of the locals always makes me want to come back.
My favourite Spanish word is sobremesa, which basically represents the time spent relaxing after a meal with family or friends. This simple word for me sums up the more relaxed way of life in Spain, where good, authentic food and family values still ring true.
Of course, there’s diversity across the regions, but overall the climate, culture, history, and gastronomy of the country is unrivalled for me.
For the past 8 years, my dad, step-mum, and brother have all lived in the south of Spain, enabling me to visit and explore the region multiple times each year very cheaply. I have become obsessed with discovering and sharing why southern Spain is so much more than the lager-drinking sunburnt Brits abroad image that it can sometimes be dogged with.
The Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, and the ebb and flow of power of different rulers, is reflected in the diversity of the region. This diversity is found in the language, architecture, culture and much more, making the southern region of Andalucía one of the richest cultural experiences you can have.
It’s hard to pick favourites in the region, but just to name a few: watching the sunset from Las Setas de Sevilla, an incredible wooden structure in the heart of the city; exploring the quite frankly outrageous Alhambra in Granada; wine-tasting at the renowned Bodegas Bentomiz in the quiet village of Sayalonga, East of Málaga; or simply enjoying a beer in one of the many beautiful whitewashed and plant-lined villages whilst watching the world go by. Whether you’re in a big city or the smallest village, the hospitality and friendliness of the locals always makes me want to come back.
My favourite Spanish word is sobremesa, which basically represents the time spent relaxing after a meal with family or friends. This simple word for me sums up the more relaxed way of life in Spain, where good, authentic food and family values still ring true.
2. Morocco
Due to the proximity of Morocco to where I have family in the East of Málaga, in 2018 myself, my Dad, and brother decided to road trip from their house to the Sahara Desert, spending nights in Rabat, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, the Sahara, and Fes along the way.
It is just a short one-hour ferry ride between Algeciras in Southern Spain and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on the Northern tip of Africa. The border between there was certainly an eye-opener for me!
I normally meticulously plan trips, but being the first time I had been to Morocco there were lots of hiccups and things to decide on the fly, which although stressful at the time definitely counts among some of my top travel memories.
The most hair-raising moment was trying to find where to park in Marrakech and ending up driving through the tiny streets of the city centre *twice* in our 4x4, whilst dodging motorbikes and scooters, people literally jumping on our car to get us to park in ‘their’ car park, and even one or two donkeys.
The country is split in half by the Atlas Mountains. In the North, where you will find Rabat, Marrakech, and Fes, we experienced more or less what we expected of Morocco. Hustle and bustle on the streets, traditional souks that we of course got hopelessly lost in, and navigating our way around the hasslers clearly aware of our tourist status.
We also enjoyed incredible food and hospitality, stunning riads, and the wonderful architecture of Morocco.
However, the further south we travelled the more the culture changed completely.
In Ouarzazate and down to Merzouga where we took the camels into the Sahara to spend a night in a Berber camp, everything was so much more relaxed, peaceful, and friendly.
Playing football with some of the younger hosts in the Sahara Desert is a particular memory that will stay with me forever, as will the sandstorm that we encountered as we were riding through the desert.
In just over a week in the country we experienced a huge mix of people; a crazy mix of weather from torrential rain in Marrakech, sandstorms in the desert, and gorgeous blue skies in Ouarzazate; and landscapes including gorgeous greenery, the hazy orange of the Sahara, and the tight, packed streets of the cities.
It certainly is a country of great diversity.
It is just a short one-hour ferry ride between Algeciras in Southern Spain and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on the Northern tip of Africa. The border between there was certainly an eye-opener for me!
I normally meticulously plan trips, but being the first time I had been to Morocco there were lots of hiccups and things to decide on the fly, which although stressful at the time definitely counts among some of my top travel memories.
The most hair-raising moment was trying to find where to park in Marrakech and ending up driving through the tiny streets of the city centre *twice* in our 4x4, whilst dodging motorbikes and scooters, people literally jumping on our car to get us to park in ‘their’ car park, and even one or two donkeys.
The country is split in half by the Atlas Mountains. In the North, where you will find Rabat, Marrakech, and Fes, we experienced more or less what we expected of Morocco. Hustle and bustle on the streets, traditional souks that we of course got hopelessly lost in, and navigating our way around the hasslers clearly aware of our tourist status.
We also enjoyed incredible food and hospitality, stunning riads, and the wonderful architecture of Morocco.
However, the further south we travelled the more the culture changed completely.
In Ouarzazate and down to Merzouga where we took the camels into the Sahara to spend a night in a Berber camp, everything was so much more relaxed, peaceful, and friendly.
Playing football with some of the younger hosts in the Sahara Desert is a particular memory that will stay with me forever, as will the sandstorm that we encountered as we were riding through the desert.
In just over a week in the country we experienced a huge mix of people; a crazy mix of weather from torrential rain in Marrakech, sandstorms in the desert, and gorgeous blue skies in Ouarzazate; and landscapes including gorgeous greenery, the hazy orange of the Sahara, and the tight, packed streets of the cities.
It certainly is a country of great diversity.
3. Greece
Greece is the perfect country full of history, culture, and of course, the sun.
On the mainland, Athens offers some of the world’s best historic landmarks, as the former heart of Ancient Greece, though it is now regularly overrun with tourists and can only be truly appreciated in the low season.
The extensive number of islands offer everything from romantic getaways, family holidays, or party destinations.
Another destination shaped for me from childhood family holidays, every summer we would visit the island of Kefalonia with grandparents, siblings, aunties, uncles and cousins, and we have all completely fallen in love with the island.
Despite being the largest of the Ionian islands, Kefalonia is often overlooked in favour of the more well-known Corfu, Crete, Rhodes etc, but it has plenty of charm on offer.
The capital of the island, Argostoli, has lots to see, do, eat and drink. The main square of Argostoli has plenty of bars and restaurants to soak up the late afternoon sun, and you should make sure you head to the harbour to catch the ferry across to Lixouri, and spot the famous turtles in the harbour while you wait!
Another of my favourite things across the island is to explore Drogorati Cave, the 150 million-year-old cave that can be toured as well as hosting music concerts due to its fabulous acoustics.
You can also take a guided boat tour on the crystal clear waters of the underground lake of Melissani Cave; visit the Sacred Monastery of Agios Gerasimos, the patron Saint of Kefalonia; or head to the wonderful Kastro Café by a ruined Venetian castle for the absolute best tzatziki around.
Greece is a country that truly holds my heart and encapsulates what travel means to me: making memories with families and friends, and enjoying experiences that you just don't get to have in your everyday life.
On the mainland, Athens offers some of the world’s best historic landmarks, as the former heart of Ancient Greece, though it is now regularly overrun with tourists and can only be truly appreciated in the low season.
The extensive number of islands offer everything from romantic getaways, family holidays, or party destinations.
Another destination shaped for me from childhood family holidays, every summer we would visit the island of Kefalonia with grandparents, siblings, aunties, uncles and cousins, and we have all completely fallen in love with the island.
Despite being the largest of the Ionian islands, Kefalonia is often overlooked in favour of the more well-known Corfu, Crete, Rhodes etc, but it has plenty of charm on offer.
The capital of the island, Argostoli, has lots to see, do, eat and drink. The main square of Argostoli has plenty of bars and restaurants to soak up the late afternoon sun, and you should make sure you head to the harbour to catch the ferry across to Lixouri, and spot the famous turtles in the harbour while you wait!
Another of my favourite things across the island is to explore Drogorati Cave, the 150 million-year-old cave that can be toured as well as hosting music concerts due to its fabulous acoustics.
You can also take a guided boat tour on the crystal clear waters of the underground lake of Melissani Cave; visit the Sacred Monastery of Agios Gerasimos, the patron Saint of Kefalonia; or head to the wonderful Kastro Café by a ruined Venetian castle for the absolute best tzatziki around.
Greece is a country that truly holds my heart and encapsulates what travel means to me: making memories with families and friends, and enjoying experiences that you just don't get to have in your everyday life.
This series has already featured top travellers such as Jonny Blair of Don't Stop Living, Ric Gazarian of Global Gaz, Peter Steyn of GlobeRovers and Steve Rohan of The Trip Goes On, so if you are a traveller and blogger and would like to be featured, drop me a line on nomadicbackpacker [at] protonmail [dot] com