Lovers of adventure and discovery will find, in Melilla, an ideal starting point for a variety of adventure trails.

A good place to begin is the Rif area - within easy reach, and ideal for a short circuit starting and ending in the city of Melilla.

One of the 'must do' excursions begins in Cabo de Tres Forcas and Kelaya, a peninsula where we find Mount Gurugú and the Mar Chica lagoon. In Kelaya, you should visit the different small and luminous coves such as Tramontana, Puntanegri and Charranen. Some coves have fine golden sand and are the delight of fishing and diving enthusiasts, while others, like Atalayón and Cazaza, where the last king of Granada, Boabdil "El Chico", disembarked, are steeped in history and evoke the cultures which have passed through them.

Mount Gurugú has been converted into an attractive natural park where you can see the Barbary monkey colony and the Roman ruins at Tazuda.

Melilla, as "the closest European city to the desert" offers the possibility of excursions through oases, dunes, palm trees and the mysterious cities of the south.

After spending a few days in Melilla, enjoying your last western days under the modernist spell, noting the first smells of Africa, taking on supplies or indulging in shopping, the great adventure of the east beckons. Securing a compass, a pair of leather boots, car spares, maps, information and making contact with adventure clubs and local travel agencies, all adds to the excitement of preparing for the great adventure.

Our trip begins in the interior where the Gran Sol or Grandes Oases - like Figuig o Tafilat, sleep, only six hours from magnificent Melilla, crossing the dry sea of desert, and yellow waves of Merzouga, to reach the endless Sahara, prelude to the great garden at the heart of Africa.

On returning from these adventures, Melilla will always be waiting for you with open arms so that you can enjoy days full of pleasure.