Yoga, food, surf & sangria: The Essentials

Here’s your essentials list on why you say you love us, getting there, check-in and what to bring.

WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT US

Dear Clare,

Hi Clare

A belated thanks for the yoga holiday – Tarifa was fantastic, the Riad was beautiful and the food delicious.

Thanks so much for all your efforts in bringing the vision together – hope that you enjoyed it also and fingers crossed see you at the Clapham studio in the future.

All best wishes,
Becki

GETTING THERE

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Airports Gibraltar (40 mins away) and Malaga (1.5 hrs away) run countless daily flights at very reasonable prices, particularly if booking in advance. I find Skyscanner the easiest for  flight and car hire options.

You’ll need to cross the boarder to Spanish La Linea (5 min walk – follow the crowds or ask at the info desk) for all transport links and most car hire.

Taxi:

A taxi from Gibraltar takes 40 mins and costs around 50 euro each way. Cross to La Linea and the rank’s on the right as you exit security. Malaga’s 1.5 hrs away so probably prohibitively expensive in a taxi.

Car hire:

Hiring a car often works out cheaper (10-15 euro per day, half that from Malaga) and gives you the freedom to go to the nearby surf beaches. You don’t need a car for the (giant and beautiful) town beach so you’re in no way stranded if you taxi it.

There are ample car hire places in Malaga airport. Only Budget and Avis are actually inside Gibraltar airport. Although all companies quote ‘airport pickup’, they lie. The others are in La Linea, which is fine, provided you know in advance. Cross the border, passing through security and the taxi rank; the offices are lined along the pedestrianised road straight ahead.

Goldcar are pretty cheap and have someone in the office from 10am – 10pm, although don’t quote me, this is Spain. Europecar are more inclined to their siesta. Best to book in advance through Skyscanner. I don’t need to tell you to check the small print, they may be cheap but they still make their money.

Bus:

Four buses run each day, taking an hour. You’ll find the bus station in La Linea, as you exit security.

DIRECTIONS FROM GIBRALTAR (you pass Gib on the same road if travelling from Malaga):

From La Linea, follow signs for Cadiz all the way until you get to Tarifa. It really is that easy.

1. Take CA 34. This will lead onto E 15, then N340, or just follow signs to Cadiz.
2. Continue all the way to Tarifa – 30 mins.
3. When you come over a hill and see Morocco a sangria spit away, you’re 5 mins from Tarifa – Paradise is at the bottom of the next hill… after Lidl.
4. Take the first exit in to Tarifa town. It’s on the top of the hill and not particularly well signposted so don’t worry if you miss it; there’s another at the bottom and only two roads into Tarifa so you can’t really get lost.
5. When you hit Tarifa’s only traffic lights, look for somewhere to park. The link below shows free parking but I’d suggest staying near the lights until you’ve dropped your bags as Riad Lolita’s a 1 min walk inside the roman gate / Puerta de Jerez.
6. At Puerta de Jerez, the entrance to the old town, you’ll see Bossa bar on the left and Tarifa.com on the right.
7. Take the right fork onto Calle Jerez, Riad Lolita is number 18 on the left. There’s an antique wooden bench and plant in the entrance hall.

Map links:

Directions, Gib-Tarifa: https://goo.gl/e94037
Tarifa parking: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=z9ccHFpQBFxk.kQiUGrEONbhs

TIMINGS

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Check in: 2pm

We can arrange for someone to meet you if you need to drop bags before. We’re aiming for a welcome supper around 8pm, depending on all your ETAs.

Check out: 11am

The owners have allowed us to have brunch which runs past check-out, we just need to make sure all rooms are vacated by 11am so they can start cleaning.

WHAT TO PACK

• Yoga mats, belt and blocks if you have them. Please let us know if you don’t have a mat so The Dream Team can try and squeeze into their cases.
• Cosy shavasana clothes and / or jumper – the evenings can get chilly (really).
• Shower gel, shampoo and sun block – we’re virtually in Africa, the sun’s very HOT.
• Bikini / boardies and beach towel. Or, like everyone who comes here, you can buy super chic and practical Moroccan beach ‘sarongs’ / towels next to the house for 20 euro.
• Earplugs. The joys of being in the town centre with noisy Spaniards.

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Shout if I’ve missed anything. We can’t wait to meet / see you all!

Besos [kisses],
Clare, Molly and Stewart.