Africa
Back to Africa
In our previous four visits to African soil, our experiences have been mixed. One destination was one of our biggest travel disappointments whilst another rewarded… […]
Morocco
Africa
Travel Moments, Mint Tea in the Atlas Mountains
A simple teapot and two glasses filled with sweet mint tea lies on the grass in front of us. Beyond is a gurgling brook, sparkling and dancing in the sun… […]
Africa
In the Midst of Arab Uprisings, How Safe Does Marrakech Feel?
Less than four flying hours and a sun filled universe away from the bleak UK winter, Marrakech has long presented an exotic short break getaway option, until that is, a bomb exploded in the Café Argana in April 2012 killing 17 people, many of them foreign tourists. […]
Marrakech
Tadelakt, The Art of Moroccan Walls
For me, the beauty and texture of Tadelakt is one of the defining characteristics of Moroccan architecture which gives the riads and dars their unique beauty. […]
Africa
The High Atlas Mountains in Photos
The Atlas Mountains appear as though they could have remain unchanged since gods and men fought, haggled and tricked each other on their sparse slopes… […]
Food & drink
Favourite World Recipes, Spicy Moroccan Potato & Tomato Stew
This is a killer of a dish. Its combination of spices mixed with the humble potato performs such an addictive belly dance on the tongue that once enjoyed you have to come back for more. […]
Marrakech
The Marvellous and Maddening Medina in Marrakech
Fascinating but frustrating, the Marrakech Medina is full of wonders for sure but the level of mithering in certain areas can be overwhelming and exhausting. […]
Hotels
Why A Riad House Manager is Your Best Friend in Marrakech
“When you see the Crazy Boys you know you’re okay,” advised a grinning Rachid.
Almost anywhere else in the world, advice that included trying to find the ‘Crazy Boys’ would have had me grabbing an overpriced taxi back to the departure lounge. […]
Marrakech
Is Jemaa el Fna Square in Marrakech Too Touristy?
Basically the musicians, storytellers, poets and dancers were there before the mainstream tourists arrived. I think a lot of people forget that… or don’t know it. […]
Africa
Arriving In Essaouira at Night and Being Clueless
“BACK OFF PAL,” my voice reverted to a guttural west of Scotland accent as thick as a treacle scone as I did what everyone advised me not to do. I lost my temper. In fairness I felt I had good cause. A hand had grabbed my shoulder from behind… […]
Food & drink
What is a Moroccan Tajine?
The name actually refers to the container the meal is cooked in as well as the dish itself. This is a two piece earthenware affair, usually called a beldi tajine, which consists of a circular base in which the ingredients are cooked… […]
Africa
Dar Al Bahar, Essaouira, Morocco
Meaning ‘House by the Sea’, Dar Al Bahar is a beautiful, traditional dar of four storeys built into the ramparts of the old city with views over the ocean and the medina. Perfectly located within a footstep of the heart of the bustling medina… […]
Africa
Seeing the Light in Marrakech
By day, the lamps reflected the sunlight in a thousand glints of colour and by night they turned even the poorest of stalls into a stage worthy of Shahrazad himself to weave another story beneath their magical light. […]
Essaouira
Surviving the Harbour at Essaouira
The contrast between the chilled out vibes of Place Moulay Hassan in Essaouira, Morocco, and the frenzied entrance to the harbour area via a gate in the town wall comes as a bit of a surprise. One second you’re… […]
Marrakech
First Impressions of the Red City of Marrakech in Photos
A wacky races of mopeds and bicycles weave around pedestrians in narrow alleys. The trick to negotiating them is not to move out of the way of the traffic; let the bikes do all the work. In some ways these are more interesting than the trinket and treasure laden souks […]