The Ben Youssef Madrasa was the largest Islamic theological college in Morocco. It was founded in the 14th century by the Marinid Sultan Abu al-Hassan and further developed by Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib in the 16th century in order to rival the madrasas of Fez. It’s a wonderful example of Moorish architecture, with its carved Atlas […]
Relax and Re-energise at Shreyas Yoga Retreat, Karnataka, India Shreyas is an Ayurvedic yoga and wellbeing retreat in Karnataka, an hour by car from Bangalore. It’s a Relais & Chateau hotel offering all the benefits of a traditional ashram without the austerity associated with ashram life. It’s the place to go when you want […]
Riad Due a hip boutique hotel in the Marrakech Medina Riad Due is a boutique hotel tucked away in the Marrakech Medina. It’s a typical Riad set around a courtyard with rooms facing inward but it has been elegantly restored and decorated by Italian owner Giovanna Cinel, who also owns Riad 72. The Riad has […]
Shreyas Recipe for Spinach and Cumin Soup Mani, one of the five chefs at Shreyas yoga and wellbeing retreat in Nelamangala, Bangalore, showed me how to make this healthy, nourishing spinach and cumin soup. The food at the Shreyas ashram is vegetarian and is created according to yogic principles so it’s “fresh, light and nutritious”. […]
Maud’s Top 5 Things To Do In Jaipur Visit Phool Mandi the wholesale flower market Go early, the market opens at 06.00 and watch as local farmers carry in huge sacks bursting with roses and marigolds which are traded in front of you. Later the same day you will see garland makers all over the […]
Hotel 47 Jobner Bagh Hotel 47 Jobner Bagh was my home from home in Jaipur, India, for a week earlier this year. Described as a luxury guesthouse it’s a delightful, family run, boutique hotel with 11 bedrooms a restaurant and a spa. It’s one of the most welcoming places I have ever stayed and it […]
Q & A with Nargisse Benkkabou, creator of My Moroccan Food I’ve visited Morocco many times on sourcing trips and on holiday and really love the cuisine; the mix of spices in the tagines, the hot and cold salads, mouthwatering appetizers and of course, the sweet, sticky pastries. I have been looking for a […]
If you are visiting Morocco I recommend you try a hammam either a private one at your riad or the nearest public one. It’s essentially the Middle Eastern version of the steam room and its origins date back to Roman times. Visiting a hammam is part of Moroccan life and men, women and children visit […]
Where to stay in Marrakech: Riad 72 If you are planning a short break to Marrakech I recommend staying in a Riad in the Medina rather than a large hotel in a newer part of town. It’s the best way to soak up the atmosphere, get a sense of the history and the architecture […]
One of my most memorable holidays was a three week road trip around Namibia in a slightly battered open back Hyundai truck. Namibia is a vast country, the fifth largest in Africa, with a tiny population of 2.4 million, so you can drive for days and not see anyone just spectacular scenery, endless blue skies […]
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