I’ve been out of pocket this week attending round-the-clock meetings at the PURE Life Experiences Trade show. Have met so many interesting suppliers with innovative ideas and properties; its been quite inspiring!! For example: a 12-person opera cruise in the fjords of Norway, diving with the great white sharks OUT OF THE CAGE (!!), snorkeling with Narwahl whales off of Baffin
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Monday Nov 15: an unexpectedly dreary day in Marrakech (a rare occurrence) and chilly. I slept late (another rare occurrence) and ran an errand in the souks to my favorite bespoke caftan maker, L’ourika, to place an order. As always, I found something “I could not live without!” After the shopping, I joined my long time friend, and Frontiers lead
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Cannot believe I’m heading back from where I came just six days ago, but was honored to be invited to attend the PURE trade show specializing in experiential travel, and it happens to be in Marrakech… So, back on board the “Marrakech Express!” I flew Pittsburgh/Chicago/London– uneventful flight; slept the whole way thanks to the white wine/Ambien combo. London was
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Monday, November 8, 2010 It is so exciting when something you’ve had a lot of build-up actually exceeds one’s already sky-high expectations. Such was the case on arriving at the long-anticipated and much touted Royal Mansour Hotel in Marrakech. It is enviably located within the walls of the medina, and owned by His Majesty, King Mohammed and designed for exclusivity
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We arrived, camel-back, to our tented camp which Lawrence of Arabia would have envied. Champagne flowed atop the dunes as the sun went down. The tent was surprisingly comfortable with duvets and adjacent “loo tent” with shower, sink + toilet. “Bernousses” were provided for all (these are hooded wool capes- very warm and welcome as the temperature drops like a
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Had a spectacular dinner last night at Maison Blanche, a trendy and sophisticated restaurant in “New Fez”. Under the same ownership as the chic Riad Fes, I dined on a terrine of foie gras and dates, followed by delicious ricotta filled ravioli that was accompanied by Eclipse “gris,” a crisp and delightful rose wine, produced in Morocco. Flying this morning
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Today is our last before heading into the desert. We walked through the medina with our private guide, Hicham, to do a bit of shopping. We sampled argan oil, used both for cooking and for skin care, saffron for sale for 50dirhams per gram …about $6. We must have tried on two dozen pair of slippers but happy with my
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Mollie just sent through the view from her room at the Sofitel Palais Jamai (#522) — it overlooks Fes Medina. Stunning!
Nov 2: Awoke to a lovely day-truly perfect weather. Departed Rabat for Meknes where we visited the 17th century granaries and explored the triple fortified walled city. After a walk through the market (not to be missed!) We traveled into rolling hills reminiscent of Tuscany to Volubilus, which flourished 1st-4th centuries AD, built by Romans. Some stunning mosaics, remarkably intact
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