Tag Archives: travel

Land of God

Posted on May 2, 2012 | 1 Comment


~ Marrakech ~

Marrakech, known also as the Red City because of its dusty terracotta architecture, is the most important touristic destination in Morocco. Its name is derived from the Berber words, “mur (n) akush” meaning “Land of God”, a proper title for an imperial metropolis with a rich and glorious past, situated within reach of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and the white-sand beaches of Essaouira.

The old city of Marrakech (the medina), part of the UNESCO patrimony, is home to winding, narrow alleys, numerous mosques (among which the largest one is Koutoubia), the El Badi Palace (a Saadian imperial residence) , the fresh  Menara gardens, the Ben Youssef Madrasah (disputably the most beautiful building in the area and a perfect example of Islāmic architecture), and last, but not least, Marrakech houses Djemaa El Fna, the largest and most chaotic square on the continent, stamping ground for a vibrant mass of dancers, musicians, magicians, snake charmers, and countless booths selling delicious food.

I grew up reading and enjoying Scheherazade’s one thousand and one stories and after looking at photos from the area for more than a week, I believe that Marrakech would make the perfect place to visit in order to start believing in magic.

Stay: Kasbah Bab Ourika (to counterbalance the sensory overload of the city); Heure Bleue Palais (when in Essaouira)

Eat: harira (lamb, lentil and chickpea soup), kefta (spicy minced lamb), kebabs and merguez (spicy sausage), sweetened mint tea at Mamounia, Café des Livres, Al Fassia or Djemaa El Fna food stalls

See: Koutoubia, El Badi Palace, Menara gardens, Djemaa El Fna, Ben Youssef Madrasah, Essaouira, Ouzoud waterfall

~ Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech ~


~ El Badi Palace, Marrakech ~

~ Menara Gardens, Marrakech ~

~ Djemaa El Fna, Marrakech ~

~ Colorful Spices, Marrakech ~

~ Ben Youssef Madrasah, Marrakech ~

~ Kasbah Bab Ourika ~

~ Essaouira ~

~ Erg Chebbi ~ 

Until next time,

Bodhi.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8, 9, 10

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Venice of the North

Posted on April 25, 2012 | 3 Comments

~Molen van Rolde ~

Depending on whom you ask, Amsterdam is the principal city in Netherlands, the capital of cannabis tourism or the cultural heart of Holland. Built by fishermen in the early days of the twelfth century, Amsterdam was converted from a marshy stretch of land into a beautiful metropolis where old structures are juxtaposed with modern architecture and a maze of pedestrian bridges crisscross a host of canals. Visitors are fascinated by its multiple faces: the Amsterdam of the windmills, tulips and bike rides, the Amsterdam of festivals, concerts and street performances, the Amsterdam of the coffee shops and nightlife and, the Amsterdam of the Golden Age, modern or contemporary art venues.

Irrespective of affinities, Amsterdam has something to offer to each of its guests, which is why it is high on my list of places that I would like to revisit.

Stay: The Dylan Amsterdam

Eat: La Oliva, De Kas, Vis aan de Schelde, Razmataz; traditional restaurants carry the sign “Neerlands Say”

See: Architecture (medieval wooden houses – Begijnhof, Magere Brug), windmills (De Gooyer, Molen van Slotten), tulips, Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum, Hortus Botanicus

~ Hortus Botanicus ~ 

~ Begijnhof ~

~  De Gooyer ~

~ Rijksmuseum ~

~ Van Gogh museum ~

~ Magere Brug ~

~ Tulips ~

Until next time,

Bodhi.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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Italian Gothic

Posted on April 11, 2012 | 3 Comments

~ Il Duomo ~

I have had the chance to see Italy twice already and although my list of places requiring even a first visit is pretty long, there is something that keeps pulling me back to the country of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Verdi and Miuccia Prada. Following the Gothic thread of the week, my thoughts travel back to Milan and its exquisite cathedral, Il Duomo. Built over no less than 600 years, Il Duomo is a unique example of Gothic architecture, casting towards the sky an impressive number of 135 spires and housing some of the most wonderful stained glass windows that I have ever seen.

Il Duomo is the heart of a city, and yet Milan draws its magnetism from an extensive collection of treasures, among which the Sforzesco Castle which houses the Pietà Rondanini by Michelangelo, the Theater Museum of La Scala, and the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie where Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper can be viewed.

I like to discover a city without a map and without a clear destination in mind. I take a left or a right mostly based on the esthetic of the street and allow the flow of the place to guide me. This is how I found La Brera, my favorite place in Milan, and this is how, eventually, I landed in the square of Il Duomo.

Stay: The Gray

Eat: Da Claudio (seafood), Bagutta (traditional Italian) , Cucchi (pastries), Jamaica (bar)

See: Il Duomo, Sempione Park, Via della Spiga (luxury fashion mile)

~ Inside Il Duomo ~

~ Sforzesco Castle ~

~ Via della Spiga ~

~ La Brera ~

Until next time,

Bodhi

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 

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