The chilled seaside city of Essaouira lies a mere three hours away from Marrakech by bus. A perfect antidote to the chaos of the metropolis, its atmospheric and bustling medina is magnificently located next to a long stretch of sandy beach and the crashing Atlantic Ocean. Essaouira offers an ideal combination of beach life and Moroccan culture and is also an excellent destination for a winter break, with daytime temperatures remaining balmy throughout the year.…
Browsing: Africa
In the Rif Mountains of Morocco, the bewitching blue city of Chefchaouen was certainly somewhere I dreamt about visiting for many years. Happily, I finally made it there and I’m pleased to say that captivating Chefchaouen lived up to expectations.
With its blue-washed buildings, cute plazas, and delightful doorways, the small city is a feast for the eyes. To add to its appeal, it’s home to a huge population of adorable cats. In fact, Chefchaouen …
The Eastern Cape province of South Africa is an up-and-coming area for safaris. While Kruger National Park, in the eastern part of the country, was set aside to protect wildlife in 1898, the development of the Eastern Cape as a safari area has only been taking hold in the last few decades. The area had previously been made into farmland by farmers who drove out the big predators that would have feasted on their livestock …
When in Africa, you’ll often hear passing reference to Zimbabwe’s famed hospitality, and there’s nowhere that you’d appreciate it more than at the iconic World Heritage Site of Victoria Falls. Everyone smiles warmly and greets you like an old friend, they’re all genuinely delightful. How could they not be, living in such magnificence.
A 15-minute drive in an air-conditioned minibus transported me from Victoria Falls Airport to The Elephant Camp, Zimbabwe’s ultimate luxury canvas lodge …
In the heart of Ethiopia’s mountainous region of Amhara stand eleven Coptic Christian churches carved out of solid rock 800 years ago. This UNESCO World Heritage site attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world, eager to witness this amazing architectural achievement built by the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Lalibela is located 370 miles north of Addis Ababa in the Amhara Region, at an altitude of 8,200 feet.
The history of Lalibela dates back to …
On most tiny tropical islands, the activities for the day predictable: snorkeling, diving, a spot of swimming, and cocktails served in coconut shells. If that’s all you require, the non-stop action at Club Med Kani in the Maldives can feel rather disconcerting. I was dubious about the enforced jollity of zumba classes, aqua-aerobics, sunset yoga, cookery lessons, a stage show every evening, and even a disco until the early morning hours. But on the second …
The annual migration of almost two million wildebeest across the Serengeti is the most spectacular wildlife show on Earth.
It’s an amazing sight, with animals filling the vast plains of Africa from horizon to horizon, following an instinctive, primal pattern in the Great Migration.
Walking for months as they follow the rains in search of lush vegetation. Dodging carnivorous crocodiles that hungrily lay in wait as they surge across deadly rivers. Giving birth on the …
With one ship already sailing the Nile and two more under construction, Viking this week celebrated the naming of its newest river ship, the Viking Osiris, in Luxor, Egypt. Designed specifically to sail the Nile, Osiris was built at Massara shipyard in Cairo and will sail Viking’s bestselling Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
Viking Osiris joins Viking Ra, which launched in 2018, and Viking Aton, coming in 2023. At the ceremony, Viking also announced that …
My son and I arrived at the Tarangire Treetops Safari Camp in the late afternoon. A day of safari through the Tarangire National Park had put us face to face with lions, elephants, baboons and a number of gazellelike creatures of varying types. It had been a terrific first day of exploring Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, and we were eager to see firsthand the camp we had heard so much about. As the Range Rover stopped, …
Known as the gateway to Africa, the country of Morocco is situated in the north of the continent and shares close ties to Europe… culturally and location-wise. With just 8 miles of sea to cross before reaching Spain, the mixture of sometimes vastly different places has created an exotic and exciting location. The busy streets of major cities like Marrakech and Tangier are perfect for people watching from cafes. The mix of cultures that have …