Marrakech cuisine and restaurants

On a recent visit to my favourite city Marrakech, as ever my gastric apprehension was as overwhelming as my excitement. To feel such affection for a place yet be horrified by its cuisine is a tough one, a bit like Greece in the 80s when we couldn’t resist its beaches but by God had we all had enough of its moussaka and stuffed vine leaves.

For all of Marrakech’s magic and mystique, its madcap medina with doorways down alleys leading into other worlds; its main square amok with monkeys and musicians, sorcerers and their child apprentices; its palm-strewn outskirts sprinkled with sheep and mud-fashioned stately homes, years of experience had made me dread the unbearable bloatedness and weight gain that went hand in hand with any visit.

But things have changed I was told by my ex-pat friend as I unpacked the packets of Rennies and gallon of Gaviscon from my washbag. Marrakech isn’t all about arterial obstruction and couscous-fuelled coronaries anymore. I’m going to show you.

And indeed she did. So for anyone visiting the city eager to avoid tagine tedium and over-eating, here are my insider tips for dining experiences that are fresh, authentic and alternative:

Dar Moha takes the heavy out of Moroccan and turns it haute. Swiss-trained head chef Moha has cleverly adapted traditional dishes into digestible delights including tiny melt-in-the-mouth pastilla (sweet pigeon pie) filled with a vegetable purée, and strawberries wrapped in wafer-thin pastry and rolled in ground almonds. Best enjoyed at one of the tables beside the small sparkling pool. £40*

Dar Moha Restaurant, Marrakech

Tatchibana offers miso in the Maghreb: authentic Japanese in the heart of Marrakech. Sushi, sashimi, maki and teriyaki are painstakingly prepared by chef Yuki Yamauchi and served by his wife in traditional costume. Not to mention more unusual offerings, such as duck slivers in green-tea ravioli. £20*

Catanzaro is unfussy but fabulous, Alpine-style Italian, with tiramisu to die for. Permanently packed to the rafters, it has been run by the same curiously calm, exceptionally efficient couple for decades. There are generous steaks with serious sauces, excellent wood-fired pizzas and magnificent mash dishes on request for those Britons hankering for home comforts. £20*

The Djemaa el Fna isn’t a restaurant, but a gourmet experience: a de rigeur degustation in Marrakech’s central square is snails on skewers with sausages and salad. Visitors balance on benches, banter with stall-keepers and mop up paper plates with hunks of bread. £5-£10*

Narwama is Marrakech’s only Thai restaurant. Located within a UNESCO World Heritage riad, it offers a heady mix of hookahs and heritage amid ochre walls. Indulge in a green curry in coconut milk with chicken and sweet basil, then focus on the fountain of flames and water between deep drags of apple shisha. £25*

*All prices are approximate and per head, and do not include drinks.

Cuba Eco Holidays

If you are one of the growing number of ecologically and socially conscious
travelers, or you just love nature, then a Cuba eco holiday is a great choice
for you. This spectacular island paradise is filled with natural wonders of
animal and plant life.

The Viñales valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is encircled by mountains with impressive rocky outcrops

Los Jasmines Hotel

Conservation-conscious tours in unspoiled landscapes are available at a number
of hotels in Cuba. Eco trips can be booked at the Los Jasmines Hotel In the
Vinales Valley. This hotel offers a wide range of touring options, including
trails ideal for ecotourism.

La Moka Hotel

At the eco-friendly hotel La Moka in Pinar Del Rio a tree grows up through the
lobby and its branches disappear through holes in the roof. This hotel was
virtually made for Cuba eco holidays – some of its electricity comes from solar
panels and much of the food served is grown in hydroponic, organic gardens.

La Moka is a starting point for numerous nature trails and a wonderful location
for those interested in conservation and wildlife. One of their Cuba eco trips
takes visitors to the Las Terrazas Tourist Complex, 5000 hectares of mainly
untouched land in Pinar del Rio.

At Las Terrazas you can get a feel for Cuba’s natural wonders; tropical
forests, mountains, valleys and waterfalls. You will also spot some fantastic
flora and fauna on this eco trip. Cuba’s national flower, the butterfly lily,can be found on this trail. You can also find Bleteas, purpreas, curujeyes,
mastic trees and royal palm trees. The fauna includes water lizards, tiny frogs
and a number of native songbirds.

Cayo Levisa Resort

Another option is the low-key island resort of Cayo Levisa, with simple
accommodation in beachside cabanas, which have a very low impact on the
environment – also ideal for a Cuba eco trip.

Fascinating Cuban architecture

Cuban Architecture, like Cuba’s history is rich and diverse, with strong
contrasts mirroring the country’s social and political past. During your Cuba
holidays, you will see evidence of days gone by in the form of graceful old
colonial buildings, while a sign of the times is reflected by imposing stark
modern skyscrapers.

Traditional Havana Street

When major cities, such as Havana, Santiago De Cuba, Matanzas, and Trinidad
were built, early in Cuba’s history, they followed the Ordinance of the Spanish
King, Philip II set out in 1573. These regulations required a cathedral, the
administrative office buildings, and a governor’s palace to occupy the four
sides of a city’s central plaza. Cities were laid out in a grid that expanded
as the urban population grew. Builders and craftsmen achieved impressive
results with the building materials available in Cuba by simplifying Spanish
designs. To enable them to deal with the heat, they created the maximum amount
of shade and ventilation provided the distinctive aspect of colonial Cuban
architecture and design. Typical features of a colonial Cuban home includes a
central courtyard, an arcaded gallery, decorative wooden ceilings and high
doors, with their own cooling device: a ‘postigo’ or panel which can open to
provide light and a breeze without the whole door having to be opened. Homes,
churches, and some public buildings added the stained glass windows of Arabic
origin that gave Cuban architecture its specific character.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the cities grew, giving rise to the fortress of
El Morro de Santiago de Cuba (1633), the Cathedral of Havana (1787-1811), Santa
Clara and San Agustin convents in Havana (17th century), Santa Maria Rosario
church (1779), and The Plaza de Armas of Havana (1772). Cuban architecture in
the 19th century followed the early colonial period. Things changed in the mid
20th century when architects took on new international styles, particularly
those of the Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi, whose works blended neo-gothic,
art nouveau, and surrealist influences. Examples of this worth seeing on your
Cuba holidays can be found in Havana’s Miramar district, where buildings
exhibit these traits while retaining an open air, tropical ambiance.

More recently in Cuba’s history, post revolution, Cuban architecture followed a
single, utilitarian path, with new buildings constructed to be practical and
economical. Most architectural structures built after 1959 were apartment in
suburban areas and the countryside, intended to house the poor and
professionals who did not have homes. The architecture resembled that of the
prescribed Soviet styles. These rectangular apartment buildings were built with
concrete blocks, and pressed marble was used for the floors. These Soviet
models makes a distinctive landmark among the more tropical and colonial
examples of Cuban architecture that were built before 1959.

Five Coastal Paradises: The Best Beaches in Cuba

Selecting the five best beaches in Cuba is a tough task when you consider that
the island is made up of majestic coastlines stretching to 5,746 kilometres,
and dividing up into 289 natural beaches. Cuba’s northern beaches are
characterised by golden powdery sands and the turquoise waves of the Atlantic
Ocean. Cuba’s beaches in the south are less popular with tourists making them
perfect for periods of tranquil isolation.

The beautiful turquoise sea at Varadero

As beach holidays in Cuba become more and more popular, we have picked out some
of the best kept tourist secrets from the island’s coast line. Here are our top
5 beaches in Cuba, unspoilt by tourism and overcrowding.

1. Cayo Santa Maria’s beach

On the north east coast, this small island, with its 7 miles of virtually
untouched beaches has been designated a UNESCO reserve, making it a stunning
location for a holiday. The island is home to some memorable wildlife, and
visitors should not be surprised to spot flamingos, endemic lizards, mollusks
and the island’s national bird – the Tocoroco bearing all the colours of the
Cuban flag. Plant lovers will also be delighted to find the island is home to
248 species of flora.

Cayo Santa Maria’s beach itself is one of the most tranquil in Cuba and
stretches for 13 kilometres of very fine white sands, with calm crystal clear
waters. The coral barrier protects the beach from winds, meaning waves are
never overwhelming and allows a selection of marine life to make this Cuban
beach paradise its home.

2. Varadero Beach

Varadero beach stretches to 20 kilometres of sands ensuring it is the most
popular Cuba beach holiday resort by quite a long way. 28 diving spots, shallow
clear waters and a huge variety of flora and fauna are just some of the reasons
Varadero beach is world renowned for its excellence.

Varadero beach’s water is shallow for several metres out, making it a safe
choice for children, and the waters are so clear that it is possible to see the
seabed for long stretches! For divers, a Cuba beach holiday in Varadero is a
real treat, with the area boasting a huge variety of fish, lobsters, crabs and
shrimps with over 40 species of coral and 70 kinds of molluscs. Those just
enjoying the sand and sunshine will also delight in the dolphins – which are
often visible from the shore!

3. Cayo Coco

Off the north coast of Cuba, and nestled in one of the most stunning coral
reefs in the world lies the island of Cayo Coco. The island is made up with
27km of some of the best beaches in Cuba, and is something of a scuba diving
haven. To the north, 9km of snowy white beaches, gently lapped by the Atlantic
Ocean, to the south tropical mangroves, and wildlife havens.

The coral reef around the island is touted as the second most important in the
world by experts (after Australia’s) and this is reflected by the vast array of
aquatic life that divers can see as they explore. The warm waters have
excellent visibility, and allow divers to clearly see the range of
tranchinatus, red snappers, tarpons, stonebasses, sharks and barracudas, as
they swim around the clean sea.

The Cuban beaches on the island host a wide array of fauna for nature lovers,
including pink flamingos (the island hosts a massive flock of over 30,000!),
grey herons, pelicans, mocking birds and ducks.

4. Guardalavaca Beach

Facing the Atlantic ocean, the golden sands and turquoise oceans of
Guardalavaca’s beach. At 3 kilometres long it’s one of the smallest beaches in
Cuba to make our list, but it’s still worth a visit. It’s protected by coral
reefs 300 metres out, making it a fascinating microclimate for sealife.

As with other Cuba beach holiday hotspots, Guardalavaca is a great area to dive
in. The water is clear, with visibility of 20 metres, and for those that want
something a little out of the ordinary; the underwater caves at Gibara allow
some intriguing exploration for the experienced diver. Even the regular
stretches of water are home to various coral beds, crustaceans and tropical
fish, including swordfish, Spanish mackerel and barracuda, making a trip to
Guardalavaca beach a nature lover’s dream.

5. Cayo Largo Beach

On the east side of the Island, Cayo Largo beach is a popular dive site and
boasts some of Cuba’s most beautiful coral reefs as well as gorgeous beaches of
white, unspoilt sands. Only accessible via a small airport or a six hour boat
trip from Havana, this may seem like a lot of effort for a simple beach holiday

in Cuba, but with only a handful of hotels, this is almost entirely unspoilt by
tourism.

The biggest selling point for Cayo Largo’s beach ahead of the island’s others
is that it really feels removed from the pressures of city life – there are
hardly any big restaurants, no bustling shopping centres and very little
commercialism. The result is an island so tranquil and calm that to do anything
other than relax and sunbathe would seem criminal! Although the island is
perfect for couples, families and singles alike, visitors should be forewarned
that there is often an overlap between the nudist and non-nudist sections of
the island!

Spa Holidays in Asia

Asia is known for its beautiful scenery, leisurely way of life and its mystical healing remedies. This is why spa holidays in Asia are extremely popular, with countries such as Thailand, Bali and Malaysia all offering relaxing spa holidays for you to unwind, recuperate and lose yourself in the beauty of the landscape.

All of the spa hotels offer ancient Asian healing techniques with their spa holidays, meaning that you can lose your stresses and pains as centuries old healing remedies cure your mind, body and soul.

You can try such spa techniques as the Malay hot stone massage, which is practiced at the Tanjung Rhu Resort, or if that sounds too exotic you could opt for the soothing water shiatsu, which you’ll find at the Mactan Resort in Shangri-La.

Once you’re suitably rejuvenated from the spa holidays in Asia you can set about exploring the spectacular sights of the area, but don’t forget to visit the stunning country that is Vietnam while you’re there.

Holidays in Vietnam are becoming more popular now than ever as the country has barely been touched for decades, but is now becoming a major tourist destination. Vietnam is one of the last unspoilt countries in Asia, so be sure to see it now as it’s changing rapidly.

Once you’ve visited Asia and experienced the different pace of life you’ll be ready to return to your own life, but you might not want to.

First Time Traveller’s Guide to Morocco

Morocco, located in North Africa, is a very densely populated country with around 32 million inhabitants.

Morocco is a popular destination for holiday makers because of its warm weather, historical architecture and bustling market places. Anyone visiting the city of Marrakech will enjoy shopping in the markets, where haggling is not only allowed, it’s expected. A holiday in Morocco isn’t complete without a tour to the markets.

You should also be prepared for the weather in Morocco as it can get very hot and the country is prone to the occasional drought, which is far removed from the weather here in the UK.

When staying in Morocco, you have a choice of different types of properties, but you should always try to stay in one of the many riads. Riads are traditional Moroccan buildings that feature indoor gardens, often with waterfalls.

Communication in Morocco shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the experienced traveller as French is one of the most spoken languages in the country. A strong grasp of the French language will come in handy when you’re haggling in those markets!

Travel to Morocco is never complete without sampling the local cuisine. Moroccan cuisine is very distinctive, with many spices used in all of their food.

Moroccan Culinary Tour – why and what to expect

Morocco, like many parts of the world, has a cuisine that is unique to the region. Their food is highly colourful, tasty and not too spicy. Due to their unique cuisine, this makes travel to Morocco for food lovers incredibly popular.

One of the most popular regions of Morocco is Marrakech, famous for its marketplace where almost anything you could possibly desire can be found, and then bartered for in traditional Moroccan style. The famous markets of Morocco are also where you can buy your ingredients and spices to make Moroccan dishes.

A culinary tour of Morocco allows you to spend a great holiday in Morocco sampling food from each and every region, and each region has its own specialities. A culinary tour also allows you the unique opportunity to cook Moroccan food yourself, under the tutorship of the chef, and then to put your skills into practice when you get back home for that taste of Morocco at home.

When you travel to Morocco you’ll be able to spend your time staying on one of the authentic riads. Riads are traditional houses in Morocco, and have the unique feature of an interior garden. The most traditional riads also feature a fountain in the interior garden. Travel to Morocco for an experience and memories you will treasure forever.

If you’re craving for some Moroccan cuisines before your dream holiday to Morocco, why not try making some yourself at home?! Following are some great Moroccan recipes we have found for you, enjoy!

Soup & Entrée

1. Harira – Lamb and Lentil soup, AKA. the national soup of Morocco
2. Ksra – Moroccan flat bread
3. Moroccan-Style Stuffed Acorn Squash
4. Moroccan Zaalouk Recipe – Eggplant and Tomato Cooked Salad
5. Taktouka – Moroccan Cooked Tomato and Green Pepper Salad
6. Chakchuka – Grilled Pepper & Tomato Salad
7. Moroccan Fish Bastila
8. Maakouda Batata – Moroccan Potato Cakes Recipe
9. Tabbouleh traditional Moroccan salad
10. Briouat el – Moroccan Savoury Pastries

Main

1. Tagines – Moroccan stew featuring meat simmered with vegetables
2. Aubergine, chick pea and potato balti
3. Kefta – Moroccan Meatballs
4. Kseksu Bidawi – Couscous with seven vegetables
5. Chicken stew
6. Mrouzia – A sweet dish of lamb with raisins, almonds and honey
7. Mezgaldi of Onions – Caramelized Onions
8. Makfoul – Lamb Tagine
9. Briwates dial djaj – Pastry stuffed with spicy chicken
10. Mechoui – Spiced Roast Lamb
11. Moroccan Spiced Sea Bass Ceviche
12. Marrakesh Vegetable Curry
13. B’stilla – Chicken Pie
14. Moroccan Shephard’s Pie
15. Kefta magawara – meatball tagine
16. Boulfaf – Liver kebab
17. Merguez – spicy lamb sausage
18. Hut B’noua – Red Snapper With Almond Paste
19. Djej bil Einab – Chicken with grapes
20. Mezze – Moroccan Tapas

Desserts

1. Ghribas – Peanut Cookies
2. Apricot Couscous
3. Sfenj Beignets – Sweet Moroccan Doughnut Recipe
4. Bechkito – Moroccan Butter Cookies
5. Fekkas – Spice Cookies
6. Moroccan Sellou Recipe – Sweet Made from Ground Almonds, Sesame and Flour
7. Harost Balls – Dessert sweets made of dates, raisins and nuts; traditionally a part of the passover feast in Morocco
8. Halwa Shebakia – Moroccan Sesame Cookies
9. Amlou – Almond Spread
10. M’hanncha or The Snake – Moroccan Almond Pastries

Drinks:

1. Mint Tea
2. Qahwah – Coffee with spices
3. Asseer Rumman – Pomegranate Juice
4. Almond Milk
5. Sharbat – Apple Milk Drink

Travel Tips for Villa holidays in Bali

Bali is a beautiful island, and one that can be driven around in just a day, so small is it in size. However, despite its small size, Bali has exotic beaches, luxury villas, excellent surf for the sports enthusiasts and many dance performances to entertain the tourists.

Explorers can also venture inland from their holiday villa to see some of the many volcanoes in Bali, but don’t worry as they’re highly unlikely to erupt!

Here are a few tips to make the most of your time in Bali:

• If you like to get out and party, you’ll find Bali has some excellent nightclubs in Kuta, and plenty of local shops to tempt you with souvenirs to take back home with you. One important tip while in Bali is to only drink alcohol from branded bottles bought from authorised retailers.

• When travelling around, most taxis are unmetered so it is wise to negotiate the price before you get in. Why not try travel by ‘bemo’, a mini-van that acts as a sort of communal bus and you just hail the driver and negotiate the fare.

• If you wish to visit a temple, be sure to wear a waist sash. For clothing, light, airy clothes in cotton or linen are ideal for the climate in Bali.

• Bali is perfect for those who like to relax, as you can spend your time in a spa, rejuvenating your body and soul, and you can even enjoy a massage on the beach. Of course simply sitting in one of the villas in Bali and enjoying the cuisine can be an ideal way to spend an evening.

Gnaoua bout this?

Essaouira’s hypnotic Gnaoua and World Music Festival takes place from 25-28 June this year. Celebrating Gnaoua heritage, the music has influences as widespread as Haitian voodoo and Brazilian Candomblé. As trance music permeates the picturesque port, its purple ramparts and whitewashed medina, Essaouira’s bustling streets slow down, and become eerie and evocative. Held across ten medina stages, the free festival is a meeting point for foreign artists and a melting-pot of worldwide rhythms. Stay at the Heure Bleue, a Relais et Chateaux riad, and you can snooze to the beat of distant drums from its rooftop pool. A four-night stay costs from £1,190 pp (two sharing) during the festival, including flights (Gatwick), private transfers and B&B. Call The Best of Morocco on 0845 026 4588.

10 Local Customs to Know Before You Visit Morocco

Holidaymakers are fleeing the Euro-zone for better deals to destinations like Morocco. But before you travel to another continent, it’s best that you go prepared and familarise yourself with the local customs. Here we’ve compiled a Top 10 list courtesy of Moroccan travel experts, The Best of Morocco, to help you ease into the Moroccan way of life.

1. Tipping

Tipping is part of everyday life in Morocco. You may think it’s only done by tourists, but it’s not! The locals do it to show their appreciation for good service. In Morocco, you tip just about everyone, the drivers, concierge, waiters, and the list goes on. Even when you dine in restaurants with a 12% gratuity and service charge to your bill, a tip is still expected.

2. Ramadan

Like any other Muslim country, during the Islamic month of fasting, participating Muslims does not eat or drink from dawn until sunset. Ramadan hardly affects tourists in major cities, there is only a slight change to shop opening hours. Food and drink is still available throughout daylight hours in hotel and tourist restaurants. However, as a matter of respect, you should not walk in the streets eating or drinking and if you are in a shop, you should try not to smoke.

3. No Lefties

On the dinner table that is. To experience a true Moroccan meal, you should try eating with your hands. But like other Muslim countries, you should always eat with the right hand, as the left is supposed to be used for the toilet.

4. Bargaining Power

When shopping in markets, the price you’re told is almost never the final price as sellers expect you to bargain. It is wise to bargain from half of the offer price, and take it from there. Eventually you’ll meet at a price you’re both happy with.
Here’s an example of “Haggling in Action”, a video of tourists buying shoes at a market in Marrakech.

5. Photo Opp

When taking photos of locals, it’s best to ask for permission first. Moroccans are generous and passionate people, but that’s not necessarily the case when strangers go snapping away with their cameras. In tourist places you may be required to tip them for a good pose at the camera.

6. Dress Code

There aren’t really any restrictions for women to dress in shorts or tank tops during the summer, as the locals are pretty used to it with many tourists visiting Morocco each year. However, when you enter a mosque, or any other holy place, you should dress conservatively out of respect, meaning cover your shoulders and pants over your knees. The same applies for male travellers also.

7. Got the Stomach for It?

Morocco is considered to be one of the few places in Africa that has the safest and cleanest drinking water distribution, but it is not advised for travellers to drink from the tap. Water in Morocco contains higher levels of minerals than water in Europe. The locals are used to absorb high-mineralized water, but travellers may fall ill from drinking it. It’s nothing major, just a case of an upset stomach, but that’s enough to spoil a holiday!

8. Shoes off

When invited to someone’s home for an authentic Moroccan meal, remember to leave your shoes by the door. As a custom, Moroccans do not wear outside shoes in their homes, or on their fabulous rugs.

9. Meet and Greet

Greetings are important in Morocco, as they often shake hands, right hand of course, and ask how each other and their family are doing. A cursory greeting is considered rude and offensive.

10. Eat Like a Pig

Nothing displays true Moroccan hospitality better than a good meal. When invited to a meal, prepare to be stunned by the variety and portion of the meals served. Be prepared to feast on couscous and kebabs whilst in Morocco. For pork lovers, it is difficult, though not impossible, to obtain pork dishes in restaurants, so beef, lamb and seafood are often the only available alternatives.