Calm before the Storm!

All images Dar Seven

I've one of THOSE weeks coming up at work (overcommitted & under-resourced!), & so before I take a very deep breath & leap straight into it today, I couldn't resist a moment of calm & tranquility gazing longingly at the gorgeous & elegant Dar Seven in Marrakech. I've featured Morocco before & since Son #2's trip there at Christmas, & listening to his wonderful travelling stories, I'm even more determined to go.

Dar Seven (think Ralph Lauren meets European chic!) is the holiday home for the owners, Prince Pietro and Princess Letizia Ruspoli who own the magnificent one-suite Residenza Napoleone III in Rome. The tiny kitchen of this incredible pied-a-terre still remains my very favourite of all The Hedge post images. Like that fantastic apartment, Dar Seven can be leased out for the ultimate holiday. Enjoy!

Far Away Places

Exotic Marrakesh ( Bruce Ballard)

Transport in Morocco (Britannica)

Moorish Moroccan Food (Compass Odyssey)


Simply Senegal (BBC News)


Senegalese Transport (Rockhurst)


Sharing in Senegal (Living Routes)

Our intrepid traveller

Son # 2 is leaving today for 6 weeks pack-backing in Morocco & Senegal. He'll be away for Christmas & his 29th birthday, but every December, as soon as he's finished work for the year, he grabs his pack & camera & looks for somewhere off the beaten track to wander around in. We've just had to accept this is his way & that's it!! However, there are always 2 things uppermost in his mind wherever he goes, the local transport & the greatest love of his life, food. And being a concerned Mum, I always like to do a little research prior to him leaving to reassure myself, that yes, he won't go hungry!

La Villa des Orangers

All images Hotel Villa des Orangers except last Image Commons

Last weekend I suggested that in the middle of a demolition/renovating weekend, a dream teleport to the lovely Villa Gallici in Aix en Provence was in order. It was a great success, with many of my blogging friends wanting to join me!

With another weekend of brick & plaster dust, hammering, drilling, etc. coming up, I feel another teleport destination is definitely in order! So please join me in Morocco, to be more specific, magical Marrakech. La Villa des Orangers is an oasis of beauty in the Medina (the old part of the town) so peaceful & tranquil - a place where time slows to a leisurely pace behind the heavy old wooden doors that lead from the street.

Firstly, a few hours relaxing by the roof-top pool, followed by a refreshing drink in the elegant shaded courtyard. Then a wander through the Marrakech souk to soak up the bustling atmosphere & all the sights & smells of this amazing markeplace. We make our way back to our riad through the winding, narrow passageways, knowing that a couple of hours of pampering in the Spa awaits us before a delicious dinner. With the heady aroma of orange blossom drifting through the air, let this teleport begin!!