Our next stop was the stunning Kasbah Du Toubkal which totally lived up to its reputation and far more. Situated in the heart of the Atlas Mountains and just 60km from Marrakech you can understand why this place is the preferred retreat for many celebs looking for a bit of tranquillity away from the paparazzi.
The resort is now responsible for a bustling community of Berbers and has created over 100 jobs for the local community – from muleteers to chefs, mountain guides and waiters. The resort is managed entirely by the locals and its magical charm is impeccable – it’s clear that your comfort is their highest priority. The location is one of the finest that you’ll find in the Atlas Mountains!
Our apartment was in fact the luxury ‘Garden Suite’ with a 20m panoramic viewing platform overlooking the mountain range itself. The suite had a fitted kitchen including washing machine, two large dining areas, and a spacious lounging area with log burner for those colder evenings. The apartment was kitted out with some Bose iPod speakers, board games and heaps of books to keep you entertained in the evenings and in fact the entire suite was geared up for trekkers whatever the weather and every minor detail had been thought about carefully to ensure a comfortable stay.
(Our Bedroom View!)
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Marrakech was first on our travel itinerary and we were booked on the very first flight out of Gatwick to Morocco. We stayed at one of the most luxury hotels in marrakesh called Les Borjs de la Kasbah, which is owned by Mike and his French wife who have lovingly dedicated a huge part of their life to creating the perfect ambience in a city that never sleeps.
We were collected from the airport by our chauffeur who drove us directly to the front door, which is rare as most riads can’t be accessed at all from the main roads. This spacious boutique hotel situated directly next to one of the Royal Palaces included a swimming pool, 18 bedrooms, spa and restaurant (offering some incredible traditional and delicious food) in fact some of the best we ate in Marrakech! The riad situated a short walk from the hustle and bustle of the main square this beautiful oasis is the perfect place to relax whilst absorbing the Moroccan culture all around.
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We had been preparing for our luxury Moroccan adventure since March but the moment had finally arrived to begin our holiday of a lifetime. Our plan was to visit three very different places in Morocco including the bustling city of Marrakech, The Atlas Mountains in Imlil and finishing in the timeless coastal city of Essaouira.
But even prior to our takeoff we checked into the newly refurbished Sofitel London Gatwick linked conveniently to Gatwick’s North Terminal. The superbly situated hotel makes for the perfect stopover for travellers and more importantly allows you to begin your holiday a day early ... brilliant!
It’s also the perfect venue for business executives to hold meetings and conferences with being so close to both airport terminals means worldwide travellers have easy access to all its facilities. We decided upon the Park and Fly package, which comes highly recommended, ensuring easy and safe parking throughout the entire duration of any short break or long holiday – this venue combines luxury, comfort and a completely hassle free experience.
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The Satmap Active 10 is set to revolutionise navigation as we know it. Built for the outdoors, this little unit is rugged, hard wearing and incredibly stylish!
Perfect for hikers, bikers and climbers and people like me who always get lost in London! This is ordinance survey mapping at its best and it also has the capability to display aerial photography, which may prove invaluable to those interested in exploring hard-to-reach places which have no mapping.
It retails at £299.99 and includes a quick start user guide, standard carry case, lanyard, USB cable, set of 3 Energizer lithium AA batteries and all documentation. The unit comes pre-loaded with full UK OS MiniScale 1:1m and 1:250k (raster) road mapping, and full GB OS Meridian 2 (vector) road mapping.
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Diva Beach is the latest ‘Boutique Club’ to open in the heart of London. Opening its doors to the public on the 26th September 2008, the club is inspired by Miami’s South Beach and is situated in the heart of Chelsea.
The interior design draws on influences from Miami’s 1930’s art deco style combined with a more sophisticated beach culture. As you can see from the piccies, it’s quite a venue!
Attention to detail is key here, even the mirrors have been hand selected to make divas look sun kissed and gorgeous! The materials chosen include a bespoke blend of iridescent mosaics, layers of shimmer fabrics, hand-finished polished plasters and glistening marbles.
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