Current location: Merzouga, Morocco A big welcome to the 44 new subscribers who signed up! |
Hello,
It's Tuesday and it's time for a newsletter! Today I write from a tent in the Erg Chebbi dunes of the Sahara Desert, surrounded by some of the most magical landscapes Morocco has to offer. And that says a great deal considering that our drive over the Middle and High Atlas Mountains was also filled with mesmerizing landscape after mesmerizing landscape. If you wish to check out some of my recent Morocco photos, I've posted them on FB and Instagram. As for being in Morocco, I'm here to lead my Wander Across Morocco trip. We have an awesome group of 10 people, all crazy excited to enjoy genuine experiences and see a Morocco beyond the handful of main destinations. And that's exactly what we've done. We've had one activity filled day after another. We've stayed in wonderful accommodations, from a beautiful traditional riad to an incredible desert guesthouse to a cozy glamping camp among the surreal dunes. We've wandered through the local markets of Meknes, the ancient medina of Fes and around remote Touareg villages located in some of the most insanely inhospitable regions you'll find anywhere. And we've met a lot of local people along the way, including the brilliant local guides I use in the cities and the endless people, everywhere we've been, who have stopped our group to say "Welcome to Morocco, thank you for coming here!", with genuine smiles on their faces. There's just so few travelers here right now, but our trip has been remarkably smooth, every step of the way. Okay, the massive, intense sandstorm we got stuck in yesterday was a bit unexpected but it sure made for a memorable desert evening. So, if Morocco has been on your list, I've recently announced a Wander Across Morocco trip for 2022! Definitely check it out. All of my trips are based on my own extensive travels and I promise you that it's not your typical group tour experience as a result :) Well, this photo has a long list of correct guesses! Erin, Karin, Michael, Helen, Megan, Dominic, Jeanne, Rafael, Elizabeth, Chris, Yolairis, Inanc, Hemang, Joan, Owen, Sita, Michelle, Elmer and Sheila...congratulations to all of you! You correctly guessed: Sacromonte Caves in Granada, Spain In this hillside neighborhood, there are several caves that belong to Roma families known for their unique style of flamenco. And while the performances are designed for visitors, the experience is beyond memorable, as you can see from the interior and atmosphere above. The performance we attended was at Zambra Maria la Canastera. And now... This week's photo Where in the world is it? The Rules
1. Try to figure out where the above photo was taken. 2. Reply to this email with your guess.
3. The more specific the guess, the better!
4. The location will be revealed in next week's newsletter.
Good luck :) |
Not an Ordinary Church
Outside of Kiev sits a very small wooden church. But there are no church services here. Instead, the church is home to a random Cosmonaut Museum full of rare and fascinating treasures, and an existence filled with fuzzy details.
The Dream World of All Dream Worlds
There's a workshop in Nantes, France that creates insanely fantastical inventions (such as the crazy Grand Elephant), and we all need to take a trip there as soon as possible! A Cook's Tour
I came across an episode of Anthony Bourdain's first cooking show from 2002, A Cook's Tour. In this one, he explores the cuisine of Chiang Mai, Thailand. (This was about the time I was living in Chiang Mai way back then!) Beer Drinking History
The complete story of how the German Biergarten came into existence. And if you enjoy a good beer, the Untappd app is a cool way to discover new ones and keep track of those you drink around the world.
Ancient But Still Standing
After diving into this article (with photos) about the oldest still-standing buildings on the planet, several new destinations were added to my ever-growing travel list.
For All the Foodies
Go to Mexico City. This collection of places to eat in this culinary paradise will keep you busy, and loving life. Harmony in Malaysia
The concept is called muhibbah and it helps bring the country's various ethnic groups together in a harmonious existence full of acceptance. Taxi Fares
I found this interesting - a look at taxi fares from airports to city centers around the world. Japan is on one end of the spectrum and Benin is on the other! And this has nothing to do with travel, but it's a riveting story worth sharing nonetheless: The Most Amazing Bowling Story Ever Medellin's Eco-Friendly Goals
This Colombian metropolis of 2.5 million people aims to become Latin America's first 'eco-city'. The mayor has introduced a sweeping range of initiatives to combat climate change, create a more sustainable future and boost the economy. Hopefully these impressive goals will become reality. This newsletter is always free but it does take time and money to put together. If you wish to help support it, kindly forward it to people you know, shop for my favorite travel gear (I receive a small cut), send a small donation or join one of my unique small group trips to some spectacular destinations.
Thanks so much and I appreciate you reading!
Derek
(my middle name is Earl) *If you received this email from someone else and want to sign up to A Life of Travel, simply click the button below: |
Travel Insurance:My personal recommendation for affordable and reliable travel insurance is Safety Wing. It was created by travelers, for travelers, and it's rapid growth in popularity is well-deserved. |
|
|
