From honeymoon hotels in Mauritius, to chic experiences in Dubai and spectacular resorts in Bali, find out the best places to travel to in my luxury travel blogs and travel guides.
Happy exploring!
After a week exploring the Atlas Mountains, Moroccan seaside towns and the Sahara Desert, it was time to head back to Marrakech for a few days of culture and relaxation. I checked into one of the city’s top hotels – Es Saadi Gardens and Resort, but I was craving something…
La Mamounia’s reputation preceded it. Before THIS epic trip around Morocco, I’d never visited Marrakech… but somehow I’d still heard of La Mamounia.
I knew this was a hotel that was constantly winning awards… “The Best Hotel In The World” (including the Conde Nast Traveller Readers Awards), “Top Hotel For Honeymoons”, “Best Spa In The World”… the list goes on. It has one of the most photogenic swimming pools on the planet, oh and it was Winston Churchill’s favourite place to stay in Marrakech. So when I was in town, I couldn’t wait to pop by and see what all the fuss was about!
Recently renovated, the hotel is more luxurious than ever, with plush décor, Moorish opulence and some of the best dining options Marrakech has to offer. However, beyond the rich fabrics, Instagrammable-tiled courtyards and pristine swimming pools, it’s also an oasis of calm.
When you wander through La Mamounia Hotel’s 20-acre park with its fruit trees, tall palms and brightly coloured flowers, it is easy to forget you’re in one of the world’s most hectic cities.
I visited the hotel on a Saturday afternoon in November, pleased to be enjoying some warm winter sun. I took a peek in the legendary Churchill Suite which had incredible views over the gardens. I loved the melange of English style and Moroccan traditions, particularly the Chesterfield desk and distressed leather sofa with the impressive Moroccan handiwork covering the ceilings.
After an adventurous week stargazing in the Sahara, riding camels and exploring kasbahs (check out the videos), I was ready for a few days of relaxation in Marrakech. I checked into a plush suite at Es Saadi Gardens & Resort in the upmarket Hivernage neighbourhood, and enjoyed a taste of the five star lifestyle.
With huge gates, flags blowing in the wind and elaborate fountains at the entrance, this resort certainly had something to shout about! Every December, stars of the big screen descend on Marrakech for the city’s prestigious film festival, and this is one of the resorts they return to time and time again.
Over the next 48 hours I wandered the pristine gardens, basked in the Moroccan sunshine by the pool, perused the impressive art collection and was thoroughly pampered in the spa. 
From Jeep safaris up winding mountain roads, venturing into beautiful caves, jumping off pirate galleons in the Mediterranean Sea and chasing sunsets, to witnessing traditional village life, sampling the best in Turkish cuisine and meeting some of the friendliest people on the planet. We really packed a lot into three days.
My first visit to Turkey was in April this year.
When I was researching routes from Milan Malpensa airport to Lake Como, it became clear this was a route taken regularly by people with large budgets. Yes, there are trains and buses, but they aren’t particularly direct to the main tourist towns in the centre of the lake. The simplest way to travel – by car. I decided to test out one of the transfer services on offer, to find out if it was worth splashing the cash.
I’d recommend reading my guide to travelling from Milan to Lake Como for other ways to reach the lake. Plus if you don’t want to splash the cash, be sure to check out my guide to visiting Lake Como on a budget.
I booked my transfer with Lake Como Transfers – a company with an impressive set of Trip Advisor reviews. In fact, they’re rated number one of things to do in Menaggio. The email exchange with Jenny on the concierge team was friendly, and although I was booking just a few days before my trip, they had availability and my transfer was booked with ease. With everything confirmed, I was informed my driver would be waiting at the airport with a sign.
I was met in arrivals around 6.30pm by Lorenzo, a young, impeccably dressed Italian holding a sign saying “Mrs Chloe”! He wore a suit and instantly reached for my luggage and wheeled it out of the terminal. He was very welcoming and spoke perfect English.