Category Archives: Uncategorized

Just back from Thailand and Burma (Myanmar): Matt’s Inside Scoop

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I am back in New York City after a two-week whirlwind trip through Thailand and Burma (Myanmar). With all that has been going on in the Land of Smiles and the Land of Pagodas over the past few weeks, we understand that there are concerns with travel to the region. Having recently experienced the situation firsthand, I would like to address these situations.

What’s happening in Thailand?

Bangkok is currently the stage for a protest movement that has sadly resulted in several deaths and injuries. This unrest has led to the US State Department issuing a travel alert for Bangkok on April 22nd.

This being said, I expected to arrive to a city in chaos. However, my arrival to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport and transfer into the city’s notoriously busy streets were smooth and uneventful. On a historical tour of Bangkok’s main attractions, I did not cross paths with a single protester. I continued my journey up north without witnessing any unrest. Whether peeking into caves in Chiang Mai or riding elephants in the Golden Triangle, I was safe and comfortable. This area, along with the southern beach hotspots of Phuket and Ko Samui, have remained calm throughout the disruptions in Bangkok.

Our touring in Bangkok and throughout Thailand has not been affected by the current protests as they are contained in a district of several blocks and can easily be avoided, leaving the majority of the city unaffected. However, rest assured that our Bangkok office will continue to closely monitor the situation and we will provide the most up to date information on any further developments. – Matt

A Very Personal Geography

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Every map tells a story

Every map tells a story

Whether seeking out our favorite Phở street stalls in Vietnam or polishing our fly-fishing skills on an expedition along New Zealand’s rivers, it is always the journey, not just the distance between two points, that stays with us. Whereas most people pack their Nikon to ensure exceptional moments are not fleeting, Connie Brown is taking keepsakes up a notch. A self-taught cartographer, Connie will hand paint your personal history and, quite literally, map out your life. Commissioned maps range from a gentleman’s cycling adventures through France to charting a client’s catalog of top vineyards and retracing one family’s route to adopt their baby in China.

Unique detailing

Unique detailing

This intersection of art, geography and the individual is a beautiful one. Connie brings maps to life at Redstone Studios through personal touches that reflect her clients’ lives and travels including personalized charts and diagrams, ornate borders, cartouches, and biographical insets that truly make the piece one-of-a-kind. See Connie speak about her work at the Gel Conference in New York on April 29-30th.

Natalie Nevares: Magical Morocco

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I just returned from Morocco and I am so excited to share this North African jewel with fellow travelers while I am still glowing from all the glorious sunshine and delicious tagine! Morocco is a relatively short flight (7 hours direct from New York on Royal Air Maroc), which makes it a perfect destination for shorter trips: I was there for 9 nights and had plenty of time to visit Fes, Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains.

Fes is the most complete medieval city in the Arab world (interestingly, it also has tons of Jewish history) and while there I visited Volubilis, the largest Roman city of ancient Morocco, and the holy pilgrimage town of Moulay de Idriss. This is the region where many of the country’s handicrafts are made, so I was able to spend time with the artisans who craft the elaborate mosaic tables and fountains for which Morocco is so famous.

From Fes, I traveled to Marrakech and spent several days wandering through the souks, medina, and gardens, and sampling all of the extraordinary cuisine. I stayed at Riad Kniza, which was the most pleasant surprise of my trip. Managed by a family that has owned it for several hundred years, this boutique gem is right in the center of the medina. The staff are experts at Moroccan hospitality, and I enjoyed late night swims in the courtyard pool as well as a private cooking class with their talented chef, Amina. Riad Kniza’s beautiful candlelit courtyard is pictured below.

I was also thrilled to stay at Kasbah Tamadot, the only property of its kind in North Africa. Nestled in the scenic foothills of the Atlas Mountains and surrounded by Berber villages, it operates very much like a South African lodge: the management is in constant contact with guests, arranging spa treatments and activities. The property’s new Berber Tents are extraordinary, with private heated plunge pools, espresso machines, and chic décor. I loved it!

I also stayed Amanjena, which is always a treat – and rumor has it that they have recently bought a riad in seaside Essaouira. In other hotel news, there is a new Mandarin Oriental in Marrakech, which should open by the end of the year, and just a few weeks ago, La Mamounia finally opened its doors after an extensive three-year renovation! I would be happy to discuss a customized itinerary to Morocco so please do not hesitate to contact me or you can visit our website to see some of our suggested itineraries!

NATALIE’S MOROCCO: INSIDER TIPS FROM AN EXPERT

Where to stay:
Riad Kniza and Kasbah Tamadot: unique properties that really make the most of their settings.

What to do:
The hammam! Steam, soak, scrub, repeat a few times, and then drink plenty of herbal-infused tea to recover from all that relaxing. It is heavenly and a very Moroccan activity!

What to eat:
Pastilla, a hearty Moroccan baked filo dough pie sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon and filled with a combination of ground almonds, butter, orange blossom water, and your choice of seafood or chicken (brave eaters can try the Marrakech specialty: pigeon!).

Special extra:
For a truly amazing experience, we can arrange a private charter plane from Fes or Marrakech to the Sahara Desert for an overnight, complete with gnawa musicians and gourmet food.

JUST BACK FROM UGANDA AND RWANDA

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“Watch your step!” Denis signaled to me. Something was rustling in the brush a few feet in front of us. Suddenly I could see what was causing the commotion: a pair of brown eyes peered at me through the branches and I realized that I was staring directly at a silverback gorilla. Nothing could have prepared me for the exhilaration of that moment.

I had come to Rwanda and Uganda for three and a half weeks to go gorilla-trekking and do volunteer work. In preparation, I had studied the complicated history of the countries and the important conservation issues but, as with any trip, my education actually began when I arrived – and there was so much to learn. For example, before my first trek, my guide asked if I would like a porter to carry my backpack for ten dollars but I declined because my bag was light and I thought I could handle it. Moments later I discovered that porters are, in most cases, former poachers, and porter jobs offer a stable (and legal) alternative to poaching. I gladly accepted the assistance of a porter, Denis.

We spent an hour with the gorillas on that trek but it felt like five minutes; I have never felt as utterly alive as I did standing in the gorillas’ backyard. No fences separated us as I watched these mighty creatures go about their lives. I sat near an infant as he tried to show off by beating his chest, tumbling over in the process, and then I noticed an adolescent quietly studying me. Both of our heads were identically tilted to the side as we curiously inspected each other. Considering that humans and gorillas share 98.4% of our genetic makeup, it should not have been surprising that the gorillas often seemed unnervingly human, but I couldn’t get over how similar we are.

Aside from the gorilla trekking, I spent a week taking photographs for the Maranyundo School and another week volunteering alongside Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, the founder of Conservation Through Public Health, an organization that helps gorillas by improving the health of the people and wildlife in protected areas. I was inspired and impressed by so many of the people I met and I hope to keep their energy, and the spirit I found in myself, with me.

I urge anyone seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience to go gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. It was truly one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done and I would be thrilled to discuss the experience in more detail. Please feel free to call or email me – and we will soon be posting a photo gallery of images from my trip on our website so stay tuned!

– Katie Losey

MAURITIUS: MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY BEACH

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Mauritius is primarily known as a post-safari beach getaway for visitors to South Africa but it can also be paired with Dubai or Madagascar and could even be a wonderful stand-alone holiday destination. But what does Mauritius have to offer beyond endless beaches? It’s very family-friendly and there’s so much more to do than sunbathe: the Pamplemousse Botanical Garden is world-famous and the Sacred Lake of Grand Bassin is a center of Hindu pilgrimmage and worship. Hidden in the interior of the island are volcanic craters and cascading waterfalls. Africa specialist Daniela Bonanno recently visited Mauritius and found so much to recommend it. Her favorite properties? The Dinarobin for its location in a lesser-developed area of the island; the Royal Palm, a boutique property with an amazing spa and proximity to the town of Grand Baie; and the One & Only Le Saint Geran, a longtime favorite with impeccable service. Visit our website to see more of our favorite properties in Mauritius or contact us to start customizing an itinerary!


Dinarobin is tucked away in southwest Mauritius, which is considerably less developed than the north, and it has essentially a private seven-kilometer stretch of beach.


The Royal Palm. Situated on a stretch of pristine beach on the northern coast of Mauritius, the hotel is built entirely of stone, wood, and thatch.


The Royal Palm. 


The One & Only Le Saint Geran is perfect for visitors looking for a large, comfortable, and relaxed luxury resort that has cultivated its signature style and impeccable service with extreme care over the years.