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Algeria

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Algeria

Travel Destinations for the Keen Photographer

Whether you’re a professional or a beginner, photographing the world is an excellent way to enhance your skills and create an impressive portfolio of work. Memories of your travel may last a lifetime, but nothing rekindles a picture-perfect moment better than a photograph.

When looking for the perfect destination to photograph, there are several factors to consider. Natural light, colour, culture, history, and landscape will all determine the outcome of your photos, so think carefully about the sorts of pictures you want to capture before you book your holiday. To help you decide, here are three picturesque locations that should be on every photographer’s bucket list.

Marrakech Morocco,

As you fly into the Marrakech Menara, you can snap the stunning red city and its backdrop of desert sands and snow-capped mountains, but beyond the incredible birds-eye-view of the city, there are many other picturesque sights to capture. Nestled near the Museum of Marrakech is Ben Youssef Medersa, an Islamic college that’s over 400 years old. The architecture, complete with marble pillars and ornamental motifs, will make for some beautiful photographs that truly capture the culture and history of the building.

The maze of the medina, with its snake charmers and souks, is another magical scene that just calls to be photographed, along with the far-flung Sahara desert. Used as filming locations for movie classics such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator, the dunes of the Sahara provide set against the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets are every travel photographer’s dream. If you’re looking for luxury accommodation in the city, check out these Marrakech villas.

Cairngorms, Scotland

You needn’t travel far to find exciting photo opportunities. The moorlands of Cairngorms (a mountain range in the Scottish Highlands) are ideal for both landscape and wildlife photography. The snow-capped peaks, clear waters and green hills laced with heather will make for great photo subjects for even amateur photographers. If you’re looking for wildlife to capture, you’ll find the only herd of reindeer in the British Isles here, as well as golden eagles, snowy owls, wild cats and pine marten otters. There are plenty of “bird and mammal tours” run in the area, complete with accommodation, such as Naturetrek’s wildlife photography holiday package.

Moraine Lake, Canada

With its shimmering teal-coloured waters, snowy mountains and glaciers, powerful photographs are almost a certainty at Moraine Lake. The view of the lake from the top of the rock pile is one of the most photographed locations in Canada. The view from behind the lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks is known as the “Twenty Dollar View” because it features on the 1969 and 1979 issues of the Canadian twenty-dollar bill. It has also been used as a background picture for Android, as well as plenty of other print advertisements. Taking a canoe ride across the lake also invites some incredible photo opportunities. There are also many hiking and mountaineering routes to explore so that you won’t be short of inspiration for your snapshots.

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Recreate a Premium Restaurant Experience in your own Kitchen

Wagyu is the legendary super-marbled, super-pricey beef from Japan normally served in high end restaurants. Gunma Wagyu, one of the world’s most expensive cuts of beef, is now available to consumers in the UK bringing the restaurant experience to your kitchen. While foodies might expect to find such high-quality cuts in a Michelin star restaurant, Gunma Wagyu Beef offers a deliciously premium eating experience delivered direct to your door.

This indulgent dine at home experience is perfect for fans of STK or those looking to create their own Salt Bae vibe. There’s a lot of hype around this bougie piece of beef and once you’ve tried it you will understand why.

The delicious cut of meat arrives frozen in vacuum sealed packaging to ensure optimum quality. I treated my other half to some for a date night dinner, and it went down a storm. It was so easy to cook, so no wasting time slaving over the stove. It only needs a light seasoning of sea salt then you simply fry it 10-30 seconds on each side in a hot cast iron pan, greased with butter and serve. I paired mine with a glass of Malbec and a side of greens. The meat was juicy and melt in the mouth tender. The cut is highly marbled which gives the meat a unique buttery flavour. The marbling is rich in omega-3 and omega-6, improving the ratio of monounsaturated fats compared with regular beef so its healthier.

The reason Wagyu is expensive and let’s be honest, so tasty is down to the care and standards the cattle are raised in. Gunma Wagyu Beef is reared authentically in Japan by experts who mature Japanese Black cows in stress free environments for approximately 30 months to ensure good quality, high grade piece Wagyu. The cattle are raised in Gunma, a location in Japan with an abundant water resource from the Tonè River and are surrounded by green mountains which contributes to their zen lifestyle, as well as flavoursome meat.

Gunma Wagyu Beef Yakiniku cut (200g) is available to purchase on Asian Harvest, from £65. You can get next day delivery for orders placed on Monday to Thursday.

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Spending a Luxury Weekend in London for Less

Would you believe us if we told you that you could enjoy one of the best views of London from the top of a carpark?

For most of us, last year presented absolutely no opportunities for travel. Thankfully, that’s behind us now, so if you’re used to a jet-set lifestyle, you can cautiously look forward to making some holiday plans again. Anyway, if you’re local to the UK then you won’t have to go too far for this itinerary! London has so much to offer in terms of luxury, but it also has a few best-kept secrets that feel exclusive, but are totally purse-friendly. Here’s our guide to the best of London for a budget-free break, or a cheap and cheerful weekend.

Sotheby’s, New Bond Street

It seems only sensible to start this luxury weekend in the heart of everything that is luxury, Mayfair. Sotheby’s auction houses are responsible for making some of the biggest art and artifact sales in history, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it on a budget. Bidding in an auction is a bucket list wish for many, so if you’re here for the high-budget option, then get ready to spend some cash! Back in 2012 a sketch by Raphael sold here for just shy of £30 million. Luckily, if you don’t have millions to spend then you can still attend the pre-auction gallery beforehand, absolutely free. You won’t be able to take any of it home with you, but you can put your hard-earned money towards a mansion, or four, instead.

Park Lane Casino, Park Lane

For those who have £1000 burning a hole in their pocket, you can’t find a more exclusive casino experience than at the Park Lane Club. You’ll have to pay that £1000 to settle the eye-watering membership fee at this private club, but hey, it’s a no-budget weekend! Once inside you’ll enjoy spacious, high ceilinged rooms, dripping with glittering crystal chandeliers. The gaming areas are covered in plush velvets and dark wood. Whilst at first glance around it may seem as though champagne is the only drink on the menu, you’ve actually got a full menu available 24 hours a day. You’ll find plenty of champagne of course, but also Dorset crab and langoustine salad, or black truffle risotto, at 3 AM if you require it!

The Rose & Crown, Old Park Lane

If the thought of a £1000 membership fee nearly made you choke on your lunch, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s a budget option just around the corner that’s just as much fun. The Rose & Crown is a historic pub situated a stone’s throw from The Park Lane Club. Occupying its site for 400 years, although the pub now has all the mod-cons, stepping through the front door still feels like stepping back in time. They aren’t open 24 hours a day, but you can still grab yourself a relatively late-night steak and kidney pudding, with a pint of ale to wash it all down. The added bonus is that you’ll have enough change from £20 to try your luck at the casino, an online one that is. If you’re looking for a way to make that change stretch further then Vegas Slots Online lists all of the new online casinos in the UK which will match your deposit, or give you free spins if you’re a new sign up. If you get that fiver doubled then you could be having all the fun of the casino for a much smaller bit of your budget.

The London Eye, South Bank

Whilst you might not immediately think of the London Eye as a luxury destination, bear with us here. If you’ve got a budget to blow then the people behind the best view in London have organized an experience to excite you. For £250 per couple, you can book out a pod for yourself and enjoy the best view of London, accompanied by an experienced sommelier and plenty of champagne. You’ll spend an hour rotating and being served historic wines, champagnes, and appetizers, pretty exclusive. If you don’t want to spend £250 on the experience then you can book in advance, share your pod and pay just £27 each. You’ll get exactly the same view as everybody else and you can feel pretty smug about that! Alternatively…

Frank’s Cafe, Rye Lane

If you don’t want to pay a penny for your view, then you can get a phenomenal one at Frank’s Cafe. This unassuming cafe is situated at the top of a ten-story carpark in Peckham, which doesn’t sound particularly salubrious but just you wait until the sun starts to set. Better still, you can enjoy seriously reasonably priced tapas and sip on a glass of wine that didn’t cost you £125. Whilst London has plenty for the luxury customer, if you know where to look, it has some seriously tempting options for the bougie bargain hunter too.

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Top Mountain Climbing Trips in Morocco

Rock and mountain climbing belong to some of the most exhilarating experiences a person could go through. If you’re someone who loves sports, extreme ones, in particular, chances are that you have already taken your first shot at this activity in one place or another.

The African landscape doesn’t really seem like it would have much to offer in the climbing department, with the Sahara Desert taking up a significant portion of the continent’s landmass and huge swaths of grasslands being some of the first things that come to mind when thinking of the mother of mankind.

However, North Africa, with Morocco, in particular, has some amazing adventure opportunities to offer for mountain climbers of all walks of life. This is mainly thanks to the High Atlas Mountains region that sprawls for most of the country’s north. Multiple 4,000+ meter peaks are part of the High Atlas, with most of them being located in Morocco. Many Western tour companies have started offering trips to these parts of the world, so you can climb up Mount Toubkal with Kandoo Adventures or another provider without being overwhelmed by the organizational aspects of such a challenging expedition.

If you’re considering traveling to Morocco in the near future, you should acquaint yourself with the best mountain climbing trips the country has to offer. Read up on the ones listed below to have a better overview of what you’re getting into!

Ouanoukrim

Although it is not the tallest mountain in Morocco, Ouanoukrim still makes for a long and hard climb, peaking at 4,089 meters above the main mountain range. It is actually composed out of two peaks: Timizguida and Ras Ouanoukrim, and it is up to you to choose which one you want to scale first.

Climbing the Ouanoukrim is no easy feat, and many travelers claim that it’s even more difficult than making it to the top of the Toubkal Mountain. If you don’t have much experience in trekking, maybe consider putting off that climbing trip until you gain more confidence and ability.

M’Goun Valley

This valley is considered to be a real tourist hotspot by the Morrocan people, and there is a good reason for it. It is quite possibly the best climbing adventure for those who aren’t the most seasoned climbers but would still like to experience the thrill of traversing the rocky terrains of the High Atlas Mountains.

Along the five-day trek across this wondrous valley, you’ll have the chance to visit Berber villages, home to a people whose rich history and traditions date back to prehistoric times. Even though reaching the final point of the trip and peak of the M’Goun is not as difficult as scaling the Toubkal or Ouanokrim, the breathtaking views are on par with the ones you’d see from the top of these mountains.

Mount Toubkal

Mount Toubkal is not only the highest peak in Morocco but in all of Northern Africa. As such, it is the go-to spot in the country for climbing enthusiasts. It towers over Marrakech, Morroco’s city famous for its unique cuisine and marketplaces sprawling across the city’s tightly-knit alleyways. Many travelers begin their trip in Marrakech, which allows them to experience the wonders of this town as they prepare for and recover after the demanding trek.

The exact height of the Toubkal is 4,167 meters above sea level, which is more or less half of Mount Everest’s height. This means that if you successfully manage to get to the top, you’ll be halfway to the top of the world as far as mountaineering is concerned!

Jebel Yagour

The Jebel Yagour peak is a unique one, in that it is actually a huge plateau located at 2,700 meters above sea level. It may not be as tall as the Toubkal, but it is still very much worth the effort it takes to get there. It is a hugely important part of human history since countless traders have used the Jebel Yagour to safely transport their wares through the treacherous chains of the High Atlas Mountains.

You can begin your trip to the Jebel Yagour peak just like you would start the climb to the top of Mt Toubkal — from Marrakech. The city is actually a great hub for all sorts of climbers, as it’s relatively easy to reach any potential trip destination from there via many of the local guides and providers.

Final Thoughts

Aside from mountain climbing, Morocco is famous for many other beautiful sights to behold and things to experience. From spending a day getting lost in the complex network of shops and stalls at Marrakech’s marketplaces to walking along the breathtaking canyons of the Todra Gorge, there is no shortage of fun to be had. If, after scaling the Toubkal, you’re sick of the rocky and slippery surfaces of the Atlas and would like to exchange for something softer, you have the opportunity to do so by going on a trip across the desert on camelback, which is the perfect testament to Morocco’s natural diversity. Everyone can find something enjoyable to do in this tourist-friendly Arab country.

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Best Dishes in London Under £10

Narrowing down a list of the best dishes in London under £10 was a tough one. London is a foodie capital – from pizza to pasta dishes to an immense variety of street food, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s tastebuds. On one hand, there are some dishes that have always and will always stand out for me, the ones I will always recommend to people. On the other hand, I’ve been fortunate enough to eat a lot of good food in this city so the list could go on and on. If you like the sound of the below dishes, I really encourage you to try them out. It won’t put you out of pocket and it will definitely leave your tastebuds and tummy oh-so satisfied. So many dishes didn’t make the cut as they’re just above £10 but it does go to show how you can get a really good meal or dish and not break the bank – something that is a common conception, living in London.

Cheeseburger – Burger and Beyond – £9

147 Shoreditch High St, Hackney, London E1 6JE

If you know me, you’ll know that Burger and Beyond is my favourite burger spot in London. Why? Everything about it – the bread, the patty, the cheese, the sauce. I could go on. This perfect burger creation process does mean that whether you go for the Bougie Burger (priced appropriately to its name) or the classic cheeseburger, you’re getting the same quality ingredients, taste and satisfied tummy.

Sushi Tacos – Sugoi Jpn – £6.50-7

7 Arch, Gales Gardens, London E2 0EJ

We have all heard of sushi burritos so it wasn’t going to be long before a sushi taco turned up. These tempura nori tacos are super sized and packed with your favourite Japanese fillings – with a Latino twist. Choose from salmon, tuna, katsu or tofu and mix it with Pico de gallo, Mango habanero and more. Get extras for a snack later. And for food the next day.

Potato Churro – Yopo – £6

20 – 21 Newman St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1PG

I spoke of little else after eating this the first time I dined at Yopo. I’m a machine but to be honest, this could be a light lunch for some people. A crispy potato churro with coffee filling the grooves, adding a unique taste to the dish. Break it off, piece by piece, and scoop up a mound of parmesan cream dip. Life as you know it will never be the same again.

Ox Cheek Croquettes – Smokestak – £6

35 Sclater St, Shoreditch, London E1 6LB

Well it’s not my favourite restaurant in London for no reason. Smokestak is famed for its brisket – which it does incredibly well – but I would quite happily live off the ox cheek croquettes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chunky, meaty and so tasty, the anchovy mayo on the side is a great accompaniment (and I hate anchovy!) but, to be honest, the ox cheek is so soft, you don’t need it. I’m a big advocate of the sticky toffee pudding at Smokestak too…

Strawberries – The Drop – £8

Unit 22-24 Bagley Walk Arches, Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4DH

I know, they’re just strawberries. EXCEPT THAT THEY’RE NOT. These strawberries are special, they are laced with magic elderflower that made me order another three. And even then, I only stopped shoving them in my mouth because I thought I should leave some for the next day’s guests. The clotted cream is beautiful, the shortbread is divine. But just bathe me in the strawberries and elderflower. In fact, I refuse to eat strawberries not soaked in this delicious sauce/syrup/juice situation again.

Bacon Scones – Frenchie – £4.50 each (get two portions)

16 Henrietta St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8QH

Okay, so more like a snack than a full on dish. But I’m telling you, I’d pay the price of the set menu at Frenchie’s and just eat these pastries of joy all evening. Bacon. Scones. You’re reading okay, yes? Good.That’s all I need to say, to be honest. They speak for themselves. My only criticism is that they are too small. But having ‘just another one’ is part of the fun, right…?

Hamish Macbeth – Deeney’s – £7

360 High Rd Leyton, Leyton, London E10 6QE

If you’re thinking “but I don’t eat haggis”, that’s even more reason to sink your teeth into this mother of all cheese toastie sandwiches. I’ll tell you straight, I’m one of those people but I was recommended to give it a try and the sight of the cheese oozing out of the bread as the toastie grilled was too much for me to resist. So many flavours that go so well together. And they’ve nailed the ratios, you’re still eating a grilled cheese sandwich – just with haggis and bacon (you can have it without too).

Perfect Little Egg Sandwich – Dominique Ansel – £8

17-21 Elizabeth St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9RP

When Dominique Ansel opened his bakeries (in both New York and London), everyone was screaming about the cronut. People were queuing for hours to make sure they didn’t miss out. And you know what? As delicious as it is and as fun as the flavour of the month is, cronut addicts are missing out on the best dish on the menu. Meet the Perfect Little Egg Sandwich. With Gruyère and herbs, is so soft and creamy, it looks like butter. Or cream. It’s a savoury sandwich of goodness.

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Scarabeo Stone Camp: Glamping in the Moroccan Desert

Here at House of Coco, we’re all about authentic experiences – and it doesn’t hurt when they’re coupled with a hint of luxury either. So when we saw Scarabeo’s Desert Stone Camp – a chic, glamping spot in the depths of the Moroccan desert all over our Instagram, we knew we had to experience it for ourselves. We sent our girl Beth to check it out.

Stepping out into Morocco’s Agafay Desert, the first thing to strike us is the sheer size of it all. Stoney ochre hills roll out into nothingness. Sun-scorched earth turns to burnt sienna as it stretches towards the horizon, where the tips of the Atlas Mountains lie hazy in the midday heat. Although we’re just 45 minutes outside of Marrakech, the only thing to interrupt this emptiness is a handful of white bedouin tents stark against the scenery – our home for the night.

If you can call these tents, that is. They’re more like luxury hotel rooms whose walls just happen to be canvas. High ceilings create a sense of space while a warm golden light illuminates the interior. A huge double bed is piled high with tasselled cushions and Moroccan blankets, with a wood burning fire to keep us warm in the dark desert night. Vintage globes, antique suitcases and Berber rugs are just some of the detailed decor that makes for an irresistible old-school safari vibe. Separated by a tent flap, another smaller room holds a full shower, sink and self-flushing toilet (this is glamping, after all). Each tent also has its own terrace – a table and chairs slung beneath a shaded canopy – our favourite spot to sit back and soak up the vastness of the landscape.

While the desert here may be desolate, there’s more than enough activities on offer to indulge your inner Lawrence of Arabia. Throw on a kaftan and head out into the wilds on a camel trek, horse or even a quad bike. There’s even a spa menu so you can have an argan oil massage or bergamot body scrub in this spectacular setting.

But you’ll have to wait for after dark for the real magic. Huddled around the campfire with a glass of wine, we watch as a pink dusk creeps over the camp. As the sun sets, the stars start to pop out of the sky – until the inky desert night envelops us under a blanket of stars. Turning around, we find the whole camp has been lit by iron-lanterns, flames dancing in the dark to guide us back to our tent.

Come dinnertime, we’re ushered into the main tent – a larger version of our rooms with open sides and carefully chosen antiques, dark wood furniture and time-worn books to complete the vintage explorer vibe. Lit by a candelabra, we’re served course after course of Moroccan classics – little sharing dips and a delicious chicken and vegetable tagine. Heading back to the campfire, we forgo Scarabeo’s professional astronomer in favour of trying to spot shooting stars on our own. Even with a full moon, we can still see the clusters of the Milky Way gathering overhead. Sharing the camp with only a handful of other guests, we feel like old-world explorers on some desert expedition.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj-KPkkAnvM/?taken-by=travelhush

Retreating to our room, we do a quick check of any lingering creepy crawlies (the camp isn’t named after the black Scarab beetle for nothing) before falling into the deepest sleep, with only the crackling of our log fire and a few creaking crickets to disturb us.

Waking to dawn spilling into the tent, we spend the morning lazing on the porch in our pyjamas, just taking in the stillness, the silence. While we could stare for hours at the size of that horizon, after a quick breakfast of Moroccan eggs, fried flatbread and almond dips, we’re due to leave – this dreamy camp disappearing from us like a desert mirage.

Scarabeo’s Stone Camp might not be for everyone – you’ll need to be ok with no wifi, and a few admittedly sizable but harmless bugs that may make their way into your tent. But if, like #TeamCoco, your idea of luxury is to disconnect from daily life and experience some serious desert escapism first hand – Scarabeo more than lives up to its Insta-reputation in our book.

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