The grand centrepiece of Tsarskoe Selo is the huge baroque Catherine Palace. Walk through its sumptuous halls, dining rooms, portrait rooms and of course the inspiring Amber Room (though bear in mind this is a reconstruction as the original amber room was raided during…

The vast collections of St Peterburg’s Hermitage Museum number well into the millions and were founded when the Empress Catherine the Great acquired a number of paintings from a Prussian trader. Now, the museum is spread across six buildings and has collections that span…

Russia’s huge capital city is home to a veritable army of attractions. Start at the cobbled Red Square to see the stunningly ornate St Basil’s Cathedral and the walls of the imposing Kremlin and afterwards consider a stroll and a spot of shopping in…

You’ll find that Moroccans are generally very easy going, hospitable and tolerant. Most young women don’t wear a veil though headscarves are still quite popular but even though you might see younger generations in the bigger cities dressing less modestly it’s generally best to…

Morocco’s long history of cultural exchange has led to a cuisine that is as eclectic as it is delicious – with influences from Arabic, Andalusian, Mediterranean, European, Berber and Subsaharan Africa. Highly flavourful and aromatic spices such as saffron, mint, cinnamon and cumin are…

Fez’s smaller and quieter neighbour, Meknès feels a little bit overshadowed but as a result the city is more laid-back and less busy. Regardless of that you’ll find a city that boasts all the winding old city streets and grand buildings of its busy…

One of Morocco’s best known UNESCO sights. A phenomenal mud brick city perched on the edge of the High Atlas mountains and a star of no less than 10 films – from Lawrence of Arabia to Jewel of the Nile – and filled with…

Exotic Agadir is a coastal city with vast stretches of beaches framing the idyllic cerulean blues of the Atlantic. There’s a modern marina and a vast hilltop Kasbah as well ornate palaces, mosques and colourful gardens. The city is a great choice for beach…

Adventurers will love the enduring allure of the Saharan Desert where in one day you can take a camel ride to a traditional desert campsite, ride over huge undulating sand dunes on a quad bike, take a Saharan spa day and join a 4×4…

Marrakech is one of Africa’s most unmissable destinations. The stunning old city is known for its abundant markets that are webbed with densely packed alleyways selling colourful textiles, exotic jewellery and mountains of aromatic spices. While the landscape that surrounds the city is breathtaking…