Charming château

WITH SUMMER ALMOST over, we at last managed an all-too-short driving holiday, discovering the Val de Loire region of France over seven days in our 2005 Maserati Cambiocorsa. That the Loire is one of t

This city in southeastern France is known for its ancient history and legendary culinary scene — but it’s also worth visiting for its forward-looking green initiatives and young chefs who aren’t afraid to experiment

The gargantuan, bewildering Louvre

It’s a dog’s life. Staying in Val Cenis, the day started cold, but with the astonishing clarity of sunshine and light you only find in the mountains in winter. Kitted out in my warmest gear, I took th

The ethical drinker

It’s more than 350 years since Marrakech last held the title of Morocco’s capital, but in many ways it still feels like the heart of the country. International designers and bohemians have been drawn to the city for decades. And though Marrakech’s fortunes have ebbed and flowed over the past millennium, tourism is booming right now. It’s the mix of old and new that tends to captivate: art galleries sit alongside ancient tombs, while crumbling, labyrinthine alleys lead to gilded coffeehouses and chic garden cafes — all framed by the Atlas Mountains. Luxury hotels have sprung up on the city’s outskirts like glittering palaces, but there’s nothing quite like staying within the amber-hued walls of the 11th-century medina, where riads (traditional townhouses) offer memorable retreats.