Staycation Taj Campton Place

Despite my love of great adventure, staying close to home and exploring particular bay area venues can also be very rewarding. Focus on a specific San Francisco neighborhood; peruse the Sunday Entertainment section and reserve theater or music ducats.

San Francisco night scene offers a plethora of cultural events – terrific theater, mesmerizing ballet, world-class opera and fine dining. A long drive home is never enticing after a day of retail therapy or museum moseying followed by dinner and drinkies.

Simple Solution: Stay in Town. Taj Campton Place is centrally located in energetic Union Square. Walk, Walk Walk! Feinstein’s intimate nightclub is just one of the myriad of small clubs to enjoy. I recently reveled in a raucous amusing evening listening to Jeff Goldblum tinkle the ivories with his small orchestra – audience mingling, witty repartee included puzzle the audience with trivia questions, truly a fun off the wall experience. This small club is a mere few blocks from Taj Campton Place Hotel.

Taj Campton Place- quadfecta – perfect location, most enjoyable and friendly staff, large comfy, quiet rooms and two excellent dining choices! The petite bistro bar is one of my favorite stops on Union Square- cozy and quiet setting, divine snacks and a fine Malbec on the wine menu. Connected to the bar – owning two coveted Michelin Stars is the more formal dining room. Chef Srijith has masterfully created new menus bringing a unique palette embodying Indian inspirations with local California Cuisine and mild Spice Route nuances. I’ve previously written about the Naan treats served at lunch and I was not disappointed. Restaurant also serves a three-course pre-theatre menu, besides the sophisticated nine course-tasting menu.TAJ-Suite-1602Wake up Sunday morning and walk down the hill to the Ferry Building – they say location is key and again Taj Campton Place is a superb location to head out for a long walk along the Embarcadero. Coit Tower beckons – make a left toward the hillside and find one of the famed stairways of San Francisco – the Filbert Steps, hidden amid the hillside vegetation, if you’re lucky the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill will welcome you with their chattering. They have been immortalized in many books and in their own documentary The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. Streets turn into stairways in several unique neighborhoods – do discover the quirky Streets of San Francisco.

Vigorous work out deserves a delectable breakfast at Campton Place….all great walks should lead to a reward: Masala Omelet, Malted Waffles with butter roasted pears walnuts and whip cream? Divine!

Stacation Taj Campton Place – Union Square – San Francisco.

 

 

Journey Moroccan Odyssey

Arrive Fes
Riad Fes, a Relais & Chateaux luxury hotel. Begin with a privately guided tour of souks and tanneries. Sunset dinner served with a backdrop of stunning vistas and night skies.Your visits will include: Volubilis Roman Ruins from 3rd century BC and still displays intact colorful mosaics. Souk Tasting Trail, amazing traditional Moroccan street food tour with Fes expert.

A private Artisan tour with a “happening” young Moroccan Designer whose fascination of handicraft was inspired by Berber graphic colors, began early and continues to grow. The artists collaborate with different artisans and is passionate about celebrating their creativity by drawing inspiration from traditional techniques whilst embracing a contemporary style.

A private textile session with a Fashion and Interior Designer, textile authority and enthusiastic collector of Islamic carpets and textiles. The artist launched fashion which incorporates 19th century textiles into contemporary designs.

Drumming workshop if you would like to learn ancient music technique.Arrive Ouarzazate via private plane
Dar Ahlam, Maisons des Reves, a Relais & Chateaux luxury hotel.

Ait Benhaddou, visit a fortified city or ksar, along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech.

Activities may include camel riding and picnicking at the lake.
Dinner in the Sidi Flash Gorge followed by stargazing with a local astronomer.

Arrive Ouled Driss via helicopter for a luxury desert overnight stay.
Morning begins with an exhilarating 4-wheel drive adventure through sandy trails, blooming acacia and tamarisk trees to the dunes, reaching the most elaborate and important kasbahs in the Dades Valley. You have seen these vistas used by movie makers for years including Lawrence of Arabia and Jesus of Nazareth.

Meet your decorated camels at end of day for a ride to the highest dunes climbing to the peaks for a spectacular sunset over the Sahara Desert. Chilled drinks, known as sun downers, in hand. A leisurely ride back to your private luxury desert tent erected in the middle of the desert.

Imagine the quiet and the vastness of gazing as far as you can see – the expansive horizon seems to stretch forever. As dusk descends, local nomadic Tuareg joins the family for supper and teaches everyone traditional drumming.morocco-123976_128Sitting beneath an endless blanket of twinkling stars, an astronomer points out distant galaxies and identifies the stars, originally named by ancient Arabs who navigated these sands. Camped in the historic and legendary Caravan Route from Marrakech to Timbuktu, dreams of exotic adventures are guaranteed. Sunrise is glorious with a dawn camel trek to greet the rising sun.

Arrive to the soaring Atlas Mountains via private transport from Marrakech.
Bab Ourika Hotel. Activities include river rafting, repelling and a privately guided trek through Atlas Mountains.

Arrive Marrakech via private transportation.
La Mamounia Hotel in a private riad. This is a legendary location an original oasis in the desert. Begin your day with an exhilarating sunrise Hot Air Balloon excursion. Continue with quad biking, or discover hidden sides of Marrakech with more souk tours sampling street food, meeting local textile and leather designers in their studios.Morocco is easily reached from Europe – hop over for an exotic odyssey!