Morocco’s 115,000-Seat Grand Stade Hassan II Hits 30% Construction Milestone

Morocco’s ambitious bid to reshape the landscape of global football architecture is moving from bold concept to physical reality at astonishing speed. Nine months into active construction, the monumental Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane—set to become the largest purpose-built football stadium on Earth with a capacity of 115,000 seats—is officially 30% complete and progressing ahead of schedule.

Architectural rendering of the Grand Stade Hassan II canopy design by Populous and Oualalou + Choi.

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A Vision Taking Shape: From Renderings to Reality

Located approximately 38 kilometers northeast of Casablanca on a 100-hectare forested site in El Mansouria, the venue was designed by renowned sports architecture firm Populous in collaboration with Moroccan architect Tarik Oualalou (Oualalou + Choi).

Inspired by the traditional Moroccan moussem—a cultural gathering often centered around grand tent structures—the venue features a dramatic, translucent aluminum lattice canopy that covers both the stadium bowl and surrounding public botanical gardens.

GRAND STADE HASSAN II

• Capacity: 115,000 Spectators (Largest Football Venue)
• Location: Benslimane Province (38 km from Casablanca)
• Design Concept: Traditional Moroccan Moussem Tent Canopy
• Key Contractors: TGCC & SGTM Joint Venture
• Schedule Target: Completion by December 2027

Construction Highlights So Far:

• Round-the-Clock Work: Crews are operating on three continuous shifts a day, 7 days a week, driving aggressive progress.
• Tribunes Progress: Roughly 40% of the stadium's grandstands/tribunes are already erected.
• Site Preparation: Earthworks contracts led by local construction powerhouse SGTM are near completion, paving the way for full structural completion target by December 2027.

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Architectural & Infrastructure Features

The Grand Stade Hassan II is designed not just as a stadium, but as an immersive oasis:

• Atmospheric End Stands: Two three-tiered compact end stands accommodating 29,500 general admission spectators each.
• Unrivaled Hospitality: Five levels of premium hospitality along the sidelines welcoming 12,000 VIP, VVIP, and Royal Box guests.
• Sky Gardens: A ring of 32 stairways features lush elevated platforms 28 meters above ground, creating botanical gardens high in the canopy.
• Transit Integration: Direct access via new high-speed rail links, regional express lines, 60+ kilometers of road improvements, and parking for over 10,000 vehicles connecting Casablanca, Rabat, and Mohammed V Airport.

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The Race for the 2030 FIFA World Cup Final

While the 2030 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted across Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, the rapid momentum surrounding Grand Stade Hassan II has put the venue squarely in the spotlight.

For years, Madrid’s newly renovated Santiago Bernabéu was widely considered the default frontrunner for the 2030 World Cup Final. However, with Morocco investing over $500 million in the stadium and surrounding infrastructure, Casablanca has emerged as a formidable contender to host football’s ultimate match.

"When Grand Stade Hassan II opens, it will be unlike any venue that has ever hosted a World Cup final—a stadium built from cultural memory, designed as a gathering place rather than just an arena."

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Long-Term Legacy Beyond 2030

Unlike temporary tournament venues, the stadium will serve as the permanent home for two of Africa's most storied football clubs—Raja Club Athletic and Wydad Athletic Club—as well as the Moroccan national team.

As construction accelerates toward the 2027 completion date, Morocco is demonstrating that its World Cup ambitions are not just future plans, but active, landmark projects rising in real time.

Morocco Is A Trove Of Jewish History If You Know Where To Go

This March 27, 2019 photo shows the Torah scrolls in the ark of Em Habonim

By LEANNE ITALIE

NEW YORK (AP) — With its mountains and desert, beach resorts and Berber villages, Morocco is a feast for travelers of all kinds, including those who want to explore the kingdom’s deep Jewish roots.

The presence of Jews in Morocco stretches back more than 2,000 years. Before the founding of Israel in 1948, estimates put their number as high as about 275,000, which was considered the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world, said Roy Mittelman, director of the Jewish studies program at The City College of New York.

Today, after vast waves of departures over the years, only about 2,000 Jews remain in Casablanca and about 500 elsewhere in Morocco, but the Jewish presence is still alive in a variety of sights. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism in suburban Casablanca, for instance, is the only museum on Judaism in the Arab world.

Jews of Moroccan descent, in Israel and around the globe, return to the North African kingdom often and some maintain second homes in familial regions. Jewish heritage tours to Morocco are abundant and easy to track down. Most cities have a mellah, which is an old Jewish quarter, along with Jewish cemeteries and synagogues.

Mittelman, who has spent 40 years absorbing the history, culture and religious practices of Jews in Morocco, leads groups of students on tours of Jewish sights as part of an advanced seminar. He said there’s plenty to read ahead of a visit.

He recommends Shlomo Deshen’s “The Mellah Society: Jewish Community Life in Sherifian Morocco” for more on pre-colonial Morocco, based on the writings of 18th- and 19th-century Judeo-Moroccan sages.

To learn more about the spiritual history of the Jewish quarter in Marrakech, he recommends the travelogue of Bulgarian Jewish writer Elias Canetti, “The Voices of Marrakesh: A Record of a Visit.”

Mittelman has honed his travel itineraries over the years. Here are some of his favorites and other sights:

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CASABLANCA

The last Moroccan Jewish day school, Neve Shalom, is in Casablanca, which is the economic and business center of the kingdom. Watch the children playing outside in the yard, enjoy them singing Jewish songs and learn more about the school’s Hebrew classes and Bible studies, Mittelman said.

Visit the Tahiti Beach Club, once a local Jewish hangout.

Among Mittelman’s walking tours of Jewish residential areas in Casablanca are stops at the Beth El and Eim Habanim synagogues. There’s also a newer synagogue, David HaMelech, in the tony, beachside Corniche quarter not far from the beach club

Casablanca has a traditional kosher bakery and kosher restaurants, as do other cities. The city is a good place to start for a grounding in Jewish heritage and history.

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MARRAKECH

Just over 100 Jews remain in Marrakech, including a handful who live in the old Jewish quarter, Mittelman said, but the mellah is bustling.

Among the synagogues that remain is the tiny blue-and-white Lazama, along a narrow street. Ask a local how to find it. Visitors may enter for a small fee. There’s an inviting riad-style courtyard with a fruit tree and a few chairs for weary travelers.

The original synagogue dated to 1492 but it was later rebuilt.

The mellah isn’t the only place for synagogues. Head to the city’s newer section of Gueliz, with a heavy European influence, for shabbat services at Temple Beth El Synagogue. Any taxi driver should know how to get there.

For a day trip out of Marrakech visit the Jewish heritage sites at Essaouira, once a thriving Jewish center and a former Portuguese fishing town. It was also a stop for 1960s and ’70s rock stars who made pilgrimages to Marrakech. The town, dating to the 1700s, has a synagogue, cemetery and mellah, with plaques indicating buildings where ancient, long-gone synagogues once stood.

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FES

The city had a large Jewish community in the 17th century and has a well-known Orthodox synagogue, Ibn Danan. Once crumbling, it was refurbished in the 1990s with help from the World Monuments Fund and American Express. King Mohammed VI has committed to reviving Jewish sites around Morocco.

The mellah here is a maze within walls. You WILL get lost and that’s half the fun. It was the first mellah in Morocco, dating to around 1438.

In addition to a Jewish cemetery, where a couple of eminent medieval rabbis are buried, there’s a site in Fes that is considered sacred among women, the Tomb of Solika. With a last name that varies, Solika — as one retelling goes — was a Jewish woman of great beauty who was beheaded in 1834 for refusing to convert to Islam.

Maimonides, one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars in the Middle Ages, lived in Fes from 1159 to 1165. His stone home, with weathered engraving marking the location, is worth a stop.

Walk a few steps and you’re bound to find somebody willing to guide you in Fes and elsewhere, but one who knows “Jewish Morocco” is harder to come by, Mittelman said. Do some research beforehand to find just the right drivers and guides if you’re traveling independently.

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH

If you favor this style of traveling, Mittelman said you should have no trouble in small towns and villages tracking Jewish influences and history.

“Find yourself the first 80-year-old and say, ‘Do you remember Jews here?’ Chances are they’ll say, ‘Yeah and here are their names and that crumbling house over there is where they used to live.’”

Where To See The 5 Most Glamorous Locations In Spectre

Glamorous locations pepper the new James Bond movie, Spectre, like bullets from 007’s Walther PPK. But these breathtaking places aren’t guarded secrets and you don’t have to be licensed to kill to visit them. There’s no need to worry, either, that in travelling like Bond you will be plagued by evil villains – you will only find, upon reaching these destinations, scintillating scenery, grand architecture, atmospheric dining, and ready-made memories as vivid as anything on the big screen.

Mexico City, Mexico: Zócalo Square

In the breathlessly dramatic opening sequence of Spectre, James Bond chases white-suited villain Marco Sciarra through central Mexico City, struggling to make his way through streets jammed with people dressed as the deceased. This ghoulish scene of skulls and skeletons, ominous with the ever-present threat of death, is a representation of the Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), an annual event which usually takes place in early November. The scene is filmed in the streets around the enormous Zócalo Square, where Sciarra attempts an airborne escape by helicopter.

Also known formally as Plaza de la Constitución, Zócalo Square has been a gathering place for Mexicans since Aztec times and lies at the heart of Mexico City’s Historic Centre. This UNESCO World Heritage site extends from the Square in all directions, seducing sightseers with museums, cafes, restaurants, the National Palace, the largest cathedral in the Americas, the remains of an Aztec temple, and more than 1500 other buildings of historical importance. Here, too, is the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, another Spectrelocation, with its fabulously lavish Art Nouveau interior.

Sölden, Austria: Ice Q

Ice Q, a modernist three-storey glass-and-steel restaurant perched on a snowy crag above the Austrian ski resort of Sölden, is likely to become Spectre’s iconic location. This building doubles in Spectre as a private medical clinic and the lair of Bond’s nemesis, Blofeld. At 3048 metres above sea level, it is reached by the cable car which features in one of the movie’s major action sequences.

From the stunning stone and oak dining room at Ice Q you look out through walls of sheer glass at the jagged white peaks of the Tyrolean Mountains. Sölden boasts three summits, each reaching above 3000 metres, with 90 miles of ski runs. Tucked into the Őtzal valley, 60 miles south-west of Innsbruck, the town has one five-star hotel, Das Central, where the Spectre stars stayed.

Tangier, Morocco: the medina

Bond’s mission takes him from the swirling snow of the Austrian Alps to the searing heat of North Africa. Accompanied by colleague Dr Madeleine Swann, he is seen hurrying through the tangled streets of a high-walled medina, before taking a train that heads into the desert.

The town is Tangiers, scandalous in the 1920s as the haunt of free-thinking artists and writers, and now at last being rescued by state investment from decades of decay. The Tangier Inn, recently renovated, was the shabby hangout of Beat generation writers such as Jack Kerouac, and the Grand Hotel Villa de France keeps a room frozen in time in honour of artist Henri Matisse, but it’s the El Minzah Hotel where Bond author Ian Fleming checked-in, in 1957, and where Blofeld actor Christoph Waltz chose to stay during the filming ofSpectre.

The train is the privately-run Oriental Desert Express, which will convey you in old-fashioned style on the 190-mile journey from Oujda near Morocco’s north-eastern border to the desert city of Bouarfa. During this 12-hour trip the locomotives halt several times for sightseeing and photo opportunities, punctuating the leisurely progress past the Sahara’s high dunes and encampments, scrubs and sands.

London, England: Rules restaurant

On a rainy night in London, Bond’s boss M pauses outside a restaurant to shake water from his umbrella before slipping through its door. At a table in the sumptuous interior, he joins MI6 colleagues Q and Miss Moneypenny. They have chosen to meet here, rather than at the office, to hide away from prying eyes – but you can find this place easily enough, at 34-35 Maiden Lane in Covent Garden. Its name, Rules, is proudly embossed in gold on two maroon canopies overhanging the big Georgian windows.

Established in 1798 and claimed to be the oldest restaurant in London, Rules has been frequented over the years by many notable artists, writers and actors, and appears in novels by, among others, Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, and John Le Carré. As you might expect, the food is of a high standard and traditionally British, the menu tempting with such delights as game, oysters, pies, and hearty puddings. What you might not expect, because of the restaurant’s central location and glamorous associations, are the prices, which won’t leave you shaken or stirred.

Rome, Italy: Vatican City

During a night-time car chase through the narrow alleyways, slippery cobbled streets, and grand squares of Rome, James Bond in his Aston Martin and henchman Mr Hinx in his Jaguar play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse which comes to a spectacular end. At a less frenetic pace, and in daytime, there is much to be enjoyed by taking the same route on foot.

The Rome car chase hurries through the Piazza Navona, built on the site of a stadium where the ancient Romans watched games; speeds under the Passeto wall, which runs from San Pietro to Castel Sant’Angelo and was reserved, just in case, as an escape route for Popes; slides along the cobbled roads on the Via Panisperna in Rome’s cool Monti neighbourhood with its bohemian bars, fashion shops, and restaurants; blasts through St. Peter’s Square, overlooked by the world’s most famous example of Renaissance architecture, St. Peter’s Basilica; clatters down the wide steps of the Scalo De Pinedo to the edge of the River Tiber; then rushes perilously along the embankment pathway right beside the Tiber’s grasping waters. A hop-on, hop-off cruise along the Tiber is a calming way of reaching the Vatican City and the Colosseum while also taking a breather from the Eternal City’s hustle and bustle.

By Phillip Bingham

6 Hot Destinations On The Trend-O-Meter

‘Darling, didn’t you know, fuchsia is the new black.’ And so someone in the fashion industry might deliver the ultimate put down – that you are…. wait for it…. off-trend. Well fear not, when talking travel it’s possible to avoid the same fate because here are some oh-so hot destinations that are most definitely the new black.

The Greek mainland is the new Greek islands

We’re not for a second saying that the likes of Santorini, Mykonos and Crete got bad overnight; more that the mainland, and the Peloponnese in particular, just got much, much better. The arrival of an Aman is always a good indicator of a region’s revival, and the Amanzoe near Porto Heli in the Peloponnese is a winner, but there are several other cracking hotels (try out the Kinsterna and Kyrimai for couples and the Westin Costa Navarino for families). Add in outstanding classical sites such as Mycenae and the Peloponnese is on a roll.

Sao Tome & Principe is the new Galapagos

The former Portuguese islands of Sao Tome & Principe sit extremely pretty in the crook of Africa’s elbow. While the economy is dominated by cocoa and coffee, a new angle is sustainable tourism thanks to the extraordinary profusion of wildlife both on land and beneath the waves of the waters surrounding the islands. There are 143 bird species (25 endemic) and orchids galore in the jungle interiors, endangered leatherback turtles nesting on the pristine beaches and humpback waters migrating past the islands from July to October. Add unbeatable bragability points for having been somewhere most people have never even heard of and this is a winner.

Sri Lanka is the new India

Overheard recently, an ecstatic visitor fresh back from Sri Lanka – ‘It was magical! Like India, but clean!’ With love to India which remains one of THE great destinations, since the civil war Sri Lanka has pulled its proverbial socks up and become a genuine rival to India for discerning travellers’ affections. What’s the big noise? Well, chic boutique hotels popping up all along the south coast, the Cultural Triangle of fabulously named cities such as Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Kandy, and the extraordinary rock palace of Sigiriya, surely one of Asia’s most awe-inspiring sites.

Fez is the new Marrakech

Technically speaking, Fez is actually the old Marrakech, with the former founded in the 9th century, 200 years before that whipper-snapper Marrakech, but you get what I’m trying to say. Whereas modern Marrakech is embracing tourism and change, Fez remains resolutely a medieval city (but one with really nice riad-style hotels), and a genuine experience in time travel as a result. Here’s to the next 1,200 years.

The Aegean coast is the new Amalfi coast

‘Sacrilege’, we hear you say, and it might be stretching a comparison to breaking point but bear with us. The town of Bodrum remains slightly underwhelming, but waterfront villages such as Alacati and a new crop of hotels lining the beautiful Aegean coastline more than match those of the Amalfi, and – oooh, controversial – few, if any, are resting on their laurels. Exhibit A has to be the spanking new Mandarin Oriental Bodrum, an elegant amalgam of Turkish and (surprise, surprise) Oriental influences with superb rooms and some of the best restaurants anywhere on the Mediterranean. While there’s nothing to rival Pompeii here (very little can), there are plenty of fascinating classical sites and Ephesus is simply spectacular.

Yaxha is the new Tikal

Guatemala’s Tikal tickles a lot of travellers’ fancy and the site is certainly one of the finest monuments to Mayan culture, but as a result attracts a lot of visitors every year. The wily explorer should head to Yaxha, another supreme example of Mayan city building just 30 miles to the south east and far, far quieter. Do the evening tour ending up on top of one of the pyramids to see the sun setting, with a strong chance you’ll be the only ones there to savour the view.

Contributed by Tom Barber, Co-Founder of Original Travel. A Luxury Travel Blog

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Travelore News: Leading Hotels Of The World Adds Five New Members

The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. has announced five new members to its curated collection of over 400 luxury hotels, each as authentic and distinct as the location in which it is found.

From the iconic The Knickerbocker Hotel on the corner of New York City’s bustling 42nd Street and Broadway to the olive and orange groves of the Royal Palm Marrakech in Morocco, the newest member hotels embody the style and culture of their destination. 

Battery Wharf Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts (pictured above)

In homage to the city’s seafaring history, Battery Wharf Hotel, Boston Waterfront is situated right on the Boston Harbor. Occupying property that once belonged to Paul Revere’s family, it is convenient to the financial district, the Italian North End, Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and comprises 150 guest rooms and suites, many overlooking the US Coast Guard Station and the water. Embracing its waterside location, the hotel also features a maritime museum, outdoor meeting space along the Harborwalk, and a private dock from which guests can embark on cruises, rent yachts or take advantage of the private water taxi for easy airport access. Rates start at USD 219 per night, single or double occupancy. 

The Knickerbocker, New York

Reviving the vision of New York legend John Jacob Astor IV to create a stellar hotel in the heart of Manhattan, The Knickerbocker is the first luxury property to open in Times Square. Once known as the 42nd Street Country Club, where names like Rockefeller and Fitzgerald often gathered, in its original incarnation it was home to Enrico Caruso and George M. Cohan. Today, behind its Beaux Arts exterior, it offers 330 rooms and suites designed in soft neutral colors to serve as counterpoint to the vibrant views of the Great White Way just outside. The 7,500-square-foot rooftop bar and terrace area provides a unique vantage point for enjoying cocktails against the backdrop of the inimitable New York skyline. Rates start from USD 428 per night, single or double occupancy. 

Gran Melia Rome Villa Agrippina, Rome, Italy

The classically traditional architecture of Gran Melia Rome Villa Agrippina hints at the hotel’s imperial roots – it is built on the site of the residence of Emperor Nero’s mother. Archeologic relics uncovered during the development of the property are on display, reinforcing the connection to its heritage. Surrounded by expansive, well-tended grounds, the property exudes the serenity of a resort. From its impressive location on the banks of the Tiber, the hotel presides over the cultural heart of the city, not far from Castel Sant' Angelo, the Pantheon and the Trastevere District, and only five minutes from St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. Complementing its stately exterior, the 116 rooms and suites, some with private gardens or terraces, offer a distinctly modern ambiance. Rates start at approximately USD 345 per night, single or double occupancy.

Park Hotel Vitznau

Park Hotel Vitznau, Switzerland

With a history spanning more than a century, Park Hotel Vitznau is positioned at an ideal starting point to discover Central Switzerland, on Lake Lucerne, 40 minutes from Lucerne and one hour from Zurich. Refurbished and reopened in the spring 2013, it has 47 individually designed suites - characterized by the themes, Wine & Dine, Art & Culture and Health & Wealth - and two Michelin-starred gourmet restaurants. Oenophiles can enjoy the six wine cellars of glass, wood and stone, containing 32,000 bottles, representing 4,000 types of wine. Dating from 1811, the oldest is stored in a golden casket, and is from the cellars of the Château d’Yquem. Private tastings can easily be arranged. Rates start from approximately USD 705 per night, single; USD 758 per night, double, including breakfast, tax and service charge. 

Royal Palm Marrakech, Morocco

Taking inspiration from regional North African culture, Royal Palm Marrakech is set amid 231 hectares of palm trees, olive and orange groves against the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, 12 kilometers from Marrakech. Emanating the ambiance of the hotel’s destination, the 134 suites and villas are designed in neutral and earth tones – evoking desert hues – and appointed with locally crafted elements, such as intricately carved wood accents and Berber rugs. All feature a terrace or balcony with views of the mountains. Rates for junior suites start at approximately USD 500 per night, single; and USD 577 per night, double; including breakfast, mini-bar soft drinks, Wi-Fi access, VAT and service charge. City tax is additional. 

Please note, rates are subject to change, and for hotels outside the US, may vary with currency exchange fluctuations.

Visit website: www.lhw.com,  

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Ultra-Luxe $108,000 Trip Takes You To Nine Countries On A Private Jet

When choosing one exotic vacation destination is too tough, why not do them all? For $108,000 per person, luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent’s Wonders of the World by Private Jet journey spans nine countries. 

The twenty-four day trip, beginning and culminating in Miami, will run from September 17 – October 10, 2015, accommodating fifty guests. The company’s founder and CEO Geoffrey Kent will join in as host in the last leg of the trip. His passion for travel stems from growing up in Kenya, and by age sixteen he was the first person to travel by motorbike from Nairobi to Cape Town, over 5000 miles. A globetrotter at heart, Kent is excited to get to know his clients through the one-of-a-kind experiences they will share. “This is the first time we've offered this unique itinerary, featuring many of the world’s greatest wonders all in one journey,” he told Forbes.

Here’s what the agenda looks like:

After a brief stay at the Four Seasons in Miami, passengers will board Abercrombie & Kent’s chartered Icelandair Boeing BA +5.99% 757-200ER private jet, which is so luxurious, that getting there may actually be half the fun. It has lie-flat massage seats, privacy screens, social seating areas, and gourmet cuisine. But deboarding the aircraft won’t be too hard, considering the destinations.

Private Jet Interior. Photo: A&K

An In-Flight Meal. Photo: A&K

The Crew Aboard The Jet. Photo: A&K

First Stop: Peru. A private tour of the Larco Herrera Museum will kick off the adventure, followed by musical performances and private meals at iconic spaces such a the Convent of San Francisco. To close off the Peru portion of the journey, a privately chartered Hiram Bingham train will take the group to Machu Picchu.

Chile’s ever enchanting Easter Island is next up, with an itinerary including trips to the villages of Hangaroa and Orongo, where “birdman” rituals originated, and a demonstration of Haka Pei, a form of sledding. The final dinner on Easter Island will be a traditional umu “earth-cooked” meal, during which travelers will have the chance to socialize with local dignitaries.

Machu Piccu. Photo: A&K

Easter Island. Photo: A&K

In Samoa, highlights include being greeted by a dance troupe, lodging at a beach resort, partaking in various water activities, eating Polynesian meals, and touring the village of Vailima.

And what better way to ease from the shores of Samoa into Australian culture than with a dinner on Sydney Harbor? The two days in Australia that follow will feature a tour of Shark Island by private yacht, and a chartered helicopter ride to a wildlife conservation and spa that offers nature tours with kangaroos and wallabies. As for the last adventure in the land Down Under? How about a private show and dinner at the Sydney Opera House.

After crossing the equator and touching down in Cambodia, travelers will indulge in a champagne breakfast, tour Angkor Wat and a nearby Buddhist monastery, helicopter over the temple Banteay Srei, and take in a sunset cruise on Tonle Sap Lake.

Sydney. Photo: A&K

Cambodia. Photo: A&K

In India, all rooms in the Oberoi Amarvilas hotel face the Taj Mahal, of which the group will get a private tour the following day. But first, a play about Shah Jahan, builder of the iconic palace, welcomes everyone to India. After a traditional Mughal meal and Kathak dance performance, the jet takes off for the place where East and West converge: Istanbul. Private tours of the Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, and Topkapi Palace will give the lucky fifty a broad sense of Turkish culture. After two days and nights of adventure, dinner inside an Ottoman palace caps off this portion of the trip.

The Taj Mahal. Photo: A&K

Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace. Photo: A&K

The last stop on this globe trek is Morocco, where Geoffrey Kent will tag on as host. Upon landing in Rissani, a car will transport passengers through the city and into the desert, where camel rides, stargazing, and a welcoming by members of the Gnaoua tribe await. A flight to Marrakech the next day will provide the group with the shopping experience of a lifetime at Souk Smarine, and tours of the Bahia Palace and Majorelle Gardens.

Marrakech. Photo: A&K

Logistically, how does Abercrombie & Kent pull off such a full and unique itinerary? We asked Kent just that, and here’s what he had to say: “Through our deep roots and long-established relationships — we have 52 offices around the world — we can offer exclusive insider access, unique encounters and inspiring experiences not available to others. We have perfected the art of delivering unexpected luxury in even the most remote places.” And as host of the Morocco portion, Kent will have the luxury of travelling with his clients, which reflects his hands-on, highly personal approach to running the business. “Having just returned from another private jet journey around the world, I can attest to the value of being able to get to know our guests personally, and see firsthand their reactions to the experiences we arrange, hearing their opinions about the plane and the lie-flat seats, and bouncing ideas off them for future trips.”

Originally from www.forbes.com/

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Mandarin Oriental To Debut Ultra-Luxury Property In Marrakech

It’s been years in the making, and now Mandarin Oriental is getting ready to debut an ultra-luxury property in Marrakech. Situated on a 50-acre estate in the Palmeraie outside of the city, the Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech will have 54 Moroccan-inspired villas, each equipped with a large garden, open-air shower, and heated pool. The seven suites will have rooftop pools overlooking the Atlas mountains, while the two Spa suites will each have an infinity lap pool.

The hotel will have five F&B concepts—serving both Moroccan and international cuisine—plus an expansive spa. Covering more than 19,000 square feet, the spa will have a yoga studio, fitness center, and indoor pool in addition to the four treatment rooms and two couple’s suites.

Good to know: The hotel will also be able to host business functions and receptions for up to 1,000 guests.

Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is helmed by General Manager Mark Bradford, who previously ran the show at the Mandarin Oriental properties in Jakarta and, before that, Manila. There isn’t an official opening date yet, but we hear that it will be in the second quarter 2015.

We've Found All-New Travel Deals To New York, Australia, Oslo, Florence And The Caribbean. Check Them Out, Quick!

The Standard, High Line, New York.

20% off stays at The Standard, High Line | Doubles from £155 per night
The Standard, High Line is another winner from Andre Balazs, of Chateau Marmont and Chiltern Firehouse fame. Towering on concrete stilts above its namesake the High Line in the West Village, this stylish hotel focuses on minimalist, but fun interiors and has great views over the Hudson River.
Valid: For travel until 8 February 2015. Book by 7 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

AUSTRALIA

Stay four nights and pay three at QT Port Douglas | Doubles from £69 per night
The location may be Port Douglas, Australia, but the retro styling's of this boutique hotel are pure Hamptons. Lounge by the sprawling lagoon-shaped pool on a large white sun loungers, before paddling over to the swim-up bar for that afternoon mimosa.
Valid: For travel until 10 November 2015. Book by 25 March 2015.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

OSLO

40% off stays at First Hotel Grims Grenka, Oslo | Doubles from £106 per night
This five-star option in Norway's capital is typically Scandinavian in style: think moody modern interiors and one-of-a-kind art installations. Set close to the action in Oslo, come back after a day of sight-seeing to sample cutting-edge Scandinavian cuisine in the hotel's cool MADU restaurant.
To book contact Secret Deals.

FLORENCE

25% off stays at Riva Lofts | Doubles from £120 per night
A converted old mill beside Florence's Arno river, Riva Lofts comprises of 10 stylish studio apartments, set around a large garden and pool. Designed by renowned architect Claudio Nardi, (who has previously designed grand stores for Dolce & Gabbana) each suite is individually decorated and most have their own kitchens. Highlights include the cosy honesty bar, with its coffee tables covered in design books, as well as the large, swinging hammocks by the pool.
To book contact Secret Deals.

CARIBBEAN

Stay four nights and pay three at Four Seasons Resort Nevis | Holiday from £2,300 per person
One of the most acclaimed hotels in the Caribbean, Four Seasons ResortNevis has everything you would expect from the brand. There's a 12-treatment-room and a 92-acre golf course, with swimming pools, tennis courts and cabanas dotted around the compound. This offer is based on two people sharing a Mountain Side Room on a room only basis. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick and return transfers.
Valid: For travel until 19 December 2014.
Contact: Carrier (0161 492 1358; www.carrier.co.uk). 

SWITZERLAND

Save 20% on a four-night ski holiday to Verbier | From £799 per person
Are you craving a pre-Christmas skiing trip? Virgin Holidays is offering a short break to the posh, party resort of Verbier, staying at the slick W hotel. The price is based on two adults sharing a Cosy Room and includes flights, accommodation with breakfast and ski passes, saving up to £200 per person.
Valid: For select departures between 1 -15 December 2014.
Contact: Virgin Holidays (0844 573 2460; www.vhiphotels.co.uk/special offers).

NEW YORK

20% off six-night stays at Ace Hotel New York | Doubles from £112 per night
Whilst the Ace Hotel New York's central Manhattan location slightly belies its hipster credentials, once inside you would swear you were in Brooklyn. All exposed brick and freshly brewed coffee: you'll fall in love with the lobby alone. Upstairs the room sizes vary from dorms just big enough to fit a set of bunk-beds to spacious loft suites with huge, squashy corner sofas.
Valid: For travel until 3 January 2015.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

PHUKET

Stay four nights and pay three at Point Yamu by Como, Phuket | Doubles from £151 per night
Point Yamu by Como is set on a private beach on the east side of the Thaiisland of Phuket. A secluded retreat, guests can relax by paddling in the calm sea waters, or indeed the huge 100 metre swimming pool. There is an emphasis on wellness at the resort, with its two restaurants serving an abundance of grilled fresh fish and organic produce.
Valid: For travel until 31 December 2015.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

HAWAII

32% off stays at Andaz Maui at Wailea | Doubles from £229 per night
As if holidaying on beautiful Maui wasn't enough, this sprawling 15-acre oceanfront retreat has a spa, two award-winning restaurants and four cascading outdoor infinity pools. Expect strolls on palm-lined beaches and open-air dining, whilst watching postcard-perfect sunsets.
To book contact Secret Deals.

BERLIN

59% off stays at Winters Hotel Berlin Mitte |Doubles from £48 per night
This modern hotel is a great example of sleek German design, with its glass walls and white interiors. Located in the cool (and central) Mitte district, it is the perfect jumping-off point to explore Berlin's famous Christmas markets and the beautiful Concert House, home to the renowned Berlin Orchestra.
To book contact Secret Deals.

MALDIVES

Seven nights for the price of five at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island | From £3,295 per person
Can't deal with the cold? Then why not take a last-minute winter trip to a far-flung destination? One of the larger Maldives resorts, the Conrad spreads itself over two islands and has a dizzying seven restaurants. The price is based on two sharing a Water Villa and includes complimentary half board, return flights from London with Emirates and seaplane transfers.
Valid: For travel until December 25 2014. Book by 8 December.
Contact: Carrier (0161 492 1358; www.carrier.co.uk).

PORTUGAL

15% off three-night stays at Fazenda Nova, Algarve, Portugal | Doubles from £107 per night
In the rural eastern Algarve lies Fazenda Nova, a cosy boutique hotel with a sophisticated edge. The perfect holiday for those wanting pure escapism, the large house is surrounded by almond and pomegranate trees, but is removed from all other traces of life. Highlights include the snug bar, a great place to explore an array of Portuguese wines.
Valid: For travel until 30 June 2015. Book by 28 February 2015.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

CALIFORNIA

Stay four nights and save 20% at Ventana Inn & Spa, Big Sur, USA | Doubles from £292 per night
Set high on a hillside above the Pacific Coast in central California, Ventana Inn & Spa is a must-visit for Los Angelenos in need of a fresh-air fix. There's certainly plenty to occupy guests, with two swimming pools, a spa, hiking trails, a library, games room, art gallery and a restaurant serving fresh Californian dishes.
Valid: For travel until 28 February 2015.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

SEYCHELLES

Seven nights for the price of five at Raffles Praslin Seychelles | Stays from £852 per night
Make this New Year truly unforgettable with a special package from Raffles Praslin Seychelles. The offer includes accommodation in a villa with private plunge pool, daily breakfast, a New Year's Eve Gala Dinner, a Casino Party with a bottle of Champagne and private transfers.
Valid: For travel from 22nd December 2014 to 7th January 2015 (mandatory stay on 31st December 2014).
Contact: Raffles Praslin Seychelles.

VIETNAM

30% off a three-night stay at Princess d'An Nam, Phan Thiet | Doubles from £106 per night
Set in a sleepy fishing village in southern Vietnam, this secluded resort is surrounded by salt lakes and a lighthouse. Highlights of your stay will likely include the four pools, barbeques on the private beach and the well-priced spa.
Valid: For travel until 31 October 2015.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

LIVERPOOL

20% off stays at Hope Street Hotel | Doubles from £60 per night
Easily one of Liverpool's coolest hotels, Hope Street is converted from an old carriage works. The rooms, all exposed brick and large windows, have underfloor heating and are individually designed. Head to the buzzy bar for an aperitif before dining in the restaurant, which has a winning seasonal menu.
Valid: For travel until 31 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

FIJI

40% off a five-night stay at Jean-Michel Cousteau | Doubles from £365 per night
Make a romantic escape to the unfailingly relaxing Fiji. Perfect for a honeymoon, the price includes all meals, two massages and a picnic on a private island. But it's not just about lolling about and doing nothing here. The Jean-Michel Resort is run by scuba enthusiasts and guests have plenty of opportunity for underwater exploration. It even has an on-site marine biologist.
Valid: For travel until 31 March 2015.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

WASHINGTON DC

33% off stays at Capella Washington DC | Doubles from £377 per night
With plans for flights to Washington DC from London from £99 just announced, there has never been a better time to visit America's capital. Highlights of this hip Georgetown hotel include its rooftop pool, whisky bar and accomplished Swedish restaurant.
Valid: For travel until 31 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

PERU

Save £1,000 per couple on off a nine-night tour of Peru | From £3,695 per person
Follow in Paddington Bear's footsteps and take a trip to 'deepest, darkest Peru'. This luxury tour begins with two nights in Lima, before going south to the pretty town of Cuzco. From there guests will travel to the breath taking historical site of Machu Picchu. The price includes all accommodation, flights, transfers, guided tours and some meals.
Valid: For travel throughout 2015. Book by 30 November 2014.
Contact: Wexas Travel (0207 838 5892; www.wexas.com).

MOROCCO

20% off a three-night stay at Four Seasons Marrakech | From £695 per person
Save £240 on a short break to Four Seasons Marrakech this winter. The hotel describes itself as an 'urban resort' and offers a peaceful respite from the frantic medinas. It is also the only hotel in Marrakech to have a fully-functioning kids' club, and is perfect for a family holiday. The price is based on two people sharing a Superior King Room and includes breakfast, return flights from London Gatwick and private transfers.
Valid: For travel between 15 November and 15 December 2014.
Contact: Carrier (0161 492 1357; www.carrier.co.uk).

ANTIGUA

£2,200 off a week's holiday at Curtain Bluff Resort, Antigua | From £2,795 per person
Stay seven nights for the price of five at Curtain Bluff Resort. This celebrity haunt is known for its impeccable service and country club feel. The price is based on two people sharing a Junior Suite on an all-inclusive basis and includes flights and transfers.
Valid: For travel between 26 October and 18 December 2014.
Contact: Elegant Resorts (01244 897 991; www.elegantresorts.co.uk).

FLORENCE

Save £220 each on a three-night holiday to Florence | From £599 per person
Virgin Holidays is offering a winter short break at the aristocratic Il Salviatino. This elegant family-villa-turned-luxury-hotel has grand rooms, its own woods and two restaurants which show off the best of Tuscan cuisine. The price is based on two adults sharing a Deluxe room and includes flights, private transfers and breakfast.
Valid: For select departures from 3 to 24 November 2014.
Contact: Virgin Holidays (0844 573 2460; www.vhiphotels.co.uk/special offers).

TANZANIA

Save 25% on a four-night stay at Azura Selous | From £1,240 per person
This intimate lodge in the vast Selous has 12 suites and a large infinity pool which overlooks hippos lounging in the river rapids below. The price includes all meals and drinks as well as game drives and other activities.
Valid: For travel until March 2015.
Contact: Better Late Luxury (www.betterlateluxury.com; 0203 137 1247).

PARIS

20% off stays in November and December at Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris | Doubles from £492 per night
The opulent Le Royal Monceau Raffles has hosted such esteemed guests as Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway over the years. These days it's more cool than classic with Philippe Starck mirrors and Zara Hadid chairs creating a quirky, yet luxurious feel. If you find yourself craving a more traditional Parisian experience the Champs-Elysées is just a short walk away.
Valid: For travel until 31 December 2014. Book by 30 November 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

MALDIVES

Stay four nights and pay three at One & Only Reethi Rah | Doubles from £807 per night
One of the most decadent resorts in the uniformly beautiful Maldives, One & Only Reethi Rah has the largest collection of Champagnes of all the islands. It also has an impressive spa, which you voted as the best in the world at this year's Condé Nast Traveller Reader's Travel Awards. The price includes breakfast, dinner and free transfers.
Valid: For travel until 19 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

AUSTRALIA

15% off stays at The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa, Byron Bay | Doubles from £180 per nightThis aesthetically pleasing resort lies within 45 acres of rainforest on the desirable Byron Bay. Although designed to be close to nature, with its wooden finishes and abundance of wildlife, it has all the modern amenities you would expect, with a 25-metre pool, spa, yoga and wellness centre and even a bar in the forest.
Valid: For travel until 10 October 2015.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

BARCELONA

20% off stays in Junior Suites at Mercer Hotel Barcelona | Doubles from £346 per nightSet on a pedestrianised street close to the Barcelona's great cathedral, Mercer Hotel Barcelona feels like part of old-world Spain, with a modern polish. Highlights of this townhouse hotel include its classic tapas bar and stylish restaurant, which serves updated Catalan classics.
Valid: For travel until 18 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith. 

MALDIVES

Save £1,000 on a seven-night holiday to Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu | from £2,300 per personIf you're craving a winter sun getaway, keep reading. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu Resort is a classic Maldives resort, with its stilt villas over the lagoon and snorkelling in the house reef. The price is all-inclusive so there will be nothing stopping you really indulging at the four restaurants.
Valid: For travel between 1 November and 26 December 2014.
Contact: Tropic Breeze (01752 880880; www.tropicbreeze.co.uk).

JAMAICA

Five nights for night price of four at Goldeneye Hotel & Resort, Jamaica | From £369 per person You might wonder if this resort has a James Bond connection and you'd be right: Ian Fleming penned all the James Bond novels from this Jamaican hideaway. But with bedroom villas set under Banyan trees with stylish touches such as claw foot tubs inside, dozens of activities from stand-up paddle boarding to team morning runs on offer as well as open-air massages at its lagoon-side spa - you'll love this hideaway even if you hate Bond.
Valid: For travel until 15 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith.

LONDON

Save 15% at Belgraves, London | Doubles from £294 per nightBelgraves is one of London's rare and best boutique business hotels, managing to smoothly mix sophisticated interiors with five-star comfort (you'll find it hard to make that early breakfast meeting). It also houses edgier contemporary art, the hip Pont St restaurant and naughty touches such as the glass wall between the bedroom and bathroom.
Valid: For travel until 31 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith.

MALDIVES

Save £1,500 on an 11-night holiday to Angsana Ihuru | From £6,000 per couple
Already dreaming about next year's big holiday? Angsana Ihuru is one of the hippest Maldives resorts, with an eco-chic aesthetic running through its 45 villas. Its real draw, however, is the coral reef, which encircles the hotel and is widely regarded to be the best reef of all the islands.
Valid: For travel between May and September 2015.
Contact: Tropic Breeze (01752 880880; www.tropicbreeze.co.uk).

LISBON

25% off two-night stays at Chiado 16 | Doubles from £102 per night
This boutique hotel lies in the well-heeled Chiado area of Lisbon: think cobbled streets and elegant shops. Inside the decor is modern, with striking art gracing the walls.
Valid: For travel until 15 December 2014. Book by 13 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith.

KOH SAMUI

60% off stays at The Scent, Koh Samui | Doubles from £99 per night
More relaxed than some Koh Samui resorts, The Scent is set on chilled-out Bangrak Beach. Flanked by fragrant frangipani, the hotel lives up to its aromatic name.
Valid: For travel until 20 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith.

SRI LANKA

50% off stays at Ulagalla Resort | Doubles from £160 per night
Sri Lanka is stealing the spotlight from its traditionally more-visited neighbour, India.
With a raft of resorts opening in the past few years, the formerly troubled island is coming into its own. The boutique Ulagalla resort is all about pared-down luxury, with its open-air spa and spacious villas. Expect to see monkeys and elephants meandering amongst the rice paddies in the hotel's expansive grounds.
Valid: For travel until 19 December 2014. Book by 12 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith.

WASHINGTON DC

20% off three nights or more at Dupont Circle Hotel | Doubles from £96 per night
With its unbeatable location, just a stroll from the White House, Dupont Circle Hotel is one of Washington's most desirable addresses. After a day of sightseeing in the capital city, its generously proportioned rooms are perfect for chilling out, whilst the buzzy bar downstairs is a great choice for a nightcap.
Valid: For travel until 31 December 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith.

FOREST OF DEAN

Three nights for the price of two at Tudor Farmhouse Hotel | Stays from £420
The Tudor Farmhouse hotel, tucked away in a picturesque village close to the Welsh border, is the perfect base for an autumnal walking holiday. The offer includes a bottle of champagne, a basket of White Company pampering products, a local walking guide to the Forest of Dean and pre-dinner cocktails each night.
Valid: Offer available until 30 November 2014.
Contact: Tudor Farmhouse Hotel (01594 833046;www.tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk).

LONDON

20% off stays at Dean Street Townhouse | Doubles from £316 per night
The Dean Street Townhouse is made up of two neighbouring Georgian townhouses in the heart of buzzy Soho. Part of the Soho House Group, guests can enjoy that low-key, but luxurious vibe they do so expertly. The surprisingly affordable Afternoon Tea is also worth trying before checking out.
Valid: For travel until 2 September 2015. Book by 22 November 2014.
To book contact Mr & Mrs Smith.

Contributed by Emma Beaumont, www.cntraveler.com