Search results for

Nikon photographer Flash Parker documents the epic beauty of French Polynesia using the new Nikon D7500.

We set off not long before sunset, from the “new” village across the river. Passing over a modern bridge, I didn’t feel at first like this trek in Morocco was much different than any other. Then the terrain changed, I had to pay more attention to where I walked, we began to pass open doorways with lives in progress barely visible far back in the dark spaces. I saw a crude sign with faded, tape-covered photographs advertising that this was the place in which ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ had been filmed. As we climbed further, passed more houses, took in more of the stamped details in the mud walls -- I finally understood. It’s protected by UNESCO and for good reason. There are probably thousands of kasbahs and ksars in the country of Morocco but the devil is in the details at Aït Benhaddou; walls, patterns, faces of the 10 families who remain, the sound of a drum beating faintly from down a passage. Take time to come early enough in the day that you can shop and bargain with the locals who still reside on the hill inside the old ksar. Leave enough time to hike to the very summit, where the watchtower is, to view the sun setting over the entire valley. Old caravan roads snake through the landscape intertwined with the gleam of the river; it’s a serene space that feels a bit worshipful. To what I don’t know, perhaps to the confluence of nature and man’s creation. After all, nature is trying to bury Aït Benhaddou but man will not be driven away.

We kicked off our Marrakesh holiday with a visit to Maison MK’s Gastro MK restaurant for its five-course tasting menu. The riad‘s Moroccan chef cooks up a delicious, visually stunning Moroccan-French fusion menu whose highlights included fried quail eggs perched atop an almond and chicken pastilla, and an exquisite asparagus and tomato tart. Dinner begins with canapés on Maison MK’s rooftop terrace and moves downstairs for meal service. Feel free to take your mint tea or coffee up to the terrace to end your evening and enjoy nighttime views of the Koutobia Minaret. Reservations are a must, as there is a single dinner seating and space is limited for those not staying at the riad.

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, three AFAR editors share highlights from this year’s “Where to Go in 2024" list.

The hot-air balloon captains of the Masai Mara see themselves more as sailors than pilots. Despite the fact that they are flying, they guide the balloon through the air, adjusting the pulleys and controlling blasts of hot air like sailors harnessing the wind with canvas. The anticipation of takeoff is exhilarating: Guests arrive to an open field in the darkness and lie down on the grass to be hoisted up into the basket, with the roar of the flames overhead. The ride itself is tranquil and relaxing, drifting through the sky, admiring the balloon’s shadow on the golden ground as the sun rises. Rides can be booked in advance while staying at Angama Mara, one of Kenya’s most luxurious lodges.

Anagha is the creation of Sarvamangala Chavali, an actress, entrepreneur, fashion designer, and brand ambassador for the Hyderabad Metro. Her store showcases traditional ethnic wear, including sarees, kurtas, dupattas, and salwar sets. Sarvamangala won the coveted FAPCCI Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur Award in 2011 and COWE Best Entrepreneur/Brand Elevation/Ethnic Wear in 2012–13. Her items often sell out in minutes and feature vintage, traditional, and modern designs. href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mynameisharsha/5427707902/in/photolist-9gCqsJ-cqHqAw-9gzkmc-5Zg5fr-6Qfd7Q-7CxoC5-5R2mFe-7xv66i-5ZgDEF-e3eqvr-6cwMP4-aA4kZY-azjbzs-7xzk4L-6cqovg-fy9xhw-9AeqTB-4nWh7c-7fhVPn-e3oRDz-589dg-7hYfq1-4sYP9B-6Xx8Zd-dxWaSm-aDH7B3-aiTLi4-aiTLDz-6cuBaS-g26SqM-a7tM3-7rZ3LE-6oUBmF-7qdEKk-ccSBe3-5Eksdi-4zp2wF-5sPXSo-fy9zKf-fy9z2h-fy9yfA-fxUfwZ-fxUh2g-fy9ys3-fy9zU7-fy9Afb-fxUhhR-fy9xWu-fxUhRT-fxUfiH">Harsha K R/Flickr.

Ten kilometers (six miles) outside of Agadir, the market at the Berber village of Inezgane is a way to see, taste and smell local culture on a pleasant afternoon stroll. Weave through the maze of vendors past displays of fresh and dried fruit, piles of spices and crafts including silver jewelry and trinkets. Afterwards, stop at Agadir’s Amazigh Heritage Museum, on Ait Souss Square, for exhibits on the Amazigh, or Berber, people, who are central to the cultural life of Morocco. The small gallery has displays of traditional pottery, costumes, musical instruments and a collection of jewelry, including pieces worn during wedding ceremonies.

My favorite excursions in new areas are often by bike; transportation that is fast enough to cover ground, and slow enough to take it all in. Fred Ollivier, our guide for the adventure, conveniently picked us up right where our ship was docked and took us on an exhilaration morning bike ride all over a fogged-in, sleepy, and quite mysterious Rouen. We began at one of my favorite landmarks, the eerie Aitre Saint Maclou cemetery Aitre Saint Maclou cemetery, then pedaled through some of the oldest parts of town; streets lined with ancient half timbered buildings. We stopped in parks, at churches, interesting buildings, and finally the Sunday farmers market. Fred, extremely well spoken, knowledgeable and passionate, told us about Rouen’s history, its architecture, culture and of course its people. It was so much fun! A small group of us ‘ditched’ Fred at the farmer’s market; in our defense though only after we learned that the next and very last stop would have dropped us back at where we had started. An oyster stand at the market had called out to us a little too forcefully... Fred, being French, of course understood our predicament, getting sidetracked by a bunch of bivalves, so we hugged ‘good-bye’. Our bike tour was part of our river cruise. If you’re on your own, you’ll have to call or email Fred for information and of course to hire him (+33632100932, fredollivier@sfr.fr). You won’t regret it. >>>Warm thanks to my lovely friends at AmaWaterways for an unforgettable river cruise on the Seine from Paris to Normandy. AmaWaterways offers bicycle excursion in many of their ports, in fact they were the first to bring along a fleet of bicycles for their guests to use.

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, conservationist M.Sanjayan shares the secrets behind season two of his ground-breaking PBS show, Changing Planet.

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we hear from Tom Turcich, who—along with his dog, Savannah—spent seven years walking around the world.