Departures Australia Winter 2019

DEPARTURES TRAVEL

DEPARTURES TRAVEL MARKET WATCH 20 Shop the Casbah Beyond Berber rugs and baskets: these design, craft and fashion stores are defining Marrakech’s new modernist aesthetic. Riad Jardin Secret The city has no shortage of stylish riads, but this six-room hotel, tucked behind an unmarked doorway in the Bab Doukkala area, stands apart for its playful atmosphere and carefully curated boutique. Created by Parisian fashion couple Cyrielle Astaing and Julien Phomveha, the 20thcentury home is all detailed mosaic tiling, lattice woodwork and splashy textiles. This textured aesthetic extends to their shop, where they carry high-design versions of traditional crafts like kilim pillows and tadelakt clay pots. riad​jardinsecret.com The Moroccans Seed oil derived from the prickly pear cactus, oud-infused argan oil and black soap made from crushed olives are among the organic products at this spot, next to the Jardin Majorelle on Rue Yves Saint Laurent. The store, which supplies Riad Jardin Secret and Aman A light installation by artist Francis Upritchard hangs in El Fenn Boutique Resorts, stocks its beauty line along with home accessories and jewellery from regional designers, including Scandi-Moroccan fashion brand Bougroug, which mixes Norwegian minimalism with local craftsmanship. themoroccans.ma El Fenn Boutique The interiors of the hotel El Fenn are an Instagrammer’s dream, and its bar/ restaurant/shop allows visitors to replicate the look. Items found throughout the hotel – including the handwoven kilim throws on the daybeds – are for sale alongside clothing, jewellery and accessories sourced from the region. The kitsch-free store offers only the most exquisite Moroccan crafts: quality caftans, colourful bread baskets, geometric Fez pottery. El Fenn’s co-owner, Vanessa Branson (sister of Richard and founder of the Marrakech Biennale), also adorns the walls with rotating works from international artists. el-fenn.com LRNCE Belgian designer Laurence Leenaert’s line of modern textiles, ceramics and clothing is a welcome change from the city’s usual wares. Her studio, in an industrial area in the city’s northwest, carries rugs, pitchers, kimonos, sandals and more – all with a sense of whimsy that calls to mind Picasso’s ceramics, Miró’s line drawings, and local tribal patterns. Handcrafted in North Africa, the pieces recently launched at Maison et Objet Paris, and will soon be available in a new medina outpost. lrnce.com LRNCE’s Ruwa carpets are hand-knotted in the Atlas Mountains; left: limited-edition Qalb vases from LRNCE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: KASIA GATKOWSKA; © LRNCE (2)

LUXURY SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS Abercrombie & Kent’s Small Group Journeys portfolio includes all the eternal luxury travel favourites — sub-Saharan African safari camps, Nile cruises, the European capitals of the Grand Tour, the temples and palace hotels of India, the mysterious ruins of pre-Columbian empires in Latin America, the Northern Lights. It also includes journeys to more challenging, emerging and re-emerging destinations that are fast becoming favourites: Mongolia, Madagascar, Patagonia, the Caucasus, Arabia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan. If you’re looking for a shared adventure in true A&K luxury — exquisite accommodation, perfectly-paced itineraries, curated cultural experiences, exclusive access and privileges, expert resident tour directors, and unforgettable encounters with local people and wildlife — start exploring now and fi nd yourself somewhere amazing on an A&K Small Group Journey. To book, call Platinum Travel Service on 1800 673 760 (Australia) or 0800 377 421 (New Zealand). www.abercrombiekent.com.au SPECIAL OFFER FOR PLATINUM CARD MEMBERS – RECEIVE AU,000 TRAVEL CREDIT* *Terms and Conditions: Valid for new International and Domestic land itinerary bookings of seven (7) nights or more, made by 30 September 2019 and paid in full by 31 December 2019 (for travel any time). Bookings must be made via Platinum Travel Service, with payments made using a valid Australian or New Zealand American Express ® Platinum Card or by redeeming Membership Rewards points. Limit of one travel credit per booking. A maximum credit of AU,000 per booking applies. Valid for International, Domestic and Limited Edition Small Group Journey itineraries created by Abercrombie & Kent (Australia Pty Ltd). Credit not valid for existing bookings, quotes, or international airfares. The credit cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash. Travel Credit conditions and exclusions apply, please contact Platinum Travel Service on 1800 673 760 (Australia) or 0800 377 421 (New Zealand) for more information.