Victoire Loup
Paris, France Get directions
Deli · San Gimignano
Deeper in Tuscany, you can stay at La buca di Montauto in San Gimignano (an agriturismo where they make wine, olive oil, etc) or at the organic farm Ebbio near Sienna. From there, you will be able to discover towns like Assisi, Montepulciano, Orvieto, Lucca, Perrugia, Voltera…
Produce market · Ventura County
A citrus farm to visit, enjoy, or to bring lemons and oranges back to Los Angeles.
Meditation center · Ventura County
Closed for two years after the fires, this is a spiritual hilltop and garden, perfect to meditate or simply enjoy the scenery.
National park · Coconino County
One may overlook Grand Canyon by seeing it the wrong way: hike down to Shoshone Point in order to take in the view without all the tourists and their selfie sticks. The North Rim is less visited, if you’d like to stay at the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge. Or for the full experience, try your luck at the Phantom Ranch lottery, which would allow you to stay in a riverside lodge that dates back to the 1930s at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The two-day hike (down South Kaibab trail and up Bright Angel trail) is quite a trek, but definitely worth it.
Retreat center · Ventura County
Just outside of Ojai, another hilltop with breathtaking views all over Santa Barbara, but dedicated to an Indian guru.
Casablanca
Going North up the coast, Casablanca offers the opportunity to visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques opened to the public. Its museum and library are worth a visit as well, and the best bakery is called Bennis Habous. Even further North is the capital city of Morocco, Rabat, with its miles of coastline, sandy beaches and rocky coves.
Tangier
How beautiful is Tangier! You can stay at the Dar Sultan, the Dar Nour or the famous Grand Hotel Nord Pinus. Wander in the Kasbah district, around the Grand Socco and Petit Socco souks, visit Saint Andrew’s church and admire the facade of the Gran Teatro Cervantes. To have a cup of coffee, you can choose between Cinéma Rif, Gran Café de Paris, Café Baba, Café Central or Café Hafa. For drinks, the rooftop of North Pinus is unrivalled, but you can also enjoy some music at Les Fils du Détroit, or at the El Morocco Club speakeasy. As for the restaurants, the choice is large: Salon Bleu for lunch, Saveur de Poisson, Chez Hassan Bab Kasbah, El Dorado, or enjoy a couscous on the terrace of Dar El Kasbah.
Morocco Get directions
Marrakech
The most accessible desert from Marrakech is a bit touristy, but a detour to Agafay, also known as the Marrakchi desert, is still much appreciated. One night at the Terre des Etoiles and a meal at the famous La Pause, and that should be enough to enjoy the Agafay sand dunes. A more authentic desert requires going to the Algerian border, either in the Figuig region or to the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Morocco Get directions