For those in the know, Chefchaouen has a magical air to the name. Morocco's blue city nestled in the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen's charming alleyways and staircases are painted in a beautiful light blue. I had the honor to peruse the town and enjoy its beautiful sites on a recent trip in May. The beauties of Chefchaouen were incredible and obvious when visiting. However, I was surprised by a number of things when visiting. In this article, I will walk through some of the things that may shock you about Chefchaouen, allowing you to set your expectations and have the best trip possible.

I love Atlanta. Atlanta is my favorite city in the world. It was my first home as an adult, and a place that still holds an enormous grip on my heart. Going back to Atlanta for me is like a pilgrimage. Each time I go back, I have my go-to spots to relive my favorite days. The Botanical Gardens in Piedmont Park. My favorite vista on the Beltline. And a huge list of different restaurants. Over the years many of my favorite spots have closed (unfortunately). But that also has allowed me to visit and experience new places. And so, using my immense knowledge of my favorite city, I present my guide covering all of the essential eats in Atlanta. Unlike many of my other guides, I've gone further than listing the specific place and also listed the main food item at each place to get. However, all the food at these items are worth trying!

Food is an important part of any destination, and Marrakesh is no exception. Some of the most stunning scenes I saw during my visit involved seeing local vendors selling slews A-tier quality ingredients in the streets: vegetables, fruits, meats, you name it, they sold it. Dining in Morocco is a love hate relationship for me. The best Moroccan food is eaten at home. Chances are you won't get an invite for couscous with a Moroccan grandmother. To get "Moroccan cuisine" you end up going to touristic restaurants. Some are good, some are mediocre. If you ask a Moroccan for a restaurant tip, you'll get directed to an Italian restaurant or somewhere serving "exotic" foreign food that you could probably get at home. That said, Marrakesh's restaurants - even the touristic ones - offer an immense array of culinary experiences. Between "sha'abi" low level cuisine, fine dining for tourists, and non-Moroccan restaurants you are sure to find a great array of food. This guide aims to give some restaurant recommendations: first with super authentic food, second with some more modern or fine dining Moroccan options, and finally with some non-Moroccan options within the city. NOTE: I cannot verify sites will not be closed due to the earthquake. I have added some links to donate to charities assisting relief efforts in Morocco below.

Lima, Peru is one of Latin America's coolest (and largest) cities. And the neighborhood with the most charm, elegance, and straight up coolness is Barranco (sorry for all of the people who still think Miraflores is where it is at - you're wrong). Barranco is historically (and technically still is) its own town, featuring its own Plaza de Armas and church at the center. However, as Lima has exploded, Barranco has been whisked into the line of nice neighborhoods in Lima, situated just south of Miraflores. Barranco is teeming with cool restaurants, bars, coffee shops, art galleries, and generally good vibes. So where should you visit in Barranco? I am so glad you asked!

Casablanca gets a really bad rap. The vibrant, messy, energetic, and hectic economic hub of Morocco, most visitors begin their trip in the city. In their zeal to get Moroccan tajines, tiles, and mint tea, they flock to places in the Medina and get an underwhelming and negative view of the city. Casablanca is not Marrakesh, Fez, or even Tangier. It has a treasure trove of activities, especially if you've been to some of the historic cities and are looking for a change of scenery. So if you're looking for a great experience taking in the sights of modern Morocco, here I present my perfect day in Casablanca. FEATURED ON THATCH'S MAILING LIST

Marrakesh is not thought of as a "history" city as much as it is a gold mine of aesthetically pleasing sites. However, history can be found at every corner around the old city - called the Medina. If you're looking for a great guide to the historic sites of Marrakesh's old city! A few notes about this guide - the sites at the top start at the southern end of the Medina and work their way north. Additionally, there is a good mix of preserved sites and restored site - the Moroccan government and other private institutions have restored some sites to their full glory. While it may seem less "historically accurate", these preserved sites are just as worthwhile to visit. NOTE: I cannot verify sites will not be closed due to the earthquake. I have added some links to donate to charities assisting relief efforts in Morocco below.

When you think of visiting Jordan, you probably think of the impeccable edifices of Petra and the other worldly formations of Wadi Rum. And you'd be right that these are the highlights of a trip to the Hashemite Kingdom. However, there is a lot more to see around the country. Amman, a 5 million person metropolis, is a surprisingly sleepy but charming city to start off your trip with lots of things to see. The historical center, called Wasat al-Balad (وسط البلد), can provide you with a lovely day of sightseeing, good eats, and intriguing shopping. Follow this guide for some tips!

Cusco is a unique city among its South American peers. The capital of the Inca Empire, the Spaniards built a city on top of the old Incan city - using the Incan rocks all over the bottom of buildings. The facades of the buildings diverge significantly from the colorful stucco of its peers; it whitewashed buildings with blue accents as far as the eye can see. It would be easy to confuse this for coastal Greece or North Africa if you weren't aware of the lack of water. Cusco - just a comfortable train ride from Peruvian Disneyland (aka Machu Picchu) - has become the center of Peru's tourism industry. And while some parts of this make traveling to Cusco less authentic (you'll be able to imitate the ladies trying to sell massages really well by the end of your trip), Cusco's food and drink scene has exploded from the tourism rush. The best part (in my opinion)? A coffee scene predicated around local Peruvian coffee. The coffee shops in Cusco could rival coffee in most large cities in Western countries. If visiting Cusco, make sure to set aside some time in the morning or afternoon to look into some of these awesome coffee shops!

My family moved to Lancaster when I was 19. When my mother told me Lancaster had become one of the coolest towns on the East Coast over the last ten years, I had a lot of skepticism. It turns out, she was right. Lancaster is a treasure trove of cute art galleries, small boutiques, and delicious food. I always try to sample new places whenever I go back. Here's a list of some of my favorites!

The Middle East is a remarkable region. The cradle of civilization to the crossroads of East and West, the region has so much to offer. Unfortunately, instability and war makes travel to some countries like Iraq and Syria impossible and to others like Lebanon and Israel/Palestine challenging. In steps Jordan: the most stable country in the Middle East and maybe the safest country I've ever visited. I had the amazing opportunity to spend three months living in Amman and exploring all around the country. While Jordan may not be quite as culturally rich as its neighbors, there are a lot of amazing sights to explore. Petra's ancient facades speaks for themselves. The sandy dunes and alien-like rock formations of Wadi Rum is (literally) the movie image of Mars. The Dead Sea is a buoyant and beautiful place. And this only cracks the surface. This guide is an all-in-one-place guide to exploring Jordan and the wealth of exploring Jordan. This guide features listings from Amman, Jerash, the Dead Sea, sights on the Kings Highway (i.e. Madaba), Petra and Wadi Musa, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba. If you need a more hands on approach to a trip to Jordan, reach out to me! I offer planning services to craft the perfect Jordanian itinerary for you. So as the Jordanians would say, yalla!

Jordan does not have much oceanfront property; in fact, Jordan's coastline is the 4th shortest of non-landlocked countries in the world. Lucky for the Kingdom, the 16 mile stretch holds the city of Aqaba: a wonderful coastal paradise. Looking for a great itinerary that provides great recommendations for the natural, historical, and cultural sites of the city? You've come to the right place! This itinerary provides details of a great weekend spent in Aqaba. Of course, this is a springboard - exploring and talking with locals are how you see the best that Aqaba and Jordan has to offer!

Dazzling, diverse, cultural, aesthetic, bustling. Those are just a few words to describe the country of Morocco. Whether you are exploring the bustling souks of Marrakesh, the historic gems of Fez, the coastal breezes of Essaouira, the warm sand of the desert, or anywhere in between, you are bound to find incredible architecture, culture, food, and experiences. This guide is my "ultimate guide", a pay for guide that includes all my secrets and tricks for locations around the country. If you are interested in something small, check out my page and my free guides (Marrakesh, Casablanca) or more limited paid guides (Tangier, the road to Erg Chigaga). However, if you are planning a week or longer in Morocco and want the inside scoop on various cities around the country, this is your guide. Over 240 recommendations included! Covered in this guide: Marrakesh, Fez, Casablanca, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Ouarzazate/Aït Benhaddou, Erg Chigaga/M'hamid, Erg Chebbi/Merzouga, and Agadir

I love Tangier. In a country where "relaxing" and "cities" don't usually mix, the Mediterranean air, sandy beaches, and craggy cliffs gives Tangier a certain laissez-faire vibe that Marrakesh, Fez, or Casablanca could only dream of. I like to say it's as though Morocco, France, and Spain had a baby featuring each country's best parts. It doesn't matter if you're in the old parts of the Kasbah or Medina, the Corniche, or in the west by Cap Spartel. It's magnificent. In this article, I (hope to) show off the best sites of Tangier by location along with some good points about logistics and hotel recommendations. Need anything more? Feel free to reach out via my page or via my website!

A day trip to Roskilde from Copenhagen

The Sinai seems like a scary place. There are lots of security checkpoints. There are rules on needing police escorts for certain parts. Travel advisories are up for large swaths of both the Northern and Southern Sinai. So let's avoid the Sinai right? Not so fast. Yes the Sinai has some weird rules and quirks in terms of getting around. However, the Sinai is an extremely unique area. Hiking, snorkeling, cultural activities, historical monuments, nightlife - you can expect to find all of these in the Sinai. It's a far cry from Cairo, Luxor, or Alexandria, maybe you could even say relaxing. And with a location adjacent to Eilat, Israel, and Aqaba, Jordan, it's a melange of Egyptian craziness with Levantine comfort. So how should you spend your time in the Sinai? Great question, and I'm here to answer that!

The Sahara is mystical, enchanting, and endless. And getting there is half the fun. While you might get your camel fix in the Agafay Desert near Marrakesh, the big and grand desert is a solid 10 hour drive away. And while it is easiest to get a guide to help, it is possible to do it (or at least part of it) on your own. Just make sure you bring four-wheel drive and a satellite GPS to get to your camp. Even if you don't want to go into the desert by yourself, there is a plethora to see along the way, including the High Atlas Mountains, the kasr's and movie studios around Ouarzazate, the fascinating Berber culture in the Dra’a Valley, and even some more off-the-beaten bath excursions towards Tazenakht. If you are looking for the best sites to and from Erg Chigaga, this guide is for you.

It's really hard to imagine a better evening than going to different restaurants spilling into the street, enjoying small Spanish dishes, and sipping on glasses of fine wine for as little as €2 a glass. Málaga is an amazing place to enjoy Spain's culinary peaks. While you could easily go to these establishments to get dinner, when in Spain do as the Spaniards do. The best way to enjoy Spanish tapas is to do a tapas crawl, order two or three plates at each establishment, get one glass of wine, and then saunter to the next place. I highly recommend this - especially if you only have a limited time in Málaga!

My fiancée excitedly asked if we could take a day trip to Sweden when we were in Copenhagen. I rolled my eyes thinking: what is there in Malmö that is so worth sacrificing a day in one of Europe's most incredible cities? But alas, happy wife happy life: we visited Sweden. During our visit I was incredibly surprised at the breadth of activities and experiences to be had in Southern Sweden's Skåne region. Despite being culturally similar to Denmark, it really does feel like a different country: more modern, more ethnic diversity, more Dutch renaissance style architecture, even more coffee and pastries (fika is a Swedish concept after all!). If you are taking a weeklong trip to Copenhagen, spending a day in Sweden is a great way to experience something a bit out of the way and even less touristy. This guide focuses on three great places to visit in Skåne: Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg. You could easily combine two of these into one day trip, especially if you are looking for a full day of activities. I've also included a hotel recommendation in each city, just in case you want to extend your Swedish sojourn!

Are you interested in taking a trip, but hate the planning? Are you looking for insights from a fellow traveller? Then you've come to the right place! Planning travel is a real passion of mine, and I am happy to assist you on your trip. On sale through November 29! For more detail on services, click on "Mark Fedoronko" above and go to the services section.

My partner has been visiting Nantucket for the better part of two decades. The best word to describe the island - in her eyes - is "salty". You're never more than 5 miles from the ocean. In the summer, the sea air is impossible to miss. I recently got to visit Nantucket for its annual Christmas Stroll - a festive weekend in December where the entire island reopens for a weekend full of holiday cheer. It's a little less salty in the winter, but just as quaint and charming. The town of Nantucket with its cobblestone streets and historic buildings are adorned with Christmas trees and garland and lights. Truly a wonderful sight! Inspired by my recent visit, here is my guide to Nantucket - regardless of the season you visit!

Your image of a trip to Egypt is one that probably includes lots of desert scenery, majestic ancient ruins in the middle of dunes, and lush gardens around the banks of the Nile. Cairo is none of that. Cairo is one of - if not the largest, depending on your source - metro area in Africa, and definitely the largest in the Arab World. It's crowded, busy, bustling, noisy, and chaotic. Very few of its site date back to ancient Egypt and most travelers leave either underwhelmed or worn down by the large city. But, this is a really easy fix: adjust your expectations. Because Cairo is a city oozing in culture and history. It's also the center of the Arab World's music and film industries, and has been the preeminent center of culture in the Arab World for over a millennia. With amazing neighborhoods and dynamic experiences, you could easily entertain yourself for four days in Cairo. So, what should you do in Cairo? I'm glad you asked! Here is my guide to Cairo's best sites.

I'm a massive football fan. Unfortunately for me, I'm an Arsenal supporter (but maybe this will change - trust the Arteta process!). One thing I have been lucky about is being able to visit the Emirates for a match. In addition to the beautiful modern stadium, the neighborhood around the stadium - Islington - is a charming part of London with lots to explore. This is especially true on game days. So, without further ado, here is my guide to Islington - the neighborhood around Arsenal's Emirates Stadium!

I can't hide my cards too long: I'm an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame. It's an incredibly proud community that loves the school and its football team. Even people decades later come back to watch football games - it truly is a special place. Now that football season is back, I've been a bit sentimental about some must sees around South Bend so here's my guide to a Notre Dame Football Weekend!

Akko (also known as Acre in English and Akka in Arabic) is somehow overlooked by many tourists coming to Israel. It's one of the most historic and scenic towns in the whole country. The city embodies a melange of Arab and Jewish culture that is unique to Northern Israel. And the hummus is some of the best in the country. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Akko dates back almost 5,000 years prior as a Phoenician city on the coast. Today, Akko's character is most known as the predominatant stronghold of the Crusaders between 1100 and 1300. The city was briefly reconquered by Salah ad-Din (aka Saladin) before the Crusaders regained control during the Third Crusade - a control that lasted until 1291 when Akko was the last city to be conquered by the Muslim rulers. In later years, Akko served as a major port city. Napoleon attempted to conquer the city but failed miserably (this happening after his forces barely took control of Jaffa further south). In the 1890's, Akko became the home of Baha'u'llah, an imprisoned missionary who founded the Bahai faith. He spent his last days in Akko until his death; he is buried outside of the city (not open to the public) and the town remains a key pilgrimage site for those of the Bahai faith. Since the foundation of Israel (or the Nakba by Palestinian views) the town of Akko has become one of the most mixed cities in Israel, with 32 percent of the town being Arab (mostly in the old city). Much of your visit will allow you to see the various cultural fabrics that make up the beautiful city of Akko!

Colorado has a lot of wonderful mountain towns, but none are quite as close to Denver as Golden. The first town truly "in the mountains" as you travel west, you'll begin to enter the dramatic scenery of the Rocky Mountains. With a bevy of stores, restaurants, shops, and hiking trails, Golden is a great day trip from the city or weekend trip to escape into the mountains! This guide is a great start of what to see in this charming town.

If you were asked "What is the best city for baked goods in the world?" You'd probably say Paris, and with good reason. But Copenhagen is a close second. Danes love their hygge - a word that roughly means "coziness" - and a key tenet of hygge is sweets. Lots and lots of sweets. With coffee specifically. When your winter days only last seven hours, Danes need all of the warmth one can conjure, and baked goods are one of the best ways to accomplish that. Truly any bakery in Copenhagen is a good one. Even chains have fantastic pastries - a grab and go pastry at Lagekagehuset (basically a Danish bakery version of Starbucks) would be a top five pastry contender in most cities across North America. But I want to share some of the best of the best here for your next trip to Copenhagen.

So you visited Jerusalem and were wowed by the shimmering Dome of the Rock. Perhaps you made a loop around Israel proper, but you know there’s a whole world to explore on the other side of the separation barrier and you’re curious. Is it safe? What locations are worth travelling to? To answer your first question, 95 percent of the West Bank is quite safe, especially during the day. While it is advisable to avoid refugee camps without a local guide, the Palestinian territories are quite safe if you are a foreigner. Sure the checkpoints are intimidating but they let you through really easily once they see your Israeli entry visa. Now that we cleared up the first question, let me give you a guide for the other one. After spending six months living in Jerusalem, I spent a lot of time exploring all of the great sites of the West Bank. Here are a few of my top picks.

Jerusalem is basically a combination of three 300,000 person cities: the Arab city, the Orthodox Jewish city, and the new Jewish city. Most of Jerusalem's main tourist sites are in the Arab city (the Old City and its Holy Sites for instance). However, there are a few must see items in the new Jewish city. Yad V'Shem and the Israel Museum are probably the top two items. But to really get a glimpse of modern day life in Jerusalem's Jewish side, you must take a trip to Mechane Yehuda market - colloquially known as the Shuk. A cornucopia of food experiences, Mechane Yehuda is the place Israelis come to eat by day. At night the Shuk turns into a colorful array of murals and cafes serving beer and other drinks to lively patrons. While both experiences are worth having, this article focuses on where you should go during the day in the Shuk based on my time living in Jerusalem. At night, follow the crowds - they know the best hangout spots.

Madeira is a paradise on earth. The once volcanic islands create lush and beautiful mountains. The main city on the island - Funchal - is home to 300,000 people whose homes cascade down the hillside into the Atlantic Ocean. Breathtaking, stunning, and one of the most pleasant places you can visit in all of Europe. The city of Funchal is a mix of colonial style architecture (more typical of Brazil than Portugal) and modern pockets dedicated to the tourism industry. Regardless of where you find yourself, you'll find a beautiful view of the mountains. This guide is perfect to see the main sites of Funchal. Whether you are stopping on a cruise and only have a day, you are adding a few days on the island to a trip to Portugal, or you are just going for the weekend, this guide provides a bunch of the highlights to be seen in and around the city.

Málaga has transformed itself from a dinky coastal city to the gem of the Andalusian coast. Filled with wonderful art museums, beaches, historic sites, and tapas bars, Málaga is an amazing destination in and of itself and not just an airport you fly through to get to Marbella. If you do come to Málaga, you'll want to find a good place to eat breakfast and drink coffee. Good news for you, this guide provides all the different places to drink café bonbon, eat churros and bocadillos, and munch on pastries to the content of your corazon!

Nestled on a cliff and separated by a gorge with two impressive neoclassical bridges spanning the 120 meter chasm, I can't think of another locale in Europe with a more dramatic location than Ronda. If you visit Andalusia and do not have time to stay overnight, Ronda is one of the best places to take a day trip in the South of Spain. Of course you could go with a tour group, but these groups tend to be quite large and don't provide a full experience of the town. If you are looking to craft your own day trip to Ronda, you came to the right place!