Tell me, tell me quick!

I am off to our much awaited vacation this week...

...And I need your help!

I would love to get any tips from you on

What to do and what to visit, 

Little known places,

Your personal favorites,
Quirky shops and flea markets to haunt,

'Don't-dare-miss-this' experiences,

In

Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, Paris and London

And, 

What would you say..

If I have a day to spare

Should I (as in we) do

Antwerp or Luxembourg?

Please drop in a comment or send me an email

With your recommendations

And I'll send you all my love

Everyday in a letter

Sealed with a kiss

[Umm, well not exactly everyday, and that kiss just might be a bit too much

... but you get the idea, right?]

Signing off

In eager anticipation

Of the tips you will send me!

Will see ya on and off during the next few weeks

Take care you!

[Image Sources (clockwork): Judith, Rita, Risa, Elgarbo, Ktwigs] 

Indian Haveli...

... in Tanzania

Evocative of the rich influence

Of travelers and traders from India, Arabia, Persia, Portugal 

And many more such wanderers

This is

236 Hurumzi

[All Images: 236 Hurumzi]

Post cards from Kenya

A chance encounter with Marie and Paul Pelle's Siani Plantation Estate in a travel magazine led me to these gorgeous properties in Lamu, Kenya. Lamu, an archipelago, has a  distinctive Swahili culture, the result of an intermingling over the centuries of many different influences – African, Arabian, Indian, Persian and European to name but a few – brought to Lamu by merchants, travellers, colonisers and conquerors. These influences show themselves to this day in Lamu’s religious and social traditions, architecture, furniture, cookery and many other aspects of daily life. 

Apart from these distinctive influence,  for me, these beautifully restored homes are yet another testimony to the magic created by simple, hand restored interiors...  

Niches or Aala's...a mughal/persian legacy

Window to the world..

Love the bedsteads and the floor..

Do read more on traditional Swahili architecture and the restoration process

Of kittens and roofs..

[All images Lamu Island Properties. Creative mosaic by moi]

We are going to Ibiza!

Thank you for flying Venga Airways
We are now approaching Can Marti
As you can see the sky is blue
And the beach is waiting for you!

                                            [via ze Vengaboys]

Can Marti

A 400 year old farmhouse

Converted into an eco estate

Who says we can't dream of a vacation on a Monday? :D

[All images Can Marti]

I spy..

...with my good eye

A hacienda in Mexico

That is not only an excellent vacation spot

But is also beautifully done up

In resplendent textiles, most likely from India

[Note 1: I have a reasonably decent pair of eyes; above one eye thingie was just for it to rhyme. Spy - Eye...see? Note 2: Yes, I am still in a 'I-want-a-holiday-now-and-right-now' phase, so you can expect more exotic resorts to show up here. Note 3: The genteel ladies who joined me on my virtual holiday to Argentina, well...here we go again! Pack your bags :)] 

This, my dear readers, is Cuximala, the private estate of Sir James Goldsmith. Actually not so private any more as its now a place for world weary travellers to go and rest their feet and tush. What I really like about this place (apart from the heavenly view and the beach) is the use of colors against the pristine white walls. Just about right.

Ram head chairs with bone inlay craft from Rajasthan

The bedrooms and few of the many sitting areas..

From one of the more colorful villas..

Aren't the windows beautiful? Reminds me of jaali work from India

[All images: Cuixmala]