Top To Do’s in Marrakesh Under $10

Whether you’re craving the sun, want to get acquainted with foreign culture or wish to explore historic monuments; Marrakesh lends itself perfectly for all city trip lovers. But, as many are aware, those short vacations can become quite costly real fast. Therefore, finding one of a kind things to do, that do not involve reaching deep in to the wallet, are a precious find.

1. Ben Youssef Madrasa

Just a few streets away of the Souk lies the impressive Ben Youssef Madrasa. This monumental building formerly functioned as the country’s largest Islamic school, but is now by many perceived as cultural heritage. The abandonment living quarters, which used to house the students, offer phenomenal views where visitors can glare at the fine architectural details that have been crafted in to the building.  Luckily, you’ll most likely won’t explore the property alone, as creepy feelings sneak up on you fast whilst standing in these small dark chambers. The entrance fee will cost you  MAD 20, equal to $2.18.

For more information on Ben Youssef Medersa and opening hours, visit www.medersa-ben-youssef.com

2. Bahia Palace

We’ve yet to come across a palace that doesn’t excite us. The architectural brilliance that  goes in to building these royal residences have some sort of ancient glory over them. And, as they age, their beauty remains. Which is literally what the palace of Bahia stands for – palace of the beautiful. The palace, covered in colorful tiles and marble carvings, was build in the nineteenth century and is located on the south-east of the old city centre. The entrance fee of the Bahia Palace is very gentle and comes down to €1 – $1.24.

For more information on the Bahia palace and opening hours, visit www.palais-bahia.com/

3. Majorelle Garden

Lush greens and bright blues. The Majorelle garden is a small botanical garden, located some what outside of the Medina, that combines artistry with gardening. The garden is also commonly known as the YSL garden, as designer Yves-Saint-Laurent purchased it together with companion Pierre Bergé in the 1980’s, to restore and maintain the land. The place is, nowadays, as colorful as it is popular. If you’re keen on a visit without standing in line for hours, try to go early on the day and especially avoid weekend days. Another way to go around the line is to buy a combo ticket, which includes entrance to both the museum as well as the garden and can be purchased at the museum entrance, where it is considerably less crowded. This does raise the price however to 100 MAD, whilst regular entrance to the enchanting Majorelle Garden will cost you 70 MAD, equal to €6.2 – $7.6.

©FRANOISE BRO – FOTOLIA/YANN CANARI

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We weren’t kidding about the line.

For more information on the Majorelle Garden visit www.jardinmajorelle.com

Still need a place to stay in Marrakesh? Hit this link for our accommodation tips.

* All prices as of 13 February’18, converted on xe.com 

 

 

4x Bountiful Breakfast in Amsterdam

In order to explore the many tourist attractions in Amsterdam, you’ll need to have your body fueled up. So its better not to skip the, alleged, most important meal of the day. And, if you’re doing it anyway, you better do it right. At one of the following breakfast spots in Amsterdam.

1. Corner Bakery

More is more – must be the mantra that Corner Bakery operates under. This bakery, located on the corner of the Johannes Vermeerstraat, achieved quite the Instagram fame with their extravagant menu. Becoming highly populair amongst tourists, as well as the locals. So popular even that they’ve recently opened a second location to serve their yummy goodness. If you’re keen on a visit in the original location, best to do so during office hours as it tends to get crowded on the weekends.

Bali Bowl €9.95 – French Toast €9.95

© Cornerbakeryamsterdam

For lunch at Corner Bakery we paid a total price of €41.45 / $51.5. Which included Eggs on toast, French toast, Bali Bowl and four cappuccinos. 11.60

2. MOOK

Pancakes, pancakes and more pancakes. YES, please. Whether it’s sweet, savory or sweet AND savory, they know how to whip up some tasty combinations at MOOK. These richly decorated pancakes, combined with one of their many freshly pressed juices, will have you, and your tummy, walk out the door fully satisfied.

The Blue Magic Deluxe – €11.50 / $14.3

The Soul Flower – €11 / $13.7

For lunch at MOOK we paid a total price of €36.50 / $ 45.6. Which included our pancakes, two coffees and two fresh juices.

For more information on other menu items and prices visit www.mookpancakes.nl

3. The Breakfast Club

What better place to have breakfast than at the Breakfast Club. Whether you’re in the mood for a breakfast burger -yes, apparently that’s a thing- or some eggs benedict. This place is such a success they have opened several locations across Amsterdam; east, south and west. So  wherever you’re located or planning to spend your day, a tasty breakfast is right around the corner.

For lunch at The Breakfast Club we paid a total price of €37.2 / $46.1 Which included the Breakfast Burger, Eggs Seaside, a juice and four cappuccinos.

4. Koala Republic

Playfully basic – is what comes to mind when describing Koala Republic. This naturally decorated lunch cafe is located ten minutes from the, at times hectic, inner city centre, and therefore a great spot to bring your laptop and get some work done. Their menu is a feast for every day of the week and has a strong focus on serving guests good-food-that-is-good-for-you.

Dragon Bowl 8 – Coconut pancakes 7.50

YES, you can actually sit here. Unless your clumsy, like me.

For our lunch at Koala Republic we paid a total price of €36.50 / $45.4 Which included Coconut Pancakes, Dragon Bowl, Coconut water, Juice and two cappuccinos.

*All prices as of 27 January 2018, converted on xe.com 

HOTEL TIP – Marrakesh

Well, hotel, hotel… actually this accommodation is classified as a riad. A term originating from the old days, where a riad was commonly known as a traditional Moroccan house within the centre of it all a garden or courtyard. All within the comfort of the old city walls – therefore, within the medina (old city centre of Marrakesh) you’ll find lots of these Moroccan houses of wonder. Whilst many parts of the old city feel long over do for a renovation, most riads are like stepping in to another world. A world straight from your 1001 fairytale that is. And that especially goes for Riad Palacio De Las Especias.

This is part of your room. I KNOW. AWESOME.

This riad is interior perfection for us, containing future home goal after future home goal. Plants everywhere, hints of bright colors and the turquoise pool. The rooms are spacious, with rose petals on the bed upon arrival- super cheesy but we can’t help but to love the extra effort our hosts made for us.

Bab El-Khemish double room

View from our room

But if that doesn’t sell you. How about the diverse breakfast on offer. Which they will set up on your own private table throughout your stay. Diversifying day by day and just enough to let even the anti-morning persons amongst us leave the breakfast table smiling.

Guests of the riad also have acces to the roof top terrace. If the temperature is right, you can even request even they set up the yummy breakfast featured above under the blue morning sky. Also a great spot to hang and recover from your day of exploring all that Marrakech has on offer.

Want to wake up in Riad Palacio De Las Especias? Check out the the current prices for your desired date and time here.

For our 4-night stay we paid a total price of € 480 / $594 

* All prices as 24  January’18, converted on xe.com 

6x Why You’ll Want to Rent a Scooter in Bali

Yes, traffic in Bali is crazy, there is no arguing that. And while it may seem like an excess necessity to rent a scooter with taxis everywhere -that will take you across the island for just a few dollars- it is truly one of the more extraordinary ways to experience Bali. If you’re all about authentic ways to explore, check out why you will  definitely want to rent a scooter in Bali:

1. There is ALWAYS traffic

Bluebird taxis indeed get you across Bali for as little as some spare change, but when there is traffic, and for some reason there always is, a short distance might turn in to the longest ride of your life. Being stuck for hours at a time is nothing uncommon.  With a scooter you can do as the locals do, wiggle yourself through the traffic jam and off to enjoy your day you go.

©Tempo.co

2. Freedom

Go where ever you want to go, whenever you want to go. Simple as that.

3. It’s cheap

As cheap as taxis might be, so is driving and renting the scooter. Filling it up is done at one of many gasoline stops alongside the road. Bet you were already wondering wat is in those vodka bottles right? Well, it’s gasoline, for one liter expect to pay around IDR 10.000/ US$0.75,-.

©blogit.ulkominesterio.fi

4. No pick-up wait

It is great that the hotels, resorts and even hostels for that matter, are always willing to call you taxis at all times. What is less great however, is the wait… In Bali there is no such thing as “be there in ten”, it is more like “I am on my way now, might take 2 minutes, might take 20, might take an hour”. Great if you have the patience of an angel, we unfortunately do not.

5. Hidden spots

While out and about, the chances are you might stumble upon a gorgeous rice field, or a cute coffee bar that you would have never noticed otherwise. The hidden spots along the way make renting a scooter well worth the adventure.

6. Work on your tan 

Do you get a tan while sitting the car? We don’t think so. Enjoy the sun, with the fresh air blowing in your face instead of the air con.

Scooters are rented throughout the island. Prices will most certainly vary per rental, if you want to avoid unnecessary long price negotiations, best thing to do is to let the hotel arrange it for you. They can even offer you special deals at many occasions. In addition, the rule usually goes that, the longer you decide to rent one, the cheaper it will become. We paid roughly 35.000 Rupiah per day, which is equal to US$2.60. We’ve heard cheaper and we’ve heard more expensive, but I guess it is safe to say it is a safe common ground.

*All prices as of 7 January 2018 at xe.com

HOTEL TIP – BRUSSELS

Le Jardin Secret

Right within the Centre of Brussels, capital of Belgium, lies Le Jardin secret. A, literally, secretive hotel hidden within the walls of another hotel, named Le Berger. The entire hotel is garden themed and can only be accessed via an extraordinary plant shop. After you’ve located the plant shop in one of Brussels many alleys, you will find the cloaked reception and are ready for check-in. After which, entrance to hotel will be granted via the back door and you can make your way to to your room via the inner garden.

Before our visit we never actually realized how uncommon it is to have lots of plants in your room. Total shame because it is absolutely lovely and has a very relaxed and homely vibe to it. Also contributing to those vibes are a view of, yes, the large inner “secret” garden. All of which you can admire from your, very comfortable, window seat.

As Brussels tends to get quite busy – with either tourism, business conferences or European affairs- prices for hotels can be relatively high at times.  However, for this unique hotel we only paid EUR 68/$82.81, way below the usual Brussels average. To have the diverse continental breakfast they offer included, price will go up with EUR 14/$16.81 p.p.p.n.

Find out what it is going to cost you on your desired dates here

For more information on the hotel visit www.jardinsecrethotel.be

3x Amazing Bubble Baths Across the Globe

Truthfully, you don’t even have to be a bubble bath fanatic to appreciate the following three beauties, that each have views to never – ever- forget. Without spoiling to much, have a look at the following absolute stunners and find out how much it is going to cost you to take a dip.

4x Best Healthy Breakfast Bowls in Bali

These fruit packed vitamins bombs, commonly known as breakfast bowls, are quite the phenomenon in Bali. Swirled with tropical fruits and topped off with so-called superfoods, these heavenly bowls are as delicious as they are good for you. As an instant fan, I went on a quest to discover the most exquisite bowls on the rest of the island. Here are my top picks:

Sunset Magic – Bali Hotspot

Bright cocktails, fresh food and pink-isch sunsets; a magical combination. La Plancha, located on the Double Six beach between Dhyanapura & 66 road in Seminyak, is a Spanish beach bar with an abundance of colourful beanbags and tasseled parasols.