Meknès in the top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2019 according to Lonely Planet

Meknès in the top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2019 according to Lonely Planet

by Alessandro Furlotti Lonely Planet Marocco Meknes

The famous tourist guide Lonely Planet has just published the ranking of the ten cities to visit in 2019, and the imperial city of Meknès is in 10th place.

The warrior sultan who in 1672 moved the capital of Morocco to Meknès would turn in his grave if he knew that today the city receives few visitors compared to Fès and Marrakech. Moulay Ismail sacked the palaces of Marrakech and the Roman ruins of Volubilis to obtain the stone and the marble with which to build the massive fortifications that still enclose the city, the underground warehouses for food supplies and a magnificent bab (door) to even eclipse the Blue Door of Fès. In the heart of the city, the elaborate mausoleum of Ismail is a national treasure, released in 2018 by a two-year restoration, which offers travelers one more reason to visit this underrated city.

Mauritius, among the top 10 countries of 2018 for Lonely Planet, celebrating 50 years of independence with a party all winter long…

Mauritius, among the top 10 countries of 2018 for Lonely Planet, celebrating 50 years of independence with a party all winter long…

by Alessandro Furlotti Lonely Planet Mauritius

All  festivals of the world live in  Mauritius, the earthly paradise in the Indian Ocean.
Discovered by the Arabs, it was in the modern era a Dutch, French and then British colony, winning independence in March 1968. This anniversary is celebrated in 2018, focusing the spotlight on the glories of the past through a dense calendar of celebrations, given that the Republic of Mauritius, founded in 1992, has also proudly been declared the most democratic of the African continent.

Consulting the calendar of all  festivals you will realize that in this paradise,  recurrences and celebrations abound, also in virtue of the multiculturalism that characterizes it. Here take place  Indian, Chinese, and all the most important folk festivals of the world.

The tropical island, once a pirate shelter, is nowadays known as a safe haven with luxury hotels on white sandy beaches with volcanic bottoms. It is an island to explore, with Indian temples, colonial houses, botanical gardens and opportunities to spot rare birds among tall ebony trees, or swim with dolphins. The Mauritians, a fusion of French, Indian, Creole and Chinese peoples, are renowned for their hospitality and for visitors to the island who are generally enthusiastic about the service.

The luxury here is surprisingly affordable – Mauritius has some of the best merit offers in the region. Remains of the British colonial era , between the tea plantations and the left hand drive, but the stalls of spices and fruit and vegetables in the markets, the performances of Segà and the ubiquitous icon of the dodo, add an exotic  touch.

An important spot not to be missed is a stay at The Residence Mauritius. “The scent of ylang ylang fluctuates in this refined colonial-style hotel, inspired by the island’s sugar plantations: on a kilometer-long glorious beach of the east coast, it was the first hotel on the island to introduce butler service for every suite and heated pool, and its refined service makes it a reference point. Don’t miss the extraordinary holiday program of this glorious hotel, to start a new year in total beauty !!!

http://www.lonelyplanetitalia.it/best-in-travel/top-10-paesi