Places to visit: The Simpsons' theme park

Probably so far you know that Orlando has the most theme parks per square mile in the world. I think I have never told you that I am really keen on theme parks, not too obsessed with them, but I like them. Whenever a have spare time, I always tend to visit them.

One day I will in Florida for sure, but now I have one more reason: visiting The Simpson's Springfield! Although I think they deserve a theme park on their own, Universal has decided better adding it to Universal Studios. 

Springfield according to Universal

As  you can see, the city does not look much like the Simpsons one, but at least you the a Krusty Burger, Moe's and even the famous Duff beer.

And where is the family's home ? It is not there, isn't it a pity? Don't they really think the famous yellow family deserves a whole them park for themselves? 

Majorelle Garden: a colorful oasis in Marrakesh

It could be for the minth tea, the African heath of the city, the little oasis in the middle of the desert or the accumulated tiredness. But the truth is that we loved Majorelle Garden. I must confess I love vivid colours and weird combinations, so I loved this. We were coming from Menara that we did not particularly like and we recover from the disappointment with this joy.
I was a bit sceptical about this visit, I did not care too much about this being owned by Yves Saint Laurent (alive at the time), I thought this would be the typical place for tourists. But I was wrong, I discovered this little garden, so pretty, full of colours and pacifying.

The garden takes its name from his creator, Jacques Majorelle, a french paint son of artists that travelled around the world and fell in love of all Arabic and oriental. Until he discovered Marrakech, that became a really important part of his life. He even went on to be ambassador of the city and painted posters for its promotion. He later discovered the Black Africa that he translated into paintings.
But he always came back to the city, until 1924, when he started to build this property. The main residence was done exactly as the palaces in Marrakech: simplicity in design, water fountains and exuberant lush. For years he kept collecting plants brought from everywhere in the world, to form his own botanical garden.

It is open to public from 1947, although it was not until 1980 when Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought it to restore it, as it was a bit deteriorated since his creator's death in 1962. Nowadays it also contains the Museum of Islamic Art.
The most interesting part of the garden are the cactus (which I love) as well as the lily pond decorated with colourful and inhabited by goldfishes, turtles and toads. It is really funny being looking at the pond and seeing a swimming turtle peeking from the bottom or a toad croaking in the corner. All really green, colourful and very bright. But over all, really quiet and relaxing. The perfect place to relax from busy Marrakech and a have a little rest relaxing in the cold provided by the shadow of the trees.

Do not expect a massive garden, it is just the opposite a tiny garding, but it is worth a visit. The price of the ticket when we went 7 years ago was around 10-20 dirhams.

Jardín MajorelleMarrakech
Tel : (00212) 024 30 18 52
Fax : (00212) 024 30 18 94
E-mail : jardin.majorelle@menara.ma

Photos: Raquel Ritz ©

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Castle Combe the idyllic English village

A little, tiny village says they are the prettiest in England and I decided it was to time see it that was true. Because it's not like there are no nice villages in UK, no.

Modern against old? How long is going to take for phone boxes to disappear? 

It is quite difficult to find, I was driving while my boyfriend told me the sat nav was saying we were there and I had to slam on the brakes to not miss it.  Yes, it is so tiny that only around 350 people live there.

Castle Combe is not more than three streets, a few housed, a  church, a couple of pubs and hotels and an bridge over a river. Is that all? Well, yes, but everything in this place is so old and so well preserved that you really have to pay a visit. 

Egg hunting in London and the rest of United Kingdom

Are you coming to United Kingdom in the next weeks? OK, maybe same time next year? Then look around as there are hundreds of Easter eggs spread around the cities for the big egg hunt.

They are everywhere and the aim is to find them all. I don't need to tell you children are even more excited with the experience than adults, making it a perfect experience for the whole family. But also for groups, couples and individuals.

Don't forget this is one of the exclusive things you can do in London (and the rest of the country) only in Easter.

London Motor Museum (UK)

This is a classic cars museum, and it rocks! I took my boyfriend there for a treat and he loved it. Well, to be honest, I loved it too! I think it is great for the whole family, to go with your friends and even with your date (although guys, don't take her there on your first date or she will think you only think in yourself ;) ). 

At the beginning I thought it was a tiny place, but there are more and more rooms the more you walk in. There are over 150 cars from all times! But not only cars, they also have motorcycles, boats, movie cars, bicycles, tractors, trunks and custom cars.

Basically, they have a bit of everything and most of the cars are in really good condition, some of them were so clean like this one.

Bodiam Castle- UK

1385, not less. This XIV beautiful castle is one of the best hidden secrets of England. It is even quite far from any population and it's surrounded by fields. And water as well :)  

The setting makes it magic. Green pastures there, clouds and rays of sunlight here and a moat that reflects ones and the others while a lot of ducks swim in their waters waiting for a human to feed them some bread. It looks like taken out of a fantastic story and it really makes you forget about the city's stress.

This places are good to make you exercise your imagination. Not only you spot the walls, you are already thinking about knight in their horses and lances, women dressed in period clothes with their blushed cheeks and how they did spend their time without internet and smartphones. 

I even imagined myself in that time, parties at the castle every week. The truth is that everyone that has visited the castle describes it as a fairy tale. From outside it looks like it's wholly build and from inside the owner will come to receive you with his servants and all their grace. 

Central Park- New York (USA)

You don't need to spend a lot of time on the park to realise why Newyorkers love their park. In a city full of skyscrapers, neons, long avenues, cars, taxis, noise, concrete and more concrete, having the luck of a green cosy and quiet area like Central Park, is a luxury.

When I say quiet I don't mean it's empty or boring. It's just the opposite. There are so many possible activities for kids, grown ups or pets... you won't get bored.

Unfortunately, I could not see the whole part, only a tenth part as I was travelling with people that have already been there and our agenda was quite strict. To be honest, I thought I would have time to go the following day again, but it was not possible. 48 hours are not enough. What a pity, I will have to come to New York again :)!

The park was finalished in 1873, following the idea of the big European parks like Hyde Park in London or Bois de Boulogne in Paris, to provide Newyorkers with an open air and natural space, away from the noise and the concrete. Although this is not the biggest park in the States (843 acres), is the most visited, 25 million people each year, above The Grand Canyon.

Top of The Rock- New York (USA)

Up there is Top of the Rock!

There are many places in New York from where you can see the skyscrapers from above. You can have a cocktail in one of the hundreds of roof bars in the coolest buildings, see them from your hotel or from one of the classic and massive steel giants. Top of the Rock at the  Rockefeller Center is one of them. Someone told me this, and not the Empire State, is the best place to see the city from the heights. But in my quick 48 hours visit there was no time for everything, so I will have to come back to be able to tell you.

Anyway, Rockefeller won't let you down. This is one of the busiest places in the city. Night and day. In fact, I could see for myself the extreme security, at the corner of the building where the Top of the Rock is, there was a policeman with the biggest gun I have ever seen. Bigger than in the movies, I mean. I tried to take a picture, but he was not keen of showing off and at the end I decided to give up as a picture is not as priceless.

As I was saying, all the area is quite busy. There are loads of people at the complex at night, enjoying the summer terraces, walking around or queueing to go to the top.

The entrance is where it says Observation Deck, 50th Street, next to Radio City Music Hall, other interesting place you might want to visit.