Getting the flavour of…
A king of couture in Morocco
Yves Saint Laurent is having a moment, with new museums dedicated to his work opening this year in Paris and Marrakech. The fashion designer owned a house in the latter, and you can see how it influenced his life and work at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, says Louise Roddon in The Times. Set beside the Jardin Majorelle – the oasis garden created by Jacques Majorelle in 1924 and purchased by Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé in 1980 – it is a “vibrant” place, with regularly changing displays of photography and painting. In the windowless, black-walled space at its heart, recordings of Saint Laurent and his confidante Catherine Deneuve provide a sense of intimacy, while 50 elegant black mannequins model some of his most beautiful couture creations, including Moroccan-inspired robes in “dazzling” colours. See www.museeyslmarrakech.com for more information.
An unspoiled Greek island A sign at its main harbour reads “Welcome. No one will find you here” – and the seahorse-shaped Greek island of Amorgos is indeed a wonderful escape from the modern world, says Rachel Howard in Condé Nast Traveller. Featured in the 1988 film The Big Blue, it is the easternmost of the Cyclades, six hours by ferry from Athens, 30km long but home to fewer than 2,000 people. The ancient Monastery of Hozoviotissa, wedged into a cliff face 300 metres above the sea, is its most spectacular sight, but its charm lies also in the tiny old villages tucked into the folds of its steep valleys, in its isolated beaches, its “sage-scented” hiking paths and even – for less reclusive visitors – in its handful of charming café bars (Kamari is best for sunset views). The island’s best villa, Amorgos 1L, sleeps ten from £6,220pw (020-8422 4885, www.fivestargreece.com).
Escape to Elephanta Visitors to Mumbai seeking a break from its hectic pace should take the short ferry ride to Elephanta Island, says Leo Mirani in 1843 magazine. Formerly known as Gharapuri, the island was renamed by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century after a huge stone pachyderm they found there. The elephant has since been removed to Mumbai’s Jijamata Udyan; what remains is a spectacular set of cave temples covered with “intricate” reliefs of gods and goddesses that were carved by the Chalukya dynasty in the seventh century AD. Drop by the Chalukya restaurant afterwards for “simple” Indian meals, cold beer and a fine view of the Mumbai skyline. Ampersand Travel (0207819 9770; www.ampersandtravel.com) has a four-night trip from £1,085pp, including flights and private speedboat transfer.