Riad Dixneuf (19) La Ksour: African Chic in Marrakech

Morocco was one of those places I had always dreamed of visiting. Imagine a country located in Africa with people that speak Berber, French or Arabic. It is a destination that makes you realize why traveling is the best way to experience the world. 

To start this Moroccan love affair, I went only to Marrakech - the center of this country's tourism. I wanted to get a feel of the city without having to rush exploring it. As you get older, I think you learn that traveling is not about numbers. It is about taking it slow in order to enjoy the beauty and (sometimes) chaos of a place. I decided to fly from Barcelona to Marrakech, with a stopover in Casablanca, since it was a practical route when traveling to this region. 

I was certain that I would be staying in a Riad first since this was a unique accommodation in Morocco (I will be writing about La Mamounia and Amanjena after). A riad, which means garden, is basically a traditional Moroccan house with a central courtyard. If it does not have a garden in the central courtyard, it is called Dar or house. 

There are hundreds of Riads in Marrakech and picking the right one for you could be quite a challenge. I picked Riad Dixneuf La Ksour or Riad 19, a boutique hotel that has that African chic vibe, only minutes away from the grand Koutobia mosque. 

The Siam Hotel: An Urban Oasis in Bangkok

Sometimes, the difference between a good trip and a great trip is the hotel choice. Let me introduce my new love in Bangkok - the most luxurious resort in the capital - The Siam Hotel. This property has 39 Art Deco inspired suites and villas that could change the hotel game in the city. The impressive design and atmosphere of  the Siam reminded me of my favorite hotels in Siem Reap - The Park Hyatt and Shinta Mani. It did not come as a surprise when I found out that architect/designer Bill Bensley was one of the people behind it. It had Bensley written all over it.

Be Grand Resorts Bohol: A Vacation with a Mission

Our 5-day holiday in Be Grand Resorts Bohol was quite special, to say the least. I had not yet fully recovered from my 1-month trip in Europe and Morocco but there I was a going on another vacation. When I got invited to go back to Panglao Island and stay in one of the newest five-star resorts, I could not have imagined a better place to recover from my serious case of jet lag. 

Since I was no longer a Bohol virgin, I wanted to experience something new in this island province.

Panglao has always been a fantastic alternative to frenetic Boracay and other beach destinations. Sometimes though, you still want more to inspire you. Be Grand Resorts was able to help me find that inspiration. 

Favorite Travel Photos of 2015 To Inspire You

Last year was one of my best years for travel. I took more than 30,000 photos using my Iphone and Nikon DLSR to document my trips. Here are some of my favorites:

1) Amankila. This resort's signature three-tired infinity pool with a spectacular view of the Lombok straight was one straight out of a Balinese dream. This seductive resort with black-sand beaches and serene private villas should definitely be on your wish list this 2016.