When we mainly stayed in hotels when we travelled we rarely went to supermarkets. Perhaps just to pick up bottles of water and some cold beers, maybe some snacks. But hotels became increasingly strict about what you could take into rooms, many installing mini-bars with sensors so that the moment you shifted something to clear space … Read more
It’s rare that I devote an edition of Take-Homes to one shop. In the eleven months of our grand tour, I’ve done it just three times before, in Ceret (La Boheme, a shop keeping traditional Catalan fabric alive), Bali (Threads of Life, a fair-trade textiles and crafts co-op), and San Miguel de Allende (Ave Maria, … Read more
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, or Kapalı Çarşı in Turkish, at Beyazit, near Sultanahmet, is undoubtedly touristy, so it’s going to have to be my guilty pleasure on this ‘living like locals’ grand tour of ours. Because as much as I love the brilliant shops at Beyoğlu, nothing beats shopping the Grand Bazaar. Why Go to the … Read more
The best Masai Mara take-homes include handicrafts, art and beaded jewellery sold in the Masai Mara villages. By buying directly from artisans, you know your money is going to those who need it most. But for many tourists, buying Masai Mara souvenirs in the villages can be stressful, with the haggling making many so uncomfortable … Read more
I have a confession: I adore dulce de leche, Argentina’s very special version of milk caramel. And this is really saying something, because I’m not the kind of person who obsesses over chocolate or gets cravings for sugary treats. Another confession: I’ve been known to spend three months in Italy and not lick a single … Read more