Get Thee to a Convent in Old San Juan

El Convento, originally a 17th century Carmelite convent, has been listed as one of the world’s best places to stay by both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines.

By Anita Draycott

El Convento, originally a 17th century Carmelite convent, has been listed as one of the world’s best places to stay by both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines. It’s difficult to believe that this Old San Juan landmark, kitty-corner to the town’s Cathedral, served as a dance hall and flophouse before becoming member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Take breakfast al fresco under the shade of an ancient loquat tree in the central patio and try the banana nut pancakes with maple syrup.

El Convento guests can enjoy the vibe of Spanish colonial San Juan, plus Puerto Rico’s surf scene because they have Beach Club privileges at El Convento’s sister properties on the sands of Condado Beach.

Marrakech: Feast for the senses in Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakech is an ancient caravan town, a gathering place where Arabs and Berbers mingle with Sahara nomads and mountain people.

By Anita Draycott

I felt like I had just stepped into a movie. Snake charmers, teeth yankers, fortune tellers, acrobats, water carriers—good guys, bad guys all putting on their nightly performance in Jemaa el Fna square, in the marvelous mayhem that is Marrakech.

Each evening as the sun starts to set the cast assembles, setting up stalls of street-food delicacies ranging from massive cauldrons of snails brewing in a mirky broth to lamb kabobs hissing on charcoal fires. Circling the square is a non-stop throng of rusty bicycles and mopeds, mangy donkeys pulling wagons, rattling petite taxis honking their horns. Marrakech is an ancient caravan town, a gathering place where Arabs and Berbers mingle with Sahara nomads and mountain people. Morocco is a feast for the senses and twilight at Jemaa el Fna assaults all of them.

Visit Aberdeen Area’s Best Castles in Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Explore magnificent castles located throughout Aberdeen.

• Delgatie Castle

The home of the late Captain Hay of Delgatie, the castle has displays of fine paintings, armoury and Victorian clothes combined with the atmosphere of a lived in home. The castle has largely been in the Hay family for the last 650 years. It was taken from the Earl of Buchan after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, when Robert the Bruce routed the invading English army. Mary Queen of Scots stayed at Delgatie for three days after the Battle of Cirrichie in 1562. Her bedchamber is on view to visitors.

• Haddo House

Unusual for Aberdeenshire in that it is not a castle, Haddo House is proud to be the most homely of the north-east of Scotland’s great houses open to the public. Designed by William Adam for the 2nd Earl of Aberdeen in 1732, but refurbished in the 1880s, the House elegantly blends crisp Georgian architecture with sumptuous late Victorian interiors by Wright and Mansfield. Haddo also boasts a terrace garden with geometric rose beds and fountain, commemorative trees, a lavish herbaceous border and secluded glades and knolls. A magnificent avenue of lime trees leads to Haddo Country Park with its lakes, monuments, walks and wildlife.

• Huntly Castle

Magnificent castle ruins including 12th-century motte and palace block erected in the 16th and 17th centuries. The architectural details and heraldic enrichments are particularly impressive. Eleven steps lead to the raised area where the castle stands. The castle can be viewed from outside and there is an interpretation board giving information about the property. Known also as Strathbogie Castle, the glorious ruin stands on the bank of the River Deveron. It is in itself a history lesson in the development of the Scottish castle from the earliest Norman fortress to the palace of the 17th century. The remains of a 12th century motte and bailey, a medieval L-plan tower house, and defence earthworks of the Civil War are still visible. The most striking features are the splendid heraldic doorway and carved fireplaces.

• Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle offers an unforgettable experience. A dramatic and evocative ruined cliff top fortress in a truly stunning setting. The extensive buildings - from the keep through the barracks, lodgings, stables and storehouses to the less-ruinous chapel and drawing room - underline the importance of Dunnottar, an impregnable Castle that holds many rich secrets of Scotland’s colourful past. William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, the Marquis of Montrose and the future King Charles II, all graced the Castle with their presence. Most famously though, it was at Dunnottar Castle that a small garrison held out against the might of Cromwell’s army for eight months and saved the Scottish Crown Jewels, the ‘Honours of Scotland’, from destruction. Crown, sceptre and sword now take pride of place in Edinburgh Castle.

• Fyvie Castle

Dating back to the 13th century, Fyvie Castle is located a mile north of the village of Fyvie in Aberdeenshire. This stunning castle was once a royal stronghold, one of a chain of fortresses throughout medieval Scotland. The oldest part of the castle still stands today, dating from the 13th century, which houses a great wheel staircase, the finest in Scotland. Contemporary panelling and plaster ceilings survive in the 17th-century Morning Room and the opulence of the Edwardian era is reflected in the interiors created by the first Lord Leith of Fyvie. A rich portrait collection is also found in the castle including works by Batoni, Raeburn and Hoppner; and there is a fine collection of arms and armour and 17th-century tapestries. The grounds and loch were designed as landscaped parkland in the early 19th century. The 18th-century walled garden has been redeveloped as a celebration of Scottish fruits and vegetables.

• Balmoral Castle

Set amongst the magnificent scenery of Royal Deeside, in the shadows of Lochnagar is the Balmoral Estate. Purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848, the Estate has been the Scottish home of the British Royal Family ever since. The Estate covers about 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) of heather clad hills and ancient Caledonian woodland, with the beautiful River Dee nearby.
Over the past 150 years, careful stewardship by The Royal Family has preserved the wildlife, scenery and architecture which is available for all generations to enjoy. In her journals Queen Victoria even went so far as to describe Balmoral as "my dear paradise in the Highlands".
The Royal Family are still in residence at Balmoral for a portion of the year, with the grounds, gardens and exhibitions closed to the public during August, September and early October.

• Castle Fraser

About 16 miles west of Aberdeen is the stunning Castle Fraser, one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses. Built between 1575 and 1636 by the 6th laird, Michael Fraser, Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland. The castle belongs to the same period of native architectural achievement as two neighbouring castles, Crathes and Craigievar. One of the castle’s most evocative rooms is the strikingly simple Great Hall. The castle contains many Fraser family portraits, including one by Raeburn, and fine 18th- and 19th-century carpets, curtains and bed hangings, and even Charles Mackenzie Fraser's wooden leg! The estate contains a flight pond, mixed woodland and open farmland, with two waymarked walks giving magnificent views of the local hills.

• Crathes Castle

Crathes Castle is surrounded by woodland to the east of Banchory in the Aberdeenshire countryside. This late 16th century castle, with connections to King Robert the Bruce, provides a memorable experience with its towers, turrets and stories of its resident ghosts. King Robert the Bruce granted the lands of Leys to the Burnett family in 1323: the ancient Horn of Leys, which can be seen today in the Great Hall, marks his gift. The castle, built in the second half of the 16th century, is a superb example of a tower house of the period. Some of the rooms still retain their original painted ceilings and collections of family portraits and furniture. A visit is enhanced by the 1.5 hectares of walled garden, which incorporates herbaceous borders and many unusual plants, providing a wonderful display at all times of the year. The great yew hedges, fascinating examples of the art of topiary, date from as early as 1702

• Corgarff Castle

Corgarff Castle, dating back from the 16th century, sits in the tranquil Aberdeenshire countryside.
Situated in stunning scenery with magnificent views, this tower house is thought to have been built in 1550 before being converted into a barracks for government troops in 1748. The castle’s last military use was to control the smuggling of illicit whisky between 1827 and 1831. Today the site is still complete with its 18th century star-shaped fortification.

So have you been to the desert in Chile?

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Northern Chile is as diverse as the south but home of so many hidden geological and archaeological treasures

Tatio Geyser 

Calama is the gateway to the wonders of Chile’s high central desert and with less than 5mm of rainfall a year; it’s known to be one of the driest deserts in the world.   This area is very rich in natural resources recognizing Chile as the world’s largest producer of copper and sodium nitrate. 

Our private transfer would take about 50 minutes viewing unforgettable landscape to our final destination San Pedro.  Being over 2400 M above sea level you’ll want to take it easy as you may experience mild altitude sickness.  The spectacular Licancabur volcano presents a magnificent setting against the eternal blue sky for San Petro.  The beautiful Kunza Hotel & Spa would be my home for the next three nights.  This property offers 60 spacious rooms with various configurations, full service spa, on site excursion tour guides and complete meeting facilities.  The temperature in March during the day would be 26- 28C but the evening would quickly cool off and you’d welcome a warm fire.  The clear dark night’s promises to deliver a privileged star gazing experience and an opportunity to view constellations only viewed in the Southern Hemisphere. 

My first tour was Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moons) located about 19 km from San Pedro, in the Salt Mountains.  The impressive panoramic views with variations of coloured rocks and sand will no doubt resemble the surface of the moon.  Your tour will end with your return to the hotel about 8:00 pm but it’s an early night because the next morning will begin at 4:30 am

I would recommend for you to sit back and relax for the next 90 minutes while the bus begins climbing to an altitude of 4300m to the El Tatio Geysers best seen at dawn.  The roads twist and wind and at times you will wonder if the vehicle is actually driving on the side of the road.  What a beautiful site revealed when you arrive to see the valley of smoldering geysers.  This geothermal attraction also offers visitors a thermal pool and believe me people are not shy to remove their layers of clothes and jump in.  Once the sun rises, the valley comes alive and the scenery will delight any photographer.  If you are lucky when heading back, you may spot a herd of guanacos while admiring the magnificent views of the Andes Mountains.  The extraordinary natural scenery will provide an enjoyable return ride.

My last tour was to visit the Atacama Salt Flats, the largest in Chile.  Andean flamingos as well as other bird species can be found in this National reserve.   As far as the eye can see, you view white sharp coral like formations of crusty dried salt.  Although you feel this land is desolate and unproductive; think the opposite!  The natural resources in this area are very valuable.

How quickly my three days passed! My experience to the Atacama Desert was unlike any I have ever had and I will treasure the memories of each adventure.

This article was written by Esther Roemmele.

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