The writer, TV presenter and adventurer’s new book sees her starting over in Morocco – she talks breaking barriers, Bogart fantasies and life on the outside…
Your new book, My 1,001 Nights, begins with you starting over in Morocco. How did that happen?
I went from being a CEO, running a UK quango, to cycling Africa on the Tour d’Afrique – 12,000km across four months. I left the rat race for a bike race. Then, when I signed up for a new adventure, running the Marathon des Sables [a 251km desert race], I moved to Marrakech to train. I thought I’d be here five months; it’s now five years.
What was it that made you stay?
Morocco is only 14km from Europe across the Strait of Gibraltar, but it’s a world away. One minute you’re in the Sahara climbing the dunes, the next you’re in Fez exploring ancient medinas. Parts in the north even look like Switzerland, with chalets, pointed roofs and snow. Then there are the magnificent, frantic cities, such as Marrakech, and the Atlas Mountains, where clay-built Berber villages cling to ledges.
Do you feel like an insider now?
Esta historia es de la edición June 2019 de Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
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Esta historia es de la edición June 2019 de Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
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Vermont, USA
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Unique North America
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From historic ski lodges to rustic backcountry cabins and a mock-Scottish castle, we pick the stays in Canada's Rocky Mountains that make the most of their setting
A new dawn for the Garifuna community
When the Garifuna people settled in Belize, they had to carry their traditions and culture with them; now a new trail is inviting visitors to explore this heritage through local communities
On the edge of history
In south-west Colorado lies the largest archaeological preserve in the USA, a series of vast cliff dwellings whose residents 'vanished' overnight. But was the answer to their disappearance in plain sight?
Tigers burning bright
As India celebrates 50 years of its Project Tiger conservation scheme, we visit the reserves of Madhya Pradesh to see how its success has impacted a tiger population that once looked in danger of disappearing
SEASON'S GREETINGS
From fiery fall foliage to art fairs and harvest festivals, opens up a wealth of across the USA and Canada autumn experiences
Waking a sleeping GIANT
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The rebirth of old JEDDAH
As efforts to restore Al-Balad, Jeddah's historical district, take hold, we get an exclusive peek at how art and culture are taking centre stage
Star-studded escapes
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