A lifetime of
looking closely.

In my early twenties, I worked hard and saved so that, when the opportunity came, I could experience another part of the world. Culture was always the first attraction: daily life, the welcome you receive and what makes a place feel entirely its own.

I sought out exceptional hotels and spas, but I was just as drawn to buildings with history and a strong connection to their surroundings. One stay that deserves its name here is Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard Branson’s retreat near Asni, in the High Atlas Mountains beyond Marrakech.

I have always associated it with his mother, Eve. The family story helps explain why: Eve and Ted Branson discovered the property and encouraged Richard to buy it and turn it into a retreat. It had been the home of antiques dealer and interior designer Luciano Tempo, whose collection helped furnish the hotel when it opened in 2005. That is a wonderful starting point for a conversation about interiors: a place shaped by objects gathered over a lifetime.

During that trip, I went into the mountains and was welcomed into local stone homes. I remember the beautiful teapots and the care taken over brewing and serving sweet mint tea. There were tagines and tangerines, and such a generous welcome. The ritual was as memorable as anything I saw in the hotel. I still love mint tea, although with rather less sugar!

For me, those experiences belong together: a remarkable place to stay and the opportunity to understand a little of the life around it. I came home remembering the hospitality, the materials and the way even a small everyday object could have such character.

The same is true of Boracay in the Philippines and the coast of Vietnam. On journeys through Vietnam, stopping for a meal on someone’s veranda was a wonderful experience. The setting could be simple; the welcome made it memorable.