Autumn 2025 Newsletter

Dear MCB

In Victoria we have enjoyed a long, hot, albeit dry summer – bliss for many despite a larger water bill than usual that has produced these joyful dahlias.

Life has felt topsy turvy rather like the world at large, hence an extended moratorium on social media, except for necessary communications, such as curating a dozen bespoke itineraries for private clients. Hence the long delay in writing to you dear reader. Mea Culpa.

In recent months I attended to a second hip replacement (another brilliant life changing success with a brilliant Melbourne surgeon – if you want a recommendation), cataract procedures, family visiting from USA/Mexico for a family wedding and the festive season, followed by six weeks in India conducting three tours (more below).

The year is flying by, but I wanted to let you know about the tours scheduled for later this year, in the event you are hankering for an all inclusive, beautifully immersive small group tour where everything has been thought about.

I trust this finds you finding joy in the day to day.
With my warmest wishes, and looking forward to your patronage.
Happy trails
Marieke

PORTUGAL DISCOVERED 18 September – 1 October 4 spaces Left.

I resurrected this tour last September, after many years, and was joined by a dynamic group of eight energetic guests. Our youngest member was a twenty seven year old creative who works in the hospitality industry to a fabulous eighty year old travelling with her daughters. It was so special to be a so multi-generational, and hopefully puts paid to the idea held by some that they prefer to travel with their own age group. In the words of one guest: “Portugal was a total delight and a truly enriching, educational and enjoyable place to explore. Once again, Marieke’s thoughtfully curated itinerary enabled us to savour the sights, tastes, art, culture and fascinating history in the most immersive and authentic of ways. We covered a lot of territory so were able to appreciate diverse landscapes, gorgeous accommodations, captivating tales of history – and exceptional Portuguese food and wine served with welcoming generosity everywhere we went! Like Marieke’s incredible Morocco trip, this wonderful tour will live long in our memory. “ The gentle Portuguese favour Fado (and you’ll have a stirring private performance in Lisbon), fabulous crusty bread, buttery cheeses, gorgeous coffee served in ubiquitous pastelarias and prefer deep red wines and robust dishes such as cataplana that marries pork and clams, arroz de pato, (succulent duck rice), an abundance of Atlantic seafood, most often simply grilled and of course, the mother of all custard tarts, Pasteis de Nata. There is unsurprisingly also a new wave of contemporary cuisine being led by young chefs. Highlights include: ·       3 nights in dynamic Lisbon, now Europe’s hippest city ·       The less visited Alentejo region renowned for its wine and food ·       Guided walks in historic World Heritage towns as Evora, Marvao and Coimbra ·       2 nights in the Douro Valley one of the world’s most ravishing wine regions ·       Luxury boutique accommodations ·       A maximum of ten guests TO READ MORE + BOOK NOW

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MAGNIFICENT MOROCCO 6 – 21 October Bookings Closing

This is our seventh tour in Morocco since starting there in 2016, with a long hiatus due to the pandemic. This vast kingdom that through the centuries has embraced Arabic, Persian, Andalusian and French influences, has many landscapes from rugged snow clad Atlas Mountains, to palm tree oases and gorges hiding ancient kasbahs, the Sahara sand dunes and a long coastline along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. I have slowed the pace a little for this program focusing on those destinations that exude the deep history and culture, staying in small boutique properties that express the magic of her craftsmanship: zellige tilework, fountain centred courtyards, tadelakt surfaces, Berber rugs. Highlights include,·       sleeping in the rocky, spartan Agafay dunes under desert stars,·       ancient imperial cities, souks, spices and Berber villages,·       traditional crafts and Moorish gardens,·       stunning scenery and wonderful Moroccan hospitality·       the chance of a morning cooking class Morocco is an eye-opening example of modern and extremely sophisticated Islamic culture – tolerant of all belief systems; well-ordered cities and infra structure; beautifully preserved monuments; stunning craftsmanship, a dazzling aesthetic, spell-binding scenery and inordinately generous people. READ MORE + BOOK NOW

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INDIA early 2026 – Bookings are rolling in, so Register Your Interest + Request a Brochure

Jaipur Literary Festival 12 – 20 January 2026 This was a sell-out success earlier this year. Most of my guests availed themselves of the Friends of the Festival pass that brings additional privileges sich as the Gala Performance at majestic Amber Fort and the glamorous Writer’s ball. The tour begins and ends in Delhi. Spaces are limited, though we can make bespoke arrangements for your book reading group. Deluxe accommodation is in Jaipur’s newest 9-key boutique property, a gorgeous light filled house with bespoke block printed textiles, soothing garden, library, plunge pool, with wonderful food and managed by truly charming, knowledgeable, generous and gregarious hosts. HIGHLIGHTS: – a day in Delhi to appreciate India’s astounding heritage, arts and crafts; – a day in Jaipur to visit her most significant monuments; – an optional day in Jaipur at the end, to visit the artists behind some of her most exceptional ateliers and get a retail fix in this designer’s paradise. The option to then take a mini extension to Rajasthan’s magical rural artistic heartland, or join our Pre or Post Tour. READ MORE

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DETAILS COMING SOON: Pre and Post JLF Tours – may be done as stand alone tours or in combination with the Jaipur Literary festival. Pre Tour: Kolkata + Ancient India 5-14 January Post Tour: Rajasthan’s Roads Less Travelled and Ahmedabad (Gujarat) 20 January – 2 February

Pre Tour This tour starts in the thriving “City of Joy”, India’s least touristy but fascinating city. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora caves recognised for their architectural and artistic significance in early Buddhism. Three nights are spent at truly awe inspiring Hampi, former capital of the mighty Vijayanagar Empire that flourished in the 14th- 16th C. Return to Delhi or join us in Jaipur for the Literary festival.

Post Tour Leaving from bustling vibrant Jaipur, this tour incorporates some of my all time favourite places: an incomparable restored haveli north of Jaipur, followed by the most impressive preserved fort in Rajasthan where you sleep in the original queens chambers, then a unique haveli owned by a long time resident and designer in Jodhpur focusing on the textile arts, before a tranquil spell in dramatic Leopard country, a brief interlude at Rajasthan’s only hill station, ending three nights in Ahmedabad, India’s first Unesco Urban World Heritage Site with fabulous architecture, food and markets.

INDIAN ART FAIR 31 January – 8 February 2026 I have partnered with Michelle Paterson and Louise Rush, owners of M.Contemporary Gallery in Sydney to arrange their first foray into India on a M Curated tour to Delhi during India’s most significant art week centred around the 17th Edition of the Indian art fair. They invite you to join a small group of ten art lovers to next year’s Art Fair, that having just run its 16th edition, has matured in size and diversity, becoming one of the largest in Asia, on par with Art Singapore and Art Dubai, with over 120 galleries and more than 40 new and young artists participating from South Asia, giving the exhibition a decidedly subcontinental flavour, showcasing a compelling mix of emerging and established talent from both the region and abroad.. It included a widening arc of foreign participants like Lisson Gallery, David Swirner and attendance from local and international audiences, including figures from The Royal Academy of Arts, the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Dia Art Foundation and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. There is now also a new Design section. HIGHLIGHTS: Participants will reside in one of Delhi’s most elegant hotels with VIP entrance to the Fair, access to private collections, exclusive visits to galleries such as Kiran Nadar and Nature Morte, a day exploring Lodhi Colony and Lutyen’s Delhi and the last two days visiting the fabled UNESCO Heritage sites – the Taj Mahal, One of the Seven Wonders of the World, and Fatephur Sikri.

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Highlights so far this year:

Maha Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj (Allahabad) Jan 2025 We promised but could never guarantee it to be a Once in a Lifetime, Offered Once Only, Extraordinary India Experience, conducted every 12 years. To my surprise, indeed thrilled astonishment, seventeen intrepid guests signed up for this and it WAS! – for former patrons of previous India tours, private clients who have loved our bespoke curated journeys, and spiritually inclined friends, all led under the capable expertise of my long time collaborator and Indian guide, Durgaji.

Martin Grant Retrospective at the NGV now until 26 January 2026. Not to be Missed. Not just because I’ve known Martin all his life – his grandmother Nancy, one of my mum’s best friends taught me to sew – but it’s simple one of the best fashion shows I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been to many. The curation is brilliant. The superb lighting allows a close encounter with his exquisitely tailored clothes that are timeless modern classics. His creative processes and many collaborations with the likes of Polly Borland and Roslyn Piggott are illuminated with photos, sketches and memorabilia.

The Book on Everyone’s Lips. Samantha Harvey’s Booker prize for her fifth novel, Orbital has everyone praising it being the most beautifully written magical, poetic love letter to the universe, to the beauty of Earth; the awe-inspiring experience of space travel that engenders a reflection on the delicate balance of life on our planet. “It’s an Anthropocene book resistant to doom”.

BESPOKE Journeys for private groups: We can expertly privatise any of our journeys according to guests’ interests. Feel free to schedule a Zoom or WhatsApp call to discuss your dream trip.

Adios. Please share this newsletter with friends. We look forward to welcoming you on a trip soon, whether it be imminently real, vicarious or armchair fanciful. Warm wishes, Marieke