Lamborghini is a name synonymous with unparalleled luxury, speed, and innovative design in the automotive world. 

By MarkSweep - Own work, Public Domain, Link

However, the brand's influence extends beyond the roar of high-performance engines and sleek car designs into the realm of lifestyle and dining with Tonino Lamborghini Cafés. These upscale cafés, scattered across the globe, are more than just eateries; they are a celebration of the Lamborghini brand's ethos, offering a fusion of high-end dining, sophisticated ambiance, and an immersive brand experience. 

Sunrise over Delaware Memorial Bridge

We embark early in the morning on a road trip from Germantown, Maryland to Hamden, Connecticut driving up on northbound Interstate 95 along the east coast of the United States. On our way, we drive under the Patapsco River crossing the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, welcome the rising sun on the Susquehanna river and cross the Delaware River and the Hudson River. We drive five states in this road trip: Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

সোনার কেল্লা: The Golden Fortress, Jaisalmer

After exploring the "Blue City" of Jodhpur, we reach Jaisalmer - the "Golden City" of Rajasthan which shimmers like a mirage amidst the vast expanse of the Thar Desert. Its yellow sandstone ramparts, kissed golden by the desert sun, rise majestically above the dunes, whispering tales of a glorious past. But Jaisalmer is more than just a postcard-perfect desert paradise; it's a living tapestry woven with threads of history, culture and captivating charm.

Sunrise Camel Ride at Sam Dunes of Thar Desert

We head to the Thar desert of Rajasthan after a memorable visit to Jodhpur. We spend two nights in a tent camp at Sam sand dunes from where we ride camels and ATVs and experience a little of the ancient and rich culture of Rajasthan. In the next post, we also explore the epic living golden fortress-city of Jaisalmer.

Entrance of Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur (composite)

After checking out the Taj Mahal in dense smog, we drive off from Agra for a 600 km 12-hour drive to explore Jodhpur, Rajasthan which is often referred to as the "Sun City" or the "Blue City".

Monkeys at east gate of Taj Mahal

After spending christmas day exploring Kolkata, we take a Vistara flight to Delhi and hop into a minivan to drive the world-class 6-lane 165.5 KM long Yamuna Expressway toll road to Agra. We visit the Taj Mahal early next morning in the dense winter smog of southern Asia before continuing our journey to Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Sign at Kumartuli, Kolkata roughly translates to "no nuisance in front of the goddess (Kali)"

We reach Kolkata on the morning of December 24 after almost two full days of travel that started with a drive from our home in Washington, DC to New York's JFK to catch Kuwait Airlines' Dreamliners to New Delhi via Kuwait City followed by a Vistara Airlines A320-neo connecting to Kolkata.

Hassan II Mosque and Casablanca shoreline across Atlantic ocean from Cabano Beach

We catch a train from Fes to Casablanca and go around the charming city of Casablanca. Starting at Gare de Casa-Voyageurs train station, we visit numerous attractions across various districts (neighborhoods) of Casablanca, including the port of Casablanca, Rick's Cafe, the iconic Hassan II mosque, the gorgeous world-famous Cabano beach, the prosperous Anfa district, the Royal Golf course and Hippodrome race track, the bazaars and craft stores of Habbous district, Mohammed V Square, Zevaco dome and United Nations Square and much more. This is our Casablanca photo story.

Khrachfiyine Pont on Bou Khrareb river, Medina of Fez

After an epic sunrise camel ride back from our desert camp on Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga (see The Great Sahara of Morocco) and an unforgettable road trip from Merzouga to Fes over High and Middle Atlas mountain ranges and river valleys (see Merzouga to Fes Desert Road over High & Middle Atlas Mountain Ranges), we reach the ancient walled medina of Fez, the legendary Fes el Bali, at 5 PM.

The entire medina of the ancient 9th century city of Fes is a UNESCO world heritage site for good reason. "Founded in the 9th century, Fez reached its height in the 13th-14th centuries under the Marinids, when it replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the medina - madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - date from this period. Although the political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fez has retained its status as the country's cultural and spiritual centre", say UNESCO. 

Fes el-Bali, a magical 1.15 square miles in area, encloses within its ancient walls over 13,000 historic buildings including 11 theological schools of Islamic studies (madrasas), 320 mosques, 270 dars (B&Bs and hostels) and funduqs (inns and hotels), and over 200 Moorish bathhouses and hammams connected by over 10,000 pedestrian-only streets, a vast majority of which are really narrow 3-foot wide alleys. About 160,000 people live inside Fes el-Bali today. Automobiles are not allowed inside, making it the world’s largest car-free medieval city.

National Highway N13 near Zebzat

We overnighted in a tent beside towering wind-blown sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in Great Sahara desert (long story at The Great Sahara of Morocco: Canyons of Todra Gorge, Farm on Tinghir Oasis, Amazigh Carpets and Riding Camels Over Merzouga High Erg Chebbi Dunes to Desert Camp Deep in Ocean of Orange Sand). In this photo story we start the day early at sunrise to ride camels back to Merzouga. We then drive to Fes crossing High Atlas and Middle Atlas mountain ranges across Ziz Valley, Al-Hassan Addakhil Lake, Zaabal Tunnel, Enzala Mosque, Midelt, Boulajoul (for lunch), the Monkey Park and Ifrane.