Polyswitch 

Casablanca

Imagined by architect Pierre Bousquet in 1918, Marche Central is a staple "Souk" market located in the heart of Casablanca and emblematic heritage locals take pride in. Known particularly for its fresh offerings of local fish, but also meats, vegetables, rare spics and flowers, Marche Central represents a cultural experience, always a great pick for lunch and a walk in the surroundings. 

Every local can attest the best juices and smoothies in town are pressed here, I tried all the juices and they're all worth a shot. Open 24/7, the prices are reasonable and the staff are very friendly even when the orders come in heavy. 

To me, this place represents the true feel of a sunny local cafe terrace, perfect for reading a book or ideating about your next project. Bring your pastries from the corner, order a mint tea and enjoy the atmosphere. 

My gateway to Casablanca of the past, the Habbous neighbourhood is a pleasant and magical area. The ideal spot for those who seek Moroccan authenticity in Casablanca, aimed at an idealised version of the old Medina, located in one of the most ancient districts in town, its narrow alleys are charming to stroll around in. You can follow the arches and they will lead you to neat open-air markets, bookshops and bazaars. With such a serene aura, time spent in is assured to prevail over the bustling city life. 

Established in 1950, this place never disappoints, I've been coming over since my childhood. They offer a fabulous selection of ice cream and desserts in an impeccable context and beautiful decor, inarguably the best in town. The menu is extensive but, I don't think they have a bad flavour. 

My favourite spot to watch sunsets and sunrises from in Casablanca. 

A record store that knew how to portray the spirit of the city, "DISQUES GAM" was more than just a music store, it was the leading institution that generously served Casablanca, and the country as a whole with music for over 50 years, a goldmine for any record collector. Established by a very passionate and resilient man, "Boujemaa" was the last survivor of the many record stores Casablanca had back in the day, he always believed in vinyl as the best format, and he was right.

"Boujemaa" passed just a few years ago but his legacy will live on forever.

The 7 Best Places to Visit in Casablanca with Polyswitch

Rose Bonica

Cape Town

Our local vinyl store, run by a group of really amazing people. They describe it as a “community record store for colourful music”. Check out their online store and The Other Radio that brings you shows hosted by a whole selection of South African artists and DJs.

There's no way you can visit Cape Town without driving along Chapmans Peak and getting a photo at the Lookout Point. For people who live here, Chappies is still one of the go to spots on a Sunday drive. I mean how can it not be with a view like this.

Definitely one of my most nostalgic spots, having gone to Llandudno Primary. The sunsets from here are insane! If I’m honest, it's also one of the only beaches I'd go to if I liked to go to the beach.

If you want the best fish and chips in Cape Town. If you disagree, you can always feed the fish to the seagulls.

One of the few clubs that we have in Cape Town. Champagne and NTSC are my favourite nights. Some of their other nights are great too, if you're looking for a bit more of a Berlin techno vibe.

I recently went to the Aquarium to film a live stream and it's definitely my new favourite spot in Cape Town. The best part is that most of the sea life are rescues getting rehabilitated to get put back into the ocean.

The perfect little village to escape to when the city becomes too much. The beach is beyond and there's a beautiful Lake at the end of the beach to float around in when the waves get too much.

Party in an Aquarium? Welcome to Cape Town

Uèle Lamore

Paris

My little secret here! This library always has crazy sales on beautiful artbooks. I when I mean crazy I mean a book that was 100 euros is now 10 euros. Thanks to this shop my apartment is full of fancy books that make me look really smart.

This venue is actually inside a peniche boat located in one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Paris. I discovered so many indie bands there, such as one of my favourite groups: Kikagaku Moyo. 

This place is both a venue and a bar. It has a really laid-back atmosphere and there is always some kind of exhibition going on at the same time. You can have drinks at the bar, eat something nice and then go see a show all at once. Great during daytime as well to relax!

I'm a big cocktail drinker, and one you talk of cocktail bars, one might imagine this sterile, quiet, super stuck-up spot. Well, first time I went to Blue Bird I thought I had entered a crazy town (in a good way), it has this 70's retro western feel to it. The atmosphere is really exciting and the bartenders are some of the funniest people I know. Go there past 9pm for some action!

Another bookstore located between the Marais and Republique neighbourhoods. They have a big selection of indie magazines, and rare books. Pro tip: you can negotiate the prices depending on what you are buying!

Paris is all about chilling and the Coulee Verte is made just for that. It is an abandoned system of train tracks that circle the city and have been rehabilitated as a walking spot. There are many entrances all over the town to access it, I recommend getting to the tracks by the Bastille entrance and walking all the way to Bercy.

If you ever want to buy an instrument, head to this historical street located in Pigalle where all the shops of vintage and new gear are. From synths to guitar pedals, there is a shop for everything.

A Guide to Parisian Culture with Uèle Lamore

Farhot

Hamburg

Guess there’s always a rich and a rotten side in the area around any train station. Well, at least in Germany. This one’s defo not the posh side – sex shops, backyard mosques, junkies, pawnbrokers, and you won’t spot too many blonde folks around here. But you can find lots of great Middle Eastern food joints like Akdeniz Tantuni.

Doner Kebab might be the most popular Turkish food in Germany but to me, Tantuni, which is also a type of kebab, is defo in a yumminess league above. If you love kebab, try this!

Feels and tastes like home. This restaurant is named after the Hindu Kush mountain range that stretches through Afghanistan, so if my mom doesn’t have time to cook up something delish on a Sunday, this is where I get great Afghan cuisine.

I just love Vietnamese street food! Lately many places that offer pho and such have been popping up around town but to me this is definitely the best place to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine in Hamburg. Normally, you’d find me at their branch close to the main train station.

Good movies are a blessing and one of my main sources of inspiration. I’ve watched countless great movies at this art-house cinema right in the heart of the university district. Hope they’ll be able to open up soon because I miss that big screen feeling.

Want to get away from the city and just enjoy some peace in nature? Then just grab a bike and cycle along the Dove Elbe, which is the rough, untouched lower part of the Elbe River. Ok, I really think I’m getting old.

Hamburg has always been big on trade and is home to the world’s biggest warehouse district. Here, you can see how goods are delivered and maybe get a discount on oriental rugs if you buy them directly from wholesalers like my dad. The classic architecture of the warehouses is a great contrast to the ultramodern Hafencity buildings.

Greasy! That’s what this little Korean food joint is. Doesn’t really look inviting at all but the food is damn delicious. If you love deep fried food chicken as much as I do, then this is the place to go. Oh yeah, and make sure to check out our KABUL FIRE “DEEP FRIED” PLAYLIST for some extra crispy beats!

If you’ve been feasting on too much greasy food during your stay in HH city and feel the need to burn off some calories, I recommend hitting the Gorilla Gym. From boxing to Yoga. For grown-ups and kids.

Explore Hamburg with Farhot

Shay Lia

Abidjan

The Bushman Cafe Hotel is a necessary stop in Abidjan! It’s a hotel, an art gallery, a creative space, a rooftop bar and a cafe all in one. What makes it so special is the decor - it’s tastefully filled with that 70’s afro-aesthetic I can’t get enough of. The abundance of intriguing sculpture, prints, colours, art and plants is incredible and you leave feeling different. That level of beauty gives a sense of freedom and stimulation that is enhanced by the spirit of this place. You’ll see people going to their singing or yoga class in the art gallery, while others will be in the cafe looking for their calm, others will be laughing out loud on the rooftop at the restaurant!

Le Cafe des Jardins is a new, very modern cafe with a western approach and design to it. It has that green, soothing and relaxing set up. There aren’t that many places like that in Abidjan. The food is absolutely delicious. I recommend the fish skewers or the salmon with peanut butter sauce. The desserts are all very delicious too! If you're looking for a young, refreshing restaurant with a European aesthetic and a more elevated dining experience, this is for you.

The Ivorian soil is so abundant. Every direction you look in, you see green. It feels like one big jungle so there are garden centres everywhere in Abidjan. They don’t have a specific name or a registered address (like many places in Africa) but they are definitely worth mentioning. It’s an affordable way to sight-see too! I took this picture at my favourite one, in the neighbourhood I stay in.


Everyone who’s been to Abidjan knows about the CAVA. Translated from French, these four letters stand for “The Crafted Centre of the City of Abidjan”. It is the best place to buy authentic handcrafted gifts. It looks like a small village where all merchants and artists are selling fabric, sculptures, paintings, jewellery and more. It’s such a beautiful, colourful, charming and inspiring place to go. It exhibits the talent and identity of Abidjan so well and is also the perfect place to practise your bargaining skills!


Domaine Bini is the place to disconnect from society. From the city of Abidjan, it will take about half an hour to get there. You’ll be welcomed in full nature by professional guides and a welcoming staff and can go on an educational walk in the woods where you will be introduced to the surrounding ecosystem. It’s a beautiful way to learn about how coconut palms grow; why rubber trees are bent and the cocoa circuit. After the hike you’ll be able to take a bath outside, covered in the natural clay of your choice. Then comes lunch - a selection of delicious traditional meals. They also have bedrooms if you decide to pay for 2 days! It’s a divine place to connect with Mother Nature and educate yourself while spending a good time with friends and family.

The historic town of Grand-Bassam is the first capital of Côte d’Ivoire. It is so well preserved and protected by UNESCO. Being there feels like travelling through time and going back to the late 19th- and early 20th-century. It is an incredibly charming and calm little town where you can spend the day walking around and wondering about the past. Grand-Bassam was the most important port, economic and judicial centre of Côte d’Ivoire when the country was a French colony.

The Equinox Fitness is a Fitness Centre located in Cocody. I love this place! If you want to stay in shape during your stay in Abidjan I highly recommend it. It has a huge, well equipped gym on two floors, a basketball court, a pool and a small spa. The best thing is that it’s never packed, so you don’t have to worry about Covid-19! I love that the coaches are very nice and helpful. It’s also very affordable considering all the services that also include full access to all the classes (afro dance, spinning, boxing, yoga etc.). A very friendly peaceful atmosphere with good music!! It will boost your mood!

Top Spots in Abidjan with Shay Lia

Cami Layé Okún

Havana

I highly recommend a visit to the other side of the bay of Havana, the way to get there is by the “Lanchitas de Regla” (small boats). Known for being a town with a strong cultural tradition, especially with regard to Afro-Cuban religiosity and spirituality, it’s also a place known for its musicians.

The University of the Arts, built in 1976, is undoubtedly one of the city's architectural emblems. Twenty minutes from the centre of Havana, the ISA is a campus full of vegetation with domes and tunnels that from an aerial view, suggest breasts, fallopian tubes and vaginas. Despite having five buildings, you can only access the ‘artes circenses’ building that is currently abandoned. Ideal place to meditate, read or picnic with friends.

Exquisite live jazz club. Located in a basement of 23rd Avenue in the heart of the Vedado neighbourhood. A space where you can really get a feel for the musical talent found in the city.

The spot for fresh, natural juices. Ideal place to stop and cool down from the sun. It’s one of the few places I know where you can find a variety of juices without sugar, made in the moment with fresh fruits and vegetables. Only accepts national currency.

One of the best views of the city and sea. Admission is free for everyone, no matter if you are not staying at the hotel. Highly recommended spot for the sunset.

The greenest area in the city, where the smell of the earth is penetrating. With lush vegetation and trees brought from Africa, it is a space full of spirituality where many works of Afro-Cuban santeria are practised.

In the summer season there’s nothing better than swimming at Club Náutico.

This is a natural park where the facilities and nature merge in an enveloping way. Ideal to arrive by bicycle and enjoy the musical activities that are offered, mainly for children on weekends.

Havana would not be Havana without the Malecon. The Wall that protects the ocean and the place that gives us the best sunsets and sunrises from any point. It is the ideal place for all those things that make life more beautiful.

Havana with DJ, Cami Layé Okún

Bru-C

Nottingham 

Has to be first, purely due to the history. Robin Hood, the history of many kings, hella corruption and hella rebellion, bun the government and all that.


You need to go to Stealth, the best nightclub in Nottingham. Great for a little party, little shoobs, little knees up. Bubbling Tuesdays, D&B every Tuesday, that's my event by the way - cheeky plug.


In the Heart of Hockley, which is like the shoreditch of Nottingham, super creative place. Cool cinema that shows alot of independent films, you can also order a full meal and a bottle of wine into the cinema. Like what's better than eating chips and getting steaming whilst watching your favourite foreign film?


Obviously. Not that you'll get a ticket cos we're in the prem now, but if you get a chance mate shout up the reds at the river Trent.

It's full of skateboarders and mandem drinking beers in the middle of the day. It's just an experience, do you know what I mean? Sometimes you've gotta take the rough with the smooth.


Actually technically Derbyshire, but it's an NG10 postcode so that's what I've been telling people my whole life  - you know what I'm saying? It's the ends man, it's where I grew up - there isn't a lot going on there to be honest, but go check it out man. It's a strange and wonderful place.

Go to Suede Pizza, bad boy pizza - actual levels and the owner is a G.

The final place to visit in Nottingham is the Brian Clough statue on the market square. Living legend from Nottingham. If you don't know about Brian Clough you don't know about Nottingham.

The Best Spots in Nottingham with Bru-C

Tiny's Pizza

Berlin

It’s a very lovely spot, right on Paul-Lincke-Ufer. The bakery is really good, I think it’s been rated one of the best in Berlin so the croissants and baked goods there are really delicious.

This is kind of a general spot in the summer, people just try and catch as much sun as they can, with a beer or with wine and you kind of just find whatever space you have, maybe you run into some friends, maybe you meet someone new. That’s kind of the energy, it’s very casual.

It’s really nice to go on bike rides, also through the forest that is attached to it. And this island (Insel der Jugend) specifically is really lovely because there’s an outdoor cinema there, you can rent boats, there’s a little späti to pick up snacks or something to drink. And then there’s this one little spot, kind of like a boardwalk, where you just find people picnicking and sprawling out and the sun sets right along that view.

This is where you can rent out some paddle boats. It’s quite fun being on these little paddle boats. Actually driving the boat yourself is a different experience and with a close circle of friends it’s very funny but hectic as well.

It’s a really cute restaurant, kind of tucked away in the centre of the city. We have a big garden, a really big outdoor space for seating and for people to enjoy themselves. In the summer there’s a big emphasis on music and having DJs perform here.

Tiny's Pizza’s Guide To Summer in Berlin

Raffael

Kerala

I'm probably going to get some hate for this but it is literally the best biryani I've eaten in India. And believe me when I say I've pretty much travelled the length and breadth of this country for biryani.

Kerala is littered with these beautifully rustic establishments that brew their own coconut wine called toddy. It's well worth a visit, not just for the toddy but the food and the experience of the whole thing. I would recommend trying the fish head curry, duck curry and beef roast when you do visit. My favourite is the VELLIYAZCHA KAAVU TODDY SHOP, near Attingal.

A tiny, beautiful and clean beach. Beware the currents can be a bit dodgy at times but it's mostly fine.

Kerala's first and India's premier surf and yoga holiday destination. Join the local crew of surf instructors and guides for a surf every morning or just relax at the beautiful and stylish hotel, perched on a cliff top overlooking some of the best beaches and sunsets Kerala has to offer. Also, a really laid back atmosphere and cafe serving healthy treats and a mix of Keralan and Western-style food.

Backwaters of Kerala. The iconic Keralan scenery that you've seen on every postcard. It's like Alleppey but less touristy so best to visit here if you want to experience the backwaters but get away from the hustle of the very touristy spots.

Beautiful pristine beach and one of my favourites to visit. Again, not as many tourists as you might find on other beaches in Kerala so worth a visit.

My favourite spot to surf in Kerala. A beautiful fishing village with a fast hollow left hand wave. You can join for surf lessons or grab a board and go surfing yourself all while the fishermen and boats carry on with their days around you. Beware though, the surf can be a tad crowded here, but the locals are always friendly and welcoming.

I'm a bit of a beach bum as you can probably tell, but sometimes I like to leave the beach to get into the western ghats. You'll think you're in a different country. Vagamon is one of my favourite hill stations in the western ghats, considered to have one of the most ecologically dense environments in the world. The drive up there is stunning as are the views and there are some adventure activities like paragliding, hiking that you can get involved in, or you could just kickback and watch the birds for hours.

Heritage sites, cafes, art galleries and the biennale. Some may go as far as to say it's the art capital of India. (KASHI ART CAFE, DAVID HALL GALLERY, PEPPER HOUSE).

Kerala with Raffael from Soul & Surf

Sarah Ben Hafsia 

Tunis 

Stop by to do some shopping at this flea market

Known for its fruit pie served with green tea.


This is a second hand store for design artefacts and vintage pieces, located at the owner's terrace in Radès.

Grab a seafood plate at this restaurant in my favourite area, La Goulette, which is known for its architectural gems and avenue full of restaurants. Watch 'A Summer in La Goulette' by Férid Boughedir to understand the full experience of the area. 

A old hotel that comes on top of a hill and has a very beautiful sunset on the northern suburb of tunis. Also known to only serve beer with olives and peanuts.


It is known for being touristy but it's definitely a must-see for its view, the art galleries, the architecture and the "bambalouni", a sweet famous tunisian donut. 


Tunis with Sarah Ben Hafsia

Sean Paul 

Jamaica

The nearest beach to where I live in Kingston. Hands down the best fried fish in the entire world. Try the festival too...it's like a local combination of a donut and a dumpling.

It's where I learnt to swim and was possibly even conceived (laughs). I still go there to train every week...I play water polo and do laps. You pay a small fee and you can come and train. There's also a diving pool there if you're daredevil enough to jump off the high one.

You can't come to Kingston and not pay homage to the Great Bob Marley. It's his old house that they turned into a museum and there is a studio there. All of Bobs kids still come and play football or record here.

Start the week off with the wickedest double... one street dance ends at around 1am and everyone walks across the road to the other one. We have dances every night of the week but these two start it off RIGHT! Best place to hear the newest Dutty Rock Productions and catch the latest dance moves from dancers with creative names like Gabbidon, Energy, PrettiPretti, Kool Kid, Cyaa Tired & the Get There Squad. It's held in the parking lot outside Susie's bakery and coffee bar.

Jamaica's best strip clubs... 3 locations to pick from (Kingston, Ocho Rios & Montego bay) but Kingston is the original and best, that's where my label Dutty Rock hosts a weekly event called "Full Cup Thursdays" with CopperShaun & the Coppershot sound system... it's an awesome vibe you have to see to believe.

The historical city of the pirates and home of Sir Henry Morgan. This place is where the whole "Pirates of the Caribbean" story comes from... there was a massive earthquake and 3/4 of the city sank into the sea. They say its cuz the city was so wicked, but now its a quiet town where you can eat great seafood and catch a boat out to the cays.

As I said before, head out to Port Royal and take a cooler with you... jump on a motorized canoe and take the 20 mins boat ride out to here and just chill.

Another cay near Port Royal. Smoke a spliff and enjoy the crystal clear Caribbean sea.

Kingston, Jamaica with Sean Paul 

Sama

Palestine

Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world, it is around 11,000 years old, (lol, that number apparently exists), and it is the lowest point on earth, 258m below sea level. There, you will find Deir al Krntl, The Monastery of Temptation, which dates back to the Seleucid Empire, and where Jesus fasted for 40 days after getting baptized in the Jordan River. It is a beautiful monastery, built on the edge of a mountain cliff, overlooking the whole area, including Jericho, the Dead Sea, and a bit of Jordan. To get there, you can hike or take an aerial tramway.

The Gaza strip is a restricted area for everyone. Since 2008, Israel decided that people in Gaza all deserve life in prison. So they put the whole city under siege, and closed off all entry and exit points. But, if you do manage to get a permit to visit, go. The people there are the friendliest and most creative people you will meet. You can sit on the beach of the Mediterranean sea, which you can see from all over Palestine, but can never reach, you can eat really good food - there are too many things to see in Gaza... we can write a full article just about that.

Through the checkpoints and hassle, which can take between an hour to seven, depending on the day and the soldiers mood, you can get to Jenin. In Arraba, you can go to the Abdelhadi Palaces (Our palaces - just to brag). These Palaces have been within the family for more than 100 years, 2 of them have been renovated into a Turkish Bath and a public library. You can also start a walk from ARRABA TO BURQIN, where you pass through a spring, a roman wall, and Burqin Church, which is the 3rd oldest church in the world.

Also known as ‘Little Damascus’, a place where visiting the old market (souq) is a must. Some of the few things its popular for are nablus knafeh; my dad has been eating knafe, a really sweet dessert, every day since he was born. He used to take me to eat knafe almost every day as well when I was a kid, which is the reason why I don’t eat it anymore. He still finds that weird. It’s nablus soap and Turkish baths. I personally travel with that soap and always have some in whichever house and in whatever country I live in. You’ll also find the Samaritan Museum. Samaritan’s believe that mount Gerizim in Nablus is the holy place for the Israelis. The Samaritans have always been neutral, they don’t like politics and don’t get into it. They speak Arabic and Hebrew and they live on both sides with both people.

On the way to Ramallah you will run into Taybeh village and the Taybeh brewery. The first female-run microbrewery in the Middle East. If you are there in the Oktoberfest, you will be very happy that day. Fresh beer from the cellars and a beautiful spot on top of the mountain. After Taybeh comes Birzeit, a beautiful old village. There you can find “Malek il falafel” the best Falafel in the area. Brilliant homemade Palestinian dishes in an old traditional house. In Birzeit, you can also find the Palestinian Museum. Getting into Ramallah, there is Snowbar Garden; it is this beautiful garden built into the mountain with a great view. Great drinks and a pool for the summer times. Other good bars are Garage Cafe, La Grotta Bar and Radio Bar.

Heading out of Ramallah, through a lot of checkpoints, with a lot of views of illegal settlements, through mountains, through a lot of hassle and humiliation, you’ll get to the birthplace of Jesus, which is definitely a site to see in the nativity church. There is a shorter way to get there through Jerusalem, which is safer as well and doesn’t make you dizzy and sick, but it wouldn’t be called an occupation if we were able to drive on it. So if you are Palestinian you cant take that road. The old city of Beit Sahour is incredible as well. If you want something to eat and you like chicken, Qabar goes back forever; the menu is only chicken (these guys seriously don’t have any pics that’s how old school they are). You can also find the hotel that Banksy opened, with a straight-up view of the 8m high segregation wall and checkpoint. The walled-off hotel is a must-visit spot with a lot of Banksy art. Banksy visits Palestine a lot, especially Bethlehem, during your trip you will find a lot of his graffiti on the walls of the city. If you get tired of the wall blocking your view, you can go to Hosh il Yasmine; a very nice chill spot and has a lot of music events and a great view of the mountains around you. On your way to Hebron you can pass by Battir village, god’s paradise on earth.

Hebron market (souq) with its maze of alleys is definitely worth exploring. The shops and stalls sell everything from locally made pottery, glass, rugs, and embroidered items to fresh and dried fruits. The old city has plenty of archaeological sites worth visiting. In Hebron, they make everything… they literally can make anything. The old city also gives a real sense of what it feels like to be under occupation, as the old city is occupied by extremist settlers and protected by over 1500 soldiers making it a really intense environment. As you can see in the pictures, you can always notice netting on the top of everything. That is because the settlers tried to drive people out by throwing their trash on top of the people of Hebron. So instead of leaving, people put nets all over to catch the trash. It is very intense living there, this is why we always say when a Hebron person puts his mind to something, nothing will stop them. There is nothing like a Khalili head. They even recently approved a new illegal settlement to be built where the market is, so now there is an order to bulldoze the market.

Palestine with Sama

Eliza

London

"Getting lost in nature in the heart of the city"

"Filled with diverse human life and ambition and music and vibrancy. Go record shopping at If Music or walking the streets for the atmosphere"

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