If you feel like floating on air, find an Ismail Zaidy photo to get lost in. With long, floating pieces of pastel fabrics, Zaidy creates ethereal snapshots rooted in cultural ties.

 “When I was a kid, I lived in a modest area in Marrakech and would watch the way the women would wear their fabrics and djellaba out on the streets. These women are still a huge inspiration for me today,” says Zaidy. “I love pastel colors but since we don’t always see it in our daily lives, I try to transfer my love for those colors into my photos.”

Zaidy doesn’t have to venture far to find the perfect location for his photos. Most often, you’ll find the photographer on his own rooftop with his brother and sister, letting his signature fabrics catch wind to create images that touch on familial ties, love, and joy.  

“I think playing with different colors and tones is a way of communicating these themes. I believe each color has a story, meaning, and reason behind it.”

Behind the scenes: For our DELEY Paris collaboration, Zaidy and his siblings sought out to reflect the hope and beautiful energy of traveling through photography. “The abundance of pink coming from the luggage symbolizes the beautiful memories that your luggage holds from your trips,” says Zaidy. The team captured the images across two locations — their usual rooftop and off a mountain near Marrakech.

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A clear mind is best served under the stars. An hour outside of Marrakech, the Agafay desert is a call back to simple, unhurried traveling. Rocky land extends in every direction, the Atlas Mountains carve out a mesmerizing view, and Scarabeo Camp dots the desert with luxury accommodations designed for the thoughtful traveler. Whether you’re settling in to stay at home base or venturing out on one of their curated activities, you’ll find that peace of mind is felt in every moment.

Traveler’s Tip: Choose from two unique sites — Stone Camp and Les Roches Noires. For those looking for a more intimate stay, Les Roches Noires delivers on peaceful views of the plains with a quiet setting. At Stone, visitors can expect a more energetic ambiance among the camp’s activities and expeditions.

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• You’re not alone. Famed fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent had the same infatuation with Marrakech as you. The colors, the light, the flurry of everyday life all impacted the designer so deeply, he bought a house to visit year after year. Now, that property houses a YSL museum dedicated to the designer’s relationship to this vibrant city.

• While you’re there, be sure to visit the museum’s stunning neighbor — the Jardin Majorelle, or YSL gardens. The expansive botanic garden is overflowing with lush plants, a winding labyrinth path, and unexpected art happenings throughout the property.

• Step inside the doors of hotel El Fenn and you’ll find an abundance of color, texture, and detail everywhere you look. Bougainvillea line the courtyard, a rainbow of color adorn the interiors, and even the plates served at the rooftop restaurant are filled with bright, natural color. Stop in for fresh, locally sourced plant-based entrees of all kinds. The ingredients come from local farms and markets and are livened up with traditional herbs and spices for a burst of flavor in every bite.

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Born and raised in Cape Town, photographer Gavin Goodman was endlessly engulfed by the vibrant beauty that surrounded him. If you’ve ever been, you know what we mean.

From panoramic mountain views and shining coastlines to the tapestry of traditions in South African culture, Goodman translates his perspective into a multi-faceted approach across film, photo, and AI-generated art.

“AI technology completely re inspired me,” says Goodman. “I can bring visions to life I always wanted to make as a photographer, but couldn’t due to constraints. I’m very conscious of infusing AI work with my style as a visual artist — having restraint and a clear vision is essential.”

Be it AI-crafted or a traditional lens, Goodman leans into an uncomplicated aesthetic that makes a statement. For DELSEY, Goodman worked with both mediums to capture the natural beauty of African fashion in a modern, minimalist light. “From a creative point of view, this incredible technology allowed me to maintain my vision and create images that I truly love.”

Behind the scenes: Goodman used AI to create the environments and outfits of the shoot. While his lens captured the subjects and luggage, he then used his skills in post to blend the two together.

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Consider this stop a long-term stay. Permanently stationed on the Selati Bridge, the Kruger Shalati Train hosts an unmatched retreat within the Kruger National Park. Find five-star comforts and far-reaching views from the resort’s 31 reimagined carriage suites. Suspended above the Sabie River, you can tour the park while staying perfectly still as the park’s hippos, elephants, and buffalos wander below.

Traveler’s Tip: Luxury stay made simple. With your stay on the Kruger Shalati Train comes all meals, teas and coffees, house wines, and local brand spirits. As well as a complimentary ride between the Skukuza Airport and lodge, making travel a breeze. 

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• Resting between Table Mountain and Signal Hill, Lion’s Head is one of the most recognizable peaks surrounding Cape Town. Part of the larger Table Mountain National Park, the 2-3 hour trail is only of moderate difficulty, but the payoff is tenfold, with sweeping views of the coast and city below.

• At the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, both acclaimed and emerging artists take center stage. The gallery houses rotating and permanent exhibits from contemporary artists around Africa, while also shining a spotlight on the next generation through their Centre for Art Education and Atelier. Coming up in September, they’ll host a day of celebration to honor 100 years of the historic Grain Silo building (where they reside) and seven years of sharing and fostering contemporary African art.

• For the moments in between exploration, Sonny and Irene is the ideal rest stop in Cape Town. Stop in for bright brunch classics like benedicts and hotcakes, or save your visit for a mid-day break over fresh seafood, salads, and refreshing cocktails.

Every place has its own visual language, says photographer and art director Ahmed Othman. If he listens hard enough, or looks close enough, Othman finds that his surroundings will reveal everything you need to know. “It’s like the place whispers its secrets to me,” he says.  

Othman uses those secrets to create vibrant, energetic images layered with details. Glimpse one of his photos and you’ll discover more the longer you look. “Art direction and styling ignited my passion for crafting a cohesive visual narrative. It’s the marriage of concept and execution that gets me truly energized.”

To keep that creative fire burning, Othman takes cues from his own work and sets out for a new adventure. “Travel goes beyond just influencing my work. It shapes my entire being.”

Behind the scenes: When creative pursuits call for a reset, Othman heads to Dahab, a charming town on the Sinai Peninsula’s southeast coast. “It’s a Red Sea paradise with a laid-back vibe. What truly inspires me there is the simple, chilled-out lifestyle. Plus, the incredible coral reefs right off
the beaches offer a chance to enter another world. Diving or snorkeling is like hitting the reset button on my creativity. Underwater, worries melt away, and I’m fully present in the moment. Emerging refreshed and invigorated.”

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To be at one with the land is to live in a seamless, harmonic coexistence. Not forced or planned, but a natural,effortless interaction between place and people. In Egypt, there is no better representation than Adrere Amellal. In the country’s Western Desert, the eco-lodge appears almost like a mirage, built by mud bricks and rock salt that serve as an extension of the land around it. With no electricity, Adrere Amellal offers its guests a true sustainable experience — a quiet, sun-soaked respite by day and a glowing, candlelit retreat by night.

Traveler’s Tip: Because of the prosperous fresh water springs off Lake Siwa, After Amellal takes ‘living off the land’ to an entirely different level. The hotel grows most of its own produce, crafting fresh, veggie-forward lunches best enjoyed poolside.

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• With the iconic Pyramids of Giza as their backdrop, Forever Is Now is an exhibit that brings contemporary artists to the UNESCO World Heritage site to create large scale, site-specific work. “Temple” created by Stephan Breuer, is one of those pieces, striking an eye catching balance between old and new. For visitors traveling to the area in October, you’re in luck. The next installment of the exhibit will run October 23 November 15.

• Mount Sinai is considered one of the most important sites across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Experience its raw, natural beauty on a sunrise tour, where you’ll reach the summit just in time to see the clouds break away and reveal the mesmerizing sight of the desert below.

• In Cairo, history is ever mingling with the present. At the 9th-century Mosque of Ibn Tulun one of the oldest surviving mosques in Africa still commands attention after all these years. Wander its halls and find moments of stillness in the open-air courtyard.

Traveler’s Tip: Dress appropriately before visiting — covering shoulders and legs, and removing shoes upon entering, is a sign of respect.

To Ghanaian photographer Nana Yaw Oduro, everything around us plays a part in making us whole. Based in Accra, the colors, contrasts, and stories surrounding Oduro have a consistent tie to his work.

“Lately, I’ve been interested in humans and their relationship to the natural and artificial environment,” he says. “I believe it reflects a strong sense of our power to adjust, our belongingness, and realities.”

With eye-catching colors and bewitching composition, Oduro translates those themes into layered moments in time across the highlands and lowlands of the capital city he calls home.

What’s in a name: Oduro’s moniker, The Vintage Mason, came from the photographer’s lifelong interest in vintage and antique things. “That’s where I got the vintage tag from. Mason is a nickname my friend’s called me in high school. It all came together for me and I thought it was a perfect fit.”

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It’s a safari experience unlike any other. Deep within Mole National Park — Ghana’s largest protected land and national park — Zaina Lodge creates an atmosphere of world-class accommodations in an extended adventure. Your time here is spent on group tours and exclusive outings before winding down in luxury tented chalets equipped with all the details needed for a restful stop. The emphasis is on the experiential, where opportunities to get in touch with the land are always just a few steps ahead.

Traveler’s Tip: The adventures don’t end at the safaris and outdoor excursions. Zaina Lodge’s dining offerings rely heavily on the seasonal ingredients available within the lodge’s remote location. That is, there is no set menu. From fresh morning starts to indulgent dinners, the chefs prepare a range of meals inspired by true Ghanaian cuisine.

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• Few countries are as defined by their cuisine as Ghana. From busy night markets packed with food stalls to inventive gourmet restaurants, local chefs find creative ways to put their culture on a plate. In Accra, Chef Binta’s Fulani Kitchen is a one-of-a-kind experience, serving Fulani cuisine made with indigenous ingredients in a communal setting complete with traditional mats.

• In southern Ghana, Kumasi is most widely known for its relation to the Ashanti culture, whose Kente traditional cloth dates back to centuries-old kings and queens. In the open-air Kejetia Market, wander the many stalls and you might find some of these traditional textiles up close, along with sandals and accessories available for purchase.

• Considered the “mecca of west africa,” Larabanga Mosque dates back to an impressive 600 years. Made from mud and reeds, the mosque’s signature black and-white coloring makes it a must-stop on your way into Mole National Park.

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