Marianne Gray

Marianne Gray

Marianne Gray is a Cape Town-born, Johannesburg-bred freelance journalist who lived and worked in France and Greece before settling in London. She is a director of the independent multiplex cinema, Peckhamplex, in London.

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Lunch – and more – in Lille
Travel

Lunch – and more – in Lille

Just an hour and a half by Eurostar gets you from London to moules frites anwhich probably would have to be moules-frites and a glass of local beer in the Grand’ Place, a magnificent square encircled by elegant buildings and gracious shops. (Pause between moules to glance up to the facade of the Old Bourse to notice the black dots around the windows near the roof. Not high-flung graffiti but Austrian cannonballs lodged in the facade.)

Marvellous Marrakech
Travel

Marvellous Marrakech

The capital of Southern Morocco, Marrakech is not exactly a secret travel destination. Its enticing attractions have been known to the Arab world since the 11th century and to Western visitors since the late 1920s, when the famous La Marmounia hotel was created.

Gentle Geneva
Travel

Gentle Geneva

Geneva may be synonymous with international diplomacy, finance and a high standard of living, but this French-speaking, cosmopolitan city has much more to offer the visitor than politics and money.

Made in Moscow
Travel

Made in Moscow

There is nothing “new” about Moscow. It was always there and still seems like the original frontier town as it winds along the Moskva (Muddy) River with its streets a glorious mix of architecture, squares filled with golden-domed churches, elaborate Metro stations and grey concrete Soviet legacies.

Tantalising Tunisia
Travel

Tantalising Tunisia

There is enough history in Tunisia to fill a much larger country. With its lovely Mediterranean beaches, ancient history and exotic atmosphere, Tunisia has always been a special place.