Escape from the world and daily routine with a leap into the past. Abandon smartphones, wi-fi and forget about social media to enjoy these destinations in their slightly vintage poetry, places where time has stood still: it is an exercise that will not only make you discover new places but will also remind you that it is possible to slow down, and how good it feels to do so.
The mosaics of the blue gate of Bab Boujelud, in Fes, Morocco. ©Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock
Fez, Morocco
Overloaded donkeys running through narrow, winding alleys, squawking chickens, mountains of spices, creepy-looking butcher shops, stampeding cats and carts of vegetables: Fez is a medieval city that is still alive. You will feel as if you have stepped back 1,000 years. In the ancient medina, with its lights and shadows, it seems as if the centuries have passed without a trace. The most archaic realities of this city are the huge tanneries with their large dyeing vats: amidst the intense colours and smells, you will feel like you have taken a journey back in time.
Havana Cathedral, Plaza de la Catedral, Cuba. ©Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock
Havana, Cuba
Wander around Habana Viejo, a neighbourhood that could be a movie set. Crumbling colonial mansions, children playing in the streets, women shopping with curlers and slow-moving American cars. There is no other place quite as cinematic, romantic, enchanting, dishevelled and full of life. Drop in at the Casa de la Musica where women perform dance steps showing the younger ones how to move. Crash a late-night jam session and learn the secrets of salsa while helping yourself to a mojito. In this corner of the world, time stands still.
Old Delhi, India
Going back in time in Delhi does not require much effort. Hop on the 21st century metro and get off at Chandni Chowk: a journey through time. This is the beating heart of Old Delhi and this is where the ancient Shajahanabad, the city built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, was located. Chandni Chowk is a long avenue lined with an endless number of narrow bazaars, each specialising in a specific product, and small shops that do not seem to have changed over the centuries. Here, confusion reigns supreme. Wander around and look for the sellers of paratha, delicious stuffed bread fried before your eyes. Once refreshed, throw yourself back into the fray.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan. ©Ozbalci/Getty Images
Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Shahristan, the old city of Bukhara, dates back 2,000 years and is the ideal place to forget the present and immerse yourself in the ancient and evocative wonders ofUzbekistan. Wander the mud-brick alleys to discover covered bazaars, ancient mosques with precious interiors and madrasas (religious schools). If you're looking for a carpet or a ceremonial dagger, you've come to the right place: this city's markets are among the best in Uzbekistan. Don't miss the extraordinary symbol of Bukhara: the minaret of Kalyan. Genghis Khan was so enchanted by it that he did not destroy it as he did the rest of the city.
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Muthaiga Country Club, Nairobi, Kenya
This elite club, set in the middle of a 14-acre garden, was opened in 1913. Little seems to have changed since then and there is still an old-fashioned 20th century atmosphere. It was here that Henry 'Jock' Delves Broughton, his wife Diana and the Earl of Erroll dined on the night the Earl was murdered by Delves Broughton, who was jealous of the Earl's relationship with Diana. This crime was brought to the big screen by the film White Mischief - Crime and Passion in Colonial Africa (1988). Would anyone like a gin and tonic or a game of croquet?
Tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. ©Matt Munro/Lonely Planet
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, is nestled between bright green tea plantations. Reach it by train along 19th century stations. The Hill Club was founded in 1858 for British colonial officials and wealthy farmers. Converted into a hotel, it has not lost its atmosphere: evening dress is expected after 7pm. Sip tea in one of the rooms and you'll feel as if you've been transported from Ceylon to a remote Scottish residence, with all the magnificence and inconvenience that entails.
Viking Bay in Broadstairs, England. ©CBCK/Shutterstock
Broadstairs, Kent, England
There's nothing quite as retro as an English seaside resort. Broadstairs, on the Isle of Thanet, is known as 'Jewel in Thanet's Crown'. Puppet shows (the so-called 'Punch and Judy shows') and donkey rides are still the order of the day in summer, when, if it doesn't rain, you can take an invigorating dip in the frozen sea before tucking into fish and chips. This resort seems to have decided to stop time. Put your handkerchief on your head by knotting it at the corners, roll up your trousers and enjoy a candy cane (traditional cylindrical cake).
Cosenza, Calabria, Italy
Anonymous 1960s buildings surround Cosenza, the result of inadequate urban planning. Take no notice and head for the city centre with its charming, dilapidated atmosphere. Dusty bookshops sell vintage postcards and cafés evoke an era of shady palm trees and marble.
View of Fatnas Island, Siwa, Egypt. ©Picab0oo/Shutterstock
Siwa, Egypt
Even today, this oasis is one of the most difficult to access places in the country. Situated in the Western Desert and built on a network of natural wells, it is home to a population of 20,000 mainly Berber people. Here you can swim in desert pools and walk among the ruins of the Temple of the Oracle, which was even consulted by Alexander the Great. Along the sandy roads you will not encounter many cars, the means of transport par excellence are donkey-drawn carts. The inhabitants of Siwa have their own language and customs - married women are not allowed to talk to men outside the family circle and rarely show themselves in public. When they go out, they are covered from head to toe, including their eyes.