Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2015 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

Like when you are sitting all the way out in the middle of South East Asia, but have to write an edit note on an issue on the Middle East! And this, after a full day of meeting hoteliers and luxury travel experts in Singapore telling you all the ways they plan to outmanoeuvre the Middle East in attracting discerning Indian travellers. I must admit I did sit quietly gloating about my people being much wanted and wooed. And while we’ll soon bring to you all the wonderful things in store for you in Singapore that I’ve heard about today, I’m currently even more excited to tell you about our massive 16-page special on the Middle East. We cover over 100 experiences, places of interest, new happenings, latest shopping stops,…

When you’re the dancer Storyboard P, life keeps you moving. “It’s a voice,” he says, describing what he feels when he dances. “It’s this inner momentum that’s motivating the direction I go, how long I hold a move, when I should change it, what should come out.” At the age of 25, Storyboard has already made a name for himself performing on and off the streets of Brooklyn, where he grew up. He’s the king of flex, an improvisational style of dance that’s equal parts balletic grace and strong hits , marked by contortionist stunts and smooth footwork. Recently his moves have landed him roles in music videos, with hip-hop stars such as Jay Z, and a performance at Mass MoCA . So who better to give Paul Smith’s new…

CHANEL La Solution 10 de Chanel ( 5,230; chanel. com ), formulated for sensitive skin in collaboration with renowned dermatologist Amy Wechsler, contains soothing silver-needle-tea concentrate . SHISEIDO The aromatic Future Solution LX Replenishing Treatment Oil (US$175; shiseido.com ) can be used on the face, body, hair, and nails, or even blended with your favourite moisturiser. DIOR The base of Prestige La Crème ( 23,457; dior.com) contains an extract of roses grown in Dior’s own garden in the Loire Valley, resulting in a lux urious cream that improves skin elasticity. LA MER Essential oils and lime-tea concentrate in La Mer’s Renewal Oil (US$240; creme delamer.com) hydrate and prevent skin damage . ELEMIS Enriched with ginkgo biloba and algae, the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream…

I LOVE VISITING PLACES that are rooted in culture. And of course, I love exploring local cuisines. I am an incurable traveller and wanderlust often takes me on vacations with my girlfriends. Whitehaven Beach in Tasmania has been one of my most gorgeous discoveries recently. The 7-kilometre stretch, near Whitsunday Island, can be reached by boat from the mainland port of Airlie Beach. I could see hundreds of tiny black dots, stingrays, darting around under the clear bluish green water. I spent half a day swimming in a secluded section of the sea. And then, magic happened. I saw a beautiful, green sea turtle, and in a surreal moment, I reached out and touched it. It was my most beautiful takeaway from Oz. Of course, besides all the delicious Australian…

SUPER SAVER The Oberoi, Dubai The ‘Magnificent Dubai’ deal offers complimentary Internet and late checkout till 6 pm. 19,000 per room per night two people; minimum stay of two nights. Stay in a Deluxe City View Room with complimentary upgrade to Luxury Pool View Room. Daily complimentary breakfast; 20 per cent savings on food and beverages. 20 per cent savings on spa therapies. Free transfers to the Dubai Mall. Save 54% oberoihotels.com ATLANTIS THE PALM DUBAI Experience the festival of lights in Dubai with the ‘Atlantis Two-Bedroom Family Suites’ package with the Dubai skyline or Arabian Sea as splendid backdrops to your in-room sunsets. 1,49,000 for a Two-Bedroom Regal Club Suite per night; till November 30. Book the Two Bedroom Family Suite for six people, plus an infant. Inclusive of…

IT’S BEING CALLED the Swartland Revolution. In an area of fertile plains and rolling hills an hour north of Cape Town, pioneering viticulturalists are producing some of South Africa’s most sought-after wines. Their secret ingredient? Grapes from decades-old vines abandoned in the post-apartheid era—when farmers in more developed wine-making regions, like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, tore out old plants and replaced them with popular varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Left to fend for themselves in the Swartland’s often inhospitable climate, these scruffy, untrellised varietals—which include lesser-known grapes like Palomino, Semillon Gris, Cinsaut, and Tinta Barocca—are yielding wines industry insiders describe as exciting, experimental, and region-specific. It’s worth visiting the Swartland to witness the winemakers’ unconventional, purist methods firsthand—and to experience their uniquely flavourful wines at the source. Mullineux…

STANDING ON THE OUTSKIRTS of this little city-village of Langoiran, I felt my senses adjust unconsciously to the view ahead. It was early June, and from this quaint cottage placed poetically on the little hilly terrain called Château Biac (chateaubiac.com), little would you imagine a vineyard grasping you such, when the vines haven’t even started flowering yet. But here, it had already made me its humble protagonist, and I began musing on its plot. Only 25 kilometres south of the main city of Bordeaux, the frame alters dramatically—grand historical facades are replaced by little cottages while the meandering river beckon more than gasps of this fresh countryside air—it’s not a drive through this place that pours out to a traveller. One will need to stay. For the châteaux hide ancient…

These days, it’s rare for economy-class travellers to feel like they’re getting more instead of less, but Airbus’s new A350 XWB (‘extra wide body’) promises to change that. Because it has a carbon-composite fuselage—like its main competitor, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner—the plane is lighter and more fuel efficient than older planes. Perhaps more important for long-haul passengers, it offers a more comfortable ride. Some 40 airlines have ordered nearly 800 aircrafts; the first few are already crossing the skies for Qatar Airways and Vietnam Airlines. Here’s a closer look at how people in coach will get to live a little larger. — Quieter Flight The new Rolls-Royce Trent engines are some of the quietest operating today, creating less noise in the cabin. Bigger Bins There’s no need to scramble for…

1 Dilip Kapur CONTRIBUTOR Andamans for the Soul page 22 Born in New Delhi, bred in Puducherry, Dilip Kapur has a PhD in International Affairs from the University of Denver. During his doctorate years, he spent nine months working in a leather company which sparked his passion towards the art of crafting leather. After returning to India, he moved to Auroville, where he started Hidesign, a one-man artisan shop, to design bags for an alternative fashion market abroad. In this issue, we got Kapur to talk about the Andamans where he travels frequently. 2 Maria Goretti CONTRIBUTOR Taste Of Nature page 24 A popular Indian VJ and actor, Maria Goretti is a compulsive traveller and a self-confessed kitchen monster. Goretti enjoys an adventurous life, she goes trekking and hiking often,…

One of the finest single malt whiskey brands in the world, The Glenlivet gives you a good reason to celebrate this festive season. The brand has recently set a benchmark by adding to its core range The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve as a tribute to its founder George Smith. Priced at 4,750, the smooth fruity flavour of this premium spirit complements the First Fill American oak cask perfectly, setting unique standards. Watch out for this special edition at duty free stores and other select markets.…

Delhi NCR THE COAST CAFE @ OGAAN Ogaan, the multi-designer boutique at Hauz Khas Village has quite a popular café on the first floor. Say tacos, salads, grills, and mocktails in a colonial setting of grey, white, yellow, and indigo. Expect a warm atmosphere and music here. 1,500 for two; H2, second floor, HKV; 91-11/4160-1717 LA BODEGA The city was pretty parched of authentic Mexican cuisine until La Bodega made its entry in Khan Market. The buff meat stuffed tacos are the best on the block, and vegetarians too have a reason to rejoice—their mushroom ragu with cheese and Mexican style qinuoa salad score high on popularity. 1,500 for two; 29B, first floor, Middle Lane, Khan Market; 91-11/4310-5777 SSONGCHEE If you haven’t already introduced yourself to Korean cuisine, the dish…

JADE LAI | DESIGNER | Santorini When Lai opened Creatures of Comfort (creaturesofcomfort.us) in LA in 2005, the shop became a mecca for hip, hard-to-find labels like APC and Rachel Comey. Lai has since expanded to New York City and launched her own collection. On her first visit to the Greek island, she was inspired by both its architecture and attitude. “Santorini,” she says, “embodies the same traveller’s mind-set and easygoing vibe as our clothes.” During the trip, Lai rented a villa with her extended family, indulged in seafood and wine, and loaded up on local goods in the town of Oia. — SCARF Locals use scarves to prevent sun-burn, but I bought mine because it has a menswear vibe. I see myself wearing it with a suit or a…

EXPLORE THE EMIRATES While Dubai has been on your radar for many years now, this season try destinations such as Oman, Fujairah, and Jordan, for the new and exciting. 1 Western Hajar Mountains Oman Rising over 2,000 metres above the surrounding countryside, the Western Hajar mountains form Oman’s geological backbone. The rugged mountains are ideal for driving around to take in the untouched beauty of the historic old mudbrick towns and date plantations. If you are in the mood for a sweat-inducing, stamina-testing hike; then head to the Bahla fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Jabrin Castle. 2 Umm Qais Jordan Away from much of Jordan’s regular tourist hubs, Umm Qais is discreetly tucked away in the South of Amman. While the region is known for its gorgeous ruins…

BURNING QUESTION On flights, in malls and restaurants, and elsewhere—we have all been in places where kids around us are creating a ruckus. What do you do in such situations? Do you request the parents to control them a little? Do you glare at the parents hoping they’ll take the hint? Do you nicely tell the kid to behave? Do you ignore it, thinking well, kids will be kids? Or, do you leave/ask to be seated elsewhere? Email (travelandleisure@emmindia.com) or tweet us (@TNLIndia) your answers, and we’ll publish the sharpest ones in our next issue. LAY OF THE LAND The annual list of best and worst airports by travel website Sleeping in Airport is out, and we know where we are not landing any time soon—Port Harcourt International Airport in…

If your airline doesn’t have a practice of collecting foreign change for charity, track down a TravelersBox at the airport. These automated yellow kiosks, which are popping up in terminals from India to Brazil, turn local bills and coins into universally accepted gift cards for big brands like Starbucks and iTunes. Or you can choose to have the money deposited into your PayPal account. (A small processing fee applies.) Just type in your e-mail address, insert your cash, and within 48 hours, TravelersBox will send instructions on how to redeem your credits online. travel ersbox.com for locations.…

THAI RESTAURANTS HAVE BEEN a part of Sydney’s culinary landscape for decades, most of them serving the same standard-issue curries and overly sweetened pad thai. But in the past 15 years, an upswing in immigration has swelled the city’s Thai-born population, which is now the second-largest outside Thailand (LA ranks first) . A cluster of groceries and restaurants on Campbell and Pitt Streets, near Central Station, is even referred to as Thai Town. As a result, there’s been a surge in exciting Thai cooking, with a spectrum of regional flavours and styles of service represented—from no-frills canteens to elegant, high-end dining rooms. SPICE I AM | The chefs at this modest kitchen have stripped away the tamer refinements of modern Thai, focusing on bold dishes like ka nom jeen nam…

The latest tourist attraction in Pathanamthitta is eco-tourist centre Adavi, located 10 kilometres from Konni. More than 400 tourists come this way during the peak season to go bowl boat riding on river Kallar and to get acquainted with nature. Cascade down the meandering stream in a round bamboo boat or cut through the current as you go up against it—each ride is an adventure like no other. Soon, you will also be able to spot elephants roaming freely around this area, for this centre is being developed as a sanctuary for orphaned elephants, with a butterfly garden, trekking paths, and tourist cottages.…

CHANCES ARE, YOU’RE STUCK IN a flight-search rut. And chances are even better that it’s costing you money, time, and energy. For years, the online travel-booking space has been dominated by a handful of brands: Expedia, Kayak, Orbitz, and Priceline.com. They revolutionised the business, giving anyone the ability to book airline tickets without the help of a travel agent or airline rep. Now comes a new crop of powerful flight-finding websites and apps. Armed with machine learning, natural-language processing, and big-data capabilities, they offer novel ways to find cheap fares, plan better trips, and save time. Here are the ones you need to know about the next time you log on. HELLOGBYE FOR ESCAPES WITH YOUR ENTOURAGE The promise HelloGbye lets you type out (or, on the mobile app, dictate)…