Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2016 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

it was a British Airways flight from Delhi to HK, and the air hostess addressed me as Ms Bose. I felt important, well looked-after, thoroughly indulged, and infinitely pleased. I think even today, that is the whole point of travelling in style. To be able to enjoy exquisite hotels in spectacular locations that few others can dream of, to get outstanding intuitive service, to not have to make any effort—the sort that makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the world for them. You know where you didn’t actually have to plan and put in place all the million things you usually need to in order to have a great trip. You just made a call, and someone else simply took care of everything. From being picked…

FROM 1ST NOVEMBER 2016 TO 20TH FEBRUARY 2017 It is a sight to behold—as the full moon in winter lights up the sky above immaculate white sands of the Rann of Kutch, the desert masquerades into a glimmering white mirage with bursts of the most vibrant hues from the festival. The word ‘Rann’ is derived from Irina in Sanskrit, which means barren soil. To witness this contrast visit Rann Utsav 2016-2017, this year’s edition of the annual festival that celebrates the indigenous art and culture of this magnificent Indian marsh, which is everything but barren. TENT CITY The ideal way to be part of the three-month long celebration at the Kutch festival is to stay near the White Rann at the ‘Tent City’—luxury accommodations set up by the Kutch Tourism.…

1 ILLICIT JIMMY CHOO Brand savants have been waiting for him to design the next best thing after shoes for women. Illicit is provocative and risky with a tantalising pièce de résistance of honey-amber accord. Spicy Floral Amber 2 GOOD GIRL CAROLINA HERRERA The iconic new fragrance from the House of Herrera is simply put, New York City in a bottle. Fashion forward and full of repartee—first, the Jasmine allures you, followed by a jolt of mystical cocoa. Floral Woody Oriental 3 THE SINNER POLICE A full-bodied, voluptuous Jus will stir your olfactory and gourmet senses. The crunch and juiciness of apple sachets with the sweetness of Orange Blossoms, Jasmine and Cyclamens in this perfume packaged as a timepiece. Fruity Woody Amber 4 ROSE COUTURE ELIE SAAB The scent borrows…

The Insider’s Sightseeing Package Discover the rich heritage of Kerala at Le Meridien Kochi with a planned itinerary for historical sightseeing. The cost per night is 5,500 upwards. This package includes: › Breakfast at Latest Recipe. › High-speed internet access. › Tour to Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue, and Chinese Fishing Nets. property. The package starts at 7,850 per night and includes: › Breakfast at Latest Recipe. › High-speed internet access. › Trip to Athirappilly and Vazhachal waterfalls. › Tour of the Hill Palace Museum in the morning and dance performances at Fort Kochi in the evening. › Access to swimming pool and fitness centre. starwoodhotels.com › Access to the pool and fitness studio. Holiday Saver Package Book this three-night package for a lesson in history and culture.…

Our pick from Da Milano’s limited edition, the Trunk Trolley, is so retro we think it should have a special place on the ramp. Travel in time to the classic era of the early ‘20s, when ‘double-breasted’ vests were everyday wear, and elegant simplicity was key to fashion. Fabricated with exquisite nubuck leather, trimmings, and antique-style buckles, the streamlined design is buoyant and light with ample packing space. Stroll in and out of terminals effortlessly maneuvering the sturdy spin wheels with gripping handles. Price: 45,000 Available across all Da Milano stores in India. To buy online log onto damilano.   com…

“This is at the Theater of the Sea, on Islamorada. The official photographer gave me a heads-up about what was going to happen. Basically, the dolphins come in under the performer and scoop her up—she’s not diving from a platform, she’s actually being pushed into the air by the dolphin. It’s all split-second, so I had to frame my camera to the correct side in the correct area and then be ready, even though I wasn’t a hundred per cent sure what it was going to look like. I was also looking to show a little bit of the environment. I had to be aware of where the sun was as well. And I definitely used a high shutter speed to capture the action. You can see that I was…

These services will turn your favourite digital photos into treasured mementos. Fracture This company offers a single product, but it’s a great one: your photo printed directly onto glass and ready to hang, without a frame or additional hardware. Eight square and rectangular sizes are available. From US$15; fractureme.com Artifact Uprising For all of its books, cards, and prints, this brand uses paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. It also sells accessories, like display stands. Cards from US$1, books from US$18, prints from US$20; artifactuprising.com Pinhole Press An intuitive option for simple cards, framed prints, and photo books. The company also turns pictures into puzzles, decals, and wine labels. Cards from US$1.39, framed prints from US$20, books from US$35; pinhole press.com Tweed Wolf Design professionals will sift through thousands…

DRONES Aerial footage can take your travel video up a notch. But even though consumer drones are increasingly affordable and user-friendly, flying one comes with a list of rules and regulations. You’ll need to register your unmanned aircraft system, adhere to weight restrictions (under 55 pounds), and know when and where you can’t fly (like over stadiums). Go to faa.gov/uas.…

If you’re a traveller who shoots only with a smartphone , you’re not necessarily missing out. Most phone cameras now have at least 1920 x 1080 resolution (sufficient for everything except enlarging to poster size) and 4K video (better than you can upload to YouTube ). 1 iPhone 7 Plus Apple’s newest large-format iPhone has a dual-lens camera that allows for better, clearer zooming and for manipulating depth of field, à la a DSLR. Like its little brother, the iPhone 7, it can also shoot ultra-hi-res RAW images. And it’s water-resistant. From U$769; apple.com 2 Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge This new model is lightning-fast and takes bright, sharp pictures—even in dim light—thanks to a wide aperture, dual-pixel auto-focus, and a resolution of 534dpi . It’s also water-resistant, shoots RAW image…

DSLRs (digital single-lens reflex cameras) replicate the multilayer, multicolour technology of an old-fashioned pro 35 mm film camera—but with a digital imaging sensor. Today’s DSLRs can have resolutions as high as 50 megapixels (about 25 times that of your standard phone camera), but anything over 20 is a good level . They’re generally sold without lenses. 1 Canon Rebel EOS T6i All the DSLRs from the Rebel line perform well—and they’re generally less bulky than much of the competition—but the T6i stands out for its 24.2mp sensor, built-in wifi, and speedy focus. From US$399; canon.com 2 Nikon D500 A lower-priced alternative to the pro-favourite D5, the D500 offers the same 20.9mp resolution, 4K video, and touch-screen controls in a smaller package— for about US$4,500 less. From US$2,000; nikon usa.com…

“Imagine when next year the Ultimate Travelling Camp returns to Nagaland, the lush foliage is back due to the rains, and we have to start all over again.” Tucked away between Tibet and Myanmar in India’s relatively unexplored North East, the land that had been torn down by insurgency and attacks for six centuries has only recently opened up to tourism. My timing is perfect, the 10-day Hornbill Festival promoting solidarity of the 16 tribes in the state, has commenced, and I’m stationed only a bumpy ride away from Kohima in this bubble of a stunning luxury camp, in the midst of a jungle clearing. With the Japfu Range for a backdrop, The Ultimate Travelling Camp (TUTC) has built luxury tents here, for travellers to experience the mountain state in…

A labour of love that took five years to develop, the resort wasn’t easy to bring together; from the chandeliers to the sculptures, everything was manufactured, assembled, and shipped from different parts of China—Zhuhai, Haimen, Shanghai, and Beijing. Including the Eiffel Tower. “The Eiffel Tower was the most challenging part,” says Lee. It is made from cast iron, while the modern rendition is that of steel, because steel is much stronger, enough to withstand typhoons that are 150 miles-per-hour strong here—the engineers of the time didn’t understand what the failures of their construction were,” explains Lee. Every piece on the Eiffel was remodelled on its modern counterpart, and the polished finish of steel coated adequately to replicate the original crude texture of cast iron.…

STAY W Goa opens its doors this month. Stay in a beachfront villa with a private plunge pool and listen to the sound of the waves from your pati o. 18,888 per night upwards; starwoodhotels.com EAT Sheela is an institution in Goa. Stop here on your way to the hotel and enjoy their signature thalis or butter garlic prawns. NH 17A, Vidhyanagar Colony, Vasco da Gama; 91/904-915-8277 Spice Traders, the pan-Asian restaurant at W Goa, offers a menu curated by Director of Cuisine Tanveer Kwatra. Come here for his delicious seafood, but as a policy, the hotel has plenty of options for everyone including vegetarians, pseudo-vegetarians (like me who just eat chicken), and vegans. The installations here done by Subodh Kerkar will make a worthy Instagram post! The Riverhouse is…

The latest archaeological city to have peaked my interest as an architect is Persepolis in South Iran. The city is replete with mammoth remains from the Achaemenid architecture dating back to the Persian dynasty in 4th century. To start with I wanted to see King Xerxes Palace—‘The Gate of All Nations’, or what is left of it since the invasion of Alexander the Great in 330 BC. I took this photograph from inside the dilapidated halls of the Palace, looking at one of the colossal monolithic columns, that have remained erect withstanding the test of time.…

ESCAPE TO HIDEAWAY BEACH RESORT & SPA, MALDIVES It’s going to get terribly busy soon—with the holiday season, family obligations, and end-of-the-year blues. Now is the perfect time to take a short break, just you and your partner, and spend some peaceful days at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, Maldives. travelandleisureindia.in/escape-hideaway-beach-resort-spa FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY AT RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA If your kids are daydreaming of an unmatched holiday soaked in pure fanfare and adventure, the quickest and smartest family getaway is the Universal Studios at the Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore. travelandleisureindia.in/fun-wholefamily-resorts-world-sentosa CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S WORLD—THE DARK SIDE OF HUMOUR The ‘little big man’ in the black tuxedo, Charlie Chaplin, with his trademark wobbling gait, iconic moustache, bowler hat and cane, reminded his audiences to laugh through the dark times. Chaplin’s…

NEW YORK Neighbourhood Watch In Chelsea, I love hanging out at the High Line park. It’s an old elevated railroad track with gardens that feature art installations, as well as food and retail stands. You can walk the length between 14th and 34th Street and make a stop at the Whitney Museum of American Art (whitney.org), before heading to Soho House (sohohouseny.com) for dinner. I usually spend a lot of time in Greenwich Village—it has small shops and casual restaurants with great food. Bleecker Street is fun to walk down and explore. Art Check I’m a fan of pop art and love everything from Banksy and Mr Brainwash to Andy Warhol and Basquiat. I recently discovered The Jewish Museum (thejewishmuseum.org), which had the most amazing Isaac Mizrahi and Helena…

1 L’EAU D’ISSEY ISSEY MEYAKE Over the 22 years since its launch, Issey Meyake has won a somewhat folk name in perfumery. If water had a scent, this would be its sillage. Fruity Aromatic Vetiver 2 ARTISAN ACQUA JOHN VARVATOS Reasons why you need to add this to your collection: It’s a limited edition; it’s long-lasting; and comes in handwoven packaging. Citrus Spicy Woody 3 LUNA ROSSA SPORT PRADA Sharp, intense, and sporty, it captures the rush of extreme sailing in both the scent and the bottle. Wear the Prada attitude in all its Italian luxury to your next adrenaline-packed getaway. Fruity Amber Aromatic 4 ICON ABSOLUTE DUNHILL With almost a James Bond-ish fame, this suave and sophisticated scent is inspired by the tailored style of a British man. Spicy…

CARRERA CALIBRE 1887 TAG HEUER One of the world’s most well-known luxury watch brands, Tag is now being endorsed by actors Ranbir Kapoor and Chris Hemsworth. It doesn’t get more solid than this. OVERSEAS COLLECTION VACHERON CONSTANTIN Combining functionality with style, these timepieces capture the true spirit of travel—self-winding and interchangeable straps bearing the Hallmark of Geneva. AIRBOSS MECHANICAL BLACK EDITIONS VICTORINOX Named after an aircraft carrier’s flight deck controller, these diamond-cut timepieces keep time with pinpoint accuracy. PATHOS DIVA CARL F. BUCHERER Fashioned with 18-karat rose gold, 54 diamonds, and a filigree halo of the aureole that reflects light in countless facets—this is razzmatazz in all its glory. TRUE THINLINE RADO The thinnest ceramic watch that Rado has ever produced, it is a minimalist masterpiece with an unbelievably thin…

FREE-FLOWING POOLSIDE BUBBLY ON DEMAND Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa Florida, USA This is the place to bring in the weekend! Complimentary free-flowing champagne is served along the poolside, in the afternoons. Don’t be surprised if the resort’s Champagne Butler jumps in with refreshing glasses of bubbly on a custom-made floating serving board—a truly indulgent weekend highlight. Who needs a swim-up bar when the champagne comes to you? eaupalmbeach.com GETTING INKED The Siam Bangkok, Thailand You need not venture far to bring home a permanent piece of mystical Thailand. This luxury boutique hotel located along the iconic Chao Praya River offers ‘Sak Yant’: the ancient Thai art of inking sacred tattoos within a specially consecrated space in the hotel. These traditional black ink tattoos or ‘Yant’ combine ancient geometric…

A lens cloth Never use a napkin to remove dirt from a lens. Zeiss makes a microfiber pouch that doubles as a cloth (US$3; bhphoto video.com). For a more thorough cleaning, apply ROR Residual Oil Remover (US$4.50; bhphoto video.com). Extra storage Estimate the number of memory cards you’ll need based on your pics’ average file size, how often you snap, and whether you shoot video. Then bring twice that many. Store them separately from your camera in a waterproof case. A connection to the cloud Set up an iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox premium account to back up your photos any time your device is connected to wifi. You’ll have to pay extra, but if you ever lose your camera, you’ll be glad you did. Only the cables you need…

1 The Animated GIF Capture people and scenes in action by shooting them as video loops rather than stills, using apps like DSCO, Boomerang, or Phhhoto. 2 The 360-Degree Photo Next time you’re on top of a building or a mountain, record everything you see, using Google’s Street View app, then share it on Facebook. 3 The Mash-Up Combine stills, videos, and text using Snapchat or Instagram Stories—or automate with Magisto or Google Photos’ Assistant feature.…

1 GoProHERO4 It’s the gold standard for its ultra-high-definition resolution, super-smooth slo-mo video, and ability to shoot in low light and up to 131 feet underwater. US$399; gopro.com 2 Ricoh WG-M2 You can drop, step on, freeze, and submerge (down to 65 feet) this durable and slickly designed camera, which shoots 4K video and has built-in wifi. US$299; us.ricoh-imaging.com 3 VTech Kidizoom Action Cam This unit is hardy, waterproof, and easy to use—perfect if your kid’s an Evel Knievel. Plus it comes with cool filters and accessories to strap it to a bike or skateboard. US$38; vtechkids.com…

One of the fastest-growing segments of the industry, mirrorless cameras beam the image straight to an LCD screen instead of bouncing it off a mirror to a viewfinder, as a DSLR does. This means the camera body is smaller, with nearly the same resolution and the ability to fit an array of lenses. The main difference from a DSLR is that most mirrorless cameras lack a manual focus option (a disadvantage for serious photographers). 1 Sony Alpha a7R II It has many features associated with high-end DSLRs, including 42.4mp resolution, good stabilisation for video, and high light sensitivity. US$3,199, body only; sony.com 2 Fujifilm X-T1 The superfast focus makes it hard to take a blurry shot, and the 16mp sensor is virtually as sharp as most DSLRs. US$1,399, including one…

1 Michael Kors The designer’s new retro-inspired leather Scout bag—which also comes in deep red, bright orange, and soft blue—was made to fit Fujifilm’s new Instax Mini 70. The brands collaborated on an exclusive metallic version of the instant camera. US$348; michael kors.com 2 Killspencer This update on a traditional camera case is made with leather inside and out, a cross-body strap, and industrial hardware that stands up to heavy use. It has slots for a camera, lens, and accessories; other interior organisers like lens bags are available . US$750; killspencer.com 3 Mark Cross A luxe bag that strikes the right balance between style and function: the hard-sided case—curved to sit perfectly on the hip—keeps equipment safe and organised. Saffiano leather, sleek hardware, a playful key chain, and…

STAY IN STYLE 1 DESERT OF DREAMS | MOROCCO Dar Ahlam is a 19th-century Kasbah that lies on the fringes of the Moroccan desert in Ouarzazate, Morocco. ‘Dar Ahlam’ translates to ‘House of Dreams’ and it’s not named this for nothing. The hotel’s desert isolation is central to its philosophy of peace and privacy, where guests feel like they have escaped it all. Built in 1920 and once the Sultan’s hunting ground, the property underwent a complete renovation in 2002, becoming one of Morocco’s most exclusive hotels. Owner Thierry Teyssier hails from the world of theatre and has brought his expertise in creating atmospheres and unique moments to Dar Ahlam. Tired of soulless, impersonal hotels, Thierry has created a residence that promises extraordinary experiences and imaginative spaces that even the…

 History-heaped, mythimbrued, tremendously-templed, Hampi is flung over lush expanses above which 3.4-billion-year old precambrian boulders billow and balance in terrific yoga poses, as it were. The granite and greenstone terrain is amongst earth’s oldest surfaces. No stone has turned here in aeons… But above it rose one of the most prodigious and prolific expressions of poetry in stone known to mankind, the capital of the mighty Vijayanagar Empire that ruled South India for 229 years (1336-1565). Empyrean stones were, however, turned on their heads, so to speak, as Invaders savaged the temples in the fallen bastion of Hinduism and heedlessly beheaded every Hindu idol. Headless Hindu gods today preside with tragic dignity atop towering temples, their unamputated hands (if any) still raised in blessing over dispersed ruins, many of which…

INTERNATIONAL 1 Hong Kong 2 Milan 3 Dubai 4 Paris 5 Florence 6 Tokyo 7 Singapore 8 San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 9 Rome 10 Bangkok U.S. 1 New York City 2 Chicago 3 Charleston, South Carolina 4 Los Angeles 5 San Francisco 6 Las Vegas 7 Aspen, Colorado 8 Santa Fe, New Mexico 9 Honolulu 10 Miami…

9 AM Start at the Casino Café de Paris with a cappuccino by the slots—entry is free and bets start at €2 (casinomontecarlo.com). Then head to Pavillons Monte-Carlo, five pebble-shaped pop-up boutiques from Chanel, Chopard, and others. 12 PM Have lunch at the newly renovated Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo seaside spa (thermes marinsmontecarlo.com). L’Hirondelle restaurant serves great seafood—sit on the terrace for views of the Prince’s Palace. 3 PM Stick around for a 90-minute La Prairie treatment followed by a dip in the heated seawater pool overlooking the Mediterranean. A day pass here costs US$170, but it’s complimentary for Hôtel de Paris and Hôtel Hermitage guests. 7 PM Have dinner at Alain Ducasse’s legendary gilded restaurant, Le Louis XV, which has reopened at Hôtel de Paris. Then try your luck at…

Gauri’s latest venture is the swanky Magazine Street Kitchen, a Masterchefstyle space with state-of-the-art cooking stations, a bakery for French and artisan breads, a dry storeroom, freezers and a 40-seater dining area. A little hard-to-find but already popular for pop-up A-list chef-led events. RESTAURATEUR>> GAURI DEVIDAYAL THE TABLE AND MAGAZINE STREET KITCHEN There’s a sense of natural and effortless elegance about Gauri Devidayal that she carries through her approach to her restauarant business. And although she may have wandered into it more by chance, she has definitely stayed by choice. Get her talking about her favourite places to eat around the world, and you’ll discover a woman who has not only travelled far and deep, but also one with some of the best recommendations around the world. MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL…

Lan Kwai Fong Carnival When: November 19-20 It’s a party on the streets this month! The Lan Kwai Fong Carnival is back again with live entertainment, street food, and a night parade—it's all happening on the streets of Hong Kong’s premium district, Lan Kwai Fong. There will be more than 50 food stalls and booths to choose from, so make sure this fiesta features on your itinerary. Hong Kong Great November Feast When: November 1-30 All through the month of November, a gourmet celebration of food and wine will be held in Hong Kong. This festiva will feature food and wine stalls from around the world and plenty of culinary events to keep guests entertained. The month will also see the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair with 1,060…

By her own admission, Katie McKnoulty is a nomad who travels the world in search of secret, soulful, and inspiring places to capture on her camera, and meet people who pursue unique dreams. She spends two to three months living like a local in a destination and shares her travel stories on The Travelling Light, her blog, and reaches out to over 29,000 followers on Instagram@thetravellinglight.…

Amp up your snaps without downloading extra apps. 1 Burst Mode Keep your finger on the shutter button of your iPhone or Android to capture a rapid series of shots. Select your favourite later on. 2 Focus Lock Hold a spot on your camera screen until you get a 'Lock' message. A square will appear, showing that your focus is set there even if you reframe. 3 Photo and Video in One Press the concentric-circles icon on an iPhone or activate “Motion Picture” in Settings on a Samsung Galaxy to capture a video snippet.…

“Ronald Lewis, who runs the House of Dance and Feathers in New Orleans, told me about this Super Sunday parade the Mardi Gras Indians put on. The big chiefs have the most elaborate costumes, with phenomenally detailed beadwork. I took this picture in the middle of the day, when the light creates harder shadows and brighter highlights. My assistant was carrying a wireless strobe that we used to supplement the natural light. Because this was a parade, and the big chiefs were drumming and singing, I didn’t want to just do static pictures—I wanted it to feel like you were witnessing the moment. There were so many people around, just outside of the shot, pretty much touching the feathers. This composition came out of just wanting to focus on him,…

Your eighties-era self may not believe it, but instant cameras are back. Not much has changed: the camera exposes an image and prints it on self-contained photo paper. Which doesn’t make for amazing image quality, but that’s not the point—nostalgia is. 1 Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 This was the company’s biggest seller last year, thanks to its small size, light weight (less than a pound), and candy colours. One drawback is that the selfie lens is sold separately. US$54; instax.com 2 Impossible I-1 After buying Polaroid’s German factory, the Impossible Project released this camera modelled on a classic Polaroid, but improved with a lens surrounded by an LED light ring that creates brighter photos. US$300; impossible-project.com…

ADD-ONS FOR ANY KIND OF CAMERA— 1 Rocket Blaster Stop blowing onto your lens—the way to clean it is with this simple, syringe-like device with a one-way valve that shoots out clean air. US$10; giottosusa.com 2 Canon Pixma MG7720 Printer Wirelessly beam images from the cloud to this printer/ scanner that handles both 4 x 6 and 8 x 10 paper. US$140; canon.com 3 Joby GorillaPod Already a design classic, the legs of this multi-jointed stand twist into any position. Comes in DSLR- and phone-friendly models. From US$49; joby.com 4 Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipes You’ll want to keep your 360-degree HD video camera spotless. These will erase all grease and grime. US$14 for 200; amazon.com IF YOU’RE SHOOTING WITH A PHONE— 1 Moment Lenses Three lenses (sold individually) that clip…

You are left to imagine yourself as a googly-eyed small town French lad who’s come to the big city and been thrusted with a part in a major Parisian production. Charles Lee walks into the front lobby, dapper in a suit, with briefcase in hand, looking for the right person to speak with. Anyone could have mistaken him for a guest—his unassuming demeanour, careful gait, and assertive eyes—he could even pass for a secretive billionaire gambler that this city was famous for. But here, on the day of the launch of the majestic integrated resort, he is the only man under the roof who looks rather unaffected by the grandeur that surrounds him. This is my cue to walk up to the man who is actually behind this palatial new…

THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT STAYING AT A HOTEL BEFORE IT OPENS FOR THE PUBLIC. ELEVATED FROM THE STATUS OF A GUEST, YOU BECOME AN INSIDER, A PART OF ITS CORE TEAM, BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN IT IN ITS JAMMIES AND WHEN IT’S ALL DRESSED UP. And the next time you come to visit, you notice the transition from a just-about-there property to a smooth-running luxury resort and think to yourself, “Look, there is no plastic cover on the huge golden W in the courtyard!” W Goa is a little away from the neon madness that Goa can be, located in the sleepy Chapora village where everything moves slower than usual—even by Goa standards. Palm-fringed paths, green fields shining under the monsoon sun, old Portuguese houses (one of which has…

While Switzerland’s luxury-watch companies are sprinkled throughout the country, Germany’s are all located in a single village of about 7,000. For centuries, Glashütte was a silver-mining stronghold, but when the ore began to run out in the mid 19th century, it refashioned itself as a watchmaking mecca. During the Soviet era, the industry was consolidated into a state-run Kombinat, then nearly flickered out of existence after reunification. But in the past two decades it has made an improbable comeback. Today, aficionados can’t get enough of Glashütte’s products: last year, the town’s 10 companies together turned out more than 32,000 timepieces. “The name Glashütte is a stamp of pride,” Friberg says. “Good things come out of this town.” Here, he explores what makes Glashütte tick. 1. NEUMARKTS SQUARE IN DRESDEN “Watch…

There was a moment during New York Fashion Week last February when, from out of nowhere, it seemed everyone was talking about Copenhagen—and not for the usual reasons. For once, it wasn’t the Danish capital’s exalted quality of life, or its much-hyped New Nordic cuisine, that the assembled stylists, bloggers, and fashion editors were whispering about. This time, the buzz was all about the city’s remarkable—and newly discovered—sense of style. As Emily Weiss, founder and CEO of the Into the Gloss and Glossier websites, put it, “Copenhagen is known for its foodie culture, but now there are all these girls with incredible style. I visited this spring and there’s a real sense of humour to the way they dress there.” None of this was news to model and Copenhagen native…