Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2018 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

SIMON CLAYS Travel and romance are much maligned friends. Star crossed lovers. A million times I’ve heard that the journey is part of the destination, but it just doesn’t map out in the travel versus romance stakes—anyone who has the audacity to call Security at Delhi IGI romantic, has surely never found love. That’s not to say that travel and romance doesn’t exist. You just can’t plan it. Can’t create romance. If you do, you’re doomed to failure and held hostage by sychronisation. Far better, to let it wash over you and let it happen when it happens. I’ve been lucky enough to travel extensively with my wife and shared many great ‘moments’, but that’s not the point because my most romantic was also the simplest: the privacy of a…

The Australian Outback The wild and arid desert region of the Outback offers a 4,800 kilometre stretch between Adelaide and Darwin where you can off-road into the unhindered desert landscape-crossing narrow rivers, and experiencing the non-touristy interiors of the country. ULURU At 450 kilometres from the largest outback town of Alice Springs lies its ‘red centre’-Ayers Rock. The Uluru Base Walk running 10 kilometres around the entire circumference of Ayers Rock, is the best way to explore the beauty of the region. KINGS CANYON High above the canopy of a palm forest lies this sandstone canyon that can be conquered through a six kilometre ridge walk, at sunset. ALICE SPRINGS DESERT PARK Key in an audio guide and stroll through three carefully recreated desert habitats to witness rare flora and…

ART CURATOR>> ARJUN SAWHNEY AKOI AND SAWHNEY ARTS Sawhney grew up in Kolkata in an environment of books, clubs, and swimming, and is now spearheading a ‘gypsy gallery,’ with no physical address. Once a banker, he now runs a design studio and mounts out-of-the-box art shows under Akoi and Sawhney Arts. He believes in creating a platform for talent, and his curations like Tara: 21 Avatars of the Goddess and Ink, Reels, and The Graphics Gang, are testimony. THE FIRST A Bhupen Khakkar, from Shireen Gandhy of Chemould was the very first art piece I bought. The first show I curated was for Gallery Espace (galleryespace.com) in Delhi. FAVOURITE SPACES Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai (gallerychemould.com ); Chatterjee and Lal, Mumbai (chatterjeeandlal.com); Vadhera Art Gallery, Delhi (vadehraart.com); Nature Morte, Delhi (naturemorte.com). HOLIDAY…

Head to Shinjuku for dinner at the Robot Restaurant (shinjuku-robot.com) but change your mind and duck into the tiny Alternative Absinthe Bar next door instead. Down a couple of shots of susume (sugar and absinthe), to get a head-start to the evening. Try not to insult the Goth at the bar. Stumble out and get a grip on things by getting a coffee at the Starbucks near the Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station (shibuyastation.com). Hold on to the railing of the escalator and take in the expansive view from the top. Look for a conbini (conbinijapan.com), a 24X7 store, and grab a pint of local beer (try Yebisu); finish that on the sidewalk and go back in to pick up the rest of the six-pack. Quaff on the street-its not…

When I was considering a move to Charleston to edit a new magazine called Garden & Gun in the summer of 2007, my wife and I went to McCrady’s restaurant, just off East Bay Street, which was helmed by a young chef named Sean Brock. Having been spoiled by New York restaurants, we weren’t expecting much, but it was hard not to be charmed by the entrance on a tiny cobblestoned alley, the long walnut bar, and the brick arch that framed the entrance inside. We couldn’t get a babysitter, so we stashed our sleeping six-month-old daughter under the table in her car seat, praying that she wouldn’t wake up and spoil a rare date night. Then the courses started coming—house-made charcuterie, sous vide scallops seared a la plancha, and…

Charleston has been exporting its culture via the products of metalsmiths and basket weavers for hundreds of years. Two of the artisans taking those traditions into the 21st -century are Marianna 'Mini' Hay and Corey Alston. Hay is the youngest designer at Croghan’s Jewel Box (croghans jewelbox.com), a King Street institution (her great-grandfather opened the shop in 1907). Looking to make her own mark, the 27-year-old took an unusual symbol-the palmetto bug, aka the humble cockroach-and turned it into her signature totem, placing it on chunky cuffs and delicate pendants. Her Goldbug collection has grown to 40 core designs, from a 1,590 napkin ring to a 33,715 bib necklace. In Charleston’s City Market, fifth-generation basket weaver Corey Alston is also injecting a dose of fresh thinking into his family business,…

With their windswept Atlantic beaches and family-friendly vibes, the barrier islands outside Charleston offer a different kind of escape. One of the most popular: Isle of Palms, home to the 1,600-acre Wild Dunes Resort (doubles from 12,677; destinationhotels.com/wild-dunes) and two golf courses. Many of the area’s most recognisable residents have homes there, including Shep Rose, who stars in the Bravo series Southern Charm and a new spin-off series, Relationshep. Here are his weekend go-tos, before and after a long day of surfing. “I get my coffee at the Refuge (therefugeiop.com), a little nautical-themed spot just over the IOP connector. That’s where you’ll find me most mornings. The seafood-focused Long Island Café (entrées 1,020– 2,100; longislandcafesc.com) is a gem. It’s been here since the 1980s and is as unpretentious as they…

WHY GO? There’s never a dull moment in Turku, Finland’s oldest city. Take a kayaking trip in the bay, find a spot along the River Aura for a picnic, enjoy a Nordic sunset, and when you come back to the city centre, navigate through secret passages, hidden cafes, and magnificent castles. WHAT’S ON? Midsummer (June 22 to 23; visitturku.fi) is the most awaited Finnish festival. Join the locals in celebration that mainly features plenty of food, fishing, and boating in the company of friends. The festivities continue late into the night, but the sun barely sets on the Midsummer’s eve, so it’s one long party! Later, in July, The Chainsmokers and Marshmello are scheduled to be in town for the annual Ruisrock music festival (July 6 to 8; ruisrock.fi). THE…

The Moulin Rouge is why most people in Paris make a stop in Pigalle, a neighbourhood notorious for its sex shops, cabaret shows, and streetwalking. As the area spreads into the adjoining streets, you’ll still find hostess bars but alongside them, buzzing cocktail emporiums and classy pubs. The area known as SoPi (Southern Pigalle) led the wave two years back, and now there’s everything from luxury hotels to top-notch bistros on offer. LULU WHITE When you arrive at the address, the clutch of smokers outside its unmarked door gives Lulu White away. The New Orleans-influenced speakeasy is about all things absinthe. Behind the bar, a blackboard lists the cocktail specials that are relatively cheaper than the other drinks on offer; if you’re looking to start slow, the champagne-based Lulu’s Fizz…

A dreamy chase of the European sun brings you on board the Royal Clipper, a luxury cruise inspired by the 1902 German tall ship called Preussen. This Star Clipper ship glides on the Mediterranean Sea during the short summer months with its dramatic white sails driving the gorgeous vessel into the sea. The 42 sails are not just for show; the Royal Clipper has earned a place in the Guinness Records as the largest five-mast, fully-rigged sailing ship in the world. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb up the mast with a safety harness to one of the passenger lookout crows-nests for a splendid view of a sun-kissed horizon. There are multiple ports to book the journey from, but depart from Cannes for a seven-night journey to Rome and…

The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel (badruttspalace.com), Switzerland, is the latest entrant in the exclusive club of Krug Ambassades, a select group of luxury hotels that serve the celebrated cuvees brand, Krug Champagne (krug.com). As part of the development, the St Moritz-based hotel has opened a special chalet, Krug Stubli, in its wine cellar, where guests can savour 23 different Krug champagnes in a carefully set up rustic ambience. The guests at the hotel’s bars and restaurants will also have access to the limited edition Krug Grande Cuvée, Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996, and Krug Collection 1982. Other patrons in the exclusive club of Krug Ambassades are the Tippling Club in Singapore (tipplingclub.com), The Champagne Company (thechampagnecompany.com), and The Peninsula Beijing (beijing.peninsula.com).…

DAY / ONE Santimamiñe Caves Guided tours of this site in Basondo are available by appointment. santimamine@bizkaia.net Oma Painted Forest Stroll Agustín Ibarrola’s monument to Basque art and tradition outside Basondo on your own or book a guided tour. Hotel Torre Zumeltzegi This 13th -century stone tower in Oñati has spectacular views of the Basque mountains, beautiful rooms, and an excellent restaurant. Doubles from 8814; hoteltorre zumeltzegi.com DAY / TWO Sanctuary of Our Lady of Arantzazu After visiting this futuristic church in Oñati, continue on to the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, which offers excellent hiking. Hotel Maisonnave Pamplona’s Plaza del Castillo, where some of Hemingway’s favourite bars remain in business, is a short walk from this well-kept boutique hotel. Doubles from 6700; hotel maisonnave.es DAY / THREE Jorge Oteiza…

RESTAURANTS Always check your bill: if a service charge has been included, no additional gratuity is necessary. Otherwise, a 10 per cent tip is seen as generous in most European countries. Bring cash-some restaurants won’t allow a gratuity to be added to a credit card purchase. HOTELS If a porter helps with your luggage, it’s customary to offer one or two euros (or the local equivalent) per bag. Concierges who attend to special requests should also be recognised with 10 to 20 euros. Additionally, tipping housekeeping staff a few euros at the end of your stay is appreciated but not expected. TAXIS Universally, taxi drivers do not anticipate tips, though rounding up to the next euro is standard. OTHER SERVICES It is routine to tip tour guides a few euros…

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER BYZANTINE-ERA MONASTERY AND CHURCH IN ISRAEL The spectacular remains of a 1,500-year-old monastery and church in Israel have been uncovered recently and they echo a wonderful story of outstanding preservation. travelandleisureindia.in/byzantinechurch-uncovered-israel HERE IS WHY YOU SHOULD TRY A HOMESTAY INSTEAD OF A HOTEL IN LADAKH Experience Ladakh’s outer wilderness and a real taste of its local culture whilst staying at the homes of village locals. travelandleisureindia.in/ladakh-himalayan-abodes BANGKOK STREET FOOD JOINT RUN BY 70-YEAR-OLD WINS MICHELIN STAR A street food joint, run by a 70-year-old chef, has won one Michelin star in the city’s first ever Michelin Guide Bangkok 2018. travelandleisureindia.in/ bangkok-joint-wins-michelin-star DOWNLOAD US T+L Tablet Editions Available on iPad, Android, and Windows Tablets. FOLLOW US INSTAGRAM/ TRAVELANDLEISUREINDIA FACEBOOK.COM/  TNLINDIA PINTEREST.COM / TRAVLEISUREIN TWITTER.COM/TNLINDIA SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION…

Panda Conservation, Chengdu China’s incredible effort in bringing its native Giant Pandas back from the brink of extinction is preservation’s prized story. At the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), the bears are bred in captivity with oodles of love. Through the voluntary programme orchestrated by GoEco (goeco.org), you can dedicate some of your time in taking care of these beautiful animals. T+L TIP ► Explore artefacts from the Shu Dynasty (4th century BC) at the Jinsha Site Museum. jinshasitemyseum.com ► Enjoy a traditional opera that includes fire breathing and mask changing at Shu Feng Ya Yun Sichuan Opera. shufengyayun.com Saving Antarctica It only takes one visit to Antarctica to understand the reeling effects of rising sea levels. Robert Swan, the first person in history to…

I’m mortified of unwittingly offending someone,” I murmur surreptitiously to Joan. The two of us are seated next to each other on the ‘Romancecar’— a defining sobriquet for a class of trains in Japan that, scandalously, lack armrests to sequester passengers on the twin-seats. Japan can make the first-time visitor feel like an unsettled pretender to culture; I talk softly—gaze directed steadfastly at the overhead sign instructing passengers to ‘…please go to the vestibule if you need to take a phone call.’ The whisper in her ear becomes a storm, and scythes through the icy silence of the fully-packed compartment; heads turn in subdued alarm towards the interloper. I cringe, horrified at my transgression—like a parvenu, exposed in plain sight, whose discordant utterance has decimated the Zen-like meditative cadence of…

Think Connecticut, and the mind conjures up clapboard houses and picket fences. But architecture buffs know the state for glass walls, cement, and dark wood—the signature media of the Modernist architects who once made it their playground. Connecticut Modernism began taking shape in the 1930s, when Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus design school, fled Germany and took a position at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. His associate Marcel Breuer soon joined him, and together they mentored a generation of architects that included Modernist icons Landis Gores, John M Johansen, Eliot Noyes, and Philip Johnson. In the 40s, as many of these pioneers began establishing Manhattan firms, they bought homes in Connecticut. Buoyed by the postwar boom, towns like New Canaan and Stamford became creative hot spots full of boldly…

Starting your own wine label in Napa is no easy feat. “It’s like being in the Indianapolis 500,” says Rolando Herrera, the owner of Mi Sueño, an intimate winery near downtown Napa that produces more than 8,000 cases a year of acclaimed Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. “There’s a lot of talent, a lot of competition.” It’s even harder to get ahead when you move to America’s most famous wine region from Mexico, at 15, as Herrera did back in 1982. Every day, he’d rise at 6.30 am, attend a full day of school, then head to the famed Auberge du Soleil after classes to wash dishes from 3 pm to midnight. Eventually, he shifted to vineyard work at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, then got his big break when…

Ten years ago, women like Morey—the boss-lady behind Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit ( calliesbiscuits.com ), a restaurant where people line up for the Southern breakfast staple—were a rarity in Charleston. Now that’s all changing, as more female chefs and entrepreneurs bring their talents to the table. Here, Morey shares her favourite eateries with women at the helm. “Literally my favourite thing to do on Fridays, after a long week of work, is to linger over lunch at Jill Mathias’s restaurant, Chez Nous (entrées 765– 2,550; cheznousbistro.org), off Cannon Street. It’s like a mini-vacation via transportive French food. And I just love how Jill is unapologetic about having only a few things on the menu. She’s breaking all the rules in all the right ways. Verde (salads 510–…

When it comes to visiting the Lowcountry’s historic estates, many visitors find themselves overwhelmed by the options, which include the popular Middleton Place, Drayton Hall, and Magnolia Plantation. But McLeod Plantation Historic Site (ccprc.com) is different for its unflinching perspective on both slavery and the struggle for land rights before, during, and after the Civil War. Spread over 37 acres on James Island, McLeod opened to the public in 2015. Through tours and lectures, guides paint a stark, vivid picture of life for the slaves who harvested Sea Island cotton for McLeod's middle-class farmers. They also trace McLeod’s wartime and post-bellum evolution, from a campsite for both Confederate and Union troops to the headquarters of the Freedmen’s Bureau following emancipation. The tours last 45 minutes, but you'll want another hour…

Intricate ironwork can be found throughout the city, in churches, homes, and gardens. Get hands-on instruction in the trade from blacksmith James Irving, who leads a Playing with Fire course on the basics at the Wild Dunes Resort and at his forge on James Island; students may come away with a bottle opener, oyster shucker, or fire poker. Upwards of 5,733 for a two-hour class; destinationhotels.com/wild-dunes Ryan Casey is a rising star in the craft-cocktail world, having earned his stripes at Charleston hot spots like FIG. Now he presides over the brass bar inside the Dewberry Charleston, where he hosts private mixology lessons for locals and guests. Upwards of 6,370 per hour; dewberry charleston.com Henrietta Snype’s basket-making lessons are a deep dive into weaving technique, covering topics such as identifying…

The Hassan II Mosque is guaranteed to leave an everlasting impact on you. As you stand affront the ‘most beautiful religious building in the world,’ you’ll be as overwhelmed as Rick Blaine in the last scene of the 1942 classic, Casablanca. The elaborate and intricate designs; the Moorish influence; the beautifully carved out horseshoe arches and the bright mosaics emanating a warm glow: one can’t help but be cast under its spell. The most intriguing feature is the glass floor in the basement of the mosque that allows you a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. The main prayer hall here can accommodate 25,000 worshipers at a time and the large complex includes an Islamic school, hammams, a museum on Moroccan history, conference halls, and a large library. The mosaics…

Anyone who has watched her eyebrow raises on the reality show will know that she is a stickler for details. Part of London’s culinary scene for close to two decades, the Kiwi chef has finally emerged out of the shadow of mentor Michel Roux Jr and launched her debut restaurant, Mere (mere-restaurant.com) with sommelier-husband, David Galetti, last year on London’s Charlotte Street. IN THE FAMILY Monica and David met at the two-star Michelin restaurant, Le Gavroche (le-gavroche.co.uk), at the start of their careers where they later went on to become senior sous chef and head sommelier respectively. It was ‘restaurants ever after’ between the power couple. THE RESTAURANT Coming from a Samoa-based family of six siblings, seafood was aplenty on the table, and so was the paramount requisite of keeping…

Budapest is often referred to as the capital of architecture and Trinity Square, in the heart of the city, is where architectural inspirations from different eras come together—Baroque, Neo-Gothic, and the Renaissance. Standing tall among the city’s landmarks is the Matthias Church which served as a mosque during the Turkish reign, and later went on to see many coronations of Hungarian royal family. The Fisherman’s Bastion right next to it offers the best views of Europe’s second largest river, the Danube. Budapest is better explored from the waters aboard a luxury river cruise in the months of March through to May. Trinity Square was named after the holy Trinity Statue built to celebrate the end of the Great Plague. Know more such interesting facts at travelandleisureindia.in.…

The frozen lake of St Moritz will be the centre of some pulsating action as thoroughbreds from all over the world will race at the 111th White Turf International Horseraces (February 4,11, and 18; whiteturf.ch). Ever enjoyed a sumptuous meal while star-gazing in the Alps? Fret not, the Gornegrat Railway (Up till March 22; zermatt.ch) takes a handful of visitors to the Ridge of Gornegrat for a gourmet experience under a spectacular sky. Join revellers as they take to the streets of Basel during the die drey scheenschte Dääg (the three most beautiful days) of Carnival of Basel (February 19-22). Look forward to dramatic costumes, parades, and a riot of confetti.…

Along, winding drive along Lake Como brings you to the front porch of Casta Diva (castadivaresort.com), a beautiful luxury resort that has claimed an enviable spot in Hollywood’s hideaway resort town. In the 19th -century, the main villa on the estate today, known as Villa Roccabruna, was owned by a famous Italian soprano opera singer, Giuditta Pasta. She invested the first money she earned on redesigning the former casino to look like the Scala Opera Theatre in Milan, where she found success. While here, she drew the attention of the crème de la crème of the Italian elite such as playwright Vincenzo Bellini who wrote Norma, an opera just for her, the first act of which was called Casta Diva. Almost 200 years later, an eponymous resort in the same…

FREE STOPOVERS Yes, there are airlines that provide stopovers in multiple cities with no additional costs. For instance, you can extend your layover for up to seven days with airlines such as IcelandAir and FinnAir. If you are flying by Turkish Airlines and have a connecting wait time of 24 hours or less, the Touristanbul programme will take you to city landmarks free of cost. NO MUSEUM FEE Keep a tab on monuments and museums that offer free entry on particular days. For example, Musée National d’Art Moderne and Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris offer free entry on the first Sunday of every month. There are also tourist passes such as the Roma Pass which give access to city attractions without paying extra each time. COUNTRIES NOT ON EURO Travelling…

IT was as if, when everyone was busy rolling dreams in hemp on De Wallen one night, an intoxicated soothsayer had wandered off into the city and allowed his profundity to set guidelines for how Amsterdam should be: anything but ordinary. And so, behind an armour of 17th -century buildings, the Dutch who had taken the conventional route to dreaming had drawn the smoke from the street to make patterns around themselves; that’s how Europe’s quintessential Wonderland was born: a mix of extraordinary things birthed by whimsical minds; a character too hard to put in a box. At this point, I had thrown my hands on an imaginary piano, stressing on every third word to get the right sentiment across. I was at a dimly-lit Delhi bar, two drinks down,…

BELMOND LE MANOIR AU QUAT SAISONS Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin star restaurant and 15th Century hotel is about an hour and a pinch’s drive north of London and worth the trip just to satiate your pallet. Set in picture perfect Oxfordshire countryside, the property also runs excellent farm to table gardening and cookery classes. Doubles at 60,000.belmond.com/uk HEVER CASTLE, EDENBRIDGE For a slice of real Tudor spice, Hever Castle will not disappoint. Buried in lush wooded Sussex countryside, it’s the childhood home of Ann Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and mother of the enigmatic Elizabeth I. Hever is a treasure, immaculate in every respect with manicured period gardens and a giddy maze. Adult entry ticket from 1500. hevercastle.co.uk MILROYS WHISKY TASTING Closer to the thick of things, Milroys is…

BICESTER VILLAGE If Oxford Street doesn’t satiate your desire for retail therapy, then a trip to Bicester certainly will. An hour’s ride out of London, Bicester takes a civilised approach to designer shopping. 160 brands, all at discounted prices and all set in a linear village fashion makes parting with your cash all the more, easy. It’s how a mall should be. bicestervillage.com ANNE OF CLEVES HOUSE, LEWES Another clash with Henry VIII, but this time down on the South Coast and around the corner from sunny Brighton. After the annulment of his marriage to Anne, she was annexed off to the coast and her house in Lewes is a fabulous example of Tudor architecture and living. While you’re in Lewes you might also pop into the local brewery, Harvey’s…

GETTING THERE There are direct flights to London Heathrow from most major Indian hubs with Air India and Jet operating the busiest routes. Virgin Atlantic offers an excellent direct route from Indira Gandhi Iinternational Airport Delhi and most of the Middle Eastern airlines run more cost-effective options with layovers through their hubs. VISA & PERMITS For now, and even though the UK is currently headed for a European exit, the Schengen Visa is your route for access as a tourist. The cost is 4400 and you should apply in good time, but be warned: you’ll be required to show your flight bookings as part of the approval process. HOTEL The Hotel Café Royal boasts excellent access to the West End and a rich array of finely appointed rooms, four restaurants…

The labyrinth of canals in Venice are preparing for a grand renovation of the 16th -century Procuratie Vecchie palace at the Piazza di San Marco. British architect David Chipperfield who is set to orchestrate this, will give Venetians the access to a secret passageway, previously hidden courtyards, and stories locked behind the doors of this iconic four-storey building for over 500 years. Rebuilt in the 1530s after a major fire, the palace, adorned with ornate ceilings and frescos, would entertain only politicians and the royalty. However, after a multimillion-pound facelift, the erstwhile royal residence will become a hub for art exhibitions, installations, and seminars, open to the general public. For those looking for an unparalleled view of the Piazza di San Marco, you will now have access to the Procuratie’s…

One of the big draws for travellers to the United States is its shopping avenues. Whether you fancy checking out luxury designers dominating the global runways, attractive offers on high street brands, or the hottest retailers in the world, one shopping chain that gives you a bit of everything, is Simon Shopping Destinations. With Premium Outlets, The Mills, and Simon Malls housing luxury, high street, and retail brands in over 100 centres, Simon Shopping Destinations creates a benchmark for the rest of the country. Here are six places you should visit on your next trip. THE FORUM SHOPS AT CAESARS PALACE ® Walk in to the most unique of settings; the Forum Shops take up a 36,000-square-foot area that’s connected to the Caesars Palace hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.…

How was the World Of Hyatt (WOH) conceptualised? The purpose of the company is to care for people so they can be their best. This is what we thought deeply about when we wanted to create WOH. It is not just a loyalty programme-it wraps around everything we do. We welcome our guests into an empathetic environment to make their experience more meaningful and pleasant. How do you deepen your understanding of guests? We get to interact with people on a person-to-person basis. By capturing that information, we can build on it over time, and make sure that we are also investigating things that may interest you. There are digital resources, inquiries, experiences that individuals seek out. We have something called a ‘guest experience management platform’ (commonly referred to as…

TOKYO Torinoth San’s condo is decadent, and not just by Tokyo’s standards. Three bedrooms and another double bed in the extended living room area can accommodate 15 people which subsidises the tariff ( 10,000). Musicians will find a classical guitar and upright piano at their disposal in this consummate bachelor’s pad. There’s an ever-attentive Alexa assistant to cater to your virtual commands in an airy living room, and large bay windows looking over the gentrified urban landscape. airbnb.co.in/rooms/16315202 HAKONE There’s nothing quite like sitting in your own private hot spring tub, outside your room, with the mist rolling in early morning. Located in the gorgeous hilly suburb of Hakone, the Bayakudan provides an intensely personal experience of Hakone’s famous hot-springs. If you’re there in autumn, with ochre leaves suspended in…

I looked up as the stars shined down at me. There it was. Just at the right moment. The blink of an eye and I would have missed it. The thing about city life is that organic pleasures in life are lean. Having never seen a shooting star in my life, at this very second, I was ecstatic. Away from the lights and noise of the town, I was at The Source at Sula, my abode for three days where I had the liberty to live at my own pace. I had arrived at the wine capital of India in the morning with a preconceived notion that it couldn’t be as good as the vineyards of Cape Town that claimed a piece of me while I was there. Momentarily lost…

Peacocks. A year from now all you’ll see is bougainvillea and peacocks,’ It’s an emphatic statement, considering all I can see if I follow the wagging finger out beyond a sun streaked Sunday haze is the line of a yellow wall and the first grasps of an arboreal invasion. But then, I’ve been a guest of The Oberoi, New Delhi for under a day. Jay Rathore, Vice President and General Manager of the property, has been squirreling away at the project for at least two years and heading up the place for a decade. I guess, if anyone can see the future for Delhi’s oldest luxury property, it’s him. He’s a bit of a peacock himself. As sartorially immaculate as the hotel corridors he haunts; he’s waxed moustache and cravat…

STAY The Dewberry Charleston A hotel with Midcentury design elements off Marion Square. Doubles from 22,265; thedewberry charleston.com 86 Cannon, the Poinsette House Don’t miss the nightly wine and cheese at this inn on Cannon Street. Doubles from 22,200; 86cannon.com Wentworth Mansion This downtown inn is classic Charleston, with its Tiffany windows and evening sherry service. Doubles from 25,445; wentworthmansion.com Zero George A cluster of 1804 homes and carriage houses make up this hotel in Ansonborough. Doubles from 28,560; zerogeorge.com EAT Butcher & Bee Middle Eastern small plates reign at this creative restaurant in Half Mile North. Entrées 1,201-1,781; butcherandbee.com Goat Sheep Cow, North The artisanal cheese shop’s new outpost in Half Mile North doubles as a wine bar. Doubles from 1,900; goatsheepcow.com Husk Chef Sean Brock’s love letter to…

1/Beads on Cannon The ultimate speciality shop, this two-storey emporium carries any kind of gem, stone, bead, and bauble imaginable, plus everything necessary to string, weave, or wire-wrap them. beadsoncannon.com 2/Indigo & Cotton Since 2011, owner Brett Carron has been outfitting Charlestonian men with his smartly edited selection of both Southern (Raleigh Denim, Makr) and non-Southern (Post Imperial, Mollusk) brands in this welcoming, airy space. indigoandcotton.com 3/Mac & Murphy This intimate shop raises the bar for indie stationery stores. Owner Liz Macpherson has stocked an eclectic array of things you never knew you needed: colourful greeting cards, framed prints, and desk accessories. macandmurphy.com 4/Candy Shop Vintage Designer Deirdre Zahl’s boutique is a local mainstay for vintage and vintage-inspired accessories. Her Charleston rice-bead necklaces (long, flapper-style chains popular in the 1970s)…

WHY GO? Much like there’s no end to the Sydney versus Melbourne debate, Warsaw and Kraków banter have become a mainstay in Polish bar conversation ever since they claimed unofficial spots as tourism ambassadors for their country. While the capital is notorious for its traffic, Krakow is more pedestrian-friendly with a dense mix of museums, restaurants, and other hotspots for discerning travellers. WHAT’S ON? Come summer, all roads will lead to the Tauron Arena Kraków for live performances by Lenny Kravitz (June 8), Pearl Jam (July 3), and Iron Maiden (July 27). During this time, the city will also play host to global filmmakers and artists at one of Europe’s oldest events, the Krakow Film Festival (krakowfilmfestival.pl) between May 27-June 3. AFTER DARK Nearly every street, cellar, and courtyard in…

It was an impulsive decision to drive from London to Flatford, in Essex, for a long weekend. Drifting past rolling farmlands, chocolate box villages, and the charming town of Dedham, the journey became a discovery of the life of artist John Constable. As a young adult, The Hay Wain drew me in. The painting makes you feel the idyllic English summer day: cotton candy clouds filling the blue skies, cattle grazing in the meadows, and the meandering river with wildflowers growing on its banks. Much later, when I saw the original painting at the National Gallery in London, I wondered where he drew his inspiration from. This trip answered that question. Constable set up his easel along the River Stour at Flatford Mill (owned by his father), and sketched the…

I told myself not to feel guilty for starting off my trip a bit hungover. It had been three years since I’d been back to Spanish Basque Country—where my father is from and where I’ve lived off and on—so when I arrived late in Bilbao I headed straight for dinner. It was already 11 o’clock, but the streets were filled with families and weekend partyers, and the bar tops were still lined with plates of pintxos. Naturally, I stayed out later than I’d planned. Now I was shaking off a headache with a café con leche before heading out of the city. I hadn’t come to see Jeff Koons’s puppy-dog topiary or pieces by other international art stars at the Guggenheim, which put this part of Spain on the map…

5 Things to Know Now 1 A CHEAPER BRITAIN After Britons voted to split from the European Union, the pound sterling plummeted. While it could take until 2019 to fully cut ties, travellers will find the UK more affordable than it has been in decades. Many hotel properties are offering discounts to lure guests. 2 HEIGHTENED SECURITY The US State Department has issued a Worldwide Caution, asking travellers to ‘exercise vigilance’ in the wake of repeated terror attacks. Expect longer lines at airport security screenings and border-control checkpoints. Check travel.state.gov before your trip. 3 FEWER TOURISTS Despite favourable exchange rates, terrorism has had an impact on the number of visitors to Belgium and Turkey. Though France saw a dip in visitors after attacks in Paris and Nice, it has bounced…