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

SIMON CLAYS It pains me to tell you my favourite summer destination. It should be a secret. In fact, until Dan Brown penned The Da Vinci Code, it was. The sleepy hilltop village of Rennes Le Chateau in the southwest of France was an anonymous side road that meandered into nowhere except some ramshackle housing and a few cryptic clues dotted around a simple priest’s church. It captivated me and held me prisoner five times, as I squirrelled around the countryside in search of answers to the chateau’s riddles. I never found them and they probably don’t exist, but the magic of the Languedoc and its medieval Cathar history held me spellbound for nigh on a decade. It’s also France’s largest and most underrated wine producing department, and home to…

As discerning business travellers begin to venture beyond the comforts of their suites to discover the city they’re visiting, Hilton Worldwide steps up with the perfect package for their guests—the 1/3/5 programme—now on offer at Conrad Pune. From fashion hubs to temples, bakeries to jazz clubs, yoga classes to beer-pub crawls and street-food finds, the hotel strikes all the right notes with an eclectic mix of food and cultural hotspots. Strapped for time? No need to worry. The concierge will design itineraries in one-, three-, and five-hour pockets, based on your interests and availability. GOURMET TRAIL If the aroma of freshly baked bun maska and Irani chai entices you, ask the concierge to arrange a visit to the Café Yezdan (623 Sachapir Street) in Pune Camp. If you have time…

Every so often, Bogota’s Plaza de Bolivar buzzes with colourful performances by a myriad of artistes. As the heart of this pulsating city, this square is the base for street-theatre performers hoping to highlight important social causes. While here, walk to the nearby neighbourhood of La Candelaria, popular among gourmet travellers. Check out legendary steakhouses, such as Andres Carne de Res (andrescarnederes.com) or Prudencia (prudencia.net) to savour delicious tamales and picada. Though frequent showers of rain are common in April and May, you can visit at this time to avoid the touristy crowd and explore Bogota at your own pace.…

Luxury comes in various shapes and sizes. Some are obvious—rich linen, gilded furniture, fine wine, and scented creams that make your hands feel like satin. And then there are the luxuries that are less tangible, almost ethereal in nature, yet more precious for it—the luxury of space, of an unobstructed view, of clear blue skies, of discovering another culture and cuisine, of living in a world totally different from the one you inhabit. This is the luxury of escape. It was at the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort in Oman that all these luxuries came together in flawless harmony to create a fascinating and, indeed, spectacular world— a world I was happy to explore one long weekend in early December. As we drove out of Muscat along Route 15,…

THE TOUR THE BEST OF BRITAIN Ride Ferrari 488 GTB Company Ultimate Driving Tours ultimatedrivingtours.com  Country United Kingdom This niche company creates luxe, self-driving motoring tours for travellers who like to choose their vehicle from a fleet of supercars. The Best of Britain tour includes lavish stays, stops for exceptional dining, and a VIP trip to one of the most legendary car shows on the planet. LONDON Arrive in London and check in to the five-star ME London (melia.com) before heading out for the quirky Classic Mini Chase, an Italian Job-inspired tour that allows you to explore London in an iconic Mini Cooper. The evening will be spent enjoying drinks and dinner at the high-end, French restaurant L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (joelrobuchon.co.uk). LONDON—HORSHAM The next day, you’ll set…

ANTARCTICA A luxury adventure company, White Desert is taking intrepid travellers on a private, chartered, one-day trip to Antarctica for 12,662,325. Aptly called the ‘Greatest Day’ package, the super-exclusive service, maxing out at 12 guests per trip, has attracted some high-profile guests, such as Prince Harry and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. On each trip, a Gulfstream jet flies guests from Cape Town International Airport over the Southern Ocean and lands on a blue-ice runway in Antarctica. white-desert.com LONGER TOURS The eight-day Emperors & South Pole package takes you to the lowest point on Earth, the geographic South Pole, where you can visit emperor penguins. In another package, NASA astronaut Terry Virts accompanies travellers on a tour and shares stories of his time as International Space Station Commander. GOOD TO KNOW White…

OUTSIDE THE SPINNEREI, all I saw were stolid brick walls. But when I walked through the entrance and into the heart of this massive complex, which fills 25 acres in western Leipzig, I began to sense its story. Stylish young Germans bounced by on bikes, scarves fluttering in their wake. They popped into and out of a café in one building and a large art-supply store on the ground floor of another, stocking up on fuel for their creativity. The Spinnerei has long been a place of imagining and making things destined for homes and bodies elsewhere. This was once central Europe’s largest cotton mill, where, from the late 19th century and into the early 20th , hundreds of thousands of spindles produced countless yards of thread. As industry faded…

SEVEN MILLION-DOLLAR LADIES WHO ARE RAISING A STORM IN THEIR INDUSTRY Some young power professionals in India are making waves in their fields and setting major travel goals for their peers. travelandleisureindia.in/women-entrepreneurs SAN SEBASTIAN AMONG CITIES TO HOLD THE WORLD’S MOST MICHELIN STARS An unassuming city in Spain’s Northern Basque region, San Sebastian, surprisingly, has more Michelin stars per capita than top world cities. travelandleisureindia.in/san-sebastian-food-destination YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HOT AIR BALLOONING IN INDIA Hot air ballooning in India is not just a romantic but also an idyllic adventure activity to get a bird’s-eye view of the country’s beautiful and diverse terrain. Here is a complete guide. travelandleisureindia.in/hot-airballooning-in-india DOWNLOAD US T+L Tablet Editions Available on iPad, Android, and Windows Tablets. SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS EMMINDIA.COM #TELLTNLINDIA Get a breathtaking view of…

There is no ‘typical’ day in the life of a Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller. “That is what I love about my job. I never even get to plan the day ahead. It just hits me in the face,” says Jeff Arnett. He speaks with passion. After 17 years with the whiskey giant, Arnett is as enthusiastic about the brand as he was when he first tasted the iconic ‘Jack-and-Coke’ combination. “Like most people, I was first a beer drinker. I was introduced to Jack Daniel’s in my early 20s and instantly developed a liking for it. I even became a member of its fan club! But I never thought I would be at JD,” he says, with his big characteristic laugh. BARREL-MAKING A whiskey develops its character from its barrels.…

FOUNDER & CREATIVE HEAD, NIVASA CONTEMPORARY SABA KAPOOR From acing the art of sawing and welding to sourcing wood for her designs, 25-year-old Saba Kapoor is a mean furniture designer behind her petite frame. The Parsons School of Design graduate is now recasting straight line furniture at her family-owned enterprise, Nivasa, to launch her own label, Nivasa Contemporary. When her projects don’t keep her busy, she is travelling the world for design inspiration. INSPIRATIONS “From a very young age, I always looked up to British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. I would have absolutely loved to even just shadow her to get a sneak peek into her genius, creative mind. Another artist, Mark Rothko, is an inspiration because of how simple and significant his work was. I never understood modern art before…

When the Metropol Parasol opened in 2011, there was much controversy surrounding the US$30 million cost. Today, the modern piece of architecture, known locally as las setas (the mushrooms), has become something of a city icon. Rising 30 metres high, these mushroom-like pillars make for the world’s largest wooden structure and offer stunning views of the Seville skyline. Visit the city during the Interstellar Sevilla (May 9–10), the city’s largest contemporary music festival, to enjoy performances by Spanish indie-rock artists.…

Among Jaipur’s many architectural jewels, the City Palace is one of its most exquisite edifices. Rising majestically from the city’s centre, it is the heart of this bustling metropolis, being, as it is, the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Built in 1729 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the palace complex is a city-within-a-city, with smaller mahals or palaces, gardens, pavilions, and temples within. Spread over many acres, the architecture of the complex is a wonderful amalgamation of Rajput, Mughal, and classical Hindu styles. Perhaps the best place to experience this fusion is at Chandra Mahal-the current residence of the royal family. This cream-coloured, seven-storied building has screened balconies, and a roof pavilion from where flies the royal flag. Inside are mirrored walls, Mughal miniature paintings, floral patterns, and silver…

1 “Albuquerque will always hold a special place in my heart. I had visited the city for the first time in September 1997 for a concert and fallen in love with the city’s intimate vibe. I have performed there almost every year since.” T+L TIP Stay at Hyatt Regency Albuquerque (albuquerque.regency.hyatt.com); it’s centrally located and only three kilometres from the historic Old Town. 2 “As a musician, I love catching shows by the New Mexico Philharmonic (nmphil.org), a band that performs frequently at Popejoy Hall (popejoypresents.com), located on the campus of the University of New Mexico. The university is a wonderful place to visit too and has two on-campus venues where I’ve performed-Keller Hall and Rodey Theatre (finearts.unm.edu). A special collaboration with Rahim Alhaj, an Iranian oud player from New…

In 1898, when Swiss hotelier César Ritz threw open the doors of the Ritz Paris at Place Vendôme, little did he know his name would become a part of English vernacular, forever. Soon after its launch, the hotel emerged as a glamorous emblem of elegance, privilege, and luxury, and in the 1920s, the word ‘ritzy’—defined as expensively stylish—entered the Webster dictionary. Later, Fred Astaire’s rendition of Irving Berlin’s song ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ captured the collective conscience, and the phrase quickly caught on in everyday language as an idiom for being fashionably turned out. On June 1, 2018, the Ritz Paris celebrates its 120th birthday. For more than a century, this magnificent property has played host to an exceptional clientele of royalty, heads of state, and celebrities, and, till date,…

3-HOUR FLIGHT DUBAI | UAE THREE HOURS, 45 MINUTES AWAY, DUBAI IS IDEAL FOR AN IMPROMPTU WEEKEND GETAWAY. A luxury staycation, some late-night dinners, a shopping spree, and a unique spa treatment: Dubai has this and more for your perfect weekend abroad. The plan is to relax and, therefore, choose a hotel that offers the best of everything. Check into the The Bulgari Resort & Residences; a welcome change from the skyscrapers, this resort has a striking, low-rise architecture and sits on an exclusive, man-made island of Jumeira Bay. The superlative spa is the highlight, with real gold mosaic tiles adorning the cabana-lined swimming pool. Book the Bulgari Villa, the biggest accommodation on the property—it comes with a private oval pool, home cinema, Jacuzzi, and hammam— and let the private…

BEST TIME TO GO The months of April through September are dry and pleasant. If you're looking at visiting wildlife safaris and watching a fresh batch of offsprings wobble behind their mothers, travel at the end of November. VACCINATIONS REQUIRED Check individual tourism websites for information on the vaccinations needed before travel. Visitors are recommended protection against Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, and malaria prophylaxis, depending on the region of travel.…

ARTSY ESCAPES Experiential travel takes on an artsy turn at these hotels. VIRUNGA LODGE Ever desired a volcano-facing office? This luxury gorilla lodge is set on a volanoes-facing ridge, with a panoramic view of the Virunga Volcanoes and the Musanze valley on one side and Lake Bulera and Ruhondo on the other. Upwards of 92,000 per night; volcanoessafaris.com HEAVEN RETREAT HOTEL Work and wellness go hand-in-hand at this boutique hotel tucked into the hillside. Begin your soul-soothing therapy from the moment you check in, with meditation sessions, private fitness classes, and organic meals. Try the Zanzibar Tagliatelle where queen prawns and fresh garden herbs are the main draws. Upwards of 47,000 per night; heavenrwanda.com THE BISATE LODGE Living up to their ‘purpose is the new luxury’ motto, this camp invites…

GETTING THERE While there are no non-stop flights from India to Leipzig/Halle Airport, you can connect via Frankfurt or Munich on Lufthansa (lufthansa.com). Deutsche Bahn (bahn.com) operates high-speed non-stop train service from Berlin that takes about 75 minutes. GETTING AROUND The historic centre is easily walkable. To get to the Plagwitz and Lindenau neighborhoods, where most art galleries are located, as well as East Leipzig, home to the newest bars and boutiques, I relied on the efficient tram and bus network (most rides cost 200 each; a one-day pass is 600). LODGING I stayed at the discreet Luxury Collection property Hotel Fürstenhof Leipzig (Doubles from 12,135; hotelfuerstenhof leipzig.com) , Leipzig’s take on the traditional European grande dame. Built in the 1770s as a home for a wealthy family, it was…

1 DELHI TO SHIMLA 359 KILOMETRES IN 6 HOURS STOPOVER 1 NIGHT We began our journey late. The post-lunch July sun blazed down on us till we crossed the Haryana border. The heat eased on the long, high-speed stretches along the GT Road. Crossing Chandigarh, we headed to Himachal Pradesh, riding past small towns and iconic sites, such as the historic Kalka-Shimla railway crossing and The Lawrence School, Sanawar (immortalised by Rudyard Kipling). The sunset along the beautiful, winding roads of Shimla’s hills breathed energy into us as we reached our first stop. The Art Deco inspired Woodville Palace Hotel (woodvillepalacehotel.com) welcomed us with warm ‘pahari’ hospitality, culture, and cuisine. 2 SHIMLA TO SARAHAN 180 KILOMETRES IN 9 HOURS STOPOVER 1 NIGHT Peace, quiet, and torrential rains accompanied us along…

TITLIS CLIFF WALK Take a leap of faith as you step on to this narrow bridge, suspended 3,041 metres above sea level and 500 metres off the ground—the highest of its kind in Europe. Stretching just 100-metres long, from the summit to the Ice Flyer chair-lift station, the adrenalin-pumping, 150-steps walk is not for the faint hearted. The views into the abyss below, however, makes the journey worthwhile. ICE FLYER This invigorating trip through the air involves travelling in an open chair lift, with nothing but a harness to hold you in place as you glide over the 20-metres deep crevasses below. In the summer, the Ice Flyer operates from the mountain station to the Titlis glacier park, while in winters, the ride takes you all the way up to…

ROHATGI’S COLLEAGUES AT HER LAW FIRM HAD ALREADY STARTED investing in her artwork back in 2012, kicking off her nascent market and fuelling her desire to switch professions. “It was this one day at work, in 2015, I was consumed by the most indescribable feeling. Almost as though one hardened part of my head insisted on pushing my psyche out of gear. That’s when I knew I had to stop juggling law and art.” She quit her job, put in a month’s hard work and launched her first official exhibition in May 2015. It was an instant success. Today, she is an independent lawyer by day and artist by night, has three collections to her credit—Interstellar, Inner Reflection, and The Nocturnal series—she travels for inspiration, and is a part of…

I gaze at the captivating yet bizarre nude that takes centre stage in one of the many display rooms within the sprawling Musée Magritte in Brussels. The oil-on-canvas is that of a mythical creature who is part woman and part celestial being. Her lower limbs are skin toned, while her upper half is a serene shade of blue that merges into the sky. She seems to be undergoing a metamorphosis right before my eyes. Is she becoming earthlier? Or more mystical? It’s hard to tell. Or should this painting be interpreted philosophically—humans journeying though life with their head in the clouds. I search for clues and think I’ve managed a glimpse into the painter’s psyche with the title, ‘La Magie Noir’ (The Black Magic). But just then I turn to…

From the window I could see for more than a hundred kilometres. Below me, in the near distance, were tiny villages following a winding road, little rivers of houses meandering down the hill. Beyond them, the plains of northern Italy spread out as flat as a tabletop, and farther still were the Cottian Alps on the French border. It was something you might glimpse from a plane while climbing away from the airport. Instead, I was sitting down to lunch at the Albergo Bucaneve. The local landscape informs almost everything about this hotel and spa in Bielmonte, a tiny resort high in the hills of Piedmont about 120 kilometres northwest of Milan. The Albergo Bucaneve (bucaneve is Italian for ‘snowdrop’) sits at the heart of the Oasi Zegna, a 103-square-kilometres…

You may not know it, but the scenery of New Zealand’s South Island—kingly mountains, ethereal rain forests, and golden ribbons of empty beach—has become famous, thanks to films like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Wolverine. On March 9, those otherworldly landscapes return to the big screen in director Ava DuVernay’s adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s sci-fi tale A Wrinkle in Time. DuVernay searched for a stand-in for an idyllic planet, and found it in the region of Lake Wanaka—specifically, in the mountains surrounding Lake Hawea, which runs parallel to Wanaka, and at Hunter Valley Station, a 27,000-acre ranch on Hawea’s western shore. These locations lack moviemaking infrastructure, so the cast and crew stayed in Wanaka, a compact township at Lake Wanaka’s southernmost tip (and my home for the past…

JUNGLE DREAMS Escape into the welcoming arms of nature at these brand new luxury camps. SABLE ALLEY Located in the exclusive Khwai Private Reserve, the newly opened Sable Alley has sustainable sophistication at its core. Check in to this lagoon-side, luxury camp for big-game sightings—hippos and elephants—at the nearby watering hole, or head deep into the park to track the wild cats. The proceeds from your stay here will help fund local projects. Upwards of 60,000 per night; naturalselection.travel QOROKWE CAMP Chosen by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their first vacation, the luxe Qorokwe Camp is the ideal intimate getaway in the Okavango Delta. Recently launched, it offers year-round game viewing, and is 100 per cent solar powered. Opt from eight elegant tent-suites or one large family suite (with…

There is something mystical about the captivating, naturally formed cave pools dotting the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. No wonder the Mayans believed these cenotes to be a spiritual portal to the gods. A key centre of the ancient civilisation, Yucatan has about 2,400 such open-air cenotes that are fast becoming a rage among discerning travellers; many now offer changing facilities, plus flashlights, life vests, and snorkelling equipment for hire. Set amid lush greenery, the lesser-known, crystal-clear waters of Cenote Yokdzonot offer a more private swimming experience, while the stunning setting of the Sacred Cenote lives up to its divine theme. However, if you wish to enjoy cenote views without getting wet, head to Grutas de Loltun, the largest caves here, where long vines and tree roots hang from the cavernous…