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

During a recent sojourn in the Maldives, I chanced upon an interesting Hungarian resort manager. Over lunch, he nonchalantly proclaimed, “Happiness doesn’t require much.” Looking at the azure sky, cobalt clear water, and white sand outside, I agreed. Happiness begins with you, commencing with your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Most of us travel to shed the mundane and come back refreshed. But I’ve often asked myself: Is that tan really going to help me rejuvenate? Temporarily, maybe, but what about the long term? With a rediscovered focus on wellness, the world is slowly moving away from ‘experiential travel,’ which seems to be the millennials’ pièce de résistance, towards ‘transformative travel.’ While there’s nothing wrong with just a fly-and-flop beach holiday, the trips that sustain their benefits beyond the tan…

LUMINOR MARINA LOGO 3 DAYS ACCIAIO › 44 MM OFFICINE PANERAI Panerai’s latest timepiece is understated and iconic. It comes with a 44 mm stainless steel case and a simple brown leather strap. The dial is large and white, with black Arabic numerals and a luminous beige dot marker. The classic effortlessness of the timepiece will make you reach for it again and again. 3,15,000 THE GOLDEN BRIDGE ROUND 39 CORUM This Corum series comprises six new jewellery versions, which highlight five stones: diamond, sapphire, ruby, tsavorite, and amethyst. The diamond version is special: the flange, and the two gold bridges that frame its baguette movement, are embedded with diamonds. All the diamonds combined make up a total of 6.41 carats. Available on special order at Ethos Watches; price on…

Instead of reaching for what’s trending right now, try to look for all-natural, mineral-based ingredients, like what you would find in Crystal Tomato products. Apply serums such as Yu Reverzo Day and Night Stem Intense Rejuvenating Serum religiously. This season is all about protecting your skin, be it with a sunscreen like Heliocare 360° Gel, an oil-free SPF 50 sunscreen, or innovative methods such as Heliocare Oral Ultra capsules that protect the skin surface from within. My personal tip would be to layer on creams, day and night.…

GETTING THERE Cochin International Airport is connected to most Indian cities by domestic carriers. WHERE TO STAY The all-new Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty is the place to check-in. There are 264 rooms including 38 suites and four villas to choose from. Starts from 8,888 plus taxes for double occupancy; grandhyattkochibolgatty.com MUST-VISIT Fort Kochi in Ernakulam is a must-visit for any history buff. The place immediately transports you to a different era. Mattancherry Palace is a Keralastyle palace that was originally built by the Portuguese and later renovated by the Dutch. Harbour cruise in the city provides you the true flavour of the bay and the local fishing community. Alleppey is located just 50kms from Kochi. Go there to spend a lazy afternoon in a houseboat.…

Conrad Pune does not hold back with its culinary offerings. Its pan-Asian restaurant, Koji, is the latest muse among the locals for its signature Japanese, Chinese, and Thai dishes paired with Asia-inspired cocktails, wines, and sake. While you’re here, do not forget to try the sushi and sashimi platter, edamame truffle dumpling, and the Koji Signature Bento Box that comes with an assortment of desserts and homemade matchaflavoured ice cream. A glass wall stocked with about 137 wines and sake barrels stands between Koji and the quirky cocktail bar, Masu. The Asia-inspired bar fluidly transforms from a chic lounge on the weekdays to a hip club over the weekends. Every Saturday, it hosts Masu Liquid Nights, where a renowned DJ brings the space to life. If you find yourself in…

Despite Hanoi’s growing reputation with the backpacking fraternity and their cheap and cheerful mantra for accommodation, there’s a growing list of more desirable luxury properties popping up in the city. For that colonial touch of French flair, the Sofitel Legend Metropole (sofitel.com) is draped in a hundred years of history and is situated a stone’s throw from the opera house. For those looking for more practical creature comforts and all mod-cons, the Hilton Hanoi Opera (hilton.com) makes for a great option. Though a little more austere in its construct than its French-inspired neighbour, the Hanoi Opera House, the hotel has more substance about it and makes for a great base from which to explore the city. Pretty much everything of note is within walking distance from here, though if you’re…

One look at the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the Thar and you wonder what rejuvenation a desert could possibly offer. As we drove into Jaisalmer, there was no palm-fringed oasis in sight, and the barren land with hardy kikar and khejri trees stretched as far as the eye could see. Unlike Kerala or Bali, the Thar didn’t possess the healing touch of green, the crisp mountain air of British sanatoriums of yore, or the relaxing hot water springs of the fabled spa towns of Europe. The Great Indian Desert yawned endlessly over 200,000 square kilometres, covering 60 per cent of the state of Rajasthan. However, all apprehensions about a wellness holiday in an arid, desolate tract prone to extreme temperatures dissipated, as a flagged convoy waiting on the town’s outskirts…

With some cities, you know what to expect from them. And yet, they surprise you. When you visit an IT hub of India, you think you will be greeted by glossy high-rises and dapper professionals streaming in and out. On the contrary, what you see in Hyderabad is a confluence—the old exists in harmony with the new, the traditional with the modern, the business traveller with the leisure tourist. In a way, Hyderabad’s rich history, remnants of which are sprinkled around the city, has shaped its metropolitan present. The tourist attractions of today, Charminar and Golconda Fort, are testimony to the grandeur of the rulers who built the city in 1463—the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Under the rule of the seven Nizams, the township and its culture became wealthier, laying the…

► Anyone who enters the Annapurna Conservation Area is required to get a one-time permit that costs 1,360. There is no restriction on the amount of time you can spend in the area. ► For Upper Mustang, you need a separate permit called the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), which costs 34,040 per person and has a time limit of 10 days. Every extra day spent here costs 3,400. ► We even got ourselves a TIMS card, which is mandatory for trekkers to ensure safety and security. It tracks your position so that you can be reached in case there is an emergency and a rescue operation is required. The TIMS card costs 1,360. Permits can be acquired from the Nepal Tourism Board Office at Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu.…

MIRAVAL ARIZONA, US The Tucson spa has unveiled Vasudhara, an in-water treatment combining Thai massage with the benefits of weightlessness and sensory deprivation. By wearing a mask to block out light, you lose track of your body’s positioning in the pool. That, plus gentle stretching, has a calming effect on the body and mind. miravalresorts.com; doubles from 64,301, all-inclusive. THE RETREAT AT THE BLUE LAGOON ICELAND The country’s most visited attraction, this geothermal spa complex near Reykjavík now has a 62-room luxury hotel. Guests can book Lava Cove, an exclusive wing of the Retreat’s spa, for a six-hour period to enjoy in-water massages and silica salt scrubs-in their very own private lagoon. bluelagoon.com; doubles from 1,21,542 LEFAY RESORT & SPA, ITALY Set above Lake Garda, in Italy, this retreat emphasises…

Forest bathing? Part of Japan’s national health programme since the 1980s , shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is all about slow walks in nature, proven to decrease stress hormones. In recent years, forest bathing has caught on in the US, particularly at rural resorts. At the Lodge at Woodloch (lodgeatwoodloch.com; doubles from 38,806) in Pennsylvania’s Poconos, instructors demonstrate deep-breathing techniques on hikes. Blackberry Farm (blackberryfarm.com; doubles from 60,090), a culinary and wellness retreat in Walland, Tennessee, has a Deep Healing Woods programme focussing on meditation, yoga, and hiking in the Smoky Mountains. And at Mohonk Mountain House (mohonk.com; doubles from 44,319) in New Paltz, New York, naturalist Michael Ridolfo shows guests how to track animals, identify medicinal plants, and adjust their posture to mimic how our ancestors walked.…

SHA WELLNESS CLINIC This renowned detox and weight-loss retreat in Spain’s Alicante province runs seven-day programs to help smokers kick the habit without gaining a pound. You’ll receive a physical, an electrocardiogram, and a lung assessment, plus a specially prescribed diet and tools to help you stay on track once you get home. sha wellnessclinic.com; from 5,95,557 LANSERHOF Beloved by celebrities, these two spas in Lans, Austria, and Tegernsee, Germany, focus on the Lans Med Concept, which sees the gut and digestion as the cornerstones of good health. The new 10-day metabolic reboot retreat offers food- and lactose intolerance testing, as well as nutritional counselling. lanserhof.com; from 6,14,695 CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE At this complex in Montreux, Switzerland, you can sign up for a six-night Better Mobility program, which targets arthritis…

1 Cut Yourself Some Slack “I used to think that you had to choose a lane-you were either a vegan, on Weight Watchers, or a gym addict. But over time, I’ve adopted a less restrictive approach, especially when it comes to my diet. For example, if I want to have two glasses of wine at dinner, I’ll drink more water the next day. Or if I’m craving pizza, I’ll try to balance it out by eating lots of fruits and veggies. I’m a fan of consciously indulging and not beating myself up.” 2 Use Your Own Two Feet “When I travel, I walk everywhere. I walk to restaurants, museums-you name it. And when I’m at home in New Jersey, my friends and I will take a walk around the block…

PRISTINE LUXURY An intimate tropical sanctuary set amidst the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean, JA Manafaru, Haa Alifu Atoll, Maldives, impresses you the moment you check-in. The exclusive location of the resort (accessible via seaplane and watercraft), coupled with picturesque overwater villas and uncluttered interiors, is a treat to the senses. Whisk away your partner for a private couple’s therapy at the resort’s Calm Spa. Set in a secluded corner, the spa offers treatment rooms fitted with a private garden and an open-sky bathroom. Choose from traditional Maldivian rituals and a selection of Ayurvedic and Thai massages to leave the island refreshed. SPA WITH A VIEW At The Leela Palace Udaipur, the treatment rooms and luxury tents sit pretty in carefully manicured gardens, overlooking Lake Pichola. The Spa…

THE GUT MAKEOVER ‘You are what you eat,’ is an age-old maxim. And now it’s been scientifically proven that a whole lot of health issues can be prevented by paying a little attention to the gut. Check out these retreats that are putting the focus back on the ‘second brain’ of the human body. CUGO GRAN, Spain At Cugo Gran in Menorca, the gut’s microbiota (1.5 kg of bacteria) is at the heart of affairs. The brainchild of travel editor-turned-nutritional therapist Jeannette Hyde, the retreat offers treatments aimed at healing the gut with a strict diet plan. A typical five-night retreat includes gut-restoring meals, spa treatments, sport performance-based Pilates, and consultations with Hyde. This means no caffeine, no alcohol, no gluten or dairy products, eating gut-friendly meals with gaps of…

GETTING THERE The nearest airport is Jodhpur, from where Jaisalmer is 300 kms (5 hrs) and Bikaner 249 kms (4 hrs) by road. Jaisalmer and Bikaner are 312 kms apart. STAY Suryagarh offers nine types of lavish rooms and suites. From 18,000 per night; suryagarh.com. Rait Spa therapies: Salt (1hr 45 mins) 5,900 onwards per person, Sand (2 hrs) 7,000, Stone (1 hr 30 mins) 4,400. Narendra Bhawan has four categories of rooms on offer (from 5,000 per person in August, narendrabhawan.com). SEE Jaisalmer: The Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli, Kuldhara and Khaba ruins, Desert National Park, Sam and Khuri dunes. Bikaner: Junagadh Fort, Laxmi Niwas Palace, Rampuria Havelis, Bhandasar Jain Temple, Karni Mata Temple at Deshnoke. EAT Mirchi bada, mawa kachori, local dishes like ker-sangri, kachra and gatte ki sabzi…

GETTING THERE Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is connected to most major Indian cities. You can hail a cab from the airport or arrange for a pick-up from ITC Kohenur. STAY The one- and two-bedroom Residences are ideal for long stays. For those looking for opulence, the Grand Presidential Suite, named Koh-e-nur, features 4,725 square feet of floor space and comes with floor-to-ceiling windows. You can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Durgam while sipping on cocktails in the balcony, or sweat it out in the attached gym. Introductory offer rate from 11,000 (includes breakfast and 1,000 meal credits); itchotels.in (reservations). EAT The hotel houses restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine that include the royal cuisine of Hyderabad, pan-Italian, and Chinese. The all-day dining restaurant, Golconda Pavilion, offers both buffet…

I walked into the darkness, armed with just a ticket to a fantasy land, and found myself on an eerily quiet suburban American street. Looming over me was a charming Victorian mansion with its doors swung wide open. Pastel curtains fluttered in the wind, while delicately carved wooden posts and flower pots with pretty, pink roses decorated the windows and the porch. Yet, they cast menacing shadows on the street. The house seemed at once, inviting and mysterious. I crossed over the threshold and stepped onto a creaking floorboard, even as a street light flickered; was this an omen warning me to stay away? Or was this just the product of my overactive imagination? I was inside the Selig family home; the rooms were filled with their possessions: handwritten letters…

I’ve set foot on at least 21 countries! What does travel mean to you? Crossing Bandra from South Mumbai, and consequently feeling depressed. What’s your idea of an ideal holiday? (i) Room service, (ii) fewer Indians, (iii) cold weather, and (iv) a bubble bath in my hotel room. These four things I can’t compromise on. A city you best identify with? It’s a cliché, but New York City makes you feel like a nobody (in a good way, of course). Indian male egos can get a nice workout there. Plus, the hustle and bustle makes you feel you’ve arrived, even if you don’t have a job! ‘I’m off to Hua Hin, Thailand, next. A city you love for its food? It’s got to be London! There are plenty of options…

Moringa? Call it the new kale. The tropical tree moringa produces leaves that are rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins A, B, and C. Popular in health-food stores as a supplement in pill and powder form, the superfood is now cropping up at hotels in healthy drinks and salads. Both the Rockhouse (rockhousehotel.com; doubles from 9,732), a cliff-side retreat in Negril, Jamaica, and TreeCasa (treecasa.com; doubles from 10,739), a resort in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, now use moringa from on-site organic gardens in nourishing smoothies. BodyHoliday (thebodyholiday.com; retreats from 3,15,466 for seven days), a wellness retreat on St. Lucia, lets guests harvest the plant and other vegetables on the property, then work with chefs to prepare a vegan dinner following Ital Rastafarian custom.…

1 Keep It All in Perspective “I define wellness as being complete-a complete person. Body, mind, lifestyle, spirit, happiness. Live in harmony with the laws of nature. If you do that, you’re not likely to go astray.” 2 Mindfulness Matters “It’s being in the moment, and that’s where Zen comes in. You have a choice. Years ago, when something came up that I just couldn’t handle, I started thinking about that chain that goes round and round at the dry cleaner. I’d picture hanging up whatever was bothering me and I’d send it off. I’d think, ‘It’ll stay there, and I can bring it forward when I have time to properly take care of it.’ Sometimes by that time the problem solves itself.” 3 Maintain a Mind-Body Connection “I still…

“YOU’RE TIRED,” said Param Dedhia, M.D., the director of sleep medicine for Canyon Ranch. We were sitting in his office at the renowned wellness resort in Tucson, Arizona, going over the results of my WatchPAT test. A noninvasive overnight screening, it monitored, among other things, the length and quality of my sleep through a sensor attached to my finger. Dedhia outlined that there are different stages of sleep—light, deep, and REM (rapid eye movement) —as the brain flushes itself of toxins and prepares to begin the day anew. It is also a time for emotional clearing. I moved into REM sleep less than 90 minutes after my head hit the pillow, which is a clear sign of fatigue. I couldn’t help thinking of the countless times I’ve said to people,…

IT'S not exactly the white Russian night of Dostoevsky’s dreamy imagination. However, despite the freezing temperature and low-hanging moon, Muscovites have turned up in droves to celebrate the opening of a new exhibition, titled General Rehearsal, at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art. Outside, a lavish bash is on with the rich, powerful and glamorous swilling vodka and plying themselves with appetisers. In another century, this kind of art scene would have belonged to bohemian Paris or Florence, the art meccas of the world. Today, fuelled with petrodollars and new money, the art scene in Russia is booming. The new billionaires are spending their rouble on the old and sophisticated pursuits of art, turning Moscow and St Petersburg into major contemporary art hubs. Long known as the ultimate address for…

GETTING THERE Air Canada flies to Labrador’s Goose Bay airport from major US hubs . From there, Parks Canada will arrange a puddle-jumper to Nain and, from there, a private charter flight to the Torngat landing strip. Weather delays are common and can last several days, so schedule extra time for contingencies. TOUR OPERATOR The park is open to visitors for only five weeks a year, so book well in advance. Base camp accommodations-huts and fibreglass domes-can comfortably accommodate up to six people and come with electricity and propane heaters. It is also possible to camp within the fenced-in property, in either your own tent or one provided by the park. In all cases, bathrooms and showers are shared. The four- or seven-night Tuttuk package, available through the park authority’s…

FOR MEN HAIR CONDITIONER Nourish, and bind moisture to your hair after a long day in the sun with this conditioner. Himalayan Deodar Hair Conditioner, Kama Ayurveda, 1,125 for 200 ml; kamaayurveda.com FOOT CREAM Beaches can be very rough on your feet; this foot cream helps with deep moisturisation afterwards. Raahi Intensive Foot Balm, Royal Indulgence, 1,500 for 40 ml; amazon.in SHEET MASK This 100% cotton mask has been pre-soaked in pure 24k gold and hyaluronic acid to provide a radiant glow. Un-Wrinkle 24K Gold Sheet Mask, Peter Thomas Roth, 4,395; lookfantastic.co.in EYE SERUM This product reduces dark circles, which appear after sun exposure. Under Eye Serum with Red Banana Flower and Potato, Forest Essentials, 2,200 for 20 ml; forestessentials india.com FOR WOMEN HAIR SPRAY Kim Kardashian, Cameron Diaz, and…

For my birthday last year, my husband, Clancy, and I travelled from our home in Kansas City, US, to Iceland. We rented a house in Old Reykjavík for eight days. We planned to visit a lot of hot springs, beginning at the world-famous Blue Lagoon. I once worked at a magazine in New York City, and a co-worker’s iChat photo was of himself at the Blue Lagoon. It looked like a dreamscape. The water was pale blue, and the surrounding land was black lava rock. In the picture, my co-worker had white foam on his face. When I asked him what it was, he told me it was soap that floated on the surface of the lagoon and gathered in rocks. You could just put it on your face. But…

no 1 Dine with a Michelin-Star Chef Chef Thomas Keller’s three-Michelin star restaurant, French Laundry (thomaskeller.com/tfl) has undergone a $10 million renovation. If that does not excite you, probably the fact that the late Anthony Bourdain described it as “The best restaurant in the world, period,” should definitely seal the deal for you. The remodelled restaurant now has wrap-around windows for guests to get a sneak peek while Chef Keller cooks up a storm in the kitchen with his team of superchefs. Grab a seat at the leafy courtyard, and choose between two prix fixe menus that change daily and never repeat their ingredients. no 2 Go Glamping along the Stunning Californian Coast Camping in the woods, while being surrounded by the ocean on three sides, is an experience few…

When did we all become so obsessed with wellness? At home, we compare workout routines while sipping matcha lattes, track steps on our phones, and map our genomes—all in the name of becoming our best selves. It’s only fitting that we’re now prioritising healthier travel experiences, too, ones designed to put us back in tune with our bodies and quieten our minds. Travel providers have responded accordingly, tailoring their amenities to give guests effortless ways to not only sustain but also improve their health and habits. These are the destinations, treatments, and tools you need to pursue a more holistic path—wherever you go.…

1 Take a Holistic Approach to Nutrition and Fitness “I live vitally. I walk to work and to my appointments. Most of my vegetables have never been on a motorised vehicle. I only eat meat if I know the farmer who raised the animal. I don’t follow a specific diet-I’m just aware of what I’m doing. I practice Pilates twice a week. I see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor who balances my energy fields once a month. I do light weights and stretching two to three times a week.” 2 Find a Stress Beater “Mine is a walk in the woods. You walk five minutes in nature, and it’s a reset button.” 3 Bring On the Wellness Revolution “In 1950, we spent 4.4 per cent of our gross national product…

GIVEN THE NEWS LATELY, the case for unplugging from our smartphones and tablets has never been stronger. While a screenless existence might not be realistic over the long run , a digital-detox vacation can offer a temporary escape from constant connectivity. For years, hotels have lured travellers with the promise of a respite from chaotic daily life. But now they’re courting guests with full-fledged “recovery” programmes that overtly address digital dependency through techniques like mindfulness meditation, short-term silence, and forest bathing At Mexico’s Grand Velas Riviera Maya (grand velas.com; doubles from 5 8 , 260 , all-inclusive), taking the plunge is an exercise in fun. Families that opt for the four-day digital-detox programme can trade in their electronics for complimentary activities like snorkelling excursions and bike tours. If those perks…

Psammotherapy? Most people try to avoid getting sand all over their bodies, but ancient cultures reportedly bathed in it to relax muscles and ease tension. Now spas around the world are folding the therapeutic practice into treatments. Serenitas Spa at Spain’s Park Hyatt Mallorca (park.hyatt.com; doubles from 41,230) pairs it with an olive-tree body scrub and massage. The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort (omnihotels.com; doubles from 24,778), in Florida, offers three versions , each of which utilises a base of warmed Bavarian quartz with Persian salt .At the spa at the Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya (fourseasons.com; doubles from 20,548), guests unwind in a heated bed filled with fine-grain alpha-quartz sand , which soothes tense muscles and achy joints. A session lasting up to four hours also incorporates…

One of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2018, Kazan is often referred to as the Istanbul of Volga for its unique combination of European and Asian architecture. If you are in town to root for your favourite team, make sure you take out some time to explore Kazan Kremlin, the only surviving Tatar fortress in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place hosts historic buildings, some of them dating back to the 16th century. Among these, the Qolşärif Mosque is the most stunning. A replica of the original mosque that was destroyed in 1552 during a rampage by Ivan The Terrible, the present-day Qolşärif is a vision in white and blue. The Museum of Islam on its ground floor lends a window into the…