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

In an ode to India, German scholar Max Müller once said: “If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered over the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions... I should point to India.” India is a country of extremes—from the Himalayan enchantment in the north to the serene backwaters of Kerala, and the barren deserts of Thar to the second wettest locale in the world in Cherrapunji—it is an amalgamation of terrains, cultures, and tastes that can take you a lifetime to unravel. This India Special edition of T+L India & South Asia uncovers some of the most unique experiences our states and union territories have to offer. When you speak of India, how…

CLASSIC FUSION CHRONOGRAPH INDIA 2017 HUBLOT Unveiled by cricketer Rohit Sharma last year, the Classic Fusion Chronograph India 2017 is a limited-edition watch in the “India blue” colour, meant for cricket fans. Showcased in 45 mm titanium case with an additional pink-gold bezel and gold embellishments in the form of small chronograph counters, blue sunray satin-finished dial, gold-plated hands. 9,85,500; 100 pieces only REVERSO À ÉCLIPSE JAEGER-LECOULTRE Reverso has a strong Indian root, having been born in the polo fields of Rajasthan in 1931. This masterpiece is doubly Indian with a miniature painting on one of their technical wonders, the Reverso à Éclipse. It allows the user to conceal or reveal the enamel miniature on the watch’s dial at will, with just a simple movement of the finger. Price on…

9 AM ORTOLANA A brimming breakfast place that offers a delicious farm-to-table menu in its chic, indoor-outdoor space. Get a corner table and indulge in some languid crowd-watching over smoked fish, haloumi, pumpkin hummus, served with free range eggs and seasonal veggies. ortolana.co.nz 11 AM VILLA MARIA ESTATE Visit one of the world’s most famous vineyards at 11 am for an hour-long wine tour, followed by an intimate tasting session. End the trip with a meaty lunch to test your newfound wine selection skills. The highest quality wines include the Grenache and Pinot Noir. villamaria.co.nz 3.30 PM AUCKLAND ART GALLERY The largest art institution in the city hosts regular exhibitions by contemporary Kiwi and Māori artists. A great time to visit would be between August 25 and August 28 for…

It is believed that the erstwhile Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Ram Singh II, once ordered the city to be imbued in hues of pink to extend an extraordinary welcome to his royal guests, Prince Albert and Queen Victoria in 1876. Why pink? The colour symbolises warmth and hospitality. Having inherited this legacy of unparalleled hospitality, Farimont Jaipur makes its guests feel nothing less than kings and queens from the moment they walk in through the magnificent façade. Gravel and gongs are sounded to announce the arrival as the guests make their way to the Char Bagh courtyard, to be welcomed by parrots and peacocks singing to the tunes of santoor, harmonium, ektara, and tabla. Once you’re checked in, the world gets accentuated by intricate frescos, carved silver antiques, ample green…

“My menu is not concentrated on the cuisine; it is to bring out the best possible outcome that an ingredient can offer.” What is the concept behind KoKoMMo? There’s a song by the Beach Boys of California that goes, “There’s a place called Kokomo/ That’s where you want to go.” And here in Chennai, we have tried to create just that place [with KoKoMMo]-bring some light to the imagination of the singer, when he says there is going to be a lot of booze, food, and you can stay away from all your sorrows and sadness. KoKoMMo gives you an experience where you can relax over great cocktails, amazing food, beautiful music from the 1970s, and just be at a place where you have never been before. Which dishes did…

COMING THIS MONTH... THE ELITE SHOPPERS’ GUIDE TO THE WORLD This month, we discover where luxury travellers go to spend the most. Here are some of the stories you can’t miss on travelandleisureindia.in in August. 8 Exclusive Services That Prove Money Can Buy Anything From engraving your name on a car to driving one underwater, this list is dangerously expensive. travelandleisureindia.in/exclusive-services You May Need A Map To Find These 9 Hidden Fashion Ateliers Get your retail therapy at cloaked boutiques around the world with this exclusive list. travelandleisureindia.in/hidden-ateliers-to-shop-at 11 Fabulous Vintage European Things To Add To Your Closet You won’t believe the things we found on a trip to these boutique shops in Europe. travelandleisureindia.in/mustbuy-vintage-wear-in-europe VOTE NOW AND WIN We are thrilled to announce that the online voting process for…

Move over dressing up as vampires and witches, the in thing to do this Halloween is entering bone-chilling interactive installations. Singapore’s Universal Studios puts up one such show every year at its Halloween Horror Nights (halloweenhorrornights.com.sg), an event that warrants a trip to Resorts World Sentosa. The eighth edition, themed Infinite Fear, includes five haunted houses, three live shows, and two scare zones. LIGHTS Begin with watching a series of horror short films produced by Universal Studios Singapore. These dramatic bite-sized films aim to showcase the riveting stories and iconic supernatural characters of this year’s haunted houses in unique cinematographic style. Set to be released between July and August on Resort World Sentosa’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube pages, they will set the stage for the on-site event. CAMERA Immerse…

The tiger is the brand ambassador of Indian forests on the global stage. It is the species through which our wildlife is projected to the outside world. But our wildlife offerings aren’t limited to stripes and pugmarks. India has one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems and supports a range of fascinating wildlife. From mountain ranges to tropical forests, deserts, deciduous forests, mangroves, rainforests, and swamps—the range of habitats that exist here (and face increasing threats) is mind-boggling. This rich cornucopia of flora and fauna cannot be replicated anywhere else on the planet. As many as 16 species of wild cats (40 per cent of the global wild cat species) are found in India; the number of bird species that perch on the subcontinent is over 1,300—this biodiversity will take…

The downside of being a frequent flier is that it takes away the small joys of travelling—boarding a plane becomes a dull routine, fancy hotel rooms fail to impress, and exploring a new city is often restricted to following set itineraries. During my recent trip to Lucknow, I found myself drowning in this whirlwind of thoughts when I chanced upon a colourful graffiti that said, “Muskuraiye, aap Lucknow mein hain! (Smile, you’re in Lucknow!)” And just like that, I found myself grinning ear to ear. This is the thing with the City of Nawabs—it surprises you at the least likely of moments. The new Hyatt Regency Lucknow in Gomti Nagar was my home for the next two days as I went about the city looking for stories. Located in the…

STUDY ELEPHANTS IN KENYA On this expedition with EarthWatch Institute, an organisation that supports fieldwork around the world, travellers study human-animal conflict, helping farmers protect crops while minimising the impact of agriculture on native elephants. 12-day trips from 2,05,700; earthwatch.org MAP CORAL REEFS IN OMAN Musandam, a rocky exclave jutting into the Persian Gulf, is home to a little-studied reef ecosystem. With Biosphere Expeditions, scuba-certified travellers can stay on a research boat, conducting survey dives and synthesising data that directly inform conservation. Seven-day trips from 1,90,250; biosphere-expeditions.org MONITOR SIBERIAN TIGERS There are only about 530 of these animals left in the world. For Natural World Safaris, conservationist Alexander Batalov leads small groups to set and collect camera traps to document the animals’ movements. Seven-day trips from 2,16,360; naturalworldsafaris.com FIND TREASURE…

To say that my first trip to Venice 19 years ago left me awestruck would not be an exaggeration. It’s a city that is unapologetically grandiose and charming with its old-world vibe. No wonder it epitomises romance to everyone who touches its shores. I went back to Venice this year, albeit on a short break of 48 hours, to get blown away once again by its beauty and soak in some of that joie de vivre. While the city does pack in a punch with its labyrinth of culture, architecture, quaint and grand locales, culinary delights, and other surprises, it can also be enjoyed on a short sojourn. TOUCH DOWN There is no other city in the world that perches on stilts, with canals snaking through its streets. After almost…

GETTING THERE If you’re travelling from Delhi, you’ll reach Bishangarh in 3½ hours by car. From all other major cities, take a direct flight to Jaipur and request an airport transfer to Alila Fort Bishangarh. STAY Book a Grand Suite located at one of the topmost levels of the fort for a dramatic view of Bishangarh.The suite is suitable for two adults and a child, and comes furnished with a living space, a king-sized bed, and a large bathtub for two. Doubles from 11,000 per night; alilahotels.com DINING The fort boasts two extraordinary restaurants; Amarsar that offers world cuisines, and Nazrana, a rooftop restaurant that takes you back to the roots with local delicacies. On a special occasion, request a lavish, personalised spread at one of the fort’s unique locations—the…

Dindi, also known as Coconut County, is cradled in the Konaseema delta in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district. The extremely fertile soil of the region supports the cultivation of both, paddy and coconut. Picture a vast, open land covered with young, lime-coloured paddy fringed with thick palm leaves, with soft, white clouds floating past the mighty Eastern Ghats in the background—that’s Dindi in a nutshell for you. Although this quaint little town has started to get its share of the limelight, it is still a relatively unknown destination among mainstream tourists. This, in fact, has helped it retain a quiet, reserved charm. But what really makes Dindi stand out is its pristine backwaters. Since the backwaters of Konaseema don’t meander through dense mangroves, you will see beautiful coconut gardens lining…

SHIRT Shirt with collated pintuck detailing on the yoke, Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna, 4,650; popupgalleria.com TROUSERS Noir pants, Shivan & Narresh, 14,500; shivanandnarresh.com SHOES Scottish Royalty slip-ons, Modello Domani, 4,999; domani.in BAG Crossover leather shoulder bag, Grenadier III–OX Blood by Nappa Dori, 13,500; nappadori.com SKINCARE Rose and honey hydrating gel, Ohria, 1,450; ohriaayurveda.com SUSPENDERS Octov maroon and blue striped Y-back suspenders, The Tie Hub, 1,250; thetiehub.com FRAGRANCE With subtly spicy and woody notes, 1020 by Bombay Perfumery, 4,100 for 100 ml; bombayperfumery.com SUNGLASSES Kruger polarised UV sunglass, Hidesign, 5,995; hidesign.com…

AS THE CAR SWERVED out of the airport driveway, my first impression of the city took shape like a jigsaw puzzle coming together. Some of the airport dullness had set in after the long layover in Singapore, and the sense of an impending jet lag was beginning to catch on. After a short, 18-minute drive, I arrived on the front porch of Naumi Hotel Auckland Airport on Kirkbride Road to the view of its glass façade, gleaming with the reflection of the afternoon sky. Vaguely visible inside was a very large, shimmering golden wall behind a partially lit but busy reception desk. I hopped off to join the incoming guests for check in. What immediately followed was a peculiar (and unconscious) indifference to the actual process. Instead of falling in…

Travel+Leisure India & South Asia, in association with InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram, hosted an evening of culinary lessons on grilling at Chennai’s first beach shack, KokoMMo, on July 7, 2018. Named ‘What’s on the Grill,’ the Masterclass was the second such association between the two brands and saw a selective gathering of well-heeled travellers try their hands at the art of grilling on the beach, making for a memorable evening. Chef KokoMMo doled out an expertly curated meal with signature dishes, such as gambas aioli, and pan-smeared scallops with bruce butter and Chardonnay sauce. The lessons were paired with cocktails like the Malibu Sunset and Mimosa. The highlight of the event was a spirited cook-off session between the guests (divided in groups); the winner walked away with a two-day staycation at…

OF COURSE, it’s no longer the same sleepy, sultry beach town: Goa is where urban India goes trawling for holiday enchantments. This does not always bode well. I watch loutish tourists have altercations with locals. And residents are frazzled—often annoyed with good reason—as their original, quaint landscape comes undone to make room for busloads brandishing beer bottles. To skip some of this skirmish, try coasting through Goa’s dense, gorgeous, authentic inland, its villages. And while you’re doing that, here’s a selection of spaces I swing by. For design, the fiendishly glamorous Anjali Mody, of Josmo Studio, has the flagship outpost of her design atelier, & So (andso.in), in Porvorim with a marvellous medley of furniture, design objects, and homeware. I have on occasion stayed at Mark Bell’s astonishing luxury villa…

GETTING THERE Lucknow is connected to major Indian cities by many airlines. The Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is 20 minutes from Hyatt Regency Lucknow. STAY The recently launched Hyatt Regency Lucknow enjoys a sweet spot in the Vibhuti Khund area of Gomti Nagar. Its proximity to the High Court, multiple government buildings, and city attractions makes it a good bet for both, business and leisure travellers. It offers 206 rooms including 19 suites. The Regency Club rooms and suites come with access to the Regency Club that serves complimentary breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails. From 5,500 in August; hyatt.com SEE Lucknow falls on the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Heritage Arc with Agra and Varanasi. The state tourism board (uptourism.gov.in) organises heritage walks through Old Lucknow, covering major city attractions like…

Fly into Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, then transfer to Padre Aldamiz International Airport in Puerto Maldonado. Rainforest Expeditions (perunature.com) operates both Refugio Amazonas (Doubles from 39,700; two nights minimum) and the more remote Tambopata Research Center (Doubles from 43,124; three nights minimum). The cost includes meals, activities, river transportation, and transfer to and from Puerto Maldonado; alcoholic beverages cost extra. Your luggage should weigh no more than 15 kgs. Bring long-sleeve cotton shirts and pants, hiking boots, a broad-brimmed hat, rain gear, sunblock, insect repellent, and slippers or sandals to wear around the lodges. Vaccinations for hepatitis, typhoid, and yellow fever are recommended. Aracari (aracari.com), a Lima-based tour company, can incorporate visits to the lodges into a longer Peruvian itinerary.…

GETTING THERE The Marco Polo airport is well-connected to all major European cities. It is located 12 kms away from the city and can be reached by both, road and canal. Those coming by bus arrive at Piazzale Roma. From there, you need to take a water bus to the city centre. The most preferred mode to reach Venice is the train, which ferries passengers from different European cities to the Santa Lucia railway station. STAY Try to find a place near Saint Mark’s Square. Aman Venice offers opulent stays in a palace. From 91,866; aman.com SEASON Venice has relatively moderate weather, but there’s rain nearly all year round. To avoid large crowds, spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit.…

LONG AGO, THERE lived an ape. The ape had babies, and those babies grew up and had babies of their own, and over time their descendants drifted apart to the point that they could no longer be considered one type of ape, but five. All were highly intelligent, but one was smarter than the rest. With its gift of speech, this super-smart ape gave the others names: ‘gorilla,’ ‘chimpanzee,’ ‘bonobo,’ and ‘orangutan.’ This intelligence, however, came at a cost. Though this talking ape was capable of creating wonders, it was also capable of destroying them. Among the wonders it destroyed were many of the forests in which the other apes lived. One such forest is on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where members of a unique species of orangutan are…

If you have ever tasted the food at Delhi’s Andhra Bhawan canteen, you know that the state itself has a rich culinary repertoire. You can expect spicy and tangy vegetable preparations, delicious meats, an array of seafood, decadent biryanis, and delectable pickles and condiments when you dine at Dindi–By The Godavari (sterlingholidays.com). If you are a gourmet traveller, venture beyond Dindi and try the single-boned fish Korameenu, available in other parts of East Godavari, or taste bamboo chicken in Araku Valley.…