Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2019 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

A sia may be the world’s largest and most populous continent, but its real allure lies in its stark contrasts. From the lesser-known terrain of Laos to sleek countries like Singapore, this issue of Travel + Leisure India & South Asia lets you in on all the details you need to know when you’re travelling in magical Asia. Our cover story (p. 86), shot at Resorts World™ Sentosa Singapore with Bollywood actor Rakul Preet Singh, showcases the myriad ways you can make your trip to the island nation unforgettable. Meanwhile, Hong Kong presents an intriguing juxtaposition of old-world charm and revolutionary design aesthetic (p. 134). In Japan, we discover the wintertime delights of Hokkaido, bringing you another unique item for your bucket list (p. 80); in resilient Sri Lanka, we…

What’s your first travel memory? Travelling with my sister to Europe when I was 13. I thought the plane would get hijacked! From studying law to being a fashion blogger, you’ve come a long way... After completing my bachelor’s, I got the opportunity to do an internship with one of the first influencer agencies in Europe. I realised that there weren’t any other influencers who looked like me. In the beginning, I had no idea what I was doing, and Google was my best friend! I learned networking, had my sister help me create content, and it slowly turned into a full-time career. Five things you never travel without? A hot-water bottle, carry-on makeup bag, a book to read in the plane, face mask for long flights, and comfortable shoes.…

AS I ENTERED W KUALA LUMPUR, after an hour-long drive from the airport, I was enveloped by a gust of vibrant energy. Quirky colour palettes, urban decor elements, and a classy design aesthetic radiated a millennial vibe that permeated the property. I had suffered an overnight flight, so I was glad to be shown quickly to my room by the welcoming staff. My accommodation on the 14th floor had a flirty ambience. An LED-lit fuchsia cabinet held a coffee-maker and a set of wine glasses. The pristine white bed was adorned with two large leaf-shaped pillows in psychedelic shades of green and blue. There was a large work of art right above the bed, depicting pixels (polka dots) on a glass sheet with a Batik painting in the backdrop. The…

Last year, Gujarat’s tourism saw a significant boost, and the reason was neither the flamingos that visit the state every winter nor the infinite salt plains of the Rann of Kutch. The entity responsible for the tourist influx was the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity. A grand ode to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the monument is taller than the Statue of Liberty in the US and the Spring Temple Buddha in China. Sardar Patel not only played a significant role in the freedom struggle of India, but was also the man behind the integration of the princely states into a united country post Independence. As a tribute to his immense contribution, the government of Gujarat has made a gesture as large as his stature.…

WHAT IS TODAY earmarked as an ancient village in Karnataka was once twice the size of Paris and the second largest city in the world after Beijing. Hampi was the celebrated capital of the Vijayanagara empire—the traces of which can be followed across its boulder-strewn landscape. A few miles away from these ruins sits the Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace, Hampi, our base for the trip and an extension of the Vijayanagara architecture. With a gearless cycle, a jumbo tumbler, SPF50 sunscreen, and a sunshade hat, I set out to navigate the arid landscape of Hampi and unravel its many secrets, one stop at a time. DAY 1 7 AM STORIES IN STONES Start your day early to enjoy exclusive access to the Vijaya Vittala Temple in the Vithalapura suburb. Considered…

GETTING THERE You can take a one-stop flight to Ho Chi Minh City from Delhi or Mumbai on Cathay Pacific (cathaypacific.com), Singapore Airlines (singaporeair.com), etc. The Ben Duoc portion of the tunnels is about two hours away by road. Tours of the Cu Chi Tunnels can be booked online on Viator (viator.com). STAY Experience colonial grandeur at Hotel Majestic Saigon, the first five-star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (from 12,000; majesticsaigon.com); get unbeatable views at the city’s highest hotel, The Reverie Saigon (from 21,000; thereveriesaigon. com); or take in panoramic views of the Saigon River at Renaissance Riverside Saigon (from 10,500; renaissance-hotels. marriott.com) SEASON Ho Chi Minh City experiences tropical monsoon weather most of the year. The drier months of December to March make up the best time to…

GETTING THERE Thai Airways (thaiairways.com) and Air India (airindia.in) are among the airlines that operate flights to Luang Prabang from Delhi and Mumbai. STAY Rosewood Luang Prabang: It boasts hilltop tents ( 1,05,350 per night) recalling Laos’ ethnic groups through famous designer Bill Bensley’s tastefully integrated tribal artefacts in a contemporary setting where lanterns hang above your bed. Doubles from 46,000; rosewoodhotels.com Belmond Résidence Phou Vao: You won’t leave your colonial suite, except for hot bamboo massages at the spa village with its own pool and secluded gardened pavillion set on a lotus pond. Doubles from 11,940; belmond.com Avani+ Luang Prabang: Fringing Luang Prabang’s main street yet elegantly apart, this is a fortress of affordable exclusivity with the best all-day dining to go. Doubles from 14,047; avanihotels.com Sofitel Luang Prabang:…

GETTING THERE Air India (airindia.in) and Singapore Airlines (singaporeair.com) operate direct flights from major Indian metro cities to Singapore. Resorts World Sentosa Singapore is a 25-kilometre drive from the award-winning Singapore Changi Airport. STAY The integrated resort’s six accommodation options cater to different requirements and preferences. You could book yourself the one-bedroom Beach Villa (doubles from 66,312) for a lavish tropical-themed stay, or a room at the Festive Hotel (doubles from 20,413) to be in the heart of activity, or one of the Ocean Suites (doubles from 1,21,249) for a truly exquisite experience. ATTRACTIONS The resort offers world-class attractions, including Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, and a variety of shows. Check out the official website for the schedule of non-ticketed public attractions such as the Crane Dance…

GALERIES LAFAYETTE, the grand department store complex in central Paris, is a great place to take visitors—and not just for shopping. It must be seen for its architectural masterpiece: a neo-Byzantine dome designed by artists of the Art Nouveau school of Nancy, in northeastern France, early in the 20th century. Soaring 141 feet above the topmost shopping floor, it consists of stained glass inside a metal frame carved with elaborate floral motifs . You can now get closer to the dome via the Glasswalk, which opened late last year. Suspended 52 feet in the air, the 30-foot-long bridge has a glass strip in the floor for viewing the action below. It’s also the perfect perch for seeing the coats of arms adorning the base of the dome, which represent the…

AT LIBRAIRIE MARIAN GOODMAN (66 Rue du Temple; marian goodman.com), a sleek and slender bookstore across the street from the influential Galerie Marian Goodman in the Marais, you’ll find monographs on such artists as Gerhard Richter and John Baldessari, as well as a smattering of limited-edition art objects, like a scarf designed by Maurizio Cattelan. A few blocks away, Le Comptoir de l’Image (44 Rue de Sévigné; 33-1-42-72-09-17) is a compact boutique overstuffed with teetering stacks of vintage issues of Vogue Italia, The Face, and other collector bait. The wooden shelves bow under the strain of fashion books, including out-of-print titles by such photographers as Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Herb Ritts, and Walter Pfeiffer. The prestigious auction house Artcurial (7 Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées; artcurial.com), which occupies a stately 19th-century mansion, has its…

WHO RANVEER BRAR A myriad delicious flavours define chef, TV host, and author Brar’s life. He’s always on his feet, sometimes travelling to three cities in a day, all the time cooking delicacies from around the world. And when he’s got an afternoon off, he likes nothing better than to whip up a meal for his family and friends! WHERE  Steeped in luxury, ESPA at The Leela Palace New Delhi offers a peaceful escape from city life. The spa is spread over two levels, has separate wet areas for men and women, a cafe, seven treatment rooms, a couple’s spa suite, and a finishing studio. The spa menu opens up to reveal an array of treatments and journeys that range from rejuvenating Leela Signature Rituals and ESPA Ayurvedic Inspired Treatments…

I SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISTRESSED, but I wasn’t. I should have moped, but I didn’t. I continued sipping my hot chocolate as though nothing had happened, staring expectantly through the foggy window for signs of that magical swoosh of green, the Aurora Borealis. Worried about my lack of reaction to the bad news, my husband proceeded to console me by saying that he was hopeful the storm would not set in the next day. I cheerfully told him that we should turn back as advised, halfway into our road-trip around Iceland—the trip I had meticulously planned, the trip that was all I could talk and dream about the last six months,. That night, we were the only guests at a cosy wooden inn at Breiddalsvik, a small fishing town in…

SPOTTED Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was recently spotted holidaying with her family in Maldives. Her Instagram feed will make you yearn for the paradise island. travelandleisureindia.in/ bachchans-in-niyama-privateislands-maldives DISCOVER With a babbling brook, gliding kayaks, jungles with birdsong, and steep limestone cliffs, Nong Khiaw has us under a spell. travelandleisureindia. in/nong-khiaw #TELLTNLINDIA NEPAL IS NOT A DESTINATION, IT’S AN EXPERIENCE. THIS PHOTO BY @ANUSHKAGURNANEY CAPTURES ITS LIFE FORCE. Download Travel + Leisure India & South Asia digital editions, and follow us for the best in hotels, food, style, culture, and trends. travelandleisureindia tnlindia tnlindia traveleisurein NOTE: ALL PRICES MENTIONED IN THE MAGAZINE ARE APPROXIMATE VALUES AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. TO GET FEATURED HERE, TAG @TRAVELANDLEISUREINDIA ON INSTAGRAM AND USE THE HASHTAG #TELLTNLINDIA.…

MANERO FLYBACK CARL F. BUCHERER A feature popular among gentlemen is the flyback chronograph, where you can use the reset function without stopping the chronograph. The latest addition to the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback collection combines the beauty of precious metal with retro charm and fine watchmaking. The new Flyback Chronograph boasts of an 18-carat rose-gold case that houses a column-wheel mechanism. 12,98,000 TOP GUN CERATANIUM IWC IWC Schaffhausen unveiled early this year a new watch in the Pilot’s Watches collection-the TOP GUN Ceratanium®, the perfect watch for the discerning globetrotting businessman. It is the first pilot’s watch from IWC with a Ceratanium® case, a material as lightweight and robust as titanium, and as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic. 9,61,000 OYSTER PERPETUAL GMT-MASTER II ROLEX There are many two-timezone…

A wonderful 360-degree view of over 200 mountain peaks establishes the Schilthorn summit as one of the most popular attractions in the Interlaken region of Switzerland. While Swiss delights like the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains are common sights from Schilthorn, days with clear skies even offer a glimpse of Mont Blanc in France and the Black Forest in Germany. But it’s not just the view that draws visitors to Schilthorn; it offers an assortment of activities and establishments for every kind of traveller. An extended glass-floored platform situated over a vertical precipice, the Skyline Walk offers a breathtaking view of the snowscape below your feet. Meanwhile, the Thrill Walk is a 200-metre-long steel-and-glass bridge under the Birg cableway station latched on to the side of a rock massif. The…

GETTING THERE From Vadodara, a daily bus plies from the central bus stand and takes about two hours to reach the Statue of Unity, which is at a distance of around 90 kilometres. From Ahmedabad, the same bus takes about four hours. STAY In Kevadia, the government has established the Narmada tent city, which features luxurious Swiss tents with all modern amenities in two arenas. Packages include a tour of the Statue of Unity, which is a 10-minute drive from the premises. Inside the tent city, you’ll find a dining hall, a play area, and an open ground for cultural shows. The food served is vegetarian, and includes local delicacies such as sev tamatar saag, besan gatte ki sabzi, methi gatiya, and so on. BEST TIME Since summers tend to…

GETTING THERE Jindal Vijaynagar Airport is the closest air terminal. Trujet (trujet.com) operates direct flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad. STAY Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace, Hampi is among the top resorts in Hampi. Inspired by the Vijayanagara architecture, the place offers well-appointed suites with private pool and jacuzzi. Starts from 16,999; evolveback.com EXPERIENCES Bicycles and motorbikes are available on rent at local operators, like Travel MaaYa (starts from 250; travelmaaya. com). The resort also offers guided tours, such as The Raya Trail, Tungabhadra Trek, and Vitthalapura Walk in private vehicles at additional cost.…

STAY Oriental Residence Bangkok A member of the Amari group of hotels, it’s part hotel, part private apartment-cum-residences, and has its own Savelberg restaurant, which serves French cuisine with a little Dutch inspiration. Starts from 9,000; oriental-residence.com Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok Straddling the river and the Saphan Taksin BTS station, Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok boasts an impressive array of world-standard facilities. The pool area is mighty, and there’s a whopping nine different places to dine. A Club Horizon twin costs around 20,000; shangri-la.com LOCAL FLAVOURS The Queen of Curry, Bangrak Market Wedged behind the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok is the lively Bangrak Bazaar-a haven for well-priced women’s fashion. Opposite it is a string of restaurants, the best of which is Queen of Curry. The food is first-class local, the prices almost a joke.…

Manama BAHRAIN Look out over the Arabian Gulf or indulge in an exotic dining scene—a business trip to the capital city of Bahrain can never be a dull affair. ADDRESS The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Set in the commercial district of Manama, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain offers its guests a total event space of 2,322 square metres including villas for intimate meetings, grand ballrooms, exhibition centres, and four outdoor spaces. After all, who wouldn’t love to seal a deal by the beach? A host of other facilities, such as private lagoon and island, sea-inspired spa with hammam and plunge pools, a golf club, and 11 dining venues complement the stay here. You will want to stay back just a little longer to enjoy the unmatched Arabian hospitality. Starts from 23,311; ritzcarlton.com Four Seasons…

GETTING THERE Many airlines, including Air India (airindia.in) and Cathay Pacific (cathaypacific.com), operate flights to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport. Otaru is around 45 minutes away, while Asahiyama Zoo is a three-hour drive. STAY Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo: Five minutes away from Sapporo station, this four-star property is located in the heart of town and offers a variety of rooms and suites across its 21 floors, the topmost being the most luxurious. Standard Single Room from 17,384 per night; keioplazasapporo.co.jp Kiroro Resort: There are two Marriott International branded hotels here, The Kiroro, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Hokkaido, and Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort. Both the properties are endowed with great views, with the latter being closer to all the skiing action. kiroro.co.jp…

What comes to your mind when I say ‘first travel memory’? Being an army kid, moving from one place to another, constantly packing and unpacking suitcases throughout my childhood is all I can think of. What kind of a traveller are you? I’m an extremely well-planned kind of traveller. I consider all kinds of possibilities and prepare myself accordingly. Your all-time favourite destination? I’m generally a people-over-place kind of person, so any destination with the right set of people works for me. But London is a city that I make sure I visit at least once a year. Being a healthy eater, I love the variety of clean food there, other than the shopping options, of course. A destination on your bucket-list? Ibiza has been on my mind for the…

Designer extraordinaire Nikhil Thampi has quintessentially preached classics, but what makes him unique? His twist on them. His separates—formal or casual—always seem to have fun with cuts, construction, and draping. From a very early age he was drawn to the creative side. So, when it came to choosing a career, he knew he wanted to work with something he could have fun with. “I was working in my family’s aviation business for two years, but things just took a turn for the better when one of my childhood friends asked me to help him with his debut collection for Lakmé Fashion Week—I loved every minute of it. The world of fashion was too contagious, and I wanted to be a part of it more and more everyday. I asked my…

GETTING THERE Take a Finnair (finnair.com) flight via Helsinki from Delhi to Reykjavik. Rent a car from Reykjavic Rent a Car ( 8,500 a day for a 4x4; reykjavikrentacar.is) STAY In Reykjavik, stay at the stylish Hilton Reykjavik Nordica ( 17,400 per night for a Queen Guest Room; hilton.com), popular with tourists and locals alike. Hotel Bláfell ( 13,000 per night for a double room; breiddalsvik.is), tucked between the mountains and black sand beaches, makes for a comfortable stay in pastoral Breiðdalsvík.…

Shafts of sunlight pierce smoky interiors painted in red and gold. The Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road, built in 1847, is a serene space tucked between skyscrapers. It is dedicated to the God of Literature and the God of War. This is where students come to pray with their parents. The air is thick with smoke wafting from giant incense coils, and the interiors dotted with golden urns, dazzling altars, and Chinese wood carvings. Worshippers burn joss sticks, make offerings, and shake thin bamboo ‘fortune sticks’ vigorously to read their fortunes. The God of Literature, clad in a green robe, holds a calligraphy brush and the God of War, dressed in a red robe, totes a sword. The temple was built by wealthy Chinese merchants and doubled up as…

A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE on the eastern shore of the Arabian Peninsula, Ras al Jinz in Oman holds an important position with respect to ecology. It is one of the world’s largest nesting areas of an endangered turtle species. Green turtles, or chelonia mydas, migrate to Oman’s sandy shores every year between May and September to lay eggs. It takes about 55 days for the eggs to hatch, before the newborn begin their perilous first journey towards the sea, carefully escaping ravenous foxes, crabs, and seagulls, and other predators. The Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve, first established in 1996 by Royal Decree, is among the few institutions to offer guided tours for visitors to witness the incredible natural phenomena of nesting and hatching. Additionally, the reserve offers accommodation in 19…

Devil’s Bridge: Germany’s Wonder Beckons The Die Rakotzbrücke bridge in Germany is renowned for its architecture, which forms a perfect stone circle along with its reflection. travelandleisureindia. in/the-die-rakotzbrucke-bridgein-germany A Peruvian Oasis is the Perfect Detox A destination circled by palm trees, this elegant Peruvian village is built around an oasis and has served as an attraction for tourists for over 60 years. travelandleisureindia.in/ huacachina-in-peru Face to Face with Nature’s Wonders at Lake Toba Perched at a height of 900 metres above sea level, Lake Toba is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and the largest volcanic lake in the world. travelandleisureindia.in/ lake-toba-indonesia…

“I wasn’t a model until late in my life, but my love for cars has been since I was young, and so is my love for art, photography, and design.” Let’s talk about journeys. First, your journey from the runway to the world of automobiles. I have always been interested in motor racing, designs, and classic cars. For me, it’s about being enthralled by the ingenuity of humanity, how we can design and come up with solutions, wanting to be able to travel, move from one place to another, how we have conquered those, and done it with style. It’s not just function, it’s also about form. And tell us about your journey with your husband, Simon. Gosh, the journey of marriage! We are like dinosaurs, been together for so…

WITH THE SPRAWLING Juhu Beach at a stone’s throw, the dramatic charcoal-grey façade of The Park Mumbai has sweeping views of the Arabian Sea to offer through its ceiling-to-floor windows painted in fuchsia and burnt orange. Located on the Juhu Tara Road, the latest addition to the list of luxe properties in the Maximum City has already become the talk of town as it comes with the legendary design vocabulary of The Park Hotels. Contemporary design, innovative dining, and opulent entertainment—the 60-room boutique hotel is an urban retreat. Divided into six categories, the designer rooms and studio suites are beautifully done with a monochromatic palette and state-of-the-art amenities. The Arabian Sea fringed with swaying palms, the historic Juhu Aerodrome, or the glimmering cityscape—take your pick of view. Inspired by the…

THE SILK ROAD PLAYED a significant role in not just the commerce of the old world, but also in shaping the future of the countries that lay on it. Today, it is mostly relegated to history books and travel pamphlets. Many destinations market themselves to tourists as important stops along the legendary trade route between China and the Mediterranean. In Uzbekistan, the charm of a Silk Road-inspired journey lies in its simplicity. The Central Asian country has only recently opened its doors wide to tourism. But I recommend you visit it sooner than later, before this path too is trodden by throngs of selfie-obsessed tourists. People often talk about the Chinese stretch of the Silk Road. Perhaps, this is why the Central Asian section of the route is far less…

IN THE BENGAL OF EARLY 1970S, students protesting against the institutions they perceived as bourgeois had a curious chant, “Tomar naam, aamaar naam, tomar aamaar mayer naam Vietnam,” meaning ‘your name, my name, our mother’s name is Vietnam’. They felt a kinship with the Vietnamese, who, thousands of miles away, were fighting a powerful and technologically more advanced country. Key to that fight were the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground pathways criss-crossing Vietnam that helped the guerrilla fighters of Viet Cong evade American forces and maintain supply networks. We gather on a chilly morning at the Saigon Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City for a tour of the tunnels. We are a myriad group—Americans, French, Australians—visiting the Ben Duoc tunnel network, about 80 kilometres from Ho Chi…

GETTING THERE Sri Lanka is well connected with major Indian cities. SriLankan Airlines (srilankan.com) operates flights to Colombo from Mumbai and Delhi. Galle is a two-hour drive from Colombo. STAY Sielen Diva: This is a seven-bedroom modern villa situated in Talpe, a 15-minute drive from Galle Fort. You can request for an airport pick-up and drop. From 14,000; sielendiva.com Cantaloupe House Ahangama: This restored six-bedroom walauwa offers wellness-focussed experiences like yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic treatments. The F&B menu here allows guests to try local and seasonal specialities. The location is perfect for surfers. From 10,500; cantaloupehotels.com/ ahangama Cantaloupe Levels: It is situated in Rumassala and offers panoramic views of the palm-fringed coastline. This three-storeyed property has Deluxe and Suite rooms, and a rooftop for yoga and meditation classes. From 8,500;…

GETTING THERE Barcelona can be reached easily with Alitalia (alitalia. com), Qatar Airways (qatarairways.com), and Turkish Airlines (turkishairlines.com). STAY Barcelona: Hotel Arts is a modern property at the Barcelona Beach promenade. From 39,000; hotelartsbarcelona.com Seville: Hotel Alfonso XIII (from 43,000; marriott.com) is a stunning heritage property. For a more modern stay, Hotel Mercer Sevilla (from 47,000; mercersevilla. com) and Grand Melia Colon (from 29,000; melia.com) are great options. Granada: Choose between the Eurostars Washington Irving for a contemporary stay (from 24,000; eurostarshotels. com) and the Moorish charm-laden Parador de Granada (from 27,000; paradorgranada.com). Marbella: Puente Romano is a Spanish-style property located in the Golden Mile area (from 53,000; puenteromano.com).…

WHERE TO SHOP DESTINATIONS Innumerable designer and high-street brands, huge discounts, dining options, and entertainment galore define these shoppers’ delights. MACY’S INC, USA One of USA’s top-ranking retailers, Macy’s plays host to a myriad stores, events, interesting experiences, lavish restaurants, special savings opportunities, and visitor services. With over 870 stores, Macy’s has outlets in 43 states, and has three widely recognised retail brands-Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Bluemercury-besides its online portals. Find the latest fashion trends at Bloomingdale’s, enjoy a glass of wine at The Wine Bar, or grab your favourite dessert at Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Café. Adding to its customer-friendly approach are the live music in several stores, surprise treats for customers to relish, sketches and chronicles that serve as an inspiration. visitmacysusa.com MALL OF AMERICA, USA Located in the…

MY WIFE LOVES tea. You can find Mariage Frères in many places these days, but they have a unique blend at their salon in the Fourth Arrondissement (35 Rue du Bourg-Tibourg; mariage freres. com). We bring hot chocolate from Angelina (226 Rue de Rivoli; angelina-paris.fr) back to New York—our kids adore it. La Chambre aux Confitures (multiple locations; lachambre auxconfitures.com) sells its own wonderful seasonal fruit jams, as well as honey and a range of chocolate spreads. La Bovida (36 Rue Montmartre; la bovida.com) is like a huge supermarket for cooking supplies. It’s where I used to go as a young chef to see all the new equipment.…

I LOVE SHOPPING in the First Arrondissement in the area around my store, Memo Paris (24 Rue Cambon; memoparis.com). There’s a fantastic lingerie brand, Cadolle (4 Rue Cambon; cadolle.com), run by the same family for generations. I also like Fauré Le Page (21 Rue Cambon; faurelepage.com), which makes beautiful leather handbags. For clothes , Le Bon Marché (24 Rue de Sèvres ; 24sevres. com) is one of the go-to destinations in Paris. It has a great selection of on-trend designers. L’Écume des Pages (174 Blvd. St.-Germain; ecumedespages.com) is one of my favourite bookshops in Paris. I appreciate that it’s open late at night.…

Healing Sanctuary Spa THE FARM AT SAN BENITO, THE PHILIPPINES Set in a natural environment that stimulates the senses and promotes a sense of peace and positivity, The Farm at San Benito is ideal for anyone who’s looking to up their wellness ante. The resort offers a variety of holistic programmes that range from health to aesthetics and spa treatments. At its Healing Sanctuary Spa try the traditional Filipino healing treatment hilot in a variety of forms—the Hilot Lakan (for men) and the Hilot Lakambini (for women) include a scrub, herbal bath, and aroma massage each; and the Hilot Massage helps you feel renewed in 90 minutes. A must-try is the unique Chlorophyll Body Wrap that cleanses and reinvigorates the skin naturally. thefarmatsanbenito.com Banyan Tree Spa BANYAN TREE SPA SANCTUARY…

THIS, believe it or not, was the job: to check out intriguing new luxury hotels in a country I had not been back to in some 15 years. The country was Cambodia, and the only catch was—well, there wasn’t a catch. I first went to Cambodia in 1996, at the invitation of an old friend and fellow journalist. He was writing for a newspaper named the Cambodia Daily. He insisted I come see this place. I did. My two-week visit stretched into a life-altering year, then longer. The country captured me, charmed and confused me. It has that effect on people, it draws them in. I abandoned my plans, cancelled medical school, dropped out of a relationship with a wonderful girl, and wrote half of a juvenile novel about expat…