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

Our July edition is dedicated to You and your holistic well-being—the health of your mind, body, and soul. ‘Travel to heal’ is our mantra this month, and our list of the Top 10 Wellness Trends (p. 10) takes you around the world to help you rediscover yourself. We take our cover girl, the fit and glamorous Athiya Shetty, to the scenic Atmantan Wellness Resort in Maharashtra for some quick R&R. Located strategically between the cities of Mumbai and Pune yet cocooned in the lap of nature, the retreat seeks to introduce the young and the restless to a healthier lifestyle (p. 84). From practising yoga on the beaches of a Thailand town known for its extravagances (p. 60) to making wellness a way of life at the SHA Wellness Clinic…

GETTING THERE Vayalar is located in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. It is situated 60 kilometres from Cochin International Airport. Ask the hotel concierge to arrange a pickup from the airport or book a prepaid taxi. STAY Vasundhara Sarovar Premiere, Vayalar offers a range of rooms, suites, and cottages. Its private houseboat is also available for booking if you’d like to spend the night on the backwaters or take a tour during mornings or evenings. Starts from ₹7,000 + taxes; sarovarhotels.com EXPERIENCES Ayurvedic healing is at the heart of the wellness treatments offered at Vasundhara Sarovar Premiere, Vayalar. Consult the in-house Ayurvedic doctor to choose a suitable therapy for your body type-vata, pitta, and kapha. Navarakizhi and Abhyangam therapies come recommended for leisure travellers.…

DEEP IN THE WOODS, beyond countless sylvan hamlets near Karnataka’s Madikeri, sits Ayatana Coorg, a nature resort from the WelcomHeritage group of hotels. Heading there for a weekend trip from Delhi felt like a Herculean task. Call it the downside of being a frequent flyer, but not all trips begin with a flurry of excitement. It had been just 10 days since I had returned from an overwhelming work trip to Switzerland; the experience was yet to sink in. So, even though I looked forward to my first visit to coffee-rich Coorg, I wasn’t really ‘ready’ for it. This, I would realise in retrospect. After a customary cup of kaapi in Bengaluru, I hit the road to Ayatana Coorg. May was a good time to spot the gulmohar trees abloom…

ON A COOL EVENING last spring at the venerable Miraval Arizona wellness resort in Tucson, I heard a rustling as someone slid an envelope under my door. Inside was a five-page syllabus for something called Spirit Flight, which claimed to be a “life-changing Shamanic ceremony of purification, liberation, and rebirth.” I raised an eyebrow. These days, it seems like everyone has a personal mystic—and the hospitality industry is taking note. Miami’s Faena Hotel offers healing rituals developed by Carlos Gomez, a Mexican shaman, and Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn hosts one-on-one sessions with its longtime shaman, Jon Rasmussen. These practitioners act as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual, inviting us to face roadblocks like fear and grief. Though the word shaman might conjure images of mysterious figures speaking in tongues,…

GETTING THERE There are many flights to Fiji’s Nadi International Airport via Singapore and Hong Kong. Fiji Airways (fijiairways. com) has direct flights to Taveuni from the islands. Boats and cruises sail from Port Denarau to Tokoriki Island. STAY VITI LEVU Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa is a five-star hotel with great service, located on Denarau island. Doubles from ₹12,000; sofitel-fiji.com Yatule Resort and Spa is a cosy and comfortable resort with Fiji-style bures in Natadola. Doubles from ₹10,000; yatulefiji.com TAVEUNI Taveuni Palms is a luxury villa with personalised food and service. Doubles from ₹1,00,000 with a list of inclusions; taveunipalms.com TOKORIKI Tokoriki Island Resort and Spa is a luxury accommodation with large rooms, attentive service, and many dining options. Doubles from ₹45,000; tokoriki.com.…

The Hills Whether at the dizzying heights of the northern peaks or on the verdant slopes of southern India, discover a brand of wellness that is all-encompassing. The Khyber Spa by L’Occitane THE KHYBER HIMALAYAN RESORT & SPA, JAMMU & KASHMIR Nestled at an altitude of 8,825 feet in the Himalayas, The Khyber Spa by L’Occitane is bound to take you to new heights. When here, try The Royal Pamper Bath. Specially designed for women, the bath begins with a preparatory scrub that makes the skin glow and energises you. Then you soak away stress in a bath built with essential oils, warm water, and rose petals. Emerge feeling fresh, relieved of aches and pains, and filled with renewed vitality. khyberhotels.com Ananda Spa ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS, UTTARAKHAND Balance…

What does peace mean to you? For me, peace is to be content with the little things, and self-confidence and self-love are very important. A beautiful, natural atmosphere definitely adds [to the feeling]. I am at peace being at such a serene location [Atmantan] right now. What do you tend to focus on: mental health or physical fitness? Without proper check on both, life gets imbalanced. Physical appearance is noticeable, so we tend to pay more attention to it. But mental health is equally important and demands as much attention. Just like you ask for help when you have a headache, you must ask for help when you’re having trouble dealing with a certain emotion. There’s nothing wrong with it. What is your fitness mantra? Dancing. I’ve been doing Kathak…

The devil was beating his wife as I crossed the Alabama state line. I was driving from Nashville, in a hurry to reach Muscle Shoals, and I had gotten to the point where I-65 snakes down from middle Tennessee’s Highland Rim. When the highway levels out again and runs straight, you’re in the cotton-growing Heart of Dixie, as Alabama has been known since the 1950s. The windshield wipers on my rental car frantically tried to keep pace with an August downpour. Then, in a clap, the sun broke through and electrified the gloom, even as the rain continued to fall—in Southern folklore, that’s the devil beating his wife. Luminous spray trembled above the road, and sunlight bounced off wet pastures on either side. Light and mist rose together, particulate gold.…

SPOTTED Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas were recently seen soaking in some sunshine in Miami. The power couple, along with Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, grooved to some Bollywood music on their holiday. travelandleisureindia.in/ priyankachopra-nick-jonass-miami-vacay DISCOVER Armenia is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets when it comes to offbeat travel. Let us introduce you to the many wonders that await your nomadic feet in this country. travelandleisureindia.in/ explorearmenia-europe #TELLTNLINDIA THIS AERIAL SHOT FROM ARUNACHAL PRADESH BY@GEET.JI MADE US PLAN OUR NEXT ROAD TRIP. TO GET FEATURED HERE, TAG @TRAVELANDLEISUREINDIA ON INSTAGRAM AND USE THE HASHTAG #TELLTNLINDIA. 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…

TONDA MÉTROPOLITAINE ROSE GOLD PARMIGIANI FLEURIER Parmigiani Fleurier presents a new feminine timepiece in the Tonda Métropolitaine line that marries a mother-of-pearl dial with a bezel that boasts 76 diamonds. The skeletonised hands emphasise the beauty of the dial. The rose gold appliques are discreet and highlight the organic material in all its complexity. ₹24,22,000 SAXONIA THIN A. LANGE & SÖHNE The Saxonia line represents the simplest and the purest of the Lange watches. This watch comes in a case size of 37mm in diameter and 5.9mm in height. The old-world charm of Saxonia is highlighted by a manually wound house calibre L093.1, which features just the basic hour and minutes, and a power reserve of 72 hours; price on request L.U.C QUATTRO CHOPARD The L.U.C line from Chopard continues…

Amritraj didn’t just play on Centre Court, he also starred in a James Bond flick and a Star Trek movie. It’s time for Wimbledon again. Let’s talk about great rivalries. Björn Borg or John McEnroe? Both geniuses. Borg did it one way, McEnroe another. Talent wise, McEnroe. But Borg [was] a better athlete. Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal? Roger has won more majors; Rafa has beaten him a greater number of times-hard to pick between the two. But because Roger plays the modern version of yesterday’s tennis, I would feel more comfortable saying Roger. Emerging player of the year? I have to go with [Stefanos] Tsitsipas. He plays with a great deal of variety. Which do you consider the biggest win of your career? Beating Rod Laver in the US…

DURING MY ACUPUNCTURE treatment at Vedary—perhaps the finest wellness clinic in Mumbai—the traditional Chinese medicine specialist, Dr Afzal, told me about hijama, an ancient technique of cupping and blood-letting. Small incisions made into the back are protected by suction cups into which drips away the ‘bad blood’, or bloody discharges bearing years of toxicity. “Would you like to try it?” he asked. “Yes,” I responded, although I was nervous. I was in his treatment room, supine, marvelling at the acupuncture treatments at Vedary. Dr Afzal is a genius of ‘needling’—he has previously worked at the famous Vana wellness retreat (vana.co.in) near Dehradun. He reminded me of the talent of the renowned Satoshi Hashimoto, who practises a special form of Japanese acupuncture at Thailand’s best wellness destination, Chiva-Som (chivasom.com). I discovered…

I’LL PUSH OUT THE DISCLAIMER up front. I’m no health junkie, and the thought of checking into a wellness clinic had never even occurred to me. But when I was invited for an experience at SHA Wellness Clinic in the beautiful port town of Alicante in Spain this summer, I decided it was time to take the dreaded plunge. I was stressed out and losing the rhythm of daily exercise. I could do with a nutritious diet for a few days, considering the trap of binge eating I fall into every time my cortisol levels swing up. I was assigned the Discovery Programme (a four-day schedule) by SHA’s experts, although they recommend the seven- or 14-day programmes to most of their guests to achieve the desired results. Edijs, the Latvian…

MIRAVAL ARIZONA, TUCSON Shaman Tim Frank’s 100-minute Spirit Flight (₹32,800) combines massage and acupuncture with drumming and a spiritual cleanse. Frank’s 50-minute Samadi Healing Ceremony (₹20,700) blends in reflexology and reiki. Doubles from ₹74,637, all-inclusive; miraval arizona.com ROSEWOOD MAYAKOBA, CANCÚN, MEXICO The hotel’s personally customised Marry Oneself Journey, led by shaman Fernanda Montiel, is a multi-day experience that ends with a commitment ceremony. From ₹3,66,394 per person for four-night Marry Oneself Journey; rosewood hotels.com FAENA HOTEL, MIAMI Tierra Santa Healing House, the hotel spa, offers treatments created by shaman Carlos Gomez. Tree of Life Vibrations (₹27,694) is a 110-minute hot-stone massage enhanced by sound; the 90-minute Sacred Connection Ritual (₹34,632) is a four-handed massage. Doubles from ₹34,286; faena.com POST RANCH INN, BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA Book a one-hour shaman session (₹21,819)…

EVERY SUNDAY, Medha Garud tells me, a woman and her husband eat brunch in their kitchen, looking out their window, watching their neighbour do laundry. And each week the woman says the same thing to her husband, “What is wrong with our neighbour? She does not know how to wash her clothes properly. She puts them in soapy water, but still they come out dirty—you can see the grime from here!” Then one Sunday, the woman sees something amazing: her neighbour’s clothes are clean at last. “Maybe someone taught her how to use good detergent!” the woman says. “No, honey”, the husband answers, “I woke up early and cleaned the windows.” Smiling at her own joke, Medha pauses to let the parable sink in. We’re sitting in her office in…

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that my life has been fairly adventurous so far. I may not have chased a hurricane or got attacked by a squirrel while taking a selfie (‘Florida Man’ on a slow news day), but my life throws up its share of surprises around the globe. So, when Airbnb Adventures—launched last month—invited me to Morocco, I was a bit circumspect. My first thoughts: I’m not diving from an airplane or sandboarding in the Sahara Desert. But Airbnb’s latest segment of Experiences doesn’t entail extreme sports, the oft-presumed loose meaning of adventure. The ‘Adventures’ represent immersive and offbeat multi-day tours led by local operators and guides who help you reach hard-to-access cultures, communities, and natural wonders, and engage you in fascinating tales of the land. That’s…

GETTING THERE To replicate this road trip, fly into Huntsville-one-stop flights are available from New Delhi-then drive an hour west to Muscle Shoals. FLORENCE & MUSCLE SHOALS The 10-suite GunRunner (doubles from ₹9,632; gunrunnerhotel.com) celebrates the area’s creative heritage. Visit the Factory (alabama chanin.com ) for an unbeatable brunch and locally made housewares, FAME Studios (tours for ₹700; famestudios. com) for a glimpse of music history, and Odette (entrées from ₹900; odettealabama. com) for dinner. While in the area, see Te-lah-nay’s Wall (ifthe legends fade.com), a large-scale work memorialising a Yuchi woman’s return after her forced removal from the state. BIRMINGHAM The Grand Bohemian Hotel (doubles from ₹20,732; kesslercollection.com), in the suburb of Mountain Brook, lives up to its name, with jewel-tone furnishings and a gallery. Get your Southern-food fix…

THE VOYAGE Windstar’s 10-day Adventures in Panama & Costa Rica itinerary includes the Panama Canal and locations along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. The company also regularly offers a seven-day version and bundles this trip into longer itineraries. From ₹1,52,489 per person; windstarcruises.com GETTING THERE For cruises departing from Colón, Panama, fly in to Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport; one-stop flights available from New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. For cruises departing from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, fly in to San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport; one-stop flights available from New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Windstar will arrange your transfer. WHAT TO PACK In addition to the cruise basics, be sure to bring sun-protective clothing and hiking boots for land excursions. A light shell or rain jacket is also wise.…

All Roads Lead to Israel You will be amazed at the diversity and expanse of Israel’s landscapes. And the only way to explore and experience them first-hand is by taking to the roads. Here’s a primer. travelandleisureindia.in/ roadtrips-israel This Indian Road Journey Takes You Places Northeast India’s virgin landscapes take you inside a Jane Austen novel. This 700-kilometre route lets you explore Guwahati, Kaziranga National Park, Jorhat, Majuli, Dimapur, Kohima, and Dzukou Valley. travelandleisureindia.in/ road-trip-northeast-india Cruise on the Great Ocean Road in Australia Melbourne has top-notch food, buzzing nightlife, and world-class coffee. But for unspoiled splendour Down Under, you must hit the Great Ocean Road. travelandleisureindia.in/ roadtrip-great-ocean-road-australia…

WHERE With a wellness philosophy that is steeped in Indian traditions, Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa at ITC Grand Central Mumbai, offers experiences that help you reconnect with Indian traditions and feel rejuvenated in the process. Located by the pool on the iconic hotel’s second floor, the spa is filled with the signature Indian rose fragrance that soothes you at once. In its four treatment rooms, it offers a variety of experiences that aim to rejuvenate and relax you—whether it’s the Exotic Pomegranate journey (120 mins) that starts with a fresh pomegranate sugar scrub, continues with a massage with pomegranate oil, and ends with a foot massage, or the luxurious Gemstone Massage, which is a lymphatic drainage massage with gemstones and Indian oil blends. itchotels.in EXPERIENCE “It’s one of…

EVOCATIVE MURALS, TALL LAMP stands, glittering elephant caparisons, and striking replicas of Theyyam artistes recreate the euphoric ambience of Kerala’s temple festivals as one walks through the airy reception area of Vasundhara Sarovar Premiere, Vayalar—my base for two days. Set against the lucid backwaters of Lake Vembanad, the resort captures the village’s easy, laid-back vibe through its fuss-free spaces and old fashioned hospitality. I check into my lake-facing suite and spend the next 48 hours waking up to birdsong, admiring the quietude of village life, and going into a sensory overdrive thanks to the abundance of greenery around. Not far from its more popular cousin, Kumarakom, Vayalar is relatively new on the block and an emerging destination cashing in on the state’s backwaters tourism with its virgin landscapes and wellness-centric…

GETTING THERE Multiple international carriers, including Air France (airfrance. com), fly from Mumbai and Delhi to Paris, from where you can take a connecting flight to Valencia. SHA Wellness Clinic is located in Alicante, a two-hour drive from Valencia airport. PROGRAMMES SHA Wellness Clinic has curated a range of treatment plans, and you can choose from the following programmes based on your wellness requirements. All prices exclude accommodation; shawellnessclinic.com Discovery: From ₹1,17,000 for four days Detox: From ₹2,73,000 for seven days, ₹4,05,000 for 14 days Weight loss: From ₹2,73,000 for seven days, ₹4, 05,000 for 14 days Stress management: From ₹2,73,000 for seven days Sleep recovery: From ₹2,88,000 for seven days Healthy Ageing for him and her: From ₹5,85,000 for seven days Essence: From ₹2, 29,000 for seven days Life…

INCA TRAIL MARATHON This run through Peru’s Andes Mountains ends at Machu Picchu. Held in August; andesadventures.com. GREAT WALL MARATHON Opt for a marathon, half-marathon, or 8.5K run along China’s most famous landmark. Held in May; great-wall-marathon.com . FRENCH RIVIERA MARATHON NICE-CANNES One of France’s largest races traces the coastline from Nice to Cannes. Held in November; marathon06.com . BIG FIVE MARATHON Held inside South Africa’s Entabeni Safari Conservancy, this run winds through elephant, leopard, lion, rhino, and buffalo habitats. Held in June; big-five-marathon.com.…

IT’S DIFFICULT TO KEEP up with Fiji’s constantly evolving wellness industry. Traditional experiences such as spa treatments, yoga, meditation, and detox holidays have been draws of the archipelago for many years now. Even though technology has widened the scope and range of treatments, Fiji steers clear of it to keep things natural. The country continues to harness its natural resources like coconut, textured salts, mineralised earth, and pure water in more than one way to enhance its wellness offerings. WATER THERAPY While there is no dearth of wellness experiences on Viti Levu, Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa (ihg.com) in Natadola Bay raises the bar. The decade-old hotel houses the exclusive Wai Zone, where water in its many forms is used for therapy. A 30-40 minute session in the Wai…

ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS, RISHIKESH At this former maharajah’s palace in the Himalayan foothills, Tibetan-style massages and cleanses round out the holistic treatments. Doubles from ₹76,244; ananda spa.com WILDFLOWER HALL, SHIMLA IN THE HIMALAYAS—AN OBEROI RESORT This stately manor is known for its Rejuvenate programme, consisting of a massage using warm poultices, followed by a head massage and shirodhara , a therapy in which oils are gently poured on the forehead to open the third eye. Doubles from ₹35,326; oberoi hotels.com LEELA PALACE, UDAIPUR This fairy-tale-like, Bill Bensley–designed resort on Lake Pichola has an extraordinary spa where you can begin your treatment with a foot-cleansing ritual and full-body exfoliation, then enjoy a hot-stone massage with warm oils and a mud wrap . Doubles from ₹15,033; the leela.com KALARI KOVILAKOM, KERALA…

GETTING THERE You can reach Atmantan easily by road from airports in Mumbai (184 kilometres) and Pune (60 kilometres). STAY The resort offers a minimum of three nights’ accommodation in 96 rooms. While the rooms in the Acacia and Amaltas Groves overlook the lake, those in the Arjuna and Ashoka Groves sit amid the bountiful gardens. For a luxurious experience close to nature, opt for the Mango Tree Villa that comes with a private infinity pool. From ₹69,000 per person (inclusive of all meals and spa therapies); atmantan.com DINE The main dining venue at the property, Vistara, serves flavourful spa cuisine that uses organic produce. The juice bar, Tejus, offers herbal tea and coffee (and a memorable carrot cake). Chantara is the place to go to savour healthy grills with…

GETTING THERE Multiple airlines, including Air France (airfrance.in) and Emirates (emirates.com), operate connecting flights from Indian metro cities to Marrakesh. STAY In the medina of Marrakesh, Airbnb (airbnb.co.in) offers numerous riads that marry old architecture with modern comforts. Situated in the heart of the red city, just 10 minutes from the Jemaâ El Fna square, Palm Menara Hotel offers easy access to many sites of interest. Starts from ₹9,518 per night, plus taxes; palmmenarahotel.com TOURS Morocco’s Medinas and Mountains: This four-day itinerary starts from ₹1,05,558 per person; airbnb. co.in/experiences/334075 Some other adventures around the world: Walk with Elephants in Chiang Mai: A three-night glamping trip that lets you witness rescued tuskers in the forest. Paranormal tour of the US Southwest: Hunt for traces of aliens at infamous sites in Arizona…

LOCATED IN SOUTHWESTERN Turkey, Pamukkale roughly translates to ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. One look at its landscape and you know why. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to pools of thermal waters surrounded with the gentle cascades of limestone deposits that create the illusion of a frozen waterfall. Although there are similar travertine terraces elsewhere in the world, this ancient spa town is unique owing to a melange of natural and man-made wonders, in its surrounds. Vast mile-long cliffs are juxtaposed with idyllic remains of temples, colonnaded streets, and necropolises of the Greek-Roman city, Hierapolis. To make the most of your visit, take a dip in the waters like the ancient Romans did in the second century BC. The therapeutic effects of the hot springs can be felt even…