Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2021 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

AFTER AN EXHILARATING 40-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport, you arrive at Varu island’s gorgeous jetty, where VARU by Atmosphere welcomes you in traditional Maldivian style with bodu beru music. After refreshments and a seamless check-in, a buggy takes you to your dreamy island abode. While booking you can choose one of 108 spacious beach and overwater villas set amid lush gardens. Equipped with luxurious amenities, the villas come with the an overwater deck or a private garden, ocean-facing or open-air bathtub, and private pools. The lavish Majlis Suites are ideal for big families—a private entrance opens to this unique home featuring a central courtyard with a 45-square-metre lap pool, two bedrooms, an oceanfront dining and living room, a kitchenette, and a room for the nanny. Savour international spreads…

1. LAPTOP Asus Vivobook 13 Slate OLED This new ultra-portable laptop may be the best travel accessory to come out in a while. It’s light (0.78kg), has a 13.3-inch detachable OLED display that offers Dolby Vision HDR and 550 nits of brightness, Dolby Atmos audio, quick charging, dual cameras, and support for the Asus Pen 2.0 stylus. In all, everything for work and play. From USD 599 (₹44,997); asus.com 2. HEADSET Poly by Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC This new business headset offers a solution to the gadget geek’s old dilemma between music and work. Bluetooth 5.0 and 3.5mm connections make it versatile; there’s ANC for when you want to tune out, up to 24 hours of battery life, and a quad-mic system to make sure work calls go smoothly. If…

MOST NATURALISTS and birdwatchers of India grew up hearing tales of Dr Salim Ali’s many accomplishments. As a child, I was fortunate enough to meet and learn from the man himself, often reverentially called ‘The Birdman of India’. This year, I got the chance to join ornithologist and conservationist Bikram Grewal on a trip to Arunachal Pradesh. It was a dream come true, because I now stood a chance to witness and photograph the Mishmi wren-babbler, an endemic species first found by Dr Salim Ali. Mishmi Hills, located in central Arunachal Pradesh, is an extension of the Great Himalayan Ranges bordering China. The region is known for its incredible biodiversity, including over 680 species of birds. Named after the Idu-Mishmi tribes, Mishmi Hills features some of the most scenic parts…

THE OTHER DAY at the airport, I watched masked travellers walk past me while announcements about social distancing played on a loop. And I was struck by how quickly we have adapted to this COVID-era reality, when less than two years ago all of this would have sounded like a dystopian novel. The way we travel has changed, perhaps forever. It made me wonder: what else has changed about our journeys? My accommodation preferences certainly have seen a dramatic shift. This year, I found myself searching for cottage-style resorts, drawn to the privacy and physical distancing that they naturally offer. I stayed at places that ranged from a little Goan beach shack to a garden resort in Ladakh—all worlds apart, but with a few striking similarities. Here are four charming…

RIGHT FROM THE START, there were signs that this Maldives trip would be markedly different from all my previous ones. When I emerged out of the airport arrival gate, I was escorted to THE OZEN COLLECTION LOUNGE—an oasis of calm, privacy, and Wi-Fi in the middle of an airport bursting at the seams with honeymooners and families. The resort’s ‘boat’ turned out to be the most luxurious catamaran I’d seen. At the arrival jetty of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, I was welcomed by bodu beru drumming, a handcrafted palm-leaf necklace, and a choice of coconut water, mocktails, and exclusive Guy Charbaut rosé champagne. To my great delight, my hiyani (butler), Faari, instantly accommodated every idiosyncrasy and whimsical change of itinerary. He began by driving me to an Ocean Pool Suite with…

BEST STATE Rajasthan Rajasthan, the land of royalty, is an evergreen destination. From palace hotels and luxurious train journeys to historical marvels, majestic mountains, and desert escapades, the state offers adventures aplenty. Explore the forts of Jaisalmer and Chittorgarh to uncover history, visit the Amber Palace and Udaipur’s City Palace to enjoy royal opulence, shop at its Johari and Bapu bazaars, head to the Pushkar, Kite, and Kumbalgarh festivals to soak in the state’s culture—there’s no dearth of experiences for the curious traveller. The state delights wildlife enthusiasts as well with Ranthambhore National Park and Keoladeo Ghana National Park. tourism.rajasthan.gov.in Odisha Touted as ‘India’s best kept secret’, Odisha is a treasure trove of surprises. Visitors can embark on the Nirvana Trail that journeys through the Buddhist monuments of Dhauligiri, Lalitgiri,…

Tips to Travel Sustainably Tips to Travel Sustainably Make your vacations more sustainable by taking measures to reduce your carbon footprint. travelandleisureindia.in/the-conscious-traveller/want-to-be-an-eco-conscious-traveller-heres-how-you-canreduce-your-carbon-footprint Seven Tree-house Stays for the Child in You Here are seven tree houses in India perfect for a staycation in the lap of nature. travelandleisureindia.in/places/local/7-treehouse-vacations-in-india-that-will-fulfil-your-childhood-fantasies Six Birdwatching Spots for Nature Lovers Tune into melodious birdsongs and spot winged visitors at these six spots in and around Delhi-NCR. travelandleisureindia.in/the-conscious-traveller/delhi-gear-up-for-some-birdwatching-this-winter PEOPLE Our digital cover star, singer-songwriter Armaan Malik, spoke to us about his recent French sojourn. travelandleisureindia.in/digital-covers/interview-with-armaan-malik-prince-of-romance DISCOVER These hidden gems of Rajasthan will let you see the desert state in a new light. travelandleisureindia.in/places/local/off-trail-destinations-in-rajasthan Download Travel + Leisure India & South Asia digital editions, and follow us for the best in hotels, food, style, culture, and trends. travelandleisureindia tnlindia…

EVEN THE MOST idyllic holidays seem to come to an end too soon. But what if you could extend your vacation? Soneva’s award-winning resorts in the Maldives are now offering the chance to do just that, with a new Long Stay offer that lets you bask in that holiday glow for longer. The offer is available across all villa types at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani Chapter One—from spacious onebedroom villas and grand over-water residences, to a vast nine-bedroom island mansion. As part of the offer, every stay of 14 nights or more includes complimentary half board, as well as significant reductions on the usual nightly rate. It is perfect for working holidays too; you can get a work station set up in your villa, with high-speed and optional super-speed…

IT’S BEEN TWO YEARS since my last visit, but I can still trace the hallways of The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, in my mind as easily as I can navigate my own home. My first trip to the hotel was in the late 1980s, when I was five years old and the hotel was a Ritz-Carlton. My mother dressed me and my younger brother in matching smocked outfits, and we made the 10-minute drive from our home for the children’s Christmas tea. The Lobby Lounge had morphed into a festive wonderland, with faux snow that felt particularly transportive given LA’s balmy Decembers. As we waited for Santa, we sat at a table sipping Earl Grey from porcelain cups and eating dainty egg sandwiches. It all felt incredibly grown-up—a far cry from…

Location EXPO 2020 DUBAI ON HER: Tree trunk radial long cascade cape, ₹4,49,500, Rahul Mishra; earrings, ₹3,461, Deepa Gurnani. It might sound like a cliche, but Dubai truly is a melting pot. Sitting between the East and the West, this bustling metropolis exudes a cosmopolitan and inclusive vibe. Its high-rises tower over smooth highways, desert sand is speckled with manicured palm groves, malls like The Dubai Mall (thedubaimall.com), Mall of the Emirates (malloftheemirates.com), and Ibn Battuta Mall (ibnbattutamall.com) offer outlets of both global luxury brands and local favourites, and unsurprisingly, the cuisine has little regard for borders. A microcosm of this cultural cocktail is found at Expo 2020 Dubai, which we sampled during this issue’s cover shoot. Running from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai is…

BEST NEW HOTEL The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Set against an ethereal backdrop of the blue ocean, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is an amalgamation of luxury and modern minimalism. An all-villa resort spread across three islands, it opened its doors this year, offering rooms that feature sundecks, infinity pools, and wall-to-wall glass doors with stunning views of the ocean. Indulge in gastronomical delights at one of the five on-site restaurants and bars, or visit the nearby Fari Marina Village for luxury shopping from renowned designers and workshops on local art and culture. Don’t forget to try the local version of Afternoon Tea at the Eau Bar. Your Aris Meeha (personal butler) will make sure your holiday experience is tailored to your needs. ritzcarlton.com Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok Located in a…

AREPUTED NAME in the world of cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) first set sail 55 years ago. The latest addition to the cruise line will be an extraordinary vessel called Norwegian Prima. With voyages beginning in the summer of 2022, Norwegian Prima is touted to be a game-changer for the industry. The ship combines wide open spaces and thoughtful design with exciting new itineraries and experiences. Among the new ship’s highlights are the world’s first three-storey theatre that transforms into a Vegas-style nightclub, the largest race-track at sea called the Prima Speedway, as well as The Drop and The Rush, the fastest dry slides on the open ocean. The ship will also feature Tony-Award nominated musical Summer: The Donna Summer Musical as its interactive headline act. With Norwegian Prima, NCL…

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BEST COUNTRY Switzerland It isn’t surprising that Switzerland has been consistently ranked among the best countries in the world for travel. Its stunning locales and fairy-tale towns aside, the alpine country is also rich in myriad experiences. For culture enthusiasts and food connoisseurs, it offers a mélange of French, German, and Italian influences. A unique wine trail around the country is increasingly drawing wine lovers from the world over. For adventure seekers, it’s a year-round paradise of great outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and so on. This winter, Switzerland has launched a campaign called ‘100% Women’, which promotes events and experiences created by women for women and led by female guides. myswitzerland.com UAE Each of the seven emirates of the UAE has something unique to offer, making it…

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport Located conveniently close to Delhi and Gurugram, the sprawling Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport has been a preferred spot for business persons and expat travellers for 22 years now. The property offers 261 contemporary rooms and suites with pleasing garden views. For big and small business events, the hotel has versatile event spaces, including the Crystal Hall that can accommodate up to 800 people and the Ebony meeting rooms with a capacity of 30 guests each. The dedicated business centre, featuring a 12-seat conference room bookable by the hour, also offers Polycom audio conferencing and videoconferencing systems. radissonhotels.com THE Park Kolkata THE Park Kolkata has been winning this accolade for three consecutive years now, and for good reason. Apart from 149 eclectic…

BEST AIRPORT IN INDIA Indira Gandhi International Airport This readers' choice award comes as no surprise. According to the Airports Council International’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) programme 2019 rankings, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport was the best airport in the over 40-million passengers per annum (MPPA) category in Asia-Pacific. Home to world-class retail outlets, indulgent dining options, and ample relaxation facilities, this airport has also earned the tag of being Asia-Pacific’s first carbon-neutral airport, following a series of measures taken to reduce its carbon footprint including a 7.84 MW solar power plant. India’s first airport COVID-19 testing facility for arriving international passengers was also launched at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. newdelhiairport.in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is designed to embody the…