Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2023 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

HOME TO THE ICONIC Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco’s nocturnal persona springs to life amid neighbourhoods, cultural hotspots, and urban playgrounds—Mission District famed for Bohemian bars; Union Square, the home of upscale lounges; Castro District where LGBTQIA+ bars shine; and North Beach, for its vintage speakeasies. Valencia Street, often considered the city’s largest party zone, features hotspots like The Chapel and The Valencia Room, known for live music and artisanal cocktails. Meanwhile, in Mission District, discover Trick Dog Bar and Wildhawk, both of which offer an expansive array of cocktails. The Beehive exudes a nostalgic coolness, while True Laurel, Loló, Bar Agricole, and Dalva present a tapestry of options for an exhilarating night. Visit Columbus and Broadway at the epicentre of San Francisco’s cultural heritage. Here, iconic establishments like Vesuvio…

SET AWAY FROM the touristy clamour of Mcleodganj, Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort is an ideal hideaway. The five-star resort is perched on a hill in Dharamkot village. Overlooking the snowy peaks of the Dhauladhar Range, the resort helps guests reconnect with nature. Bask under the blue sky by day and enjoy the star-studded firmament at night while the crisp mountain air calms your city-frazzled nerves. Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort offers a range of accommodations, including one five-bedroom and four two-bedroom villas, three suites, and 17 club rooms. The rooms either face the lush groves or the Himalayan range. The dining facilities offer a range of Himachali dishes as well as global cuisines. Thym is an all-day dining restaurant offering both indoor and outdoor seating. At 2082, the bar at the…

LOCATED IN SAWAI MADHOPUR, the gateway to Rajasthan’s famous tiger reserve, The Baagh Ananta Elite, Ranthambore, is a luxury retreat close to the Ranthambore National Park. Its proximity to the forest makes it easy to go on early morning and afternoon safaris inside the forest. The magnificent 10th-century fort towering over the forest, quaint baradaris and cenotaphs half hidden among the trees, and lakes are some of the attractions of the park. If you are lucky, you may see the Bengal tiger crossing your path or lounging among the fort ruins. Deers wallowing in the lotus pool, sloth bears out for a stroll, a leopard slinking away—expect to be surprised at every turn during your wildlife safari. Part of the Ananta Hotels & Resorts’ collection of curated properties, the retreat…

AMANPREET BAJAJ General Manager, AIRBNB INDIA, SOUTHEAST ASIA, HONG KONG AND TAIWAN How has the recent G20 Summit affected Airbnb’s business in the country? Can you share any specific insights into changes in demand, bookings, or user behaviour during the period? The G20 brought together leaders and an influx of international visitors from around the world. The Ministry of Tourism designated 2023 as the ‘Visit India’ year. As representatives and spectators poured in from G20 nations, Airbnb witnessed a spike in searches, particularly in cities such as New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the ever-popular Goa. Given the widespread nature of the summit, with meetings scattered across 60 diverse cities of India—from Goa’s beaches to Udaipur’s palaces, we experienced not only an increase in bookings but also a broadened geographic…

AS MY TAXI FROM KOLKATA airport sped to the heart of the city, a huge structure caught my attention. I rubbed my sleep-deprived eyes to make sure I was in my hometown and not in the Vatican in Italy, because looming in front of me was an exact replica of the St Peter’s Basilica. From the sound of the hymns, I gathered that devotees were offering flowers to goddess Durga inside. The presence of the goddess inside a basilica may be a surprise to the uninitiated but this is the embodiment of the unique spirit of Kolkata’s Durga Puja—where devotion meets art. Celebrated during the same time as Navratri, Durga Puja is a unique concept in many ways. Here the goddess is not merely the destroyer of evil and protector…

Music Meets Mindfulness Block your calendars for India’s greenest music festival, now in its sixth edition. travelandleisureasia.com/in/news/echoes-of-earth-music-festival-is-back-with-its-6th-edition/ Cheers to Good Times Bookmark this first timer’s guide to Oktoberfest, the world’s largest celebration of beer. travelandleisureasia.com/in/people/culture/everything-you-need-to-know-about-oktoberfest-2023/ Traditional Tunes Dance to international folk beats at this global event set to take place in Jodhpur. travelandleisureasia.com/in/news/rajasthans-international-folk-music-festival-jodhpur-riff-to-return-in-october/ PEOPLE Get grooving with dance crew Quick Style, our latest digital cover stars. travelandleisureasia.com/in/people/interview-with-quick-style-dance-crew/ DISCOVER Follow the sweet scent of Kannauj’s jasmine-infused perfumes. travelandleisureasia.com/in/destinations/history-and-culture-of-kannauj-perfumes/ 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 SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS WWW.BURDA.IN NOTE: ALL PRICES MENTIONED IN THE MAGAZINE ARE APPROXIMATE VALUES AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. India’s Best Awards 2023 Stay tuned to…

THE PHENOMENAL LUXURY penthouse at Atlantis The Royal Dubai, where Beyoncé stayed after her performance at the opening weekend of the hotel, can now be your home too. This delightfully regal duplex residence, aptly called Royal Mansion, is located on the 18th and 19th floors of Atlantis The Royal’s sky bridge. It accommodates up to nine adults and four children. A grand lobby with a triple-height ceiling leads to the entrance corridor flanked by two 100-year-old olive trees. The living area (which also includes a study area, bar, and an entertainment room) sports Calacatta marble, silk draperies, Lalique and Christofle vase, crystal and brass Preciosa chandeliers, and handmade Murano glass lamps. A striking deep blue concave dish of polished metal symbolises the water and air elements subtly woven into the…

JW MARRIOTT HOTEL BENGALURU in partnership with Delhi-based INJA (the first ever Indian Japanese restaurant) organised a culinary event in mid-September that explored a blend of Indian and Japanese flavours. A Cubbon Park landmark, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru is home to six popular dining options—Alba, Spice Terrace, JW Kitchen, Merak, and UNO Izakaya. INJA is part of the Dubai-based Atelier House Hospitality, a subsidiary of the Altamarea Group (United States). The exclusive two-day dinner series, which sported an eight-course menu, was curated by Adwait Anantwar, chef-partner of INJA. The dishes showcased a happy union of bold flavours, spices, and vivid colours of Indian cuisine with the delicate look, raw essence, and techniques of Japanese cuisine. The in-house sommelier of JW Marriott Bengaluru helped diners pair wines with their food, which…

I AM STRUGGLING AGAINST the chilly wind to keep my eyes focussed on the bushes. The task at hand is to look out for some movement or a pair of shining blue eyes. It is well after dark and way beyond a reasonable time to be in a dense jungle searching for leopards. But an afterhours safari is one of the perks of staying in the middle of a private forest. I’ve been to Udaipur more times than I can count on my fingers. A boat ride on Lake Pichola, a royal high tea against the Aravallis, a panoramic view of the city from the Monsoon Palace—I’ve experienced it all and then some. But what I haven’t experienced is living in the middle of a forest with a private lake…

COME APRIL-MAY, WhatsApp groups get flooded with requests for restaurant recommendations for everywhere from exotic locales to perennial favourites. One city that always gets the most requests is the evergreen vacation darling—New York City. And in New York City most tourists usually go for Manhattan, though Brooklyn has clearly made its mark when it comes to dining out. But is it really possible to get your hands on that one definitive list in a city that seems to make a pastime out of eating and drinking? A lot of where you end up dining depends on the neighbourhood you’re staying in or how far you’re willing to travel for a great meal. Breakfast is something you probably don’t want to make a trek out of but rather roll out of…

‘WELCOME TO WORLD CLASS’ is a global brand campaign launched by Singapore Airlines to reflect their commitment to deliver an exceptional customer experience. The 90-second campaign video features the Airline’s iconic cabin crew showcasing how the crew’s unique encounters with people and cultures around the world enrich their service. Lee Lik Hsin, executive vice president commercial, Singapore Airlines, says, “This campaign highlights our unwavering commitment to deliver a world-class travel experience, no matter the duration of the journey. Our award-winning cabin crew are central to this promise, with their rich and diverse experiences, as well as their dedication to customer service, having a positive impact on everyone around them.” singaporeair.com/welcome-to-world-class…

ON THE SHORES of Gangapur Lake in Nashik, the stylish villas by Beyond are a perfect getaway if you wish to escape the urban jungle. Make them your base to enjoy the tranquil countryside. The proximity of the villas to the famous Sula Vineyards (about 4.5 kilometres away by road) also brings the finest wines within easy reach. Beyond has three new stylish villas—Air, Water, and Earth, in addition to its iconic Sky Villa (with its own private pool). Air and Earth villas feature four spacious bedrooms, a vast living room, and a temperature-controlled infinity pool creating the perfect sanctuary to unwind and rejuvenate. The Water villa features three generously sized bedrooms. For those desiring a more expansive setting, Beyond presents two double-bedroom suites featuring private terraces that provide beautiful…

“THERE’S A LOT OF TRAFFIC on the way to the centre,” says Sunil Dasan, our yoga instructor, when people don’t make it in time for the 6:30 pm meditation session. One would think a massive 16-acre, lush green wellness retreat set in Palakkad, Kerala would keep these city hassles at bay. I, too, walk to the refurbished yoga hall at a snail’s pace—but honking cars aren’t to blame here. I stop on multiple occasions to listen to the calls of crickets and croaking frogs, to literally smell the bright red flowers and the countless medicinal plants that call Kairali — The Ayurvedic Healing Village home. For the next three days, I’m a small part of this community. My days start early—unusual for a late riser like me. Unusual still is…

IARRIVED IN Limousin in a rental car, which felt wrong: it should surely have been a stretch limo. There are several theories as to how a motorised symbol of wealth and luxury came to be named for a rural part of central France that, while beautiful, is almost entirely devoid of opulence, but none are particularly convincing. One theory is that the limousine was christened in honour of native son Charles Jeantaud, the late-19th-century inventor of an early form of the motorcar. The other is that the hood of the early limo, intended to protect the chauffeur, resembled the hooded cloaks of Limousin shepherds. Whatever the truth, it’s amusing to think that what was once the preferred mode of transportation for celebrities and royalty is named for a region best…