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Old Monks

Beneath the ruins lie deeper stories—Roman and Satavahana coins, pieces of pottery, and religious relics unearthed by archaeologists. These artefacts hint at the cosmopolitan nature of the site. The name Thotlakonda, meaning ‘hill of tanks’, finds its roots in the…

Past, present, and the peculiar

The cobbled streets of Nuremberg in Germany are haunted by dark shadows. It’s Nazi territory where local Jews were murdered during the Kristallnacht, also known as the ‘‘Night of Broken Glass’’. Several hundred Jews were arrested and sent to Dachau…

The season of seaside couture

Hospitality has long flirted with fashion, but this season, the affair has blossomed into full-blown haute couture. Across Europe, luxury beach clubs and storied resorts are transforming into catwalks by the sea, as designer brands turn summer escapes into curated…

From Cob to Concept is Rural Mod

Two kilometres beyond the last motorable road in the Garhwal Himalayas, a story unfolds that feels plucked from a half-remembered fairytale. Here, hidden deep within oak and pine, a house rises from the earth—its walls swell and bend as though…

For the Sake of Good Times

Interestingly, the quality of sake is an expression of a region’s rice quality—with heavy polishing making for a cleaner, purer sake. For instance, in Okayama Prefecture, the dominant Omachi rice lends sake a rich, earthy, and complex profile. Travel further…

What lies beneath

A sleek, black leviathan rests silently on land, its massive form contrasting sharply with the clear blue sky above Simon’s Town. Towering over the curious crowd, the submarine’s superstructure proudly bears the insignia “S99.” Children buzz with excitement, craning their…

Keeping it inn the family

Step off the train at Buñol and this Spanish town will snuggle you with its sweetest secret. Seven minutes’ walk from the station, along Avenida Pérez Galdós, stands a quaint inn. No flashy signs, no grand announcements, just four centuries…

Izakaya nights in Mumbai

An informal, vibrant setting serving sakes and beers with an array of small, tapas-style dishes, designed for the love of sharing. That’s Otoki, the new Japanese izakaya having a moment in Mumbai. The new Japanese restaurant also features one of…

Blues in the wind

With its white-washed houses and bright blue-hued doors, flower pots set on its crenelated walls, antiquated buildings and gothic churches in cobbled alleys, Obidos, at the risk of sounding cliched, is a magical fairy tale town. As one approaches the…

Into the green silence

The first thing you notice is the weight of the green. Not the polite emerald of a city park, but a green so dense it seems to fold around you. Step off the bus at the last tea stall on…

Saints and Spirits on the Black Sea

Forget beach bars and banana boats. Bulgaria’s Anastasia Island, a speck in the Black Sea just off Burgas, doesn’t serve you sunshine and selfies—it serves you shivers. With its pirate-haunted cliffs, a monastery-turned-prison-turned-hotel, and ghost stories thick in the air,…

Hitting the High Notes

As a group of five Indians enter the main auditorium of the Royal Opera House Muscat in the capital city of Muscat, their guide ushers them to take the comfortable parterre seats in front of the stage. Preparations for the…

Plating Yesterday Today

On a blistering July afternoon in Shantiniketan, guests gather beneath the terracotta eaves of a pale, eggshell-hued bungalow. A breeze stirs through the trees, carrying with it the scent of mango flower sherbet and slow-cooked rice. Inside the sunlit kitchen,…

Nepal opens 97 remote peaks for free climbing to boost tourism

KATHMANDU: Nepal has opened nearly 100 peaks in its remote western region for free climbing to boost mountain tourism, according to officials. In a bid to attract climbers to less-visited areas, the Himalayan nation’s government has waived the royalty for…

‘Meat’ing and greeting

From sourcing ingredients for that authentic mediterranean taste to a kitchen helmed by Afghani chef, Barin Naib Attai—Anar has got everything right to offer the taste of the Middle East. The meaty delight of mouth-melting kebabs, makes you want to…

A city of stone and solemnity

Tucked into the vast plains of northwest Spain, the city of León emerges like a mosaic of centuries—its architecture a dialogue between empires, its streets a living gallery of tradition, and faith. A city born of Roman ambition and carved…

Kitchens of memory and migration

Some places don’t shout for your attention. They simply linger like saffron on the tongue or rosewater in the air. Oman is one of them. A land of shadowed mountains and terracotta dunes, this Arabian peninsula offers something subtler than…

Yacht the talk in India

Yacht companies are also catering to specific needs of their Indian clientele. Whether it’s installing on-deck mandirs, customising interiors with Indian art and textiles, or designing menus around Indian cuisine curated by Michelin-starred chefs, the industry is going beyond the…

In the shadow of the serpent

Some 317 kilometers south of Darwin, the mirror-still waters of the Katherine River cut a path through towering sandstone cliffs in Australia’s Top End. Here lies Nitmiluk National Park, where land, legend, and time are inseparable. The red rock walls…

The world is its oyster

Native Whitstable oysters—flat, earthy, and harvested by hand—enjoy protected status and are loved across Britain. In addition to the native Ostrea edulis, visitors can also try the cultivated Crassostrea gigas, a widely farmed European oyster species. The family-owned Wheelers Oyster…

Games people play

The noon heat clings to the cobblestones of Plaza Mayor as the ancient bells of Santa María chime three o’clock. In the heart of Aranda de Duero in Spain, where the aroma of slow-roasted lechazo (a young lamb dish) mingles…

Holidays in hell

Earlier this year, India unveiled Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan—a bold new initiative turning historic and active battlefields into immersive tourist destinations. Launched by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the project opens up 77 sites, including…

Ass you like it in Wesel

The donkey’s link to Wesel goes back to the 19th century, when the playful rhyme—“Wer ist der Bürgermeister von Wesel?” / “Esel!”—began circulating. It gained popularity post-World War II as a children’s saying, and over time became ingrained in the…

Rock that became a temple

In Cave One, Devaraja Lena—the Cave of the Divine King—is a massive 14-metre reclining Buddha, carved directly from the rock, with Ananda, his disciple, kneeling by his feet, and nearby a statue of Lord Vishnu, silent guardian of the cave,…

Living legacy, one room at a time

The traditional Parsi house with European, Hindu and Islamic architectural features has an open courtyard in the centre, with interconnected rooms. Shaded by old trees with a swing and a well—two very traditional features of Parsi architecture—the courtyard houses a…

The Karakol kaleidoscope

In the far north-eastern corner of Kyrgyzstan lies Karakol, the nation’s fourth-largest city. Founded some 150 years ago, it was a military garrison at the edge of the Tsarist Russian Empire. Flanked by the mighty Tian Shan Mountains and the…

Wheels, meals and all in between

Bicycles glide past rows of colourful houses, bursts of bougainvillea, quaint cafes and elfin boutique stores, smartly navigating the handfuls of pedestrians in a sleepy town. Still fondly called ‘Pondy’ by old timers. The coastal Indian town of Puducherry has…

Dubai’s booming restaurant scene is feeling the heat of high costs and high failure rates

Dubai has roughly nine expatriate residents for every Emirati citizen. Most of its private sector workers are migrants on temporary contracts, and only Vatican City has a higher share of foreign-born residents. Tourists, in turn, outnumber locals about five to…

Bean There, Brew That

“Someone sipped a cup and said, ‘This reminds me of home,’” she says, recalling the moment when she got to know she was not just offering coffee but sharing memory and identity. Ngarum’s coffee, often intercropped with native plants, is…

A town for gold diggers

The discovery of the precious metal in New South Wales and spreading to other regions of Victoria, including Ballarat, led to an economic boom, altering the socio-political fabric of life in the town. It was followed by an unprecedented influx…

Having a whale of a time

Aboard the ship, you can’t help but wait with bated breath for a real-life Free Willy moment. For those who grew up on the 1993 cult classic, spotting a whale in the wild can feel like stepping into the film’s…

Let’s get Personal

Nestled in the mist-shrouded hills of Coorg, Evolve Back Chikkana Halli Estate rises from the coffee plantations like a grand colonial vision reimagined. The resort’s palatial façade, with its imposing columns and wraparound verandas, gives way to interiors where hand-carved…

Flower that blooms in the desert

Part archaeological wonder and part landscaped public space, the Al Hili Archaeological Park showcases remnants of a Bronze Age settlement from 4,500 years ago. At its heart is the Hili Grand Tomb, a circular stone structure dating to around 2000…

India on the high seas

The shift isn’t just a trend—it’s backed by numbers. As per the Tourism Ministry, in 2023, over 2,00,000 Indians took to the seas. Skift, a New York-based travel data company, estimates out of roughly 4,70,000 travellers who took cruises in…

Making waves, hugging the shore

If you’ve been on the sea for much of your life, it is natural to be at sea. Navy Captain Gaurav Gautam, wife Vaidehi and daughter Kaeya are riding the wave of a unique exploration: The Reeva Project, their Insta…

Here it’s not silent as a grave

It starts with a soft crunch underfoot. Fallen leaves, gravel paths, or just the hush of your own footsteps blending into the stillness. Cyclists ride past mothers walking babies in strollers and hollering to children racing on the walking path….

Chasing Rainbows in Taiwan

The sound of shutterbugs pepper the background as visitors literally hijack every inch of the walls in Lane 56 on Chun’an Road to pose for photographs. Some are dumbfounded in awe as they get closer to the houses. Their smiling…

The Glitz and Glamour of Brühl

Opulent, extravagant, over-the-top—even these adjectives can’t quite describe the glory of this place: The 120-room, horseshoe-shaped Augustusburg Palace in Germany’s Brühl—a small town between Cologne and Bonn—represents one of the first and perhaps the finest examples of Rococo creations in…

Farway Festival of Eclectic Esoterica

The road leading to the land of the Lisu tribe in Arunachal Pradesh is long and arduous. If one travels by road from Guwahati in Assam, it takes an overnight bus or train ride to Tinsukia, followed by a three-hour…

An old city in the new world

As one moves deeper into the heart of the city, the architectural masterpiece and decaying grandeur of ornately decorated brick buildings invites admiration. Don’t miss the many metal sculptures generously displayed in front of mosques and at city squares. For…

The forest of enchantments

The biggest draw, however, is the big cats—the jungle has a good population of tigers (said to be around 150) and leopards (estimated to be about 150). Elephants, gaurs, wild boars, sambhar and spotted deer that are commonly spotted, apart…

Beyond the beaches of Bali

Amid the sun-soaked beaches and bustling bars of Bali, where party-goers often lose sight of the island’s roots, a museum invites travellers to pause and reflect. With its rare manuscripts, intricate celestial calendars, and hauntingly beautiful ogoh-ogoh effigies, the Saka…

These trees exist in only one place on Earth — Now climate change and goats threaten their survival

But it’s the dragon’s blood tree that has long captured imaginations, its otherworldly form seeming to belong more to the pages of Dr. Seuss than to any terrestrial forest. The island receives about 5,000 tourists annually, many drawn by the…

A blend of history and luxury

The stunning Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel has reopened its doors after a glamorous refresh, marking a new era of urban hospitality in the Austrian capital. Designed by the celebrated architect Baron Theophil Edvard von Hansen for the 1873 World’s…

A peruvian bull run

The little bull has many stylised features that have their own symbolisms. For instance, the wide open eyes signify that one must always stay alert and be aware of not just one’s surroundings but also of the inner self. The…

Getaways that give back

With its vast biodiversity, India is uniquely positioned to lead this change. From the icy peaks of the Himalayas to the coral-fringed shores of the Andamans, the country’s beauty is immense, but vulnerable. In Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti, travellers can stay…

A blend of the northeast

On a balmy summer evening, the promise of a great view leads you on a 30-metre climb up a metal staircase protruding from an oasis of teak, sal and rubber. From the top of the tower of a distillery, you…

Here’s where Bengalureans are travelling this Summer

Evergreen Favourites – Thailand and Bhutan Bhutan and Thailand remain favoured due to their affordability and visa-free entry. Despite the recent earthquakes, Bengalureans are still interested in travelling to Thailand, notes, Preeti Nath, founder of Trip Naari. “There was initially…

Do It like the Danes

Torvehallerne Market in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a great place to start a food tour, packed as it is with everything the Danes love: good wines, aged cheese, cold meats, jams, Danish pastries, and of course, smørrebrød. “We follow three principles:…

Aboard the Swedish Titanic

In the heart of Stockholm, where maritime history echoes through wooden beams and centuries-old nautical tales, the Vasamuseet, stands as a tribute to royal ambition and maritime engineering. Housing the Vasa, a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage…

Where the wild things are

Some places seem untouched by time—where nature unfolds at its own rhythm, far removed from the chaos of human life. Nestled in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is one such haven. Part of the Dudhwa Tiger…

The mystique of the masons

A brooding, stone-clad structure looms tall along North Broad Street in downtown Philadelphia. The Masonic Temple or the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, it possesses a stately appearance with an arched entryway, corbelled balconies, stained glass windows, and a soaring tower…

Stories etched in stone

Between the 6th and 3rd centuries BC, the capital city of Dadan rose to great power in northern Arabia. Reason: the burgeoning trade of frankincense from southern Arabia to Egypt and beyond. Dadan, right in the middle of the trade…

Remains of the deadly day

Who would have thought that cycles could win wars? In 1942, during World War II, the Japanese army penetrated Singapore on cycles. The‘Bicycle Blitzkrieg’ navigated uneven roads and broken bridges with such speed that the over-confident British, who thought they…

Footsteps in a tale of two Cities

Many Dickens-focused walking tours also take in Seven Dials, then a slum of “dirty men, filthy women, squalid children … reeking pipes … depressed dogs”. His books reveal empathy for the underclass, identifying with poverty-stricken Victorian London. All Dickensian tours…

The Ugly Indian Tourist

INDIAN SMALL TOWN MONEY POWER IS DRIVING TRAVEL In the late ‘90s and beginning of the 21st century, the Indian was a valued guest in the West. Liberalisation opened up a new alternate job universe, new businesses and multi-crore startups…

A spouses and smugglers walkabout

Good Friday is a day of remembrance and reflection. But Mousehole, a picturesque fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall, England has an unusual tradition: a special Good Friday walk. In Mousehole, pronounced ‘Mowzel’, a historic Cornish fishing village…

The Sounds and Scents of Salalah

The thrill peaks further at Al Mughsail Beach, with its famed and ancient blowholes created by centuries of erosion on limestone rocks periodically erupting with electrifying roars, sending seawater skywards. An hour away is the jaw-dropping setting of Jabal Al…

Tell it to the birds

Spot the common pochard, black kite, white-throated kingfisher, and other waterbirds. Or, take a leisurely walk or cycle along the banks. For those craving solitude, Badi Lake offers a serene escape. Originally built to ensure water supply to city and…

It’s shakalaka blue bloom @ ‘Kumbalangi Nights’

Need for a proper tourism plan But not everything is bright and blue here. Satheesan V R, who runs Kumbalangi Nights restaurant, points to the accumulating waste along the coastal road. “Yes, it’s great that visitors are thronging here, enjoying…

Down the memory lane: Moscow, a winter wonderland

As the summer sun shines brighter every passing day, I am reminded of my winter in Moscow more and more. A white blanket of snow that welcomed me as I stepped out of Moscow Airport in mid-December was a starkly…

Pitching luxury

I magine an Instagram-worthy sunset over tranquil backwaters, with a sky full of stars. As the evening winds down, you retreat to your air-conditioned tent and cosy up on a plush queen-sized bed with a luxurious duvet. Welcome to glamping—where…

Silence of the lands

The Rise of Silent Luxury Travel, once synonymous with indulgence—lavish hotels, fine dining, and adventurepacked itineraries—is undergoing a ‘silent’ transformation. “There’s a growing desire for mindfulness and respite in a world that feels constantly connected and overstimulated,” says Chadha. In…

Every Pet has Its Day

When Sajal Dubey, a 27-year-old Dubai based businessman, boarded an Air India flight with his dog—Taco—he was overjoyed. “I was thrilled to see Taco beside me, gazing out the window,” Dubey recalls. “This was the first time he could travel…

Hitting Rock High in Goreme

Whimsical rock formations are the first thing that captivate visitors in Goreme, a quaint village nestled in the heart of Cappadocia in Turkey. These mammoth rocks, born from ancient volcanic eruptions, rise across the entire Goreme National Park, a UNESCO…

On Stranger Tides

London has long been defined by the river that runs through it. In Victorian times, human figures were commonly spotted at low tide, bent over and wading in the wet mud. These “mudlarks”— a person who gains a livelihood by…

On stranger tides

London has long been defined by the river that runs through it. In Victorian times, human figures were commonly spotted at low tide, bent over and wading in the wet mud. These “mudlarks”— a person who gains a livelihood by…

Malaysian tourism department says over half of country’s tourists hail from South India

Wedding tourism is also a rapidly growing sector, with Indian couples increasingly choosing Malaysia for their dream weddings. Hishamuddin Mustafa, recently appointed Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai, said, “The Southern Indian cities of Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kochi are vital markets…

Brahmaputra’s summer gift, Sandbar island in Guwahati

Local food makes the experience come alive on your taste buds, with aloo pitika packed with mustard and chillies; spicy Assamese preparations in duck gravy, and the fragrant, rustic pork belly cooked with mustard greens and roasted sesame in a…

Spain’s Toledo, the city of three cultures

The best view of Spain’s ancient capital Toledo is from Mirador del Valle—a lookout point to the south of the city that gives you a perspective of the monumental city. Perched on a hill top and nestled in a bend…

Hanging with the Irish by the sea

On the Whitsuntide weekend (a bank holiday in mid-June) of 1952, students Brian Varley and JM Dickenson aged 19 and 20 respectively, embarked on the vacation of a lifetime. They were exploring the rugged natural terrain of Lisdoonvarna, a small…

Stepping up for the Punjab

In Pune, she trained under Yogini Gandhi of the Lucknow gharana for almost 17 years until 2013. She then moved to Delhi and trained under Munna Shukla until he passed away in 2022. “Guruji was a wealth of knowledge and…

All that Jazz

In 2013, Zian Bhamgara, stage name Zian B, had just returned from studying jazz vocals in Germany and the Netherlands, under Sabine Kühlich, head of vocals at Conservatorium Maastricht. She was on a high note. She had completed Grade 8…

River sutra of hidden hierarchies

English philosopher Herbert Spencer’s theory of evolution, popularised by Charles Darwin argues survival of the fittest, thereby leading to a natural process of selection and extinction. This theory often applies to creative minds and thinkers who flag the perils of…

Pack Your Bags

The creative directors at label Satya Paul have brought a travel-ready collection for those who get itchy feet. Named ‘Pleasure Gardens’, it takes one on a flight of fantasy with printed ensembles. Imagine a field of flowers under a bright…

Sax and the city

It’s three in the afternoon at the iconic French Quarter of New Orleans in the US. The city’s oldest neighbourhood is a vibrant hub of food and music. The narrow streets lined with beautiful, old buildings and their ornate French…

Denwa Backwater Escape: Wild and high

Tucked away from the well-worn tourist paths of Madhya Pradesh’s Kanha and Bandhavgarh lies Satpura’s hidden gem—the Denwa Backwater Escape. While the three-hour journey from Bhopal airport might test your patience, what awaits is an untamed paradise. Here, far from…

Where myth meets reality

A little further on, Dhanushkodi, the ghost town, holds its own poignant allure to the tourist. The ruins of a church, remnants of a railway station and a sunken temple echo tales of the devastating cyclone of 1964. Yet, as…

Holding fort in the happiest country

Marc Dujardin, in his study, From Living to Propelling Monument, writes: “Contrary to most medieval castles in Europe that are relatively dead monuments and literally ‘empty’ places, Bhutanese (dzongs) are still in use today. The dzong still accommodates the same…

A run of the salt desert

Imagine a stretch of road flanked on both sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea and saline mudflats that look like frozen ice at first glance… Driving on the ‘Road to heaven’ is a sensory overload. This appropriately named…

Lucy in the sky with diamonds via night tourism

Traditionally, vacation itineraries were packed with daytime activities—visiting monuments, basking on sun-soaked beaches, exploring bustling local markets, or heading on hiking trails. But as the hustle and bustle of the day quiets down, a different side of destinations comes to…

A Bohemian rhapsody

As the setting sun glimmers on the baroque cathedral at the Old Town Square at Jicin, a local guide dressed as a Medieval Duke comes forward with a flourish. He regales the tourists with the heroic tales of the Duke…

More Indians than ever are going on holiday abroad—so where are they heading and why?

The story is similar for British visas. Many people in India, as well as other applicants, feel the process is too harsh and can be humiliating. Endless amounts of paperwork are required, including bank statements and invitation letters, and rejections are often…

Shimmering on the Silk Route

For travelphiles who grew up on a steady diet of Silk Route lore, perhaps the most famous trading route in history evokes the romance of adventure. While Uzbekistan gets the prize for variety, neighbouring Kazakhstan has some little-known destinations, which…

Pride and patrimony

Is coexistence of man and animal possible when there is a deep-rooted respect for nature? The Maldhari tribe of Gir know the answer. When the Maldhari cattle herders came to Gir from Pakistan, they were given a place to live…

One man is an Island

Majuli has been screaming for attention. It is the world’s largest inhabited river island and a melting pot of Assam’s neo-Vaishnavite, and indigenous tribal cultures, and famous for its 22 satras (monastic centres) introduced in the 15th century. Ravaged by…

Haunting tales on historic streets of Georgetown in Washington DC

The US is gearing up to get a new President. Anticipation and anxiety is building up in Washington DC. However, pause for a minute and see if the number 2024 is divisible by 20. No this isn’t a math challenge,…

A house for Ms Pearl S Buck

Manicured gardens and green lawns, historic stone archways, and a rustic greenhouse spread across 68 picturesque acres in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, US, create the backdrop for the 1825 farmhouse that was the home of Pulitzer prize-winning author Pearl S Buck…

Inside outside in Spain’s Cordoba

Geraniums, roses, palm trees, azahar (orange blossom) and bright bougainvillea bob their heads in terracotta pots. The scent of jasmine lingers in the air, as the bright palettes of colour contrasting sharply against the backdrop of whitewashed houses and blue…

Swachh Sikkim Village

Cleanliness begins at home. In 2017, Dawa Choden Bhutia, the panchayat president of Phadamchen village in Sikkim, assembled 17 women to form a group called Swachhata Sahayogi, a name that literally translates to “sanitation assistants”. Together these women decided to…

Malappuram to the Mountains: Afeedha’s fearless solo journey

When she received her acceptance letter and moved to Delhi for her studies, Afeedha took every opportunity to travel. She visited Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab multiple times with her friends. But despite the joy of exploring new places, something…

Hospitably Ethnic by the Sea

In the scenic coastal village of Dombe near Karnataka’s Byndoor, a homestay comes alive in the wee hours of the morning. Greater coucals and Rufous Treepie hop around, alighting high above on the red Mangalore tiled-roof of the villa. A…

Calling on Armenia’s Van Gogh

As you sit down with Armenian painter Lusik Aguletsi’s family—the artist was often called the Van Gogh of Armenia—sipping warm mountain tea, the room becomes filled with conversations, memories and stories of a woman who has left an indelible mark…

Of Pinocchio and Holy Relics

Walking through the narrow alleys and cobblestoned lanes of the town, one comes across patrician homes of traders and stately half-timbered buildings that once held corn and grain to protect the town in case of a siege. Most of these…

Time stands still in Schiltach

A group of Spanish tourists is engrossed in admiring a timber-crafted house in the town of Schiltach located in the Black Forest in Germany. Their guide draws their attention to the façade which has wooden ornamentation on it. The wooden…

Sharp surge in Indians travelling abroad, UAE and Thailand remain top destinations

The report also stated that international travel search volumes remain relatively steady across all seasons, with December being the most active month for international travel searches. Further, interest in luxury travel is rising among Indians, with a 10% growth in…

A tale between two countries

One of the oldest cities in Scandinavia and home to the world’s oldest amusement park, Copenhagen has a plethora of adventures for the discerning traveller. But there lies a hidden gem: the charming islet of Hven, a secret oasis waiting…

Going, going, gone

Garima Sinha, a 32-year-old marketing professional and avid traveller from Noida, made an unusual decision during her visit to Canada last year. Instead of following the typical tourist route, she ventured to Churchill in Manitoba, a remote town famously known…

Watch and wait

Sleep early, wake up early” is the motto of the enthusiastic guides at the Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Punctuality is a virtue, being at the right place at the right time. Jungle life is most vocal and active…

On Picasso’s trail in Malaga

Walking the narrow cobblestone streets with houses with green shutters on either side, is the two-storeyed Ataneo De Malaga on Calle Compania, which used to be the School of Fine Arts, where Picasso’s father taught technical drawing. He and his…

Guerrillas in the midst of Barcelona

Make no mistake, Barcelona is a walking city. And only by doing so do you let the city unveil an element of surprise at every turn. But summertime in Barcelona is motorcycling season, much like it is across the rest…

The ladle of the exile

India has few destination restaurants. Naar, a cozy, 16-cover one-of-a-kind restaurant in a tiny village near Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh, is one. The mountains cast a spell on Kashmir-born maverick chef and restaurateur Prateek Sadhu, who, after working with the…

Up above the world

Right at the start, a few guests want to give up. But instructor Adnan eggs them on, escorting each participant, from the top of the cliff to the first landing. Participants secure their waist harness to the rope, then grip…

Words worth

The Daunt bookstore almost diverts attention from the substantial collection of volumes it is stocked with. Situated on a quiet road in Marylebone, a London suburb, it was formerly an Edwardian antiquarian bookshop. That ambience has been retained: a gorgeous…

The tracks of wars past

The first official photograph ever of a tank in action is at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on September 15, 1916. A Mark I tank with a steering tail at the rear of the vehicle. These were lumbering machines and only…

All quiet in Clovelly

Charming historic houses cling to the wooded hillside, lining the steep cobbled street that snakes down the hill to the traditional fishing harbour on the coast. In the distance, the stunning seascape beckons: myriad shades of blue, green, and grey…

The Island that César built

A vast expanse of wasteland, rugged and hostile, filled with colours of the earth—black, grey, red, brown, with a smattering of green—creates the textural kaleidoscope called Timanfaya National Park. A protected natural area located on the island of Lanzarote in…

Fort runner

To grab a fantastic view, visitors have to climb up a cobblestone path made of hundreds of steps and cross the seven gates or pols—Ganesh Pol, Andheri Pol, Navlakha Pol, Hathi Pol, Satpol, Suraj Pol and Delhi Pol. The tigers…

Where conservation meets culinary delight at PCF

Imagine waking up to the cacophony of peacocks and the faint sound of waves crashing on sand. The weather is already humid, but the tall coconut trees around offer respite. The tiny hamlet of Kumta, 30 km away from the…

Crouching tiger at hidden Rukhad

A jungle hare caught in the headlight of safari jeeps stops momentarily to rear up on its hind legs to glare straight into the low beam; then continues to hop across the road. A thousand stars glitter overhead in the…

Heeding the call of Shiva

“Har har Mahadev… Har Har Mahadev…” Each time you feel it is impossible to take another step forward on the hard road to Rudranath temple, nestled inside dense rhododendron forests and mountain pastures, Lord Shiva is there to help. Your…

Awaiting a golden moment

In 1765, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia defeated Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali in the Battle of Amritsar and established the Katra Ahluwalia, a self-sufficient, small neighbourhood. “Such neighbourhoods were a common feature in the city,” says heritage architect Gurmeet Rai. Like…

The other side of Nepal

A striking pagoda with cantilevered wooden roofs, towers above Bhaktapur, a royal city in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Close by is an Indian-style temple whose statues of deities are carved in stone. Nepal is a staple on the Indian tourist…

From forts to culinary delights in Sri Lanka’s coastal town

Building it up: Galle’s British and Dutch colonial architecture exhibit similar order and symmetry. The Dutch, adept in masonry, favoured stone and brick over the British wooden bungalows. Their architectural adaptations are visible in tropical locations featuring broad eaves, internal…

Payana Museum showcases 50 years of vintage car collection

A drive to Srirangapatna that sits along the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway is a car metaphor. You pass a big building whose façade resembles a car tyre. Hard to miss. This newly opened Payana car museum is an epiphany of auto buff…

Moda Goa Museum: House of memories

I’m a big dreamer who made most of my dreams come true. One dream was to give back to Goa… what this wonderful state has given us as a legacy. A legacy of great culture, kaleidoscope diversity and formidable ancient…

The Jeju rock show

A teenager wearing black shorts and a pink T-shirt is about to start hiking to the peak of the scenic Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone. Standing at the base, entry ticket in hand, she looks up at Seongsan, located on the…

The French silk route

Travelling to Lyon from Paris is taking a two-hour train ride to the Medieval Ages. Of course with a soupcon of intrigue. The Old Town in Lyon’s 5th arrondissement, built at the foot of a hill is freeze-framed in the…

Unfazed by tourists, masters of the jungle

Tiger lore at the reserve includes stories about how Maya, the current queen of Tadoba, learned to deal with gawping tourists when she was a cub and prowled the jungle with mother Nira. Now she imparts that lesson insouciantly to…

A modern haven with a nostalgic railway twist

The hotel is designed by Singaporean DP Architects, who strove to highlight the brand’s history in a modern, appealing manner. “The façade constitutes an aluminium screen which is a modern interpretation of railway sleepers, and the tower curtain wall has…

The Two Moors Way: Coast-to-coast

Steep craggy cliffs climb skyward, puffed-up clouds scatter through the sky, and the wind thrusts you onto the thin, coastal path. The view at the end of the cliff-top walk seems like the end of the world: infinite sea and…

Dune by the yurt

Back at the camp, a leisurely camel safari awaits. At a giant communal yurt made specifically for guests to feast together, sumptuous meals are served. Gastronomy enthusiasts can choose from authentic Uzbek specialities such as plov, manty and shashlik (the…

Restoration of Fort Barwara: Past forward

In early spring when the sun peeks out from behind the Aravalli range looming over the Chauth Ka Barwara village, the mountain is framed perfectly by the window of the five-ft-thick and 20-ft-tall wall of 700-year-old Fort Barwara. The sunlight…

A Ruinous Good Time

Interestingly, ruin pubs have a short history—they are only two decades old. In the 20th century, Budapest’s Jewish Quarter was the site of a Jewish ghetto. World War II and the Cold War saw the area fall into ruin, populated…

The Temple Scientists

Back to the roots’ is the ethos of Ezha, which in Malayalam means ‘thread’. Three women conservation architects Swathy Subramanian, Savita Rajan and Ritu Sara Thomas weaved a thread from the wefts of community and legacy at the Karnikara mandapam…

Travellers without borders

The Northeast of India, and its neighbour Myanmar aka Burma is knitted with secret forest routes and sprawling grasslands. Borders did not exist until British imperials tired from war left drawing borders as casually as a kindergarten child would scrawl…

Realm of thrones

Egypt’s illustrious history is the protagonist in a one-of-a-kind drama that unfolds within the thick walls of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Centrally located on the edge of Maidan Al-Tahrir (Tahrir Square), the first purpose-built museum in the country, has…

Up above the world so high

Taking a walk means diffrent things in different places. Insta Reels show off the thrill of climbing creaky ladders along the Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trail in Meghalaya; the real marvel is the ingenious engineering of these walkways crafted from bamboo and…

Village of healing

A sunflower field catches your eye as you drive towards Shilimb village in Maharashtra. The vibrant yellow of the flowers, swaying in the breeze, soaking in the sunlight against the backdrop of a clear blue sky resembles a painting. A…

Hyderabad’s ‘Palash ki Talaash’ walk celebrates nature’s wonders

She adds, “Its unique keel petal requires birds to make an effort to reach the hidden nectar, thus aiding pollination. They are practically the first blooms of ‘Vasantha’ with generous amounts of nectar, therefore a key supporter of biodiversity in…

Discover Japan’s serene cherry blossom havens

As winter fades away and spring approaches, Japan eagerly awaits the annual delight of cherry blossoms, or sakura, unfurling their delicate petals across the landscape. For countless travel enthusiasts, the dream of experiencing Japan’s iconic ‘hanami’ (flower viewing) comes alive…

Pangot in Uttarakhand haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers

A little detour from the main Ramnagar-Nainital road changes the perspective completely. The drive to Pangot, the quieter cousin of buzzing Nainital, is marked with thinning traffic and breathtaking mountain views. The calming sound of wind blowing between tall pine…

Bean there, brewed that

Did you know that Coorg is regarded as the coffee cup of India?” naturalist Bindu Shree asks the motley group of nine who have accompanied her on a breezy day at The Tamara Coorg for a plantation walk. A few…

Discover motoring nirvana while drifting across the great Scandinavian freeze

The Art of Drifting Drifting may have been popularised in mainstream media by neon-bathed visions of Tokyo’s underground racing scene, but it was discovered here in Finland, along with a popular but tricky rally driving manoeuvre called the ‘Scandinavian flick’….

Castle Royale

During the Mughal Empire and British colonial period, Gujarat’s Saurashtra region was divided into about 200 princely states and jagirs (fiefdoms). The medieval rulers lived in castle-like structures called darbargadh, which had exquisite stonework and woodcarving, open courtyards, residential and…

Rail travel at bullet speeds

High-speed trains have revolutionised surface transportation, let alone railways around the world. A high-speed rail (HSR) network utilises trains that run significantly faster than those of traditional rail, through an integrated system of specialised rolling stock and dedicated tracks. Commonly,…

Eat your way through Mussoorie and Landour!

Situated amidst the lush hills of Uttarakhand, Mussoorie and Landour stand as quintessential hill stations, offering not just breathtaking views but also a rich culinary experiences. Among the many delights that these towns feature, the vibrant café culture stands out…

Words’ worth in Wales

Hay-on-Wye wasn’t always known as the ‘town of books’. Bookseller Richard Booth, the self-proclaimed ‘King of Hay’, opened the first second-hand bookshop, The Old Fire Station, here in 1962; since then, books have become the lifeblood of the small market…

Shikar Royale

The thrill of chancing on a wild cat from the open jeep keeps one alert at all times. What might be that ruffle in the distance, the slight movement in the grass, or that faint hint of a pugmark in…

Kingdom of Quiet 

Blue should be the national colour of Bhutan. The clear skies in the backdrop of virgin pine-forested mountains are a sight to behold. The crisp air, the winding pebbled brooks and the ever-smiling faces will stay a long time with…

Jungle nook at Estate Plavu in Kerala’s Wayanad district

Green trees as far as the eye can see. Blue skies an expansive canopy above. The sound of birdsong. The purity of air. Talk about living, literally, in the lap of nature. Which is exactly what this home in EstatePlavu…

Taking a walk in the woods at Spain

How do you spend an afternoon in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain? You could grab your towel and head to one of the many beaches. The volcanic origins of the islands lend them unique, pitch-black sands. You could try your hand…

Warrior deluxe: A set-up straight out of the 17th-century Maratha era

At The Chavni, the soft golden hue of the setting sun welcomes guests to the high tea area, set against the backdrop of the Sahyadris. Two forts—Lohagad and Visapur—loom large. Lohagad had been the proud conquest of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj….

Exotic sights, good food & slew of activities

Enter the Food Court, the barbecued smell of kebabs, aromatics, and other dishes will make you feel hungry. The silent sea adds a touch of serenity to this luxurious dining experience. The rooms were spacious, with a comfortable queen-size bed,…

Three wellness spots to rejuvenate mind, body and soul

Hua Hin – Rewire your system in Hua Hin, Thailand’s wellness epicentre. Hua Hin, which was once a fishing village, has evolved through time into a crucial detox resort. It is a well-liked destination for individuals looking for a wellness-focused vacation…

Radisson hotel group expands its presence in Jammu & Kashmir

The location is easily accessible by road from the Mandi Bus Station and Srinagar International Airport, depending on the time of year and traffic. The roomy, contemporary suites at the hotel are built for comfort and convenience, and all of…

Tips to make your concert experience worth it

Concerts have always been big business, but with people traversing oceans for their favourite artistes, music shows have become a key draw for travellers. And 2023 is clearly the year of the stadium concert. After three years of watching everything online, music…

The Monks who embalmed themselves

No meat. No alcohol. Also forbidden were ‘Ten Cereals,’ consisting of rice, wheat, soybeans, adzuki beans, black sesame seeds, barnyard grass, millet, foxtail millet, buckwheat and corn. For mokujikigyo, Shingon monks would muck about local forests for tree roots, nuts, bark,…

The going gets greener in Sri Lanka

For a country roughly the size of Tasmania in Australia, Sri Lanka has a surprising number of ecosystems. The island may be synonymous with beaches and temples, but there is a longer list of all that it has to offer….

The Swiss life; a journey into the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum

Where did old farmhouses, stables, bakehouses or barns in Switzerland, which were replaced by modern buildings, go? They were dismantled and rebuilt at the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum. Spread over an area of 66 hectares, it’s a place where you will…

Of Potters and Tigers; explore Saj in the Forest 

The property also arranges for drives around the picturesque Kohka Lake and backwater safaris, besides visits to Pachdhar, a village of over 100 kumhars or potters, a couple of kilometres from the resort. As Sajendra Prajapati proceeds to mould the…

Here’s what to do and where to go in the city of lights 

Then there are over a century-old luxury department stores such as Galeries Lafayette and Printemps that have history written all over them. The latter, which opened in 1865, was one of the first few buildings in Paris to get electricity. Home to…

Dagshai Jail Museum tells stories of confinement and solitude

Following the latter, the jail was visited by its most famous resident, Mahatma Gandhi, who voluntarily spent the night here to show solidarity with the Irish cause. His VIP jail cell was the only one to have two rooms, a…

Magic Mushrooms

But the high price of the product inhibits a scale-up. “The cost is five times that of thermocol. Besides, thermocol is quicker to make. The growth of the mushrooms cannot be expedited to less than seven days—they will become cancerous….

Emerging from the Shadows

Technological innovations and modern entertainment in the 20th century, however, ushered in profound changes, making much of indigenous entertainment irrelevant or restricted to government tableaux. Two-time National Award-winning artist Dr Dalavai Kullayappa hailing from this GI-tagged artistic hamlet is trying to…

Nupur Tron: Forging an East-West connect

Exiles can be long if they have a cause. Nupur Tron, founder and director of ‘Foundation Frison Horta’ in Brussels, Belgium, has a cause fired by passion. She is an Indian woman in a foreign land, using European legacy, heritage and aesthetics to…

Filling in on art in Philly

“One of the things that makes the art and culture scene in Philadelphia so wonderful is the variety,” says Irene Baker, author of 100 Things to Do in Philadelphia and Unique Eats & Eateries of Philadelphia. Walk down the Midtown…

Journey to Turkestan- the second Mecca of the East

It is a scenic drive to Turkestan from Shymkent in Southern Kazakhstan, about 680 km from Almaty, the country’s largest city. The sepia landscape is stark and generally unpeopled, with camel caravans lumbering along. Turkestan, the spiritual centre of Kazakhstan…

Starting at the Finnish line    

Watching the northern lights is like seeing a miracle unfold. It’s as if the cosmos is dancing and a superpower up there is trying to tell you something. After minutes of pitch darkness, the sky suddenly lights up. First, there is a…

A Bonn sonata: A collection of crippled villages in West Germany

B for Bonn. B for Boring. So it has been said of West Germany’s former capital city, about which  A local politician once famously sniped that “the best thing about Bonn is the train to Munich”. Compared to the vibrant,…

Dive deep into churches and churchkhela at Kutaisi in Georgia

Kutaisi is surrounded by UNESCO sites, monasteries and caves. Gelati monastery, founded in 1106, used to be home to an academy of scholars and has brightly coloured Byzantine-style frescoes—there’s one significant one of King David the Builder, who heralded Georgia’s…

Travelling in the magical land

Straight out of our mindscape of fairyland. Live in a mushroom shaped cave, shop for groceries from a bigger one, watch a multi-coloured sunset, in the evening, walk around moon face, and then suddenly, the ancient cave walls swaddle you…

Nurla: A stopover in no man’s land

Alongside a murmuring brook, a gentle uphill trail dissolves from a brown, muddy one to a path flanked by willows, fields of peas and barley, and fruit-laden apricot trees. There is not a soul in sight, but the worked fields and…

Notes from Ground Ziro

The last decade has seen some talented global artists play at the festival such as Prateek Kuhad, Peter Cat Recording Company, Lee Ranaldo, Acid Mothers Temple, Rabbi Shergill and Steve Shelley among others. This year, the stars of the Ziro…

Rising like a Phoenix

About 10 km away from the memorial is Nyamirambo, one of Kigali’s oldest neighbourhoods, dominated by Muslim traders speaking Swahili, who initially came here from Tanzania. Amid barber shops and tiny beauty parlours, street-side restaurants serving local delicacies such as…

The ways of water in Switzerland

Sitting on the northern tip of Lake Zurich and bound by the River Limmat, the city offers easy access to nature right within urban limits. It’s not just the lively waterfronts and green spaces that buzz with activity, it’s the…

Prussian pomp and splendour in Germany's Potsdam

Famous as the site of the Potsdam Conference in 1945, when the UK, US and the Soviet Union decided the fate of Germany after World War II, there’s more to this tiny cosmopolitan town than just history. Founded around the…

Call of the Wild

Tipai has an osmotic relationship with nature, and at times the guest can be forgiven for wondering whether they are indoors or outdoors. The dense thickets and little water bodies partially hidden by ochre green wild grass look like they…

Chasing serenity in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg

One of the best things to do in Sindhudurg is to go fort-hopping—the Nivati fort, also built by Shivaji, is hardly 10 km from the sea-fort. It is perched on a cliff near lush paddy fields and mango orchards, which…

Hurrah to Hygge in Denmark’s Aarhus

Are the Danes happier than the rest of the world? Perhaps; Denmark consistently ranks among the top 3 in the World Happiness Report. The Danes credit the higher rating to having achieved work-life balance by focusing on leisure, family, solitude,…

A walk in wonderland 

Long walks along winding roads, gabled colonial bungalows and magnificent churches, quaint cafés and bakeries drawing people in with the wafting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and cake… Landour, a cantonment settlement next to the hill station Mussoorie, has its obvious…

Divinity’s new dimension

A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Siddipet, 100 km from Hyderabad, is teeming with crowds, thanks to it being the auspicious Karthika maasam (month of Karthik). But it’s no ordinary temple. The garbha gudis (sanctum sanctorum) have been made using 3D…

Pride and patrimony

Uttarakhand’s most revered city—Haridwar—is surprisingly a case study in art and architecture. Aside from the temples and ashrams that dot the town, there are age-old havelis and ancestral bungalows that whisper secrets of its antique past. Most of them have striking…

Taking stock of Stockholm

When in Stockholm, set stock by Swedish design. It pervades everything and every place—the cafes and museums, the castles and parks, the streets, metro stations, and even public toilets. Characterised by a minimal, clean approach that combines form and functionality, Swedish…

Phu Quoc Island: Isle be there

At Ham Ninh fishing village, you can watch locals go about their sepia-tinted lives. Enjoy the irresistible aroma wafting from dishes being rustled up by the women in their thatched-roof houses. The industrious boatmen, meanwhile, will be repairing their boats…

Souq it up in Cairo

Fabric stores have a whimsical marketing strategy; their owners will always be found outside, calling out to passersby holding out a few samples of merchandise. Though they are mostly counterfeit Egyptian cotton, the designs are attractive. As in any large…

Dharamkot diaries

With peaceful mountains around, fast Internet and restaurants serving multi-cuisine food, there are many who have already made Dharamkot their mountain abode. A few kilometres away is the famous Gallu Devi temple, also the starting point for the popular Triund…

Been here, dune that

The 6,000-plus crowd which thronged the confluence of music, art and wellness over the course of three heady days in the middle of India’s western desert could not get enough of it. “As we celebrate the third year of our…

Toasty Warm in Tbilisi

Don’t miss the Orbeliani Baths, the iconic blue-tiled bathhouse, which is known for its stunning Persian-inspired architecture and looks like a mosque. For a more luxe experience, head to the Tbilisi Balneological Spa Resort, dating back to 1938, housed in…

Toasty Warm in Tbilisi- The New Indian Express

Express News Service In Abanotubani, the old Bath District of Tbilisi under the imposing Narikala fortress where the air has a rotten egg odour, children clamber on the brick cupolas of the cluster of subterranean bath houses with filigreed glass…

Been here, dune that- The New Indian Express

Express News Service The walls of the battle-hardened 17th-century Alsisar Mahal in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, came alive with spectacular 3D projections as thousands of music lovers danced, swayed and banged heads to the beats of pulsating music. In the twilight setting,…

Dharamkot diaries- The New Indian Express

Express News Service As the winter fog descends on the north Indian plains, it’s time for a quick getaway to the hills. McLeodganj, a suburb of Dharamshala in Himachal’s Kangra district, always tops the list of winter destinations in the…

Finding Method in Madness- The New Indian Express

Express News Service People were last seen as subjects in artist Sameer Kulavoor’s works in 2020. They appeared in You’re All Caught Up, an exhibition that looked at our obsession with social media. Since then, his works have seen a marked…

The King of Queens- The New Indian Express

Express News Service A high-speed chase is underway in a lush green field as eight uniformed riders, astride majestic horses, confidently manoeuvre its length and breadth. Their weapons of choice are large mallets with which they dexterously aim to hit a…

Ode to Oraon- The New Indian Express

Express News Service As the setting sun paints the sky in swathes of orange on a rather hot day in Jamshedpur, Sumanti Devi Bhagat is busy giving final touches to a canvas. Her hands move deftly as she creates a festival…

Field Day in Finland- The New Indian Express

Express News Service Holding hand-made paper baskets in one hand and a farming tool called cultivator in the other, Finnish forager Anna Nyman guides a group of tourists to Helsinki’s 10-sqkm Central Park. As the dew drops shine on the green, orange…

Camping with the Changpas- The New Indian Express

Express News Service As soon as the clock strikes 5.30 in the evening, the scenic village of Kharnak, nestled in the sprawling Tibetan Plateau of Ladakh, comes to life. Hundreds of sheep, yaks, goats, and a few dogs and shepherds,…

Kingdom of Quiet- The New Indian Express

Express News Service Blue should be the national colour of Bhutan. The clear skies in the backdrop of virgin pine-forested mountains are a sight to behold. The crisp air, the winding pebbled brooks and the ever-smiling faces will stay a…

A set-up straight out of the 17th-century Maratha era- The New Indian Express

Express News Service At The Chavni, the soft golden hue of the setting sun welcomes guests to the high tea area, set against the backdrop of the Sahyadris. Two forts—Lohagad and Visapur—loom large. Lohagad had been the proud conquest of…

Jungle nook at Estate Plavu in Kerala’s Wayanad district- The New Indian Express

Express News Service Green trees as far as the eye can see. Blue skies an expansive canopy above. The sound of birdsong. The purity of air. Talk about living, literally, in the lap of nature. Which is exactly what this…

Taking a walk in the woods at Spain- The New Indian Express

Express News Service How do you spend an afternoon in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain? You could grab your towel and head to one of the many beaches. The volcanic origins of the islands lend them unique, pitch-black sands. You could…

Exotic sights, good food & slew of activities- The New Indian Express

Express News Service Admirers of the ocean and avid travellers alike, we bring you good news! There is now a luxury cruise liner operating between Chennai and Sri Lanka. Indulge in the luxury the Cordelia cruise, the first vessel to…

Three wellness spots to rejuvenate mind, body and soul- The New Indian Express

By Express News Service What exactly does a wellness trip involve? Is it going to yoga retreats, or indulging in spa treatments? These wellness getaways guarantee a genuinely therapeutic experience for the body and mind. Awaji- On Awaji, Japan’s health…

Radisson hotel group expands its presence in Jammu & Kashmir- The New Indian Express

By Express News Service Visitors to Jammu and Kashmir have more luxury options now. The latest to join the existing holiday destinations in J&K is Radisson Hotel Sonamarg. The group has increased its footprint in the state of Jammu &…

The Monks who embalmed themselves- The New Indian Express

Express News Service Sokushinbutsu shrines of Buddhist monks who transformed themselves into mummies while alive can be seen around Mount Yudono in northern Japan. Pilgrims believe they will rise to save mankind when the time comes. The search for salvation…

Tips to make your concert experience worth it- The New Indian Express

Express News Service Concerts have always been big business, but with people traversing oceans for their favourite artistes, music shows have become a key draw for travellers. And 2023 is clearly the year of the stadium concert. After three years of watching…

The Swiss life; a journey into the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum- The New Indian Express

Express News Service Where did old farmhouses, stables, bakehouses or barns in Switzerland, which were replaced by modern buildings, go? They were dismantled and rebuilt at the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum. Spread over an area of 66 hectares, it’s a place…

Of Potters and Tigers; explore Saj in the Forest – The New Indian Express

Express News Service The fresh jungle air in Pench National Park carries with it the smell of teakwood trees and the sounds of birds. This park in Madhya Pradesh is said to have inspired author Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book….

Souq it up in Cairo- The New Indian Express

Express News Service The Al Azhar Mosque in the heart of Cairo, Egypt, with its twin minarets reaching for the sky proudly straddles Islamic Cairo, surveying one of the world’s oldest cities. It is also the site of the world’s…

Here’s what to do and where to go in the city of lights – The New Indian Express

Express News Service Paris conjures up images of romance, Mona Lisa’s smile, the iconic Eiffel Tower, charming cafes and delicious croissants… But look beyond to discover a different facet of the ‘City of Light’. Since the Netflix show, Emily in Paris,…