Travel

Mohammad Akram weaves his autorickshaw through peak evening traffic in Colombo. It is almost 6.30pm and he promises a quick tour of the must-see spots. The capital city of Sri Lanka is lit up in evening lights as Mohammad, in crisp Tamil, lists the touristy places and things one must buy. “Tea, spices, and gems,” he says, his eye on the road. “What would you like to try first?” In Colombo, we discover, much like in Chennai, auto-drivers are the best tourist guides. It is the night before the grand launch of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, said to be…

Megha Desai, 36, a senior art director at a Mumbai-based branding studio, found her perfect monsoon escape not in a remote hill station, but in a glass-roofed coach on the Executive Vistadome AC (EV) compartment of the Dadar–Madgaon Janshatabdi Express, which runs daily. “You don’t need a five-star resort in the hills. Just book a Vistadome seat,” she says. A train crossing the Western ghats | Photo Credit: Getty Images In July 2024, during a break from back-to-back campaign shoots, Megha booked the Vistadome coach on a whim after seeing a friend’s Instagram stories of misty Konkan views. Securing the…

A view of the paddy fields at Midori | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Charanya Ramesh and Anil Jose are an interesting duo. Despite being avid travellers, these friends-turned-partners spent many years in different parts of the world, with Anil donning the role of a corporate executive, and Charanya establishing her travel business. It was COVID that forced them to pause as a family.“In the past, when we needed a break, we’d quickly fly to Bali. COVID meant that we could not move around as easily as before. Access to fresh grass and the scent of the earth was missing. Our…

When you step out of Incheon airport in Seoul, you expect to drive into the city and be catapulted into scenes you have seen in a host of city-slicker K-Dramas and films — an impressive skyline, chaotic, yet orderly traffic, convenience stores on every street corner, and some rain for that cinematic effect. We are however whisked away in another direction where a long highway awaits, to lead us to Gangwon. One among the three self-governing provinces in South Korea (the other two being Jeju and Jeonbuk), this vast province made up of seven cities and 11 counties does not always…

On a recent trip to London, with a few days to explore the British countryside, we choose Bath, for several reasons. It’s the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, a celebration currently lighting up the city. Bath is easily accessible from London, offers wonderful hotels (refreshingly affordable), and is a beautiful Georgian town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s largely walkable, and full of museums, parks, and excellent food and drink. The Roman Baths | Photo Credit: Karen Anand Soaking in AustenThe city is now abuzz with Austen. You can indulge as much or as little as you like…

A view of Armakonda peak. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Each monsoon, the dusty calm of the Eastern Ghats near Visakhapatnam transforms into dense canopies, flowing streams and fresh trails. Mist wraps undisturbed hillsides, foot trails soften under cloudbursts and hidden waterfalls reveal themselves to those willing to walk into the wilderness. Trekkers, photographers and Nature-lovers are now drawn to the elevated interiors of Alluri Sitharama Raju district and beyond. A new wave of monsoon treks is shaping the region’s eco-tourism narrative. Trekking groups are leading a growing community of enthusiasts with guided monsoon treks that go beyond adventure. These…

The Lotus Palace, Chettinad | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The Lotus Palace Chettinad, by the Park Hotels, is a heritage property housed in a restored mansion that dates back to the 17th Century. Located in Kanadukathan, near Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu, the hotel is joining hands with other heritage properties in the area for Suvai — a three-day festival celebrating the cuisine of Chettinad. Iconic properties such as The Bangala, Visalam, Chidambara Vilas, and Chettinad Mansion, are also part of the festival that begins on the evening of July 18. On the first day, guests can indulge in Chettinad-inspired small plates…