Conde Nast Traveller India

Who: Writer; Vienna: a tale of two cities, p152 A: “The Oberoi Philae used to wrap towels into terrifying shapes like crocodiles (and once, a human, wearing my hat and sunglasses) and leave them on my bed every night. And The Old Clare Hotel in Sydne

In the past 10 years, the big surf discoveries, have, surprisingly, been in Africa—and the scene here doesn’t involve any Hawaiian shirts and SoCal woody wagons. “Here, surfing is about explorations,” says Andy Davis, cofounder of Cape Town-based sur

Deemed as one of the finest luxury palace hotels in the country, and an iconic landmark heritage hotel, this is where you will witness Rajasthan’s cultural, royal and architectural beauty, complemented by a series of curated experiences. Once home to

Imoya Don’t be fooled by the bare walls and plain beige countertops of this unassuming 12-seater spot. What Imoya lacks in look and feel, it more than makes up for in sheer deliciousness. Try the tonkatsu—Japanese breaded pork loin cutlet—typically e

At the end of the 1960s, the makers of the Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” were immediately taken by the futuristic revolving restaurant on the Schilthorn. The scenes involving the imaginary ‘Piz Gloria’ just had to be shot here. The film

Bali’s tropical mood flows through its lavish hotels and epic party spots. In Uluwatu, Bvlgari Resort Bali (bulgarihotels.com; doubles from IDR13,500,000 or₹66,860) is one of the island’s sexiest destinations; its cliffside bar has glorious views of

Here you will learn the art of how to eat like an Italian. Where every meal will turn into an event that you will remember long after you leave. Since 1994 La Piazza, the city’s first trattoriastyle restaurant has been serving the most delicious fare

This 2,918-guest liner departs from Rome and glides along the Mediterranean coast for seven days at a leisurely pace making stops in Spain and France. It’s just as well because there is so much to see and do. At its heart is the beautifully designed

Picture glacial mountains rising from the sea. Or, floating ice castles glistening under the midnight sun. Imagine waddling penguins who look surprised to see you approach them in a Zodiac or a pod of whistling whales serenading you as you sip on a g

Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world. Filled with a bounty of scenic adventures, untouched beauty, nature at its best and wildlife that will enthrall. It has everything for every kind of traveller. So why not experience Alaska i

This is where you will experience luxury the way it was intended to be indulged in. Tucked away in the heart of the city, Shangri-La’s – Eros Hotel, New Delhi is located close to the metro, near many of your favourite historical sights, iconic landma

A multi-coloured dusk reflected in your sangria with the scent of wildflowers everywhere—summer evenings in Europe are special. Short drives from the main cities bring you to a multitude of oases, through lush fields and storybook villages. There are

ALTAIR, KOLKATA This 23-key property in Salt Lake features a conference room, meeting areas, a gym, Jacuzzi and spa. Suits can also indulge in local specials such as macher jhol at the all-day restaurant Capella. TIP: As the sun sets, head to open-ai

Arriving at an airport or departing from one is no longer just about hurried check-ins or reading a book until it’s time to board – it’s a whole lot more. And when it comes to Singapore’s Changi Airport, this rings especially true. With its one-of-a-

A serene walk by the lawn overlooking a quiet blue expanse. Uninterrupted views of the harbour with Chinese fishing nets along the coast. And the feeling of a soothing breeze slowly infusing into your soul. Taj Malabar Resort & Spa lets you view the

Twice the height of the Statue of Liberty and even taller than China’s Spring Temple Buddha, which up until 31st October 2018 was the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity is symbolic of India’s unity and integrity. It also epitomises the count

Priya Paul is obsessed with design. The Delhi-based doyenne (and 2012 Padma Shri recipient) runs THE Park Hotels, a chain of hotels that have design, art and character at their core. For instance, in Hyderabad, the 263-room hotel feels like a supersi

In 1969, at the peak of Beatlemania, the Fab Four quit everything and followed a man in white robes to India. Far from a life of excess and attention, The Beatles spent a month in an ashram in Rishikesh, leading an almost ascetic life. “Like, we are

Aptly for the Garden City, the Four Seasons’ second outpost in the country is set among 5.6 acres of landscaped greens. A half-hour drive from Kempegowda International Airport, the 230-key property has 191 spacious rooms and 39 suites that come with

Just off Chowringhee Road, on the top floors of Kanak Towers, is this new nine-suite oasis. Overlooking Victoria Memorial and Maidan, the space is an ode to Kolkata just like the brand’s beautiful original property, the Glenburn Tea Estate, paid homa

Since it opened in December 2018, Octola Private Wilderness has hosted guests including Prince Albert of Monaco and Byju Raveendran. Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli have been, too. For a 10-room chalet on a hillock flanked by trees, with no signboard,

For those looking to retreat in style, book a room at The Diwa Club by Alila, a resort within the resort. Over the course of your stay, you can enjoy the sunken pool, specially-curated four-course dinner and your own Diwa host. For those travelling w

When royalty beckons, you’ve got to answer its call. One look at Samode Palace and you’ll know what we mean. This boutique palace-turned-hotel has often caught the eye of artists and celebrities alike. Its Indo-Saracenic architecture will leave you s

I was in India for a wedding, in my early 20s, when I realised what dating could be like for my community. I was born and raised in the UK, and my Kathiawadi parents were progressive in many ways. But when it came to relationships, like many overcomp

It was around 3am when I was visited by my old enemy, jet lag. I lay in bed at the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, watching the ceiling fan circle lazily. I listened to the rare sound of silence from the Mumbai streets outside. It had only been a few hours

I love a good love story. Just this afternoon, I read in The New York Times about how Bill and Melinda Gates’ romance started with a rejection. He asked her in a parking lot to go on a date in two weeks’ time; she replied that he wasn’t impulsive eno

In 2013, Matthew Schueller posted his coming-out video on YouTube. A year later, Michael Lindsay posted his as a response. The next month, the two met in Seattle, began dating and are now one of the hottest gay influencer couples. When Matthew, a tra

BEACH-READY WATCHES JEWELLERY FRAGRANCES Limited Addition took shape in 1999, when graphic designer Andrea Atalla set out to create paper products with traditional silk-screen techniques. Taking its cue from Arabic calligraphy and Islamic art, it off

Fly to Vienna from most major Indian cities with Lufthansa or Air India. Indian passport-holders can apply for a Schengen visa with VFS Global (vfsglobal.com). Visas cost ₹4,900 and take up to 15 days to be processed. Magdas Hotel Operated by refugee

World Class curated India’s Top 50 bartenders handpicked by the foremost tastemakers such as Vir Sanghvi, Yangdup Lama and Arijit Bose to name a few. These master mixologists have trained under stalwarts in the industry at the World Class Studios, an

As a wholly unique initiative, Himalayan presents a one-of-a-kind contest for young chefs in India. A chance to experience the many gastronomic delights of Japan, the Himalayan Raw & Fine Journey of a Lifetime to Japan will allow one lucky profession

What is your earliest travel memory? My grandfather always used to travel by sea, never air. He had two reasons: one, he was a passionate bridge player and the voyage from Karachi to Southampton took 10 days, so he could play for nine nights. Two, he

East of the Danube River, Vienna was once the gem of the Habsburg empire. It is a UNESCO heritage city—even its legendary café culture was awarded UNESCO status—that has been home to stars like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Sigmund F

I met a blind man in Matondoni who had worked on the most majestic dhow on the Swahili coast of East Africa 50 years ago. Long before the Tusitiri (enasoit.com; US$4,140 or 2,86,420 for the boat) was refitted as an elegant place to stay, she was a wo

I can’t forget the Bungle Bungles. Not because of the funny name, but because the isolated mountain range in the middle of the Kimberley, the vast wilderness in northwestern Australia, is one of the strangest places I have ever been. The Bungles cons

Kolkata is slowly waking up. Men stand on the street corner chewing neem twigs. The tea shop brews cups of hot, milky tea. An old woman threads limes and chillies to ward off the evil eye. And I am on a Murder and Mayhem walk. “That’s the house where

Taking inspiration from the brand’s Pineapple logo and the fact that International Pineapple Week runs from June 1-9, Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ member properties around the world are pulling out all the stops. There are cocktails with the fruit and

Surrounded by mountains, this city, founded in 1471, is a favourite with visitors to the North African country that has influences from France and Spain in its cuisine, architecture and culture. Often called the Blue City, it is famous for its buildi

When it opened in 2010, much was made of the labyrinth of tunnels—1.5km of them—where the 500 staff slip invisibly between the 53 riads that make up this Marrakech hotel. Owned by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, it was built by 1,200 craftsmen over three