Experience the beauty of Eastern Ghats with monsoon treks in Andhra and Odisha
A picturesque view of the Sunkarametta trek near Araku in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The mist-clad peaks and meandering streams of the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and bordering Odisha transform into a…
Spot manta rays in Maldives with private cruises, on-call services
The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Every June, the Eastern Baa Atoll in the Maldives attracts the world’s largest known population of manta rays, a sight that people across the world travel to…
Disney Adventure cruise ship to set sail from Singapore in 2025
A rendering of the Disney Adventure ship | Photo Credit: special arrangement It is not often (read: never) that one gets to sail with Captain Mickey Mouse and his entourage of entertainers, all from the fantastical worlds of Disney, Pixar…
Karnataka to restart 3,800 bus routes suspended during COVID-19 pandemic
The Shakti scheme has created a demand for buses. From June 11, 2023, to June 24, 2024, women made a total of 234,40,78,298 free trips on RTC buses. | Photo Credit: file photo : The Karnataka Transport Department is planning…
Scholars, historians on a mission to illuminate Srikakulam’s forgotten heritage
The Salihundam Buddhist site located in Gara mandal of Srikakulam. Renovation works are nearing completion. | Photo Credit: V. Raju Several historians, academics, writers, and heritage enthusiasts have been working diligently to restore the prominence of Srikakulam’s forgotten ancient history….
Dutch building in Srikakulam drawing tourists in droves
The Dutch building located near Srikakulam collectorate | Photo Credit: V. Raju An ancient Dutch building located near the Srikakulam collectorate is gaining popularity, thanks to joint initiatives of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department and Indian National Trust for Art…
Katra Marriott Resort & Spa: A luxurious escape near Vaishno Devi shrine
The highway between Jammu and Katra plays witness to views of far away mountains, a series of tunnels, and monkeys wreaking havoc. At a point when one would expect a ‘Welcome to the holy town of Katra’ signboard, they are…
Why quiet luxury is the latest travel trend
In March this year, Lubaina Sheerazi did a polar plunge. Organised by Antarctica21, the fly-cruise expedition to Antarctica had experts leading a small group of travellers on the great white continent. “From transiting the Lemaire Channel, also known as the…
Explore the nocturnal wilderness at herp walks in Visakhapatnam
The silence of the night is broken by the soughing of trees in the breeze. Armed with flashlights, cameras, and curious minds, a group of about 15 members, led by Nature educators, embark on a trail to explore the unknown…
Tourism authorities yet to explore ways to promote ecotourism destinations in Kozhikode
Public-Private Partnership ventures are likely to support the speedy completion of various innovative projects at leading eco tourism spots in Kozhikode district. | Photo Credit: K Ragesh Even as prominent ecotourism destinations in Kozhikode offer visitors a feast for the…
An AI-powered Dubai holiday with robots and tech art
Known for its towering ambition — reflected in glitzy high rises and gilt-edged luxury — Dubai has been setting its AI wheels in motion way before the term ‘artificial intelligence’ entered everyday conversations. In 2016, the government, in collaboration with…
Inside Ronil Goa, India’s first JdV by Hyatt five-star resort, where there is space for party seekers and the quiet holiday seekers
At Ronil Goa, there are spaces for high energy sundowners as well as those who seek some quiet | Photo Credit: Mohsin Taha/Special Arrangement At Ronil Goa, JdV by Hyatt’s first property in India, Sachin, aka Rocketman, greets guests lounging…
Flight cancellations affected 1.5 lakh people since Dec. 2023
The number of passengers affected even when 1-2% flights get cancelled in a month is staggering. | Photo Credit: Kannal Achuthan 10042@Chennai Since December 2023, hundreds of cancellations and poor on-time performance of airlines have left thousands of people stranded…
Curdi, a submerged Goan village, emerges between April and June
The once thriving village, home to several temples and archaeological finds, comes alive for its annual temple festival between April and June It is a blistering, hot April day in Goa and the sun is merciless. We have just arrived…
South Asia’s highest ‘land art’ festival set in Ladakh reflects on climate change
A carpet of fabric in a gradation of red, brown, and maroon spreads across a dirt road leading up to a barren mountain range. Close by, a cross-section of land lights up in blue fluorescence at night. If the last…
An appetite for adventure – The Hindu
Solo travel is all the rage these days, hailed as a surefire way to boost independence, confidence, and self-reliance. You can’t flip through a travel magazine without stumbling upon a slew of tips and tricks tailored for solo adventurers, especially…
Woman from Assam on a solo world tour on a bike
Meenakshi Das and her bike | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Meenakshi Das is a little over 40 years old, a fitness trainer In Guwahati, Assam and a biker. In December 2023, she set out to see the world, solo, and…
Explore the hidden frontiers of Arabia with Reza Pakravan
When award-winning explorer and filmmaker Reza Pakravan ventures into uncharted territories across the Asian Arabian Peninsula, he encounters his fears and, eventually, overcomes the apprehensions and accomplishes his goals. Reza is known for his expeditions to remote corners of the…
Win a stay at Sridevi’s beach house in Chennai, and get a private tour with Janhvi Kapoor
Janhvi Kapoor at her family beach house in Chennai Along the Akkarai beach on the East Coast Road (ECR), you might just spot Janhvi Kapoor doing yoga or unwinding with coconut water. “Being a beach baby, I think our home…
The travel trend for 2024: Destination Dupes
A TikTok trend has reached travel. The latest travel trend blowing up on social media is called destination duping and it involves shunning major tourist centres/cities for equally interesting and affordable alternatives. A travel twin, if you may. Travel tech…
Aboard The World your residence changes every day
Imagine waking up to giant icebergs, glancing down from your balcony to find a colony of penguins on the ice or the beauty of the most far-flung inhabited island on Earth — Tristan da Cunha! From the snowy surrounds of…
Explore India : Five incredible holiday experiences
River rafting across the waters of the Ganges in Rishikesh | Photo Credit: RAJATK/ Getty Images The curious case of the breathing bridges I still remember trying to catch the monsoons in the wettest place on Earth, Mawsynram in Meghalaya….
Composer Vipin Mishra rides to Zanskar Valley with friends to record nomadic music
Composer Vipin Mishra always dreamt of combining his two passions — music and adventure activity. Though he grew up on classic rock bands, over the years, he developed a liking for Indian music. It led him to come up with…
Discover the hidden charm of Anija on the Odisha-Andhra border
Visitors enjoying in kayaks and boats at River Nagavali at Anija village in Rayagada district, Odisha. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak Two things about Anija, a village located in the Rayagada district of Odisha take you by surprise. One, less…
Summer of 2024 – Travel Edition Tourism in the time of heatwave Challenges in the Western Ghats
Last week, a six-year-old elephant in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in the Nilgiris was found lying weak and exhausted in a private property, possibly due to the lack of green fodder and severe heat in the hills this year. Reminiscent…
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These 10 new travel books are a wonderful way to immerse yourself in a destination Summer of 2024 – Travel Edition
Travel can be transformative, and great travel writing can be transformative too. A good travel book can feel both like a trip already taken but also one you cannot wait to take. Here’s a selection of recent titles on travel…
A suitcase full of clouds | Stocking up on chubitchi brew and smoked pork in Iewduh, Shillong
Perilla seeds, fermented bamboo shoot, soy beans, coffee grown in the Garo Hills, smoked fish, a beautiful book by Anurag Banerjee, and some cook books. My last stop before I fly back home from a holiday is always the fresh…
spontaneous holidays – The Hindu
My travels have always been spontaneous. We [wife Svetlana, and kids Zoraveur, 10, and Beyla, 5] don’t need an excuse to pile into my Ford EcoSport and head out. I often go to the mountains with the children because it’s…
When you are on vacation without a moment to relax
‘In reality, vacations are anything but unoccupied.’ | Photo Credit: Illustrated by Allen Shaw My sister has been invited to a destination wedding in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The programme seemed eminently bucketlist-worthy. The hosts had planned excursions to see…
The charm of the 80s school vacation and and the endless triumph of imagination over possession
May in Ayemenem is a hot, brooding month. The days are long and humid. The river shrinks and black crows gorge on bright mangoes in still, dust green trees. Red bananas ripen. Jackfruits burst. Dissolute bluebottles hum vacuously in fruity…
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When Call Me By Your Name author André Aciman goes on holiday Summer of 2024 – Travel Edition
Themes of migration and displacement are common in André Aciman’s fiction. | Photo Credit: Getty Images The Italian-American André Aciman had been a well-known and widely respected writer since the 90s, when he published his memoir Out of Egypt and a string…
Kodaikanal | The hills are (barely) alive
It is 11 a.m. in Kodaikanal, and I am stuck in traffic at the junction near the town’s star attraction — the lake. Behind me, rows of cars, buses and vans wait impatiently, honking. I look to the right where…
Summer of 2024 | Travel edition
Summer of 2024 | Photo Credit: Courtesy Suket Dhir As summer peaks, and before you pack your bags for your next trip, think how best you can holiday this year. Tourism is wrecking the fragile ecosystems of our mountains and…
Summer of 2024 – Travel Edition: our cities need a master plan; data deficiency and lack of decentralisation challenges
File photo of a sanitary worker in Vijayawada. | Photo Credit: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar Hill stations in India have witnessed a notable escalation in traffic congestion in recent years, particularly during weekends and the summer season. This phenomenon is notably pronounced…
For a short, dreamy break, Sri Lanka’s Bentota makes for a perfect getaway
Where can you go for a short, three-day break, say a long weekend that serendipitously pops up on your calendar? You’re in Chennai or somewhere in south India and the question looms: how do you make the most of this…
What India’s Jewish buildings have to say
In 2017, Jose Dominic was invited to dinner with the Salem family in Kochi’s Jew Town. Kenny Salem, an “old friend”, had migrated to Canada and was back to visit his ancestral home. Dominic was expecting his hosts’ famous dishes…
Experience diverse themes in photography in an exhibition in Andhra University
Picture taken by Samina Sultana of a golden eagle hunter of the Kazakh tribe who reside in the Altai Mountains in Mongolia. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Echoes of the mountains, tranquil seascapes, the poetic rhythm of life and…
This summer vacation, where are Indians travelling?
Indira Point, India’s southern-most point, 600 km (about 375 miles) south of Port Blair, in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. Within India, people are picking up packages to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. | Photo Credit: File photo With the…
Luxury wildlife safaris to explore in India this summer
It is that time of the year again when the scorching sun is upon us, as is the much-awaited summer holidays. If planning a trip abroad or a break in the hills is not on your list this year, may…
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At Oblu Nature at Helengeli in the Maldives explore healthy corals
Love the sea? Want to live that Robinson Crusoe life, stuck on an island: except you prefer to be surrounded by luxury? Try Helengeli, an island in the Maldives known for its healthy corals, giant sea turtles and reef sharks….
Group of women who drive SUVs in Thiruvananthapuram plan new paths of adventure
Members of the ‘Jeeper Girls of Trivandrum’ | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT There is excitement in Dr. Awungshi Philamazan’s words as she talks about how she completed level one of a course for offroaders. The proud owner of a Force…
Powered by powdery snow, Gulmarg is vying to become an international winter sports venue
New age sport: Players take part during 4th Khelo India Winter games at ski resort in Gulmarg February 21. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad Buoyed by its successful record of hosting four national winter games, Kashmir’s snow-capped town of Gulmarg…
Cabinet approves Phase 3 of Namma Metro
While metro Phase 2A and Phase 2B are expected to be completed in two years, work on Phase 3 will start soon. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR Providing a further boost to urban mobility in Bengaluru, which is plagued…
Airlines damaged luggage of one in every two flyers: survey
Among respondents, 42% had experienced baggage delay or lost baggage at least once. | Photo Credit: NeoPhoto In the last two years, every one in two flyers in India had experienced damaged baggage at least once, as per a survey…
Maldives’ Manta Air launches direct flight from Bengaluru to Dhaalu airport
On March 1, Maldives came a tad closer to India with the launch of Manta Air’s direct commercial flight from Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International airport to Dhaalu airport in the pristine island nation. It was welcomed by the Indian High Commission’s first secretary Kiran…
Spanish woman gang rape case crimes against foreigners in India rarely result in convictions Data
Gang rape: Sleuths from the Crime Investigation Department inspect the spot where a 45-year-old Spanish woman was allegedly gang-raped, in Dumka district of Jharkhand. On March 1, a woman tourist from Spain camping with her husband was allegedly gang raped…
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Women’s Day 2024: Experience safe travel in India through women-only travel groups
In the quaint village of Turtuk, one of the northernmost villages in India deep in the Himalayas, close to the Line of Control between India and Pakistan , surrounded by strangers- turned-friends, I celebrated my 22nd birthday. Freezing toes, a…
Day trips to Kashmir’s border towns, Gurez and Keran
Kashmir was once known for its spirituality — and not for Pakistani militants and infiltrators as in the 90s. It was fertile ground for spiritual movements, be it the Buddhist, Shaivite and Sufi Islamic traditions, during the medieval ages. They…
Why Kaji Nemu is so dear to the Assamese
Kaji nemu at a local market in Assam | Photo Credit: Irin Kashyap If you thought the love language of an Assamese is a cup of good tea, you have probably not dined enough with them. No, it is not…
This children’s book on Mahabalipuram explores the Shore Temple and other stone sculptures
The Shore Temple in Mamallapuram | Photo Credit: B VELANKANNI RAJ On a crescent-shaped beach where waves build along the coastline stands the ancient Shore Temple, some 60 kilometres South of Chennai. The lone survivor from a row of temples…
How Saudi Arabia is reopening the Incense Road
They had called it a ‘vast open-air library’ before we got there. But that hadn’t quite prepared me for the sight of thousands of inscriptions carved into the sandstone surfaces of mountainsides in Jabal Ikmah, in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla region….
Birders in Visakhapatnam report a drop in number of species during the Asian Waterbird Census
The ongoing Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) has revealed that some of the major threats faced by wetlands and the birds in and around them are habitat destruction, poaching, construction activities and landfills near water sources. The team of Wildlife Conservation…
Airports to ensure Digi Yatra registration is voluntary and consensual: Scindia
File picture of Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia at the launch of Digi Yatra | Photo Credit: PTI Airports have been advised to ensure that registration of air travellers for the Digi Yatra initiative, which provides digital processing…
Experience a slice of tribal life at Giri Grama Darshini, a tourism project near Visakhapatnam
Visitors experience the adivasi lifestyle at Giri Grama Darshini at Pedalabudu near Araku, 130 kilometres from Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Taking a stroll through a manicured garden overlooking verdant fields and rolling hills, gazing at clear skies, watching…
In Araku, strawberry farms are drawing visitors in large numbers
Visitors going around the strawberry farm at Pedalabudu village near Araku, 130 km from Visakhapatnam, where the strawberry picking has become a popular seasonal activity this winter. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak It was a little past noon, and the…
Interested in adventure sports? This summer try off-roading in Chennai
A trail of nine SUVs sets off to an undisclosed location North of Chennai. Past wetlands and fields of red earth they arrive at a sandy patch of land, well off the beaten path. From the vehicles emerge a group…
Places to try haleem and kebabs in Hyderabad this Ramzan season
haleem getting ready and packed | Photo Credit: special arrangement Haven’t stepped out to check the city’s food scene during Ramzan yet? Are you still wondering where to start? Let’s make it easy . It is after all that time…
Eight-year-old Delhi girl Veera reaches Everest Base Camp
Veera Wadhwaney Dahiya at the Everest Base Camp | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement An eight-year-old launching herself on an arduous trek to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) left many seasoned climbers stunned. It was a rare accomplishment. Accompanied by her…
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A chance to watch the celestial spectacle of Lyrids meteor shower from the foothills of Anaimalai
After the death of his wife Eurydice, Orpheus, the son of the Greek god Apollo and goddess Calliope, overcome with grief, ventured into the underworld to try and bring her back. He was an incredibly talented musician. He played the…
coimbatore vizha heritage walk – The Hindu
Historian Rajesh Govindarajulu with participants of heritage walk at Kottai Eswaran temple near Town Hall in Coimbatore. | Photo Credit: Siva Saravanan S The golden orange sun, seen amid the foliage of the neem tree at Koniamman Temple, prepares for…
From Tuscany to Dubai, why are an increasing number of Indians taking their weddings international?
It’s the lure of intimate gatherings, and picturesque locations coupled with international governments partnering with Indian wedding planners
Pedestrians in peril with no foot overbridge between Krishnarajapuram railway and K.R. Pura Bengaluru metro stations
In the absence of a foot over a bridge, thousands of pedestrians struggle every day to cross the road near Krishnarajapuram railway station. | Photo Credit: Suchith Kidiyoor Despite being an eagerly awaited project, the opening of the Namma Metro…
Foreign tour operators being invited for ‘experience-based tourism’ in Rajasthan
Tourists take a boat ride in the Anasagar lake during sunset, in Ajmer, Rajasthan. Image used for representational purpose only. | Photo Credit: PTI With the Congress government in Rajasthan promoting “experience-based tourism”, foreign tour operators are being invited to…
PM Modi’s meditation cave in Uttarakhand pulling tourists back after the pandemic’s lull
The Rudra meditation cave near Kedarnath. A little over a kilometre’s trek from Kedarnath, the Rudra meditation cave, about 3,500 metres above sea level, is booked out for April. It has a 75% booking for May and 65% for June,…
Explore adventure tourism amid nature’s bounty at Kondaveedu Fort in Palnadu district
Palnadu Collector Siva Sankar Lotheti during the trial run of the adventure tourism package at Kondaveedu Fort in Palnadu district. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement In an attempt to attract tourists to the Kondaveedu Fort, the Forest Department has launched…
Sehri spots in Hyderabad serve local specials
During Ramzan all roads lead to Old city | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL Kebabs getting ready to be served | Photo Credit: PERIASAMY M This year, Hyderabad is waking up to special menus for Sehri, which is the early morning…
Sri Lanka on my plate
Michelin-starred Aliyaa Island Restaurant and Bar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is on an India tour to showcase its speciality Sri Lankan cuisine, in collaboration with Chef Siva Suppaiya. The festival at Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel culminates at Ritz Carlton in Bengaluru….
Ostriches are back at Tyavarekoppa zoo in Shivamogga, And, the other attractions?
A pair of ostriches reached Tiger and Lion Safari in Tyavarekoppa near Shivamogga. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Tiger and Lion Safari at Tyavarekoppa, near Shivamogga, has received a pair of ostriches. The mini-zoo received the ostriches, the heaviest birds…
France most sought after among Schengen states, but also sees highest visa rejections: data
Germany has the lowest visa rejection rate of 5.08%
Ministry of Tourism promotes lesser-known tourist attractions
Birla Mandir temple at Kurukshetra, Haryana | Photo Credit: Getty Images The Union Ministry of Tourism is creating awareness on lesser known tourist attractions in the country by holding special festivals and conventions at these places every three-four months. Sources…
The vibrant culture of Gujarat comes alive at Rann Utsav in Kutch
The sun sank on a sandy horizon along the butter-smooth road from Bhuj Airport in Kutch district of Gujarat to Tent City in Dhordo village on a December evening. The 85-kilometre journey to the venue of Tourism Corporation of Gujarat’s annual flagship desert…
Bespoke wildlife luxury experiences for the New Year
Sighting a Royal Bengal Tiger in the wild leaves a lasting and profound impact, and tourists from far and wide come to India in the hope of seeing one. With travel and wildlife photography becoming a popular hobby among young…
Laal Maas, Dal Bidwal and stories from the royal kitchens of Mewar in Rajasthan
Kunwar Hemendra Singh Chundawat | Photo Credit: Prabalika M Borah When you dine with royalty, you get to listen to stories of erstwhile royal kitchens, their daily procurement activities and how food was best enjoyed; the experience gets even better…
Araku Pinery, a new community-based eco-tourism project near Visakhapatnam
A view of the Araku Pinery, a new eco-tourism initiative started by the AP Forest Department that is being managed by the Van Sanrakshan Samiti of Shantinagar in Araku. The place has become a popular location for pre-wedding and film…
Danced to ‘Naatu Naatu’? Here’s how this Oscar-winning song was filmed
A still from ‘Naatu Naatu’; Ramji Natarajan Loved making reels of ‘Naatu Naatu’ from Rajamouli’s RRR? Loved the hook steps by Jr NTR and Ram Charan and the way this peppy number was shot? The song that the entire world…
Goa government to promote spiritual tourism: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte
South Goa: Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte inaugurates Spirit of Goa festival at Colva beach in South Goa, Friday, April 21, 2023. (PTI Photo) (PTI04_21_2023_000392A) The Goa government will promote spiritual tourism in the coastal State by signing agreements with…
Want to experience life in the year 2071? Head to Dubai’s ‘Museum of The Future’
The Museum of The Future building in Dubai | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Ameca looks puzzled. Her eyes flutter as she looks sideways, and ponders at my question: ‘What do you like to eat?’ “I’m not alive, but I need…
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Run among the skies: Balloon Run Marathon highlights TNIBF 2024
Cartoon-themed balloons galore | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The Balloon Run Marathon is the highlight of this year’s Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival (TNIBF). Being an annual event in India, it has seen a significant increase in footfall over the…
A night at the Melattur Bhagavata Mela
MELATTUR BHAGAVATHA MELA NARASIMHA JAYANTHI | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives The close to seven-hour drive from Chennai to Melattur (near Thanjavur) to watch the Bhagavata Mela could be exciting for a first-time traveller. Lush paddy fields, small streams flowing…
Why LuxUnlock’s strategy with private villas is worth noting
It was a starlit night. Flickering light from dozens of oil lamps cast long shadows. Abdul Ghani sat with eyes firmly shut. His focus, on the words he was uttering, and on the steady beat set by a duo of…
Watch thousands of fireflies glowing in the forests of Maharashtra
“Sitting in the forest in the dead of night and watching thousands of fireflies glowing in unison feels like the stars have descended on earth. They seem to light up the forest from one end to the other in a…
Silent traffic jams: How Aizawl’s road etiquette is a sign of a broader peace
A photograph of Aizawl, the capital city of India’s northeastern state of Mizoram When I was a corporator, my office was on the other side of the hill and it took me over an hour to get there. Because of…
First flight from Goa to Dehradun flies with Goan woman as co-pilot
Water canon salute was given by AAI to inaugural indigo flight operating directly from Goa to Dehradun. Photo: Twitter/@aaidoonairport The first-ever flight connecting Goa to Dehradun turned into a memorable event for Shasha Saldanha, the co-pilot, who believes the historic…
Ladakh has adventure bikers from Kerala in a thrall
Sheena Joffi | Photo Credit: TH It is a different exhilarating and offbeat experience for many to ride through the scintillating Leh and Ladakh landscape, feeling the fresh and cool wind on one’s face, relaxing the body, mind, and soul….
World Environment Day | How Tamil Nadu’s tiger reserves tackle the summer
A quintessential summer day in Tamil Nadu’s five major tiger reserves sees the dry rustle of grasslands, trickles of streams, and the occasional wild forest fire. Animals like elephants, deer and panthers step out of the shadows to lounge near…
Explore Telangana cuisine that is beyond just the Hyderabadi Biryani
Sarva Pindi as shown in Chef Sudhakar Rao’s book Aromas of Telanagana The struggle for separate Telangana was not just about jobs and water. It was also about its culture, its history, its art, and its food. Food in Hyderabad…
Should you opt for travel insurance? Here is all you need to know
Israel has seen a surge in new cases of the more infectious coronavirus variant in recent weeks, and began closing its borders and restricting travel in late November. Representational Image. | Photo Credit: Reuters The tragic train accident in Odisha…
Lakhs of tourists throng to Himachal Pradesh’s hill stations
Hordes of tourists flock to hill station resorts in Himachal Pradesh, which generates ₹11,000 crore annually and constitutes 7.3% of the State’s Gross Domestic Product. | Photo Credit: PTI A haven for those seeking respite from the scorching heat prevailing…
Emil George from Kerala drives through the Indian mainland in 97 days setting a record for the fastest solo car expedition
Emil George at Umling La, the highest motorable pass in the world | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Automobile/travel enthusiast and digital content creator Emil George says he did not research too much when he embarked on a road trip that…
Want to walk an alpaca? Head to this farm in Australia where you can feed these furry creatures as you picnic by a creek
The alpacas here also double up as therapy animals Ed Sheeran does not want to sing. Worse still, he looks positively repulsed as I try to croon ‘I’m in love with the shape of you…’ He hurriedly walks his fluffy…
Interview | Muthamizh Selvi, the first woman from TN to summit Mount Everest
N Muthamizh Selvi at the Everest summit | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement At 12.20 a.m. on May 23, N Muthamizh Selvi, a teacher of Japanese from Tamil Nadu, was among the first people to summit Mount Everest for the day….
The ‘queen of hills’ Ooty basks in the bicentenary glory
On January 8, 1819, sitting in Dimbatty valley, the Collector of Coimbatore, John Sullivan, wrote to Sir Thomas Munro, who was Governor of Madras: “My dear Colonel, I have been in the Highlands for the last week. This is the…
Sushi gets an Indian touch
Watch | How to make a California sushi roll International Sushi Day is on June 18. And if you have had achari sushi, paneer tikka sushi or Jain sushi, then you know sushi has already found its Indian avatar. This…
From mango masala dosa to pottery making this mango festival comes with an array of food and games
A mango eating competition in progress | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Summer lingers under the canopies of tall mango trees as a whiff of nostalgia fills the air on a Sunday morning. In June, the peak of Chennai’s mango season,…
Airbnb partners with Indian Tourism Ministry to promote heritage stays, cultural tourism
Airbnb logo is seen displayed in this illustration. | Photo Credit: Reuters Online accommodation hosting platform Airbnb on June 19 said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Tourism to showcase India’s heritage stays…
New look, new feel, same iconic foods at Hotel Indu Deluxe, Niloufer cafe and Blue Sea
Rohit Reddy with his father Venugopal Reddy Cheruku inside the newly done up Hotel Indu Deluxe | Photo Credit: Sanjay Borra A few Hyderabad-based Iconic restaurants such as Hotel Indu Deluxe at Saifabad, Niloufer Cafe at Himayatnagar and Blue Sea…
Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and other European clubs to be a part of the inaugural Singapore Festival of Football
(LtoR) Fooball legends John Barnes of Liverpool FC, Giovane Elber of FC Bayern Munich, Marco Cassetti of AS Roma, Emile Heskey of Leicester City FC and Gary Mabutt of Tottenham Hotspur FC pose with their jerseys during the Singapore Festival…
With ruffles, prints, and quirky silhouettes, swimsuits are going from beach to bar
When the pandemic took a little breather in the last quarter of 2020, it propelled Maldives and Goa to superstar status. People were jet-setting (some in private charter jets) to these beachy destinations or road-tripping around Goa. Social media overflowed…
Coimbatore duo undertakes a CNG-powered expedition from Kanyakumari to Kashmir
Krishnakumar Viswanathan and his cousin Mahadevan Rajamani | Photo Credit: Special arrangement When Krishnakumar Viswanathan and his cousin Mahadevan Rajamani decided to go on a cross-country expedition, they were sure of one thing: theirs would be a little different. “I…
Make My Trip co-founder Keyur Joshi on his new venture that offers bespoke luxury in the wild
At Tipai, a 38-acre property set beside Maharashtra’s Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary Tea under a gazebo, a picnic by the river, sundowners by your private plunge pool… and all this along the fringes of a dense forest known for its Bengal…
In Kolkata: A cocktail, coffee and live music experience that is reminiscent of the city in the 1920s
AM PM, the newly launched café bar in Kolkata is straight out of Baz Luhrmann’s sets of The Great Gatsby — an aesthetic that blends the colonial era club culture of Kolkata with a millennial approved zing. Interiors of AM…
This viral song by an Indian-American singer portrays a dream wedding in Kerala
A still from Shubha Mangalyam… YouTube video song by Vidya Vox on weddings in Kerala. A three-language romantic video song by renowned Indian-American singer Vidya Vox on weddings in Kerala has garnered over a million views on YouTube, highlighting the State’s…
How Velliangiri Hills became plastic-free
A view of Velliangiri Hills in Coimbatore | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Recently, a video of a novel exercise to cut down plastics by Tamil Nadu Forest department went viral. It shows pilgrims visiting Velliangiri Hills in the Western Ghats,…
This Hyderabad-born chef cooked for Kamala Harris’ Bakrid party
Hyderabad-born Chef Asif Rasheed Syed, now settled in Naples, Florida, recently cooked a typical Hyderabadi meal for the US vice president Kamala Harris’ Bakrid party. Chef Asif who owns the popular 21 Spices by Chef Asif, a modern Indian restaurant,…
A toy story from Assam recreates Bodo Culture
Kirat Brahma with the team of Zankla Studio | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Make way Barbie and Ken, here come Lowgee in ethnic wear and purple hair and Mamaibodo, the neighbourhood’s strict Bodo uncle. Dokhona-clad Lowgee and UN aka Upendra…
Mount Kailash to become accessible from India from September
Mount Kailash, the celebrated north face, at Dirapuk in the remote south-western part of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China From September this year, devotees will be able to visit Mount Kailash, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva,…
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Culinary holidays across India to help curate a travel itinerary around food
For many, food is the highlight of any holiday. Butter-crusted naans in the bylanes of Amritsar, mildly spiced stews with appams in Kerala, and fragrant biryani in Chennai. The list of culinary memories linked to our travels are endless. Not…
Homestays are becoming a dominant choice for Indian travellers and homeowners
There’s a popular saying in India, Athithi Devo Bhava, which means the guest is god. Backed by the adage and the significant growth of the travel industry in the country, homestays have become a viable option today for both travellers…
Bhumi Pednekar’s latest venture – a boutique hotel in Goa
Bhumi Pednekar’s latest venture – a boutique hotel in Goa | Video Credit: Special Arrangement Bhumi’s connection with Goa runs deeper than her Instagram posts. Her paternal side of the family belongs to Pedne or Pernem where she makes an…
Himachal Pradesh tourist arrivals break six-year record
A file photo of Shimla Toy Train. The hill state of Himachal Pradesh has seen an exceptionally large number of tourists from within and outside the country visiting in the first half of this year, an encouraging sign for the…
Food and Travel show host Rocky Singh is on a culinary journey across Kerala
Rocky Singh in the backwaters of Kerala | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Rocky Singh is on another culinary road trip through Kerala. Food connoisseurs, and friends Rocky and Mayur Sharma (Rocky and Mayur) have been unravelling little-known food joints, popular…
A Michelin food guide-inspired gourmet food trail across Dubai’s inventive restaurants
In Dubai luxury is casual. A grocery run in a Lamborghini, Wagyu in mall burgers, sharks in a lobby. And a Refik Anadol multimedia artwork providing a languid backdrop to the reception of the hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown. Titled Winds…
Ladakh’s lessons of balance
Designer Deepshikha Khanna of Good Earth spends eight days in Ladakh and comes back with sheep wool shawls and a deeper appreciation of true sustainability
Travel is a way of life for this sexagenarian from Alappuzha
Kavirajan P.K. and his wife Sulochana at Ephesus Ancient City in Turkey. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Forty-five countries and counting. Kavirajan P.K., a sexagenarian from Ambalappuzha in Alappuzha, consumed by wanderlust, is busy globetrotting to discover and experience the…
American Airlines postpones launch of Seattle-Bengaluru flight
In February 2020, American Airlines said it planned to operate a 285-seater Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the Seattle-Bengaluru route. | Photo Credit: AP When announced in early 2020, the scheduled flight between Seattle and Bengaluru of American Airlines was supposed…
Four Indie dogs are travel buddies of their pet parents as they travel across the country on foot, bicycle and motorbikes
Butter, Bella, Charlie and Veeran are Indie dogs, all rescued, adopted and living in different parts of the country. Their stories of finding forever homes are very different but what binds them is their many adventures on the road as…
Weekend plans: We are heading to Chennai’s Covelong Classic Surf, Music and Fitness Festival
From dancing to fitness activities, there’s a lot on offer at the festival Surfers doing what they do best Unless you are living under a rock, you must have heard of the Covelong Classic Surf, Music and Fitness Festival. Back…
Telangana government announces tourism awards, invites applications
The Telangana government has decided to introduce Telangana State Tourism Awards under various categories on the eve of World Tourism Day celebrations on September 27, 2023, with the theme ‘Tourism and Green Investments’. The awards will be given to all…
Watch | How the Metro Rail transformed travel in Chennai
How the metro rail transformed travel in Chennai | Video Credit: B. Velankanni Raj Madras’ rapport with trains has indeed been a fascinating one. In February 1895, the first tram was introduced connecting Power House, Egmore and Pachaiyappa’s College. A…
Domestic air passenger traffic rise 9% in November
Representational image of travellers at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru | Photo Credit: BHAGYA PRAKASH K Domestic air passenger traffic rose 9% to more than 1.27 crore in November, according to official data released on Friday. Last month also…
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A Coimbatore team is back from their first visit to Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh
The Milky Way at night sky in Hanle | Photo Credit: Akshay Satish A stunning view of the Milky Way in a 180 degree arc extending from the South to the North at the night sky in Hanle, Ladakh, India’s first…
Festival of lights, a display of antique oil lamps in Hyderabad
Radeesh Ratnakar Shetty Radeesh Ratnakar Shetty is the owner of more than 400 lamps collected from across the world. At Deepotsav, Radeesh’s collection is being showcased at his store, The Purple Turtles in Jubilee Hills. The collection of lamps pays…
KIA T2 in Bengaluru will handle international flights from September 12
The glitzy Terminal 2 of Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO Kempegowda International Airport’s Terminal 2 will commence international operations on September 12. T2 was scheduled to commence international operations on August 31, however, the day before,…
Jinder Mahal talks about returning to India for WWE Superstar Spectacle
Jinder Mahal | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Jinder Mahal is excited to come back to India. Though he has a few relatives in Punjab, the Canadian WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) star of Indian origin seldom gets to visit the country…
Is Chettinad one of India’s largest cultural revival projects?
Walk through Chettinad’s bustling lanes, and you will be welcomed by heritage mansions featuring intricate handiwork, ponds with lotus blooms, and ancient temples with ornate facades. The region once helmed by the Nattukottai Chettiars, was known for its opulence in…
How Bloom In Green festival is attempting to spread the message of community and conscious living
As the sun sets over the lush landscapes of Sanctity Ferme in Krishnagiri, a unique gathering is set to unfold from December 15 to 18 — the Bloom In Green festival. Founded by Aswathy R, since its inception in 2018,…
How trekking companies in India are redefining luxury with gourmet meals and massages
At 6.45am on an uneventful day in July, seven trekkers and I wished each other cheery ‘good mornings’ at our campsite in Trunkhol, Kashmir, some 3,500 metres above sea level. Amidst idyllic rolling green meadows where horses grazed, we sat…
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World Tourism Day | Explore Indo-Saracenic landmarks in Chennai’s George Town
As the yellow-green blur of a whizzing auto sweeps by, a string of jasmine lying on the sidewalk quivers from its impact. The sidewalk faces the long, heavily guarded expanse of Fort St George, now home to the Tamil Nadu…
Timings of 314 South Western Railway trains revised
Passenger timetable revision is done annually in October in consultation with other railway zones. | Photo Credit: file photo The timings of 314 trains of the 568 trains running in the South Western Railway have been revised. Addressing the media,…
Moscow’s makeover
The Russian capital showcases its modern face for a tourism reboot in a business-as-unusual environment
A tuk-tuk ride with a mission
Thomas Dohm and Nicholas Hon with their happy cab. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement A common sight on Indian roads, three-wheeled auto rickshaws are one of the most convenient modes of transport. But for Thomas Dohm from France and Nicholas…
What makes winter trekking a not-to-miss experience for adventure junkies
In 2010, when Bengaluru-based Sandhya Chandrasekharayya tossed the idea of winter trekking to the locals of Sankri village in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, they were nonplussed. “No one treads this trail off season,” they remarked, pointing to Kedarkantha — a route…
The locals of Parengtar, a village on India-Bhutan border, are reviving the ancient practice of Kholey Dai
Parengtar — a quaint hamlet on India-Bhutan border in West Bengal’s Kalimpong district | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Dotted with green trees, the grid-shaped, sienna-toned paddy fields of Parengtar — a quaint hamlet on the India-Bhutan border in West Bengal’s…
Gauri Khan shares designs secrets from her latest project, the Falguni Shane Peacock store in Kolkata
Gauri Khan (centre) with Shane and Falguni | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement For Gauri Khan, the little details matter. Which is probably why, two white urns, with 3D peacock motifs, are the source of much discussion at the Falguni Shane…
Exploring century-old homes, and attending intimate concerts at Chettinad Festival
Chettinad is a fever dream. On its sun-baked arid landscape, punctuated by cacti and laced with palm trees, majestic century-old mansions rise like castles in a children’s tale. Set in quiet villages, and springing up on narrow dusty roads, these…
Operations begin on entire Whitefield-Challaghatta Purple Line metro corridor, connecting east and west Bengaluru
Passengers seen at Challaghatta metro station in Bengaluru on October 9, 2023. The long-awaited Whitefield-Challaghatta Namma Metro Purple Line corridor quietly commenced operations on October 9 at 5 a.m., seamlessly connecting the eastern and western parts of Bengaluru. | Photo…
With fully operational Purple Line, many prefer metro to personal vehicle
The entire stretch of the Purple Line from Whitefield to Challaghatta spanning 43.49 km was opened on October 9. | Photo Credit: K. Bhagya Prakash “Taking the metro for my daily office commute brings me immense joy as I bid…
Here is a list of songs for you to get dandiya ready
DJ Piyush at a dandiya night in The Park Navratri is that time of the year when the dancer in many of us is let loose. The colourful chaniya choli and dandiyas are made ready for non-stop dance and fun….
Nearly 60% of commuters would choose public transit if bus and metro modes are available: IISc
A file photo of commuters boarding a BMTC bus at the Mysuru Road metro station. A key finding from research conducted by the Indian Institute of Science’s Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP) to improve the Bengaluru…
Cruising catches on among Indians in search of new experiences
In May, avid traveller Sunu Mathew and her friends had taken a seven-night cruise from Barcelona and sailed to Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, La Spezia, Civitavecchia and Naples. Three months later, Sunu still cannot stop talking about the cruise aboard the Symphony…
Free ride, free spirit: What Shakti scheme means to women in Karnataka
Clutching a copy of her Aadhaar card, Parvathamma was waiting for the conductor to issue her a free ticket on a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus in Shivamogga town in south Karnataka. She was travelling to Holalkere in…
Planning a Dubai trip? Look beyond Burj Khalifa, opt for new experiences
Tourists at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood Top of the world Can a frame be an interesting attraction to visit? If you’re in Dubai, it can. At The Dubai Frame, an observatory, museum and monument in Zabeel Park, you get a…
Kashmir | New vistadome coaches to offer tourists a memorable train ride through the Valley’s saffron fields and apple orchards
The new vistadome coaches in Kashmir’s sky trains | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad The autumn sun lights up the 40-seater vistadome coaches introduced this month on trains plying in the Kashmir valley. The glass roofs give you a glimpse of…
Are driving holidays India’s next big travel trend?
Many people have been to Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh, year after year, hoping to catch a glimpse of the snow leopard. Photographer Nitin Pasricha however, was among the lucky few to catch a rare sighting on his first trip….
BMRCL officials visit China to inspect Bengaluru metro Yellow Line coaches
BMRCL plans to run these coaches on the newly opened K.R. Pura-Whitefield stretch. | Photo Credit: special arrangement A group of senior Bengaluru Metro officials visited the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) factory in China, which is yet to…
The homecoming: Lal Pari, 73-year-old vintage car from Ahmedabad, reaches London
Seventy-three days after they began, Gujarati businessman Daman Thakore (50), his 75-year-old father Deval and 21-year-old daughter Devanshi have returned to a beloved family member’s place of birth. This family member just happens to be a bright red, vintage convertible…
Worried for your pets during Deepavali? Chennai hotels turn pet-friendly
Swapna Mathivanan has grown up around pets since she was young and knows that life can become quite hellish during Deepavali. Her two golden retrievers become especially terrified when there are incessant blasts from loud crackers. When she was looking…
New adventure zones in and around Visakhapatnam buzzing with action
Tourists enjoying rides in kayaks and circular boat at the water body in Kambalakonda Eco Tourism Park in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak Zipline at Borra Caves People enjoying a ride of the new zipline at Borra Caves to…
Bengaluru’s Namma Metro: A leap in connectivity, but challenges remain
: Namratha Upadhya started her career as a business analyst at a private IT firm near Trinity Circle in 2011. Presently, she is Assistant Vice President-Risk and Compliance with the same company. Throughout her 12-year career, she has consistently travelled…
The 1612-built Aguada Central Jail in Goa turned into an interactive museum
There is so much more to Goa than just beaches, shacks and its party scene. With a history so eventful, Goa has many untold stories to tell. And, Aguad Interactive Museum: The Land, The People, and The Struggle is an…
How Cyrus took a break from a break and went to Alibaug
Satheesh Vellinezhi | Photo Credit: Satheesh Vellinezhi I’ll be frank, when I started this column, the aim was absolutely clear. I wrote it to make the world a better place. By the third line of the first column, I gave…
Tourism can be expanded without endangering biodiversity: Meghalaya CM
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. File | Photo Credit: ANI Meghalaya is developing a tourism model that does not pit the economy against ecology, according to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. As the State plans to scale up its tourism industry,…
Lakkundi to be proposed for inclusion as UNESCO World Heritage Site
Shravanabelagola is a site of great antiquity and a repository of monuments. | Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM The monuments at Shravanabelagola in Hassan and Lakkundi in Gadag districts will be proposed for inclusion under the tentative list of the UNESCO…
Sleep and dine alongside wild animals at Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Canberra
The lodge has three categories of rooms A tiger sits outside my bathroom. Separating us is a three-centimetre, double-laminated glass window. His gaze follows me as I gingerly tread across the bathroom floor. I brush my teeth, wash my face; our eyes trained on…