Go Now November 2012 by Cross Section Interactive Private Limited

November 2012 go now

go now November 2012

November 2012 go now

go now November 2012

November 2012 go now

travel buzz: AIRLINES & AIRPORts

new level of luxury and convenience awaits passengers onboard Cathay Pacific Airways between Delhi and Hong Kong. The airline recently introduced its award-winning new Business Class cabin and its new Premium Economy Class between the two cities. The latter is developed to be an advanced, more comfortable version of Economy class. The airline features a three-class configuration - new Business Class, Premium Economy Class and the new long-haul Economy Class seats. Business Class The airline’s new Business Class cabin is the result of a collaboration between its customers and the Cathay Pacific team. The product design allows passengers to control their degree of privacy

and openness. As one enters the cabin, the sense of space and openness immediately catches the passenger’s attention. Clean, sculpted lines define private, lie-flat seats with direct aisle access. Abstract patterns, richly woven fabrics, fresh-cut orchids and original artwork harmonise to create a warm, premium residential feel. Premium Economy Class Cathay Pacific’s new Premium Economy Class was designed with the entire customer experience in mind. It features a quieter, more spacious cabin than the traditional Economy Class with between 26 and 34 seats per aircraft. The seat pitch is 38 inches – six inches more than Economy Class – and the seat itself is wider and has a bigger recline. It has a large meal table, cocktail

Cathay Pacific’s all-new Business Class and New Premium Economy Cabins onboard Delhi-Hong Kong Flights 4

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travel buzz: AIRLINES & AIRPORts

Business Class

table, footrest, a 10.6-inch personal television, an in-seat power outlet, a multi-port connector for personal devices and extra personal stowage space. The new Economy Class The new long-haul Economy Class seat features a cradle mechanism to enhance the level of comfort in the recline position. Each seat comes with the latest high-resolution touch-screen personal television, a USB outlet and an iPod/iPhone outlet to allow passengers to connect their own mobile devices to view content through their personal television. The seat also offers improved living

Premium Economy Class

space and more personal storage space. Cathay Pacific General Manager South Asia, Middle East & Africa Tom Wright said: “At Cathay Pacific, we always do our best to make our customers feel special. India is a growing market for luxury travel and our new three-class product will provide our passengers here with the ultimate travel experience.” Network extension Cathay Pacific is also extending its network to Hyderabad with a new four-times-weekly service between Hong Kong and Hyderabad. The new service will complement the airline's existing passenger services to and from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. Cathay Pacific awarded World’s Best Business Class Award Cathay Pacific Airways was World’s Best Business Class in the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards programme, Nearly 18 million airline passengers from across the world picked their choices. The award-wining product was designed after incorporating feedback from the customers. Visit www.cathaypacific.in for more details

“At Cathay Pacific, we always do our best to make our customers feel special. India is a growing market for luxury travel and our new threeclass product will provide our passengers here with the ultimate travel experience.” Tom Wright, Cathay Pacific General Manager South Asia, Middle East & Africa Economy Class

November 2012 go now

trael buzz: AIRLINES & AIRPORts

Sky Dining experience atop Singapore Flyer Indulge in the world’s first Full Butler Sky Dining experience which comes with a 4-course fine dining menu, personalized butler service, and skyline views – all in the comfort of a spacious capsule, atop the world’s largest Giant Observation Wheel. The Full Butler Sky Dining experience can be availed under 3 packages namely – the celebrity chef menu package, the Christmas menu package and the new year menu package. World renowned chef – Chef Eric Teo has designed a special four course menu for each package. Each package also has an in-flight host and other perks such as free entry to Journey of Dreams and exclusive check-ins. The Celebrity Chef Menu package is priced at $269 per couple. Flying dates in December : 1 to 23 December, 26 to 30 December The Christmas Menu package costs - $329 per couple. Date: 24 and 25 December The New Year Menu package costs - $329 per couple. Date: 31 December & January 1 2013 Visit www.singaporeflyer.com for more details

Easier Booking On ba.com Customers visiting ba.com Air Arabia becomes first UAE carrier to operate flights to Kosovo Air Arabia recently announced that it will become the first UAE airline to operate scheduled flights to the Republic of Kosovo; the airline will commence a twice-weekly service to Prishtina International Airport on November 22. Operating on Mondays and Thursdays, Air Arabia’s Kosovo service will depart from Sharjah 6

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International Airport at 09.00 am and arrive at Prishtina International Airport 12:30 pm. With an average age of 25, Kosovo has one of the youngest populations in Europe. Prishtina, the nation’s capital and largest city, is located near to the Shar Mountains and is famed for its cafes, markets and historial landmarks.

will now find it a lot easier to book flights on the British Airways website thanks to a new registration scheme. Registered customers will also have an option to easily convert their account to an Executive Club account, while existing Club members will be able to see all their flights, not just those containing their frequent flyer number. Later next year, ba.com will also introduce the ability to save paymentcard details, making booking for customers even quicker.

trael buzz: AIRLINES & AIRPORts

Largest Lufthansa Lounge Debuts at Frankfurt’s New Concourse 10 per cent off on SriLankan Airlines’ online booking with MasterCard SriLankan Airlines is now offering a 10 per cent cash back discount for customers in India, who purchase a ticket through its Internet Booking Engine (IBE) with their credit or debit MasterCard during the month of November. This offer is open for travel to and from India on all SriLankan operated online routes, and the discount is applicable for all fare types including: business class; economy class; return; one-way; adult and child. The offer is valid on bookings un till December 31. SriLankan operates out of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Mumbai, Trichy and Trivandrum. Visit www.srilankan.com

The new A-Plus Concourse at Frankfurt Airport recently opened, along with five new lounges. The new Frankfurt lounges feature backlit walls with forest motifs that generate a relaxing atmosphere; leather and oak enhance the welcoming, feel-good atmosphere. These new spaces include a first class lounge, a senator lounge and a business lounge, located on the EU departures and arrivals level. For passengers in the Non-European area (Non-Schengen area), there is a senator lounge and a business lounge. With a floor space of almost 23,000 sqft, the senator lounge in the Non-Schengen area is Lufthansa’s largest lounge worldwide and offers a full range of facilities. In the first half of 2013, passengers at Frankfurt Airport will have a choice of 13 Lufthansa lounges, plus the first class terminal, with a total floor space of approximately 200,000 sqft. Concourse A will also include a refurbished Senator Lounge. November 2012 go now

travel buzz: hotels and resorts

Boutique mountain resort The Chalets Naldehra A storybook location, next to the 18 hole Naldehra golf course, this The Chalets Naldehra resort is tucked in a cedar forest with breathtaking views of the Himalayas. A boutique mountain resort, The Chalets offers accommodation in quaint pinewood log cottages built with imported technology and wood from Finland. The Chalets is everyone's fairy tale fantasy. The quaint log homes have a small bedroom which opens into a living room with a working fireplace. The resort houses an indoor, all-weather swimming pool that is temperature controlled and offers spectacular views of the valley and mountains. A spa adjoining the pool is a haven for those seeking rest and relaxation with soothing massages and ayurvedic treatments and a Jacuzzi. For those who want more than just serenity and

quiet, The Chalets has an activity room with a pool table, table tennis, carom and indoor games as well as a playing area for smaller children. Packages offered at The Chalets Naldehra (for 2 nights -3 days) start at Rs 14,990.

For more information & reservations call 0177-2747715, 6940481, 2747562 Cell: 98160-62007, 94180-62003 E-mail: contact@chaletsnaldehra.com Visit: www.chaletsnaldehra.com

Weekend sojourn at Hyatt Regency, Kolkata Ayurveda Retreat with Kairali at The Westin Gurgaon Treat yourself to pampering Ayurveda sessions with Kairali at The Westin. A pioneer in the field of Ayurveda, Kairali encompasses over eight decades of experience in amalgamating the ancient science of life with contemporary wellness needs. The package offers two Ayurveda treatments, a three-course set menu for lunch and dinner (vegetarian), guided yoga and meditation sessions, doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consultation. 8

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The package firstly evaluates your lifestyle, and then follows it up by Ayurvedic therapy Sessions. This programme is designed to release all your stress and make you energetic for days to come. The package is priced at Rs 19,000 for a duration of two nights and three days. The package is also available at Westin Sohna Resort & Spa. For more information visit: www.kairali.com

E xper ience Club Prana at Hyatt Regency, Kolkata. Inspired by the idyllic location and designed for relaxation, the Weekend Pamper offer includes buffet breakfast, 30 mins massage, buffet lunch at Waterside and a surprise gift. The offer also entails 25 per cent discount on food, beverage, laundry and Club Prana; complimentary access to Fitness Club and check out till 6 pm For more details visit: http:// kolkata.regency.hyatt.com

travel buzz: hotels and resorts

Winter package by The Leela Kovalam A short drive from Trivandrum International Airport unfolds Keralaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beachside resort: the five star deluxe Leela Kovalam. Cradled between two sweeping beaches, and perched on a rockface, the resort offers panoramic views of the famed Kovalam shoreline. The Leela Kovalam

announced its Romance At The Leela Kovalam package for the new season. Enjoy host of amenities provided by the resort. Guests can look forward to a personalised cake and a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival; a spa treatment in the Club Spa once during the stay and romantic din-

Pushkar Resortsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; special offer during Pushkar Fair

ner amongst other things. Club Room is priced at Rs 20,500 per night and club suite is priced at Rs 30,500 per night. Call 1 800 1031 444 / +91 124 4425 444 for more details Package is valid till April 15, 2013.

Pushkar Camel Fair to be held from November 20 to 28 will witness thousands of pilgrims bathe in the holy lake and worship Lord Brahma. Pushkar Resorts has come up with an innovative offer for guests to enjoy the fair of camel and horse races, magic shows and musical performances. Located in Ganehra Village, just five minutes from the fair grounds and ten minutes from the lake, the resort offers chic tented accommodation and 40 rustic cottages situated within this 15-acre estate. The hotel will arrange destination experiences within the region, including camel rides to the mela grounds, hot air ballooning, cycle routes and hikes up to the Savitri Brahmin Temple perched on top of Ratnigiri hills. The 2 nights & 3 days Pushkar Fair Package is priced at Rs 29,999 onwards. For reservations write to reservations@sewara.com November 2012 go now

events this month: International

Battle of Glory The Hagoita-Ichi (Battledore Fair) Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan

go now November 2012

events this month: International

How to reach there Senso-ji Temple City: 2-3-1, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo A number of international airlines like Jet Airways, China Air, China Easter Air fly from IGIA to Narita International Airport. One can board the one-hour train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station by JR Narita Express Line. It takes about 5 minutes from Tokyo to Ueno Station by JR Yamanote Line, and five minutes from Ueno to Asakusa Station by Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. For more information, visit www.jnto. go.jp

December 17th-19th

enso-ji Temple in Asakusa is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Tokyo. The Hagoita-Ichi (Battledore Fair) is an annual fair held in its precincts at the end of the year. Near the Hondo or main hall of Senso-ji Temple, some 50 open-air stalls selling hagoita (battledores), shuttlecocks, kites and other New Year decorations stand huddled together, and numerous people gather here from all over the country. This is a traditional fair dating back to the Edo Period, but it was apparently only after World War II that the name Hagoita-Ichi became popular. A hagoita is a rectangular board with a handle used for playing a New Year game called hanetsuki. It is perhaps best described as a kind of game hitting badminton shuttlecocks with large ping-pong rackets. The hagoita sold at Hagoita-ichi are

Weather The weather can get cold in Tokyo during the end of the year. It touches about 7Â°C and is expected to go low. Venue: Senso-ji Temple, the Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, is one of Tokyoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most colorful and oldest temples. Formerly associated with the Tendai sect, it became independent after World War II.

good-luck charms for ornamental purposes; they are decorated with gorgeous pictures and accessories. The front of the hagoita is designed with images of elegantly made-up Kabuki actors, or popular celebrities, TV personalities, athletes, and anime characters of the year. Here, too, as in the Tori-no-Ichi held at shrines all over Tokyo in November, it is common practice for the sellers and buyers to clap their hands rhythmically in harmony with one another when a battledore is sold.

November 2012 go now

events this month: india

Call of the desert Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan 24 to 28 November

eld each November at the time of Kartik Purnima full moon, Pushkar Camel Fair is a spectacle celebrated on an epic scale. The carnival attracts 300,000 people and as many as 20,000 camels, cattle and horses. A colourful traditional mela, it brings together livestock, farmers, traders and villagers from all over Rajasthan. Gear up for an unparalled experience that brims with vibrancy, that is hard to put down. The sleepy little township of Pushkar comes alive with a riot of colours. It is an occasion for villagers to gather and enjoy a some ea s y time out from their harsh life of the arid desert. Pilgrims take the holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake to “wash away the sins of a lifetime” and pay homage at the Brahma temple.

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How to get there Pushkar is easy to reach from both Jaipur and Ajmer. The Sanganer Airport in Jaipur connects both domestic and international flights. Af ter reaching Jaipur, one can either hire a rented car or avail a taxi or a bus to reach Pushkar. Those travelling by train, have to reach Ajmer first as it is the nearest railway station to Pushkar. Express trains are available to Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur. Visitors from Delhi can take the Shatabdi Express. Climate Pushkar has an extreme climate. The best season to visit this place is in the winters. November can get slightly cold. Temperature can drop to a minimum 8°C. Venue: The small and beautiful town of Pushkar is set in a valley just about 14 km off Ajmer in the nor th Indian state of Rajasthan. Surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the other, Pushkar forms a fascinating location and a befitting backdrop for the annual camel fair.

November 2012 go now

leisure: destination

an Adrenaline rush in St. Moritz The legendary winter sport resort of St.Moritz is the only place in the world where thoroughbred horses race one another pulling a skier behind them.It is also the place where sports enthusiasts throng together on a frozen lake and drink champagne. We give you a glimpse of the many activities this tradition-steeped town in Switzerland is buzzing with.

Corvatsch cable car by the Corvatsch Murtel middle station (2,702m) in the backdrop of the village of Silvaplana and the Piz Julier 14

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leisure: destination

t was the birthplace of winter tourism in the Alps (1864) and has hosted two Winter Olympics. Nevertheless, St. Moritz originally owes its importance to its mineral springs, to which people have been flocking for 3,000 years and which did much to establish the village early on as a summer health resort. History does not need to be fusty and antiquated â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at least not in the Engadin, where traditional culture is very much part of everyday life. Bearing witness to this are the smart Engadin houses, the much-loved customs such as Chalandamarz and Schlitteda, and the dishes that grace the menus in the restaurants â&#x20AC;&#x201C;delicious traditional fare made from local

ingredients. The fact that people here speak a language that sounds like music only adds to the charm of this extraordinary high-altitude valley. In summer, you can experience local culture village tours or at the countless events that enjoy a long tradition and have transformed the Upper Engadin into a lively cultural centre. And, of course, in the museums: whether on the theme of art, sport or coffee, the Upper Engadin is home to museums, as well as a potpourri of places that have been immortalised by artists such as Segantini and philosophers such as Nietzsche. Nowhere in the Alps are so many art galleries concentrated in such a compact area as in Engadin St. Moritz.

November 2012 go now

leisure: destination

Water Sports in Engadin St. Moritz

Kiting, surfing, sailing. It is all thanks to the legendary Maloja wind: the idyllic conditions on idyllic Lake Silvaplana at 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) above sea level have been an open secret among windsurfing and kitesurfing aficionados ever since kitesurfing pioneer, Stefan Popprath, set up base here. Although participation in the Engadin Wind surf marathon is open to everyone, the crème de la crème of the surfing scene also gather here. The world’s best sailors, meanwhile, convene at Lake St. Moritz to compete in the St. Moritz Match Race, the sailing regatta with the highest prize money in Switzerland.

Engadin’s Bathing Lakes Boasting an above-average number of sunny days a year, it is almost always bathing weather in the Engadin. In the summer, even the mountain lakes warm up to a pleasant 20°C. Lej Nair is situated in a particularly idyllic location, 200 metres below Lake Hahnen, and can only be reached on foot. The Engadin Surf Marathon

Families taking a bath at the bathing lake Lej Marsch.

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leisure: destination

Luxury Accommodation Badrutt’s Palace Hotel The legendary and unique Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is the famous symbol of St. Moritz. Set in the breathtaking natural surroundings of the Swiss Alps and embedded in more than a century of history, the “Grande Dame” of Swiss hotels is home to royalty, stars and sport lovers who value quality. The Hotel is renowned for its exquisite luxury, first class service and limitless indulgence – a gem amongst world-class hotels which is constantly changing but still preserves its historical inheritance. It has been an icon of hospitality since its opening in 1896 and the guests’ high expectations are the yardstick for innovation and change. It is here where sophistication, lifestyle, high altitude and the champagne-climate meet the genuine St. Moritz flair bursting with exclusivity and style. A traditional five star hotel with such a long and eventful history is responsible for upholding this tradition and meeting the demands of modern hospitality. Constant improvements and careful refurbishments in keeping with the historical foundations ensure that the 157 comfortable rooms and 38 luxury suites meet the high expectations which both guests and friends. A symbiosis of luxury furnishings, timeless elegance and modern technology guarantee endless

Badrutts Palace Hotel in St. Moritz

comfort and an incomparable atmosphere where every wish is catered for. Guests can soak up the views of Lake St. Moritz, the Engadin alpine landscape and the picturesque village while enjoying the attentive and individual service of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel’s team. In both summer and winter, staying in the legendary Badrutt’s Palace Hotel has always meant a holiday of the highest order. A FREE SKI PASS in St. Moritz Long before December 25, there’s an early Christmas present at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. The hotel is offering its guests a ski pass for two or more nights. The pass covers a total of 350km of perfectly groomed pistes, 57 lifts or mountain railways and three snow parks in the Engadin St. Moritz region. Over 100 hotels in the region are joining the “Ski Pass Inclusive” initiative to entice holiday makers with a ticket for the mountain railways and lifts at a price of SFr 25.00 per person per day for stays of two or more nights. Free use of the regional public transport in the Upper Engadin is also included in the price. Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz is offering this ticket for free – a “Licence to Ski” – and is even offering free transfers to and from the Corviglia mountain railway station to boot. For reservations and further information please visit www.badruttspalace.com

At the ‘Tavolata’, guests sit at an exceptionally long table laid through the pedestrian zone of St. Moritz to enjoy fine food and drink.

Gastronomy in Engadin St. Moritz The Engadin St. Moritz region is home to a strikingly rich, varied and imaginative gastronomic scene. Here where every tenth restaurant carries a gourmet certificate (and many more could join them), food connoisseurs are in seventh heaven. But Engadin St. Moritz is not just a paradise for gourmets; it celebrates the art of fine dining at every level. Whether you opt for a simple fondue in a rustic mountain hut, a local dish such as hearty capuns (chardwrapped dumplings) in one of the traditional restaurants tucked away in ambience-steeped old Engadin houses, or a quick pizza at an eating place frequented by locals, you will be struck at the variety of Engadin cuisine. And by the unrelenting passion to improve it just that little bit more – regardless of price and GaultMillau points. Via Gastronomica experience Culinary delights at every step of the

way. The Via Gastronomica is an experience that combines the variety of local cuisine with the beauty of the Engadin mountain landscape. You can hike entirely according to your gusto, because the Via Gastronomica offers you various “courses” of different length. The shortest route leads in 1 ½ hours from the Furtschellas top station via Marmoré down into the dreamy Fex Valley, where a fine main course awaits you at Pensiun Crasta. If you would like to garnish your culinary tour even more with a summit view and crystal-clear alpine lakes, you can hike in 4 hours via Lej Sgrischus and over Piz Chüern down into the Fex Valley. In Platta, the lowest hamlet in the Fex Valley, the charming Pensiun Chesa Pool lures with its irresistible desserts. Bon appetite! After that, you can walk leisurely in half an hour along the wildly romantic canyon trail down towards Sils.

November 2012 go now

leisure: destination Not far away is Lej Marsch, one of the most popular bathing lakes in the region thanks to its sheltered yet sunny position and its proximity to the car park of the Olympic ski jump. Lake Staz, located between St Moritz and Pontresina, is perfect for â&#x20AC;&#x153;water ratsâ&#x20AC;?. While the cooler Lake Cavloccio is a good one-hour hike from Maloja, the golf lakes on the banks of the River Inn are just around the corner. Well equipped with picnic areas, barbeque sites and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playground, they are ideal for families.

Sailing The legendary Maloja wind allows sailing and windsurfing regattas even in the middle

Lake Silvaplana with windsurfers and kitesurfers. 18

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of summer, when other places are experiencing a lull. At 1,800 metres above sea level, the other Engadin lakes are blessed with fantastic wind conditions, with speeds of between 3 and 6 Beaufort. The season highlights are the Swiss, European and sometimes even the World Championships, which are held on the lakes in Silvaplana and St. Moritz.

Windsurfing They make their way here from all corners of the globe and feel the adrenaline rising as soon as they catch their first glimpse of the beautiful Lake Silvaplana: windsurfers have long since regarded this area as one of their favourite destinations. While expert

leisure: destination and advanced surfers set their sails in Silvaplana, families and beginners find perfect conditions in Sils. But all are familiar with the phenomenon of the Maloja wind, which invariably blows up shortly after midday. Until then, however, Lake Silvaplana lies calm and serene, silently reflecting its picturesque surroundings in its mirror-like surface. During this time, there is hardly anything more delightful than gliding across the water on a stand-up paddle board and marvelling at the stunning nature all around.

Kite Surfing As soon as the Maloja wind sets in around noon, the colourful kites start to bob and

factfile Hotels surrounded by the awe-inspiring mountain peaks of the Engadine, in the heart of St. Moritz, Switzerland • Kempinski Grand Hôtel des Bains Via Mezdi 27, 7500 St. Moritz Tel: 081-838 38 38 Visit: www.kempinski.com/en/st-moritz/ grand-hotel-des-bains/welcome • Crystal Hotel St. Moritz Via Traunter plazzas 1, 7500 St. Moritz Tel: 081-836 26 26 www.crystalhotel.ch • Hotel Schweizerhof Via dal Bagn 54, 7500 St. Moritz. Tel: 081-837 07 07 www.schweizerhofstmoritz.ch

dance across Lake Silvaplana. That is without doubt a spectacular sight for spectators. But the fun only really begins when, with a board under your feet, you are actually holding a kite into the wind (and yourself upright on the water). The quickest and most effective way of learning the correct technique is by booking a few lessons at the Swiss Kitesurf School in Silvaplana. The school was the first of its kind in the world – after all, this trend sport was invented here at Lake Silvaplana – and can in the meantime look back on 18 years of experience.

Fishing in the Engadin Bubbling brooks, crystal-clear mountain lakes, thundering glacial rivers and peaceful, meandering streams: the Engadin is a paradise for anglers, for these waters are exceptionally rich in fish. From the valley floor at 1,800 m up to the highest lakes and streams, the region offers an abundance of fishing grounds for expert anglers and dabbling amateurs alike – not to mention for children who want to try their luck at catching a tiddler or two.

Canoeing and Kayaking A leisurely trip in a canoe or kayak is a wonderful way of experiencing the region’s enchanting lakes in their breathtakingly beautiful mountain setting. You have the choice of joining a group with an experienced guide or exploring on your own. For a more adventurous thrill, join a guided kayak trip or rafting expedition on the foaming waters of the wild young River Inn. Contact one of the adventure activity operators for details. Feature courtesy: Engadin, St Moritz www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/winter/en November 2012 go now

leisure: destination

bavaria in germany

green palates Blessed with many all-weather lakes,the mighty Alps and bountiful countryside,Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s richest region â&#x20AC;&#x201C; BAVARIA offers surprisingly rich repertoire of fabulous vegetarian dining and innovative organic cuisine.

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ISCOVERY OF THRILLS

We’ll admit modestly that our clichéd perceptions of Bavarian gastronomy being redolent with meats, sausages and steaks was bordering on the outdated, much to our transparently visible surprise. Traveling through Munich and into the hinterland of this picturesque part of Germany opened up delightful epicurean experiences that constantly proved to us the serious paradigm shift to a decidedly eco-accented, environmentally sensitive focus. Light-to-the-tongue cuisine created from ingredients and organically grown seasonal local produce had been finding its way into boutique restaurants, households and preferred by chefs gleefully keen on experimenting and delivering vegetarian choices that made us sit up and pause with appreciation. It wasn’t exactly nouvelle cuisine in Bavaria that was the new gourmet statement. It was the awareness about the deadly effects of conventional chemicals and fertilizerinfused crops and farm produce that brought in the concerted move to change lanes for better nutrition and health. The trend, more specifically awareness is now well ingrained and we could see the motivation come alive in many memorable instances. At Munich’s world renowned heritage landmark Hotel Bayerischer Hof erected by Bavarian royalty, ace chef Steffen Mezger whips up

outstanding nouvelle fine dining wonders at the celebrated One Michelin Star restaurant ‘Atelier’. We ingested signature vegetarian numbers like ‘Organic egg from Bicklhof with pinenuts, barley and white Alba truffle’ and ‘Vacherin Mont D’Or with onion and baked potato’. Germany’s most well known Michelin star celebrity chef Heinz Winkler creates organic innovations with flair and panache in his gourmet restaurant at ‘Residenz’ in hamlet Aschau am Chiemsee. Sourcing local farm fresh greens, vegetables and poultry his culinary magic translates into finely

‘Baked Avocado Tartlets’, ‘Parsley Mousse’ and steamed Asparagus in organic white wine and cheese emulsion sauce’. Bavaria’s hidden away regions boast equally evocative creations. We travelled to Sesslach a miniature medieval hamlet preserved to the last stone in it’s quaint glory where Wolfgang Schott showed us their tiny organic micro brewery. Beer here is only consumed within this commune, a Steinful of glorious, frothy manna to our tongues! The local bakery’s wonderous hyper giant breads regale in organically produced herbs, fresh and deliciously crunchy.

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leisure: destination CULINARY CREATIVITY Nestled within valleys and rolling meadows of Oberammergau are well preserved gastronomic outposts like the boutique Amergauer Alpen cheesery at tiny Estall adjoining a medieval monastery closter. The irresistible flavors of racy, spicy paprika, aromatic rosemary and thyme, ‘Bier Bergkase’ or beer mountain cheese worked up thrills on our palates with local liqueurs. Organic of course! On equal par is the cheesery Sennerei near Oberstdorf where fresh mountain blue vein and smoked country cheese create a tantalizing mischief on your senses. Bavaria’s natural abundance and lush pastures around the Alps, ample lakes, low population, systematic micro cultivation in verdant farmlands near Augsburg, Coburg, Hohenkammer, Passau and Herrsching am Amersee are home to the rich organic agri-horticulture enterprises that supply produce to the finest five star luxury chalet resorts and hotels like Hotel Maximilian’s premium restaurant ‘Benedikt’s’. Gourmet creativity uplifted our dining experience here with ‘Fresh cheese parfait with Mozzarella, Pesto Rosso with walnut dressing’ going on to ‘Chantrelle Lasagne with local Bavarian Asparagus’. High into the slopes of Alpine wonderland Berchtesgaden where mystical lakes color the picture postcard vistas, organic vegetarian food pioneer and trailblazer Christel Kurz tempted us with her immaculate signature dishes that are honest to true goodness. At her boutique designer address ‘One Locksteinstrasse’ we settled to fine organic wines paired with enchanting ‘Meadow-picked wild flowers, herbs, berries and crisp greens in pomegranate jus’, ‘Roasted cauliflower and pinenuts in smoked pumpkin sauce and leek rice’ and capped with ‘Fresh rose petal sorbet with honey almond crush with white shaven truffles’. There was nothing like it anywhere in the world!

VARIETY VERVE One only needs to drop into carnival town Coburg and dig eager teeth into it’s signature, leit-motif delicacy, the Coburger Goldschmaetzen’ (simplified as Coburger gold nut cookies). Originally made and presented to visiting royalty and dignitaries, this organic mouth-comforter is rich in almonds, pistachio, chocolate flakes, herbs, spices, cloves and loads more. Across the feather-smooth freeways into ‘Reindl’s, the award-winning swish fine dining address 22

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Grab-a-bread loaf – traditional country breads – Commune Sesslach, Bavaria.

at heritage Hotel Reindl’s Partenkirchner Hof at the foot of Mt. Zugspitze in Garmisch Partenkirchen, we realized even more assuredly that vegetarian cuisine has evolved to a fine art and science of local gastronomic expression. ‘Pumpkin mousse on a Carpaccio of montanhong’ along with ‘Chestnut soup with croutons’ captured our imagination with ‘Blue cheese Tagliatelle with roasted vegetables drizzled with Kurbis Kernol’ (sunflower seed oil). Taking a wide geographic sweep across Bavaria’s central region near Munich, we hopped into Alpenhof Murnau’s heritage Bavarian chalet resort enscons near the lush Murnauer Nature Reserve. Here after a spot of farm hopping and offfield organic strawberry sampling we rode back to surrender to celebrity chef Thilo Bischoff’s masterly creations at the Michelin star outlet ‘Reiterzimmer Gourmetrestaurant’. Totally vegetarian and purely, inspiringly organic, the menu announced ‘ Violet Kohlrabi with French mustard and lemon jus’, Savoy cabbage, mustard root and paprika ‘berg’ cheese sauce’, ‘Air bulb aubergine with saffron tomato pulp and Risotto’ and finally

Bavarian beer Obatza, Pretzels.

‘Boutique cottage organic cheese from Wagen – cheese maker Guenther’.

ORGANIC OUVRES It was not just cuisine that scored on the organic scales. Vegetarian delights matched our culinary quest across the region in diverse shades and incarnations. Brewery pioneer Peter Lehnardt had invited us all the way to Sailauf – Aschaffenburg to his most unique

leisure: destination Schlosshotel Weyberhofe and his micro brewery where he creates the world’s first beer Champagne ‘Careme’. Poured into flutes tailor made for the brew, it lit up our mood with outstanding flavors and bouquets of the real Champagne served with that mind blowing organic country Bavarian cheese marvel, ‘Obadza’, a heady mélange of creamy mountain cheese, paprika, onions, garlic whipped into a fluffy dip and savored with mega-sized Pretzels (also created with fine organic wheat). At Pinnochio-famed, medieval fortress toy town Rothenburg Ob der Tauber, we couldn’t resist the temptation to gorge on their prized creation, the ‘Schneeballen’ (snow balls) which has brought name and fame to the destination. Mega balls laden with cream, nougat, nuts, raisin and organic sugar make for a jaw-full of fantasy. But more adventure awaited out thirsty innards as we cruised into Freising’s most remarkable landmark to the great Bavarian spirit, the Weihenstephan Brewery, world’s oldest operational beer shrine, brewing reportedly the world’s finest awar-winning beer. We salute the great froth of all times with winter pomp and valor, our drive back into Munich that evening only confirmed more on our Bavarian vegetarian discoveries. At the svelte and trendy ‘Schweiger 2’ – Restaurant Showroom the city’s avantgarde epicurean spire to contemporary and innovative cuisine, vegetarian dishes made a lasting impression. Owners-chefs Andreas and Franziska stirred up signature sensations like ‘Veloute of green peas, mango foam and white truffle’, ‘Organic farm eggs poached with warm wild mushroom Mille Feuille with garlic puree’ and onto ‘Open Raviolo, Caponata, Alpine cherry tomatoes and saffron paste’. Explosion of gourmet sparklers, that. The vegetarian discover y in Bavaria confirmed a very significant aspect of a larger local responsibility that augurs well for visitors and tourists to this grand region of Germany. Dedicated endeavors in gastronomic infrastructure beginning from grass root levels of farms and orchards through co-operative networks to viably potential markets that jettison growth, prosperity and availability of clean, guaranteed, honest and trustworthy goods to the food bowls of the region facilitate easy access for creativity and quality unmatched anywhere. And we were first hand witnesses to this growing, encouraging phenomenon in Bavaria. Text & photos by Kishore & smita iyengar

Germany’s theme parks promise fun and frills

ermany has a variety of theme parks and natural habitat equally appealing to both children and parents. Also with a range of accommodation facilities like holiday homes, farmstays, campsites, family hotels, baby-friendly hotels and youth hostels, Germany looks forward to giving you an affectionate welcome. Find the Tropical Village, the world’s largest indoor rain forest to the south of Berlin inhabiting some exclusive flora and fauna. Enjoy exciting rides and attractions at Europa Park, the largest seasonal theme park in the world situated on the borders of Germany, France and Switzerland. Experience animal magic at the Leipzig Zoo accommodating around 850 animal species very well making it the Zoo of the future. To continue your tryst with the animal kingdom is the Hannover Zoo housing over 2000 inhabitants in elaborately designed themed worlds which alone attract more than a million enthusiastic visitors every year. Bringing you up close and personal with the reel world is the Bavaria Filmstadt. A guided tour tells you all about the big cinema hits and long-running TV shows, including visits to various film sets, stunt Shows and 4D motion simulation cinema. Another theme park Phantasia Land, located in Bruhl near Cologne has six themed areas offering high-speed thrills and lovingly staged rides along with an eclectic collection of themed hotels to suit every taste. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Contact the German National Tourist Office on +91 11 49371000 to find more.

November 2012 go now

leisure: destination

ess than a year since its opening, Cambodia’s fir st private island, Song Saa Private Island resort has brought the country’s undiscovered coastline to the attention of the world. Song Saa Private Island in the pristine Koh Rong Archipelago has set new standards for luxury and sustainability in a country better known for its temples and ancient ruins. The exclusive island getaway, which opened earlier this year, has bagged the HICAP Sustainability award, the TTG Travel Award for Best New Beach Resort, and the coveted Travel & Leisure USA Global Vision Award for Sustainability. Song Saa Private Island was created by Australian couple Rory and Melita Hunter, who have called Cambodia home for the past eight years. The couple has created an oasis that seamlessly blends interior spaces with the panoramic natural beauty of the islands, and clearly expresses their love for the people, beaches and forests of their adopted home. The island resort is inspired by the Cambodian fishing villages found throughout the Koh Rong Archipela-

Song Saa Island Cambodia’s destination resort boasts of 27 overwater, jungle,beach and royal villas. go, with their pitched and thatched roofs, and operates on the ethos of ‘luxury that treads lightly’. “We wanted to emulate the natural colours and the textural layers of Cambodia’s fishing villages in such a way that guests felt they were uncovering new layers of interest the more time they spent at the resort,” said co-founder and designer Melita Hunter. Guests can snorkel on the island’s private reefs (Cambodia’s first marine protected area), wander in the rainforests or enjoy a world-class fusion of traditional Khmer and Western cuisine in the resort’s over-water restaurant and bar, which boasts 360-degree views of the ocean. The resort is made up of 27 luxury jungle, over-water or ocean-view villas, each featuring unique pieces of art, bespoke furniture made by local artisans from driftwood collected on the islands’ beaches. 24

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November 2012 go now

leisure: photofeature

A Sri Lankan sojourn

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leisure: photofeature Arthur C.Clarke,author of 2001: A Space Odyssey,describes Sri Lanka as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;small universe with as many variations of colour,scenery and climate as some countries a dozen times its size.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The futurist and author settled here in 1956 and lived here till his death in 2008.Go Now brings you snapshots from a road trip that zigzagged over 1,000 kilometres,covering some very exotic locations of this island steeped in history. Colombo Colombo: The blue expands beyond the horizon)

The sea, on a platter

On the west coast of the island is the capital Colombo which is also its commercial and tourist hub. The sea is never far from most parts of the city, more so if you check into one of the better hotels. The waving palm fronds, the crashing waves, the catamaran swaying in the distance and the unending blue of the ocean... very few places in the world bring you the sea like Colombo.

Nuwara Eliya (160 km from Colombo)

Tea country

Discovered by a hunting party in 1818 and later on established as a summer You will just retreat, Nuwara Eliya rises almost 2,000 love bathing metres above sea level. The famed tea them plantations meander on both sides of the road. But what will really make your day is a visit to the elephant orphanage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where jumbos in different kinds of distress are cared for and taught to stand still when being bathed by tourists.

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Kandy (80 km from Nuwara Eliya)

Holy tooth and orchids

The many ancient temples and monuments that dot the city are the remnants of the over 2,500 years of rule by different royal dynasties. The most famous among them is the ‘Temple of the Tooth’ where Buddha’s tooth is preserved. The Royal Botanical Garden with its 300-plus varieties of orchids is another attraction that you cannot afford to miss.

From outside the Tooth Temple

An orchid paradise

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Trincomalee (190 km from Kandy)

Into the blue

Trincomalee’s biggest attraction is the Pigeon Island – just a kilometre off the Nilaveli beach – which the British used for shooting practice during the Second World War. It is still quiet and almost haunted and is among the largest deepwater harbours in the world. You can pick up the essentials of scuba Welcome diving from the local experts and go to another world) coral hunting.

photo feature

Going Dutch

Galle (180 km from Yala)

Yala (360 km from Trincomalee)

Of forts and men

Big game time

The drive from Trincomalee to Yala throws up one scenic landscape after another in quick succession and you would wish the journey would never end. The Yala National Park covers a massive 979 sq km and is the most-visited big game sanctuary in the country. Unlike many national parks all over the world, here you come across giant tuskers and leopards from close quarters.

Some very rare sights abound

Wherever the Dutch have landed, they have left behind an architectural legacy that transcends time. The quaint old-world charm will not fail to tug at your heart and the people are all warm and friendly. A lasting edifice to the European prowess of building impenetrable forts, the Galle Fort is also a world heritage site. Many years ago, Ibn Battuta too found Galle hugely impressive. Lot of From Galle, Colombo is just a half-day drive warmth and laughter of 120 km. The scenery changes unhurriedly from the heritage and history-strewn to one of high-rises and other conveniences. Nevertheless, the island does evoke a pleasant conviction that progress and development can happen hand-in-hand with preservation of natural wealth and resources. Text by Thommen Jose / and photographs by Raushni Abraham

November 2012 go now

leisure: weekend getaway

he ride on Turbojet ferry is an easy one. After a long flight from New Delhi, the huge ferry allows guests to stretch their legs, and sample a number of finger foods and snacks at the counter. And in a matter of 70 minutes, you arrive at the Macau Ferry Terminal that is home to a host of recreational amenities and coffee joints. The lively terminal gives a sneak peek into what lies ahead; numerous tourists from far flung countries gathered to let loose and party hard.

During the day A cocktail of cultures, Macau is bubbling with signs of Portuguese influences. The traces are hard to miss at the UNESCO World Heritagelisted Ruins of St Paul’s. The beauty stems from its raw, earthy, and unfinished look. Savour the signature cookies, meats, candies at

this tourist hot spot. The notable facade of the old cathedral stands awe-inspiring in all its might. Walk to the top and face the remaining stone façade that features intricate 16-century stone carvings and sculptures. Senado Square, a quaint Portuguese style shopping piazza is close by and offers much relief to those who would like to take a little break from Macau’s innumerable dazzling malls. If history is your forte then visit the Macau Museum and the Maritime Museum, and relish the several historical anecdotes that illustrate the culture, the way of life adopted by many communities that inhabit the place. Macau’s oldest building, A-Ma Temple urges you to close your eyes, join your hands and offer your prayers to the goddess A-Ma. The whiff of incense sticks and the rhythm of chants give it that surreal touch. According to

A ferry sailing from Macau Ferry Terminal

Macau ‘on the Side’ It’s highly likely that a work trip to Honk Kong has left you in a dire need of a break. If you are looking out for a fun getaway replete with buzzing night life,gambling and rich cultural sites then hop on to a ferry from the Hong Kong International Airport and head to the world’s unofficial gambling capital – Macau. 30

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leisure: weekend getaway Senado Square

folklore, the Goddess guided local seafarers during touch climatic conditions. The Macau Tower offers a rush of adrenaline for adventure junkies who wish o Sky Walk, Bungee Jump and hang around high above the sky. Also, it offers the world’s highest bungee jump point. For lunch, sample fusion of Portuguese and Indian cuisines atop the Macau Tower at the 360° Café, Macau’s highest revolving restaurant. You can also bask in the pleasure of surrendering to some great views here. One such vision would be The Pearl River Delta from its main Ruins of St. Paul

observation lounge at 731 feet (223 meters) from the ground.

Casinos and more Stroll down the The Cotai Strip after sunset for seeing the city in all its glory. The hotels, the fireworks, the lights, the soaring buildings, the glittering ponds will leave you wide-eyed. Macau is a city of its night, people of all age indulge in gambling and that explains the growing number of casinos in this relatively small place. There’s a reason why this destination has overtaken

factfile nightlife The Ristorante il Teatro at the Wynn Macau flaunts spectacular views. Sit by the Performance Lake and leave it to the chefs for crafting a memorable meal. For the ultimate lounging experience, head to Bellini Lounge at the Venetian Macao Resort for some striking live music, Hard Rock Hotel’s Cubic Nightlub is a jazzy getaway. Getting there Macau is well connected to Hong Kong’s international sea, air, road and rail links. The efficient infrastructure ensures you get there easy and stress free. Our ride on Turbojet ferry was a comfortable one; the ferries are typically huge, provide ample space to stretch your legs and sample a number of finger foods and snacks that the counter offers. It’s advisable to pre-book your ferry and be present much before sailing time, as ferries quickly fill in. Also, passengers have the option of sailing on a ferry scheduled way before their time on their current ticket if space permits.

Las Vegas casino revenues. The big players splurge at the Venetian, the newly- launched Sheraton, MGM Grand and Grand Lisboa.

Shop T he Venetian Macao re sor t feature s the Grand Canal Shoppes. It boasts of over 700 retail stores in one of the world’s biggest Malls. The place exudes a larger-than-life feel, just what you need to leave work far behind and sample in plentiful drama laid out in the form of music, food, live acts, performances, lights and so much more. by chesta Trehan November 2012 go now

leisure: weekend getaway

CATSCAN kuching Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kuching,in the forested state of Sarawak,is a contented little riverine town basking in its history.

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leisure: weekend getaway

ats are the epitome of mystery, adventure, and comfort: everything a tourist wants. Cats are the icons of Kuching. Like its icon, Malaysia’s Kuching, in the forested state of Sarawak, is a contented little riverine town basking in its history. And what a history! From the 7th floor, our picture window in the Riverside Majestic looked down at the slow flow of the jade green Sarawak River. Up that river, in 1841, had come East India Company trader and adventurer James Brooke. Like Stanford Raffles, the man who carved out Singapore, he was a quick-witted, strong-willed, leader. The people revered his innate fair-mindedness and conferred on him the title of Rajah. He was the first of a dynasty of three White Rajas of Sarawak. The Brookes left a lasting impression on Sarawak and its capital, Kuching. We walked down a palm-lined street where descendants of traders from India still sold fabrics and

spices. A polished brass plaque said that it had been named India Street by one of the Brookes because of the prevalence of merchants from the sub-continent. We moved on, deeper into the past. In the Sarawak Museum, sunlight filtered in through great coloured panels patterned in the intricately entwined designs of Sarawakan motifs. They were clearly inspired by the living web of gigantic vines looping through the trees in their tropical rain forests. We believe that out of those forests had come one of our own martial people. An elaborately carved tribal boat reminded us of the Naga boat we had seen in a Kohima museum. According to one tradition, the first Nagas came from this part of the world, sailing and paddling in on their sea-worthy boats. In this fascinating museum, too, was the story of a major petrochemical giant. In Sarawak a company of shell collectors had turned their attention to digging oil wells. They had,

however, retained their original name: Shell. From fuel we drove to faith. Chinese temples reared in crimson and incense. Though there are strong Buddhist influences in them, they are, essentially, shrines to Taoism. When we visited one of the temples we saw a man shaking a container of I Ching sticks. We were told that he was trying to find The Way… which is what Tao means… that would lead to good fortune, much like consulting a road map to the future. The deeper one digs into the entwined roots of religions, the more integrated they seem to be, and the less dogmatic. Clearly, that is why Taoism has been called the Faith of Harmony. Integration and harmony were also the themes that ruled the Sarakraf Pavilion housed in a beautiful, double-storeyed colonial building with a pillared porch. It could have been an expatriate’s mansion in old Fort Cochin. Here woodcarvers and decorators and weavers swiftly, skillfully, created

View from our window

November 2012 go now

leisure: weekend getaway

In the Cat Museum

Girls dancing

their unique handicrafts. Our attention was also caught by an Iban woman weaving her tribeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pua Kambu. This predominantly red fabric was used to wrap the decapitated heads of their enemies. More significantly, however, the patterns woven into this fabric are often inspired by mystic revelations and when tribal elders agree that a particular design is of great spiritual value, then the weaver is accorded the honours generally reserved for a great warrior. Everywhere in Kuching we felt that ordinary people were aware of the existence of a friendly, caring, Other World. They believe that there are many among them who can communicate with its helpful spirit-beings. We had now begun to accept the effortlessly sensitive culture of Kuching. Here the past, present and future seem to merge together in a living reality where even ethnic differences were being worn down. Inter-community, even inter-tribal, marriages seemed, increasingly, to be the accepted rule rather than the exception. But while families merged ethnic blood-lines, they also celebrated their varied cultural roots very happily. The next day, in the superb Sarawak Cultural Village, we visited the re-created homes of various ethnic communities in their authentic settings. In the stilt-supported dwelling of the Rumah Malayu people we saw a decorated Bridal Chamber. When we asked why the bed was raised two steps above the floor, we were told â&#x20AC;&#x153;So that they can start their life know-

A musician

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leisure: weekend getaway

factfile Getting there: KL to Kuching by Malaysia Airlines System or AirAsia. Local Transport : Car hire from tour operators, taxis, Chin Lian Long & Regas Transport buses serve Kuching and suburbs. River Cruise Boat Accommodation: Riverside Majestic Hotel, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuching. Tel: 6082-423111 Fax: 6082-258337 Hilton Kuching, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuching Tel: 6082-248200 FAX: 6082-428984 E-mail: kuching@hilton.com

ing that, together, they have to rise above the problems of daily living”. It was a very gracious thought, even though it might have been designed for inquisitive tourists! Then we became part of their traditional festivities, even learnt how to fire a blow-pipe: it calls for a very slight puff of breath. The dancers and performers, in the Village’s audit orium, had all of us tapping our feet and joining in the celebrations, including the mock-menacing blowpipe demonstration Late afternoon was settling gently on the warmly contented town of Kuching when we boarded Equatorial for a leisurely cruise down the Sarawak River. It was very serene, very relaxing, as we chugged past soaring high-rises and crowded marinas, fishing villages and the mansions of the hyper-rich, and even the historic old Brooke Dockyard. A musician playing the traditional and soothing Sape, with a tone that was a cross between a harp and a guitar, serenaded us. We were so enchanted by its sound that we bought a CD of it. Then, finally, we went to the City Hall North Kuching, which looks a bit like a parked UFO. There we stepped through the open jaws of an enormous, yellow-eyed cat, and into the Cat Museum. It’s probably the only one of its kind in the whole world and it is chock full of feline lore along with a rich assortment of other information over and beyond purring, furry, felines. It has everything you’ve always wanted to know about cats even if you aren’t a cataholic! It also has an intriguing ceramic sculpture of cats of all shapes, sizes and colours with little apertures for visitors to insert their heads and be photographed with cats’ bodies. Come to think of it, for us Kuching was, in many ways, a near purrrrrrfect experience.

Holiday in the Maldives Club Med Kani is an inviting island getaway that offers Balinese massages, warm stone massages, pure nature facials, along with a host of adventurous activities Tucked away at the heart of the Indian Ocean, Club Med Kani is a beautiful and well-maintained island in the Maldives. Its beaches are warm, inviting and most of all, private. A bevy of activities, plenty of adventure and a healthy dose of local culture add to the charm of the location. The highlight of this resort is that it’s designed to deliver peace of mind; elements of wellness and care are therefore, a large part of the experience. Club Med offers a wide range of spa treatments, including Balinese massages, warm stone massages, pure nature facials, reflexology and aromatherapy. These therapies employ the healing power of touch, energy of the earth, the strength of natural enzymes and the body’s innate energy points to release toxins, relieve stress and tension, and restart the body’s energy flow. Intense healing and luxurious rejuvenation are prerequisites to a peaceful gateway. In addition, Club Med Kani is an all-inclusive resort which provides services like water sports and other activities. Club Med Kani organizes excursions to untouched Virgin Islands, where the fine sand is white and pure and there’s not a soul around. Guests are invited to experience the Maldivian thrill of night fishing, as the resort can organize a night reef fishing trip that begins at sunset. Visit clubmaldives.co.in for more details

Text and photos by Hugh & Colleen Gantzer

November 2012 go now

leisure: weekend getaway

Our Tree House in the arms of a Gul Mohur

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leisure: weekend getaway

5 stars in a gul mohur

at home in a tree Vacation in the Gul Mohur Tree House in the Kuppamudi Estate, Kerala to experience life up above.

e’re way above reality. Reality is being down to earth. We’re far above that: more than ten meters higher. We’re sitting in the branches of a huge gul mohur tree in the midst of a coffee-and-spices plantation, deep in the highlands of Kerala’s Wayanad. We’re relaxing in a tree house in the Kuppamudi Estate. Though the planting fraternity might know it for the excellence of its products, to the travel world Kuppamudi is renowned for its home-stay with hosts Victor and Jini Dey. This venture was so successful that the Deys, and the owners of these 400 acres, decided to take another leap forward. They built this very special tree house. . Before us, with the balcony doors opened wide, is a horizon-spanning view of green forests stretching all the way to distant, wooded, hills. It is all framed in the feathery foliage of our tree. It must be resplendent when the gul monur is in bloom but even now, in this late afternoon light, everything glows gold. Victor, a planter all his life, loves wood and

A corner of our high verandah-balcony

it shows. Everything is either made of wood, or concealed behind wood, or is a product of wood. The walls are clad in matting, the floors are of polished wood, the wooden double bed is clad in bamboo, and the tables are polished logs. Two stalwart living branches grow through the tree house. One backs the dressing table and then stretches over the bed like the shaft of a guardian angel’s wing. The other extends out of the floor of the bathroom and goes out through the roof. You can’t glimpse the sky through the places where the branches pierce the roof because, though the roof gives the impression of being thatched, that’s merely decorative cladding: the roof is actually made of more solid material and you’re not likely to receive an unexpected shower in bed during a rainstorm. In fact we were told that we had slept through one, last night, but the patter of the rain-drops must have lulled us into an even deeper sleep than normal. Did the sound of falling rain induce an atavistic hibernation response? In which case we must be even more primitively programmed than we know! The most serene part of this very peaceful place, however, is its balcony. From the bedroom, clear acrylic French windows give uninterrupted views of the forest and access to the balcony. A little bird has just hopped over from the fence and is busy picking up crumbs from our tea-table, quite unafraid. Another bird is puffing out its blue chest and singing a passionate love song to its dowdy mate who fluffs out her feathers in appreciation. They’re joined by other, tiny, courting couples till our balcony is alive with chirping, hopping, canoodling twosomes quite oblivious of our presence. But we do feel a bit like Peeping Toms so we decided to leave them alone and carry our note books, travel diaries and cameras into our bedroom The tree is still a presence in the room and in the bathroom beyond. Happily, the bathroom fitting are state-of-the-art. It has November 2012 go now

Bedroom and bathroom in the tree house

a Milano shower cubicle with a multiple choice of showers: overhead, and six body jets. Unexpectedly, the water gushes out under a stimulating pressure. There is also a mini-fridge, a coffee maker and a combination safe in a long wardrobe. And though we do not switch on the TV we notice that it is fed by its own DTH dish so we can range across the whole world-wide spectrum of

Where we met our hosts, every evening, in Tranquil

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The Guest Annexe off Tranquilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fore-court

leisure: weekend getaway

Tranquil’s swimming pool

programmes. Perhaps some unimaginative tree-house dwellers might need to use such external diversions but most would prefer finding their own, personal, entertainment cut off from the outside world. But not too cut off. Reassuringly, from one corner of the tree-house’s balcony, we can glimpse Tranquil through the trees but, otherwise, the sliding doors to the balcony that

encircled the house could be opened without the slightest breach of privacy. When you’re this high above the earth the only prying eyes you may encounter are those of birds and butterflies! In fact, just to make sure that even these little creatures don’t disturb you, there were nylon mesh screens within the acrylic doors to give us the option of letting in the fresh, forest, air but keeping out unwanted guests. The sun has just set very dramatically, very swiftly, over the forest and stars have begun to sequin the sky. We’ve lit a candle, not because we have to but because it seems to be more appropriate to the setting and we’re dictating this into our recorder. The moon has risen and is flooding the room with quicksilver through which the firefly’s flashes are like a tiny, bobbing, beacon on a luminous sea. Whimsically, the little creature rests on a bare arm and seems to make it glow with a strange, blue-green, inner radiance. A full moon now swims in the sky spreading quick-silver over the forest, touching our room and its balcony with magic. In the stillness of the night we notice for the first time, that ours is an island, two forest streams chortle on either side of our high domain. They glint in the moonlight and a small animal, possibly a mongoose or

factfile Getting There Air: Calicut Airport and then 125 kms. by road. Rail: Calicut Station and then 100 kms. by road Reservations: Tranquil, Kuppamudi Coffee Estate, Kolagappara P.O., Sultan Battery, Wayanad, Kerala. Tel: 04936-220244. E-mail: homestay@vsnl.com

perhaps a porcupine, comes down to drink in one of the light-dappled rills, confident that it is not being observed. Ah! A firefly must have flown in from the forest before we shut the screen doors. We’ve blown out the candle so that the little lightbearer will not be consumed by the flame. We recall a haiku, those Zen-influenced Japanese poems that, briefly, open a door to another reality if recalled at the right time and the right place. It says O what a joy it is to set Fireflies loose beneath the net. That didn’t move you? Perhaps you’re too earth-bound. Escape to the Tree House, rise above reality, stand bathed in moonlight, spangled with fireflies, wrapped in the sounds of silence, and try again. Text and photos by Hugh & Colleen Gantzer

November 2012 go now

business travel: destination

ahme

Emerging automobile hub, home to leading educational institutions, thriving businesses and hospitality trade

go now November 2012

business travel: destination

Over the last few years, Ahmedabad has become the nerve centre of the scorching pace of growth in Gujarat thanks to its thriving textile, pharma, chemicals, engineering industries and leading educational institutes. The city is home to corporate headquarters of many big companies. We walk you through the development of this city and its rise as a business destination.

or business travellers, Ahmedabad is known for its thriving textile, pharma, chemicals and engineering industries. It is the corporate headquarters of companies like Adani, Zydus Cadila, Cadila Pharma, Nirma, Torrent, Arvind, Gujarat Gas and GSPC, and has important offices of Reliance, Shell, Suzlon and other corporate groups that have manufacturing facilities in Gujarat. Ahmedabad is also an emerging automobile hub with the Tata Nano plant, some international auto giants expected to come up near the city, and a growing ancillary industry of automobile parts and machinery coming up at Sanand.

Education hub Ahmedabad has for long been at the cutting edge of India’s education revolution. The National Institute of Design (NID) is India’s leading multi-disciplinary institute for industrial, communication, textile, automobile and IT-integrated design. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM-Ahmedabad) is among the world’s best business schools. CEPT University has the premier school for architecture, urban planning and interior design in India. The Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad (MICA) is a leading institute for advertising, communications and public relations. A new ‘Knowledge Corridor’ is developing between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar – here you find colleges for hotel management, petroleum, dentistry, business management, design, forensic sciences, technology, engineering. Many of these institutes have short term industry programs that are well-attended by entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, designers and technocrats.

ally referred to as Old Ahmedabad while to the west is New Ahmedabad. The major industrial areas of Ahmedabad are situated along the eastern fringes of the city including the industrial estates of Naroda, Odhav, Bapunagar and Vatwa. These industrial estates have chemical, jewellery, diamond polishing and engineering factories. Close to the river is the ‘Walled City’, formerly fortified till the 1800s though now only the gates remain as memories of its glory.

Market culture This area is home to many markets; Sakkar Bazaar and Chokha Bazaar is known for grains and groceries; Kapasia Bazaar for mill stores, spare parts and cotton; Revdi Bazaar for hosiery; Sindhi Market for textiles; Radio Market for electrical appliances and

electronics; Manek Chowk for bullion and jewellery; Ratanpol for textiles, garments and jewellery; Ramakda Market for toys and decorative items; Teen Darwaja for utensils and Khas Bazaar for meat and fish. Many nationalized banks have their offices near Laldarwaja. To the west of the river, Ashram Road is one of the busy thoroughfares of the city lined with retail showrooms and office complexes. The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Assocham and other important trade bodies are situated on Ashram Road. Between Ashram Road and CG Road lie corporate offices of large industrial houses, multinationals, private banks, BPOs and infotech companies. CII’s Gujarat office is located at Gulbhai Tekra, off CG Road. CG Road is an upscale shopping street of Ahmedabad with a number of designer brands, boutiques, large jewellery shops, garment shops and lifestyle stores located on or near this road. Further west from CG Road, you arrive at New West – Satellite Road, Prahladnagar Road, Bodakdev, SG Road, Gurukul Road, Vastrapur Road, Thaltej, Silaj and Bopal – where most of the new development has happened in recent years including malls, office buildings, retail shops and corporate house buildings, together with plush residential areas. FICCI’s office is on Prahladnagar. The AlphaOne complex has the Ista Hotel, a shopping mall, a multiplex and eateries in Vastrapur, Ahmedabad’s New West

The business centres Ahmedabad is bisected by the Sabarmati River. The eastern half of the city is generNovember 2012 go now

business travel: destination SG Road (originally Sarkhej Gandhinagar Highway) is the hub of the emerging Ahmedabad, from where roads branch to SEZs, corporate parks, the pharmaceutical plant at Moraiya, the Chandogar and Kerala industrial estates, food processing units, Sanand where the Tata Nano plant and auto ancillary units are situated, and the infotech parks of Gandhinagar.

Hotels Airport area: The Gateway Hotel Ummed is a five-star hotel near the airport. Geared up for business travellers who come to the city, it offers broadband internet access, banqueting and conference rooms, and well-kept gardens that can host a reception for 1,000 guests. This 91 key hotel centres on a courtyard with a swimming pool and you can get garden view or pool-facing rooms. Eastern Ahmedabad: Khanpur Road is the hotel street for those visiting the industrial areas and wholesale markets of eastern Ahmedabad. Stretching between the eastern ends of Nehru Bridge and Gandhi Bridge, this road is lined with a number Fortune Landmark’s poolside restaurant

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of star-rated hotels. Keys Hotel Cama, Le Meridian and Sarovar Portico are some of the known hotels on this road. Ashram Road: Fortune Landmark and St Laurns Tower at Usmanpura, and Inder Residency and Royal Orchid Central near Ellisbridge, are among the popular business hotels. There are a number of mid-budget hotels also on or just off Ashram Road. CG Road: The new development near CG Road is the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel at Panchwati Circle. This 116-room hotel has two ballrooms and one exclusive boardroom for MICE. The Great Indian Kebab Factory, Radisson’s iconic restaurant brand, is likely to open here shortly. CG Road has a number of 3-star hotels catering to business travellers like Hotel President, Nalanda, Rock Regency, etc. New West: Hotel Pride has become a popular place to stay and hold meetings near SG Road. The Courtyard at Marriott Ahmedabad is a 164-room hotel which has also become a popular place for meetings. Located at Prahladnagar Road, Ramada is a four-star hotel that is growing in popular-

ity among business visitors and as a place for meetings. The Fern Ahmedabad and the Cambay Grand are other known hotels on SG Road.

Business lunch Eastern Ahmedabad: The House of Mangaldas Girdhardas (House of MG), a heritage hotel, is a converted 1920s Indo-Baroque mansion with mosaic tiled galleries and courtyards, old photographs, marble staircases, wooden furniture, fountains and artifacts. Agashiye is a rooftop restaurant, with a canopied reception area complete with bolsters and cushions leading to an a/c cottage-like dining room. The food, predominantly Gujarati, is served in thalis by waiters dressed in traditional Gujarati-style kurtas and turbans. The restaurant has the right upmarket ambience and is fairly quiet compared to the noisy Gujarati dining halls. Western Ahmedabad: Tomato’s on CG Road is popular with Ahmedabad’s wellheeled set. This restaurant is done to a 1950s

Tomato’s is a popular place for business lunch on CG Road

The Grand Bhagwati Ahmedabad, with its huge banquet halls, is a popular MICE destination

Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad

and ‘60s Americana theme with plenty of memorabilia – most of the posters and props are originals from the period. The restaurant is designed like a 1960s American diner with stainless steel booths, checkered floors and red-and-black upholstery. While it has some American and Tex-Mex faves, Tomato’s is a multi-cuisine restaurant where you can get a gamut from Italian and Lebanese to Chinese and North Indian. There is a mocktails bar and a cake shop too. If you are looking for a specialty restaurant, Souq at Vijay Crossroads (west of CG Road)is a cozy place for Mediterranean food. Decorated with Arabic and other middle-eastern artifacts, Souq serves a selection of kebabs, salads, stews and rice dishes from Morocco, Lebanon, Turkey and Persia, besides the ubiquitous falafel, mezze, maneesh and baklava that is associated with the cuisine of these countries. For a quick and casual meal, Café Upper Crust ,also at Vijay Crossroads, is a good place for sizzlers, pastas, pizzas, casseroles, kathi-rolls and sandwiches, and also has a pastry counter for desserts. While their café downstairs can get busy with Ahmedabad hipsters, they have a restaurant upstairs which is more spacious and formal.

New West: Along SG Road, Mirch Masala is an Indian food restaurant with décor to match. Woodcarvings and wooden columns from Ahmedabad’s havelis, old gramophones and radios, Bollywood graffiti, murals, heavy wooden furniture, metal ware, carved wooden doors, brass handles and even an Ahmedabad auto-rikshaw make up the interiors of this restaurant. The banquet hall and meeting room of this restaurant, called Durbarhall, is more regal with chandeliers, antique furniture and historic photographs. The cosmopolitan residential area of Prahladnagar is Ahmedabad’s happening restaurant strip where home-sick business travellers head for Bengali, Awadhi, Punjabi, South Indian fare.

MICE The Grand Bhagwati: Located on SG Road, this hotel is a popular place for fashion events, exhibitions, conventions, seminars, meetings, weddings, product launches and even automobile events – cars and bikes have ramp access to the ballrooms. Kalhaar Blues & Greens: A Nicklaus Design 18-hole golf course, Kalhaar is situated on the road from Ahmedabad to the indus-

trial areas of Sanand. Gulmohar Greens Golf and Country Club: On the road to the automobile and engineering hub of Sanand, Gulmohar has a nine-hole golf course, a driving range, a superbly-designed sports complex and a clubhouse with rooms and restaurants. The Kensville Golf and Country Club: Located near the pharmaceuticals and biotech plants of Chandogar, Moraiya, Dholka and Bavla, Kensville has an 18-hole golf course, a resort with attractive rooms, a clubhouse and recreational facilities. The promoters plan to introduce polo in the near future. Cambay Golf and Spa Resort: Set in neatly laid out gardens, this colonial-theme design resort is ideally situated to visit the electronic companies, Infocity and upcoming GIFT City. It has ayurveda, spa, golf course and other facilities. Aarohi Greens Starz Club : Located between the industrial estates of Sanand and Kadi, this club resort has the Sohum Spa with a gamut of beauty and wellness treatments, among its many recreational facilities. Text by Anil moolchandani Photographs by dinesh shukla

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business travel: MICE

Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re planning an event for 3,000 attendees or a conference of six, we bring you an array of convention centres in NYC from the bustle of Times Square to a 415-acre game preserve on Staten Island. The choices in New York City are as varied as they are exciting.

Big Appleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BIG convention centres

Waldorf Astoria

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Grand Hyatt New York

his contemporary hotel offers guests a distinctive Park Avenue address, stylish surroundings, vibrant restaurants and smooth service. As a multiple-year recipient of the prestigious Pinnacle Award and Gold Key Award for outstanding service and meeting facilities, the Grand Hyatt New York boasts a status and grandeur that few hotels in the world can mirror.

Waldorf=Astoria

Grand Hyatt New York

The hotel offers 55,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, with the Empire State Ballroom being perfectly suited for larger events. The contemporary Manhattan Ballroom is designed to accommodate more intimate gatherings of up to 500 guests. The Chrysler Room and Park Avenue Room each provide more than 800 sq. ft. of space and striking views of 42nd Street. The newly renovated $8 million conference level features 15 modern meeting

rooms and state-of-the-art boardrooms. Part of a recent $65 million renovation, the entire 14th floor of the hotel has been converted to 22 special-function executive boardrooms for smaller, more intimate meetings. Grand Hyatt New York 109 East 42nd Street at Grand Central Terminal, New York, New York, Tel: +1 212 883 1234 Visit: http://grandnewyork.hyatt.com for more details

Waldorf Astoria

his hotel captures the essence of New York with its classic luxury rooms and suites, Guerlain Spa, elegant restaurants and lounges, and sophisticated function space. n addition to its more than 300 suites and 1,100-plus rooms, The Waldorf Astoria offers 60,000 total square feet of meeting space. This includes the historic Grand Ballroom – New York City›s only two-tiered ballroom – which holds up to 1,500 guests. The roomy quarters make this hotel an especially compelling host for larger events. Meanwhile, the 18th-floor Executive Meeting Center accommodates smaller gatherings and gives guests magnificent NYC skyline views to complement the hotel›s famed art deco decor. Don›t miss your chance to experience this landmark – a truly iconic New York institution.

301 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, United States Tel: (212) 355-3000 Visit http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/ for more details November 2012 go now

business travel: MICE Hilton New York

Hilton New York

sophisticated international hotel designed for both the business and leisure traveler, the Hilton New York is located in the midst of New York City’s business headquarters and media centers. The hotel offers more than 150,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and exhibit space and boasts New York City’s largest grand ballroom, which is completely free of columns and contains a stage with hydraulic lifts. It is equipped with a most modern projection equipment, full-size flies for scenery and curtains, a sophisticated lighting system and facilities for closed-circuit television. The hotel also features three additional ballrooms – the Trianon, the Mercury and the Sutton – with additional salon meeting space on the second floor. The concourse and fourth-floor levels boast meeting facilities for small and medium-size groups and include an executive boardroom and a video conference room. With two fine restaurants, two comfortable lounges, a posh 8,000-sq.-ft. fitness club and much more, Hilton New York is the premier venue to host your next event. Hilton New York 1335 Avenue Of The Americas, New York, Tel: 1-212-586-7000 Visit: http://www3.hilton.com

New York Marriott Marquis

ocated in Times Square and the Theatre District, the 1,949-room New York Marriott Marquis is just steps from the world’s best shopping, restaurants and nightlife. A $150 million hotel-wide renovation has created even more outstanding accommodations and dazzling surroundings, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, new highspeed elevators and six restaurants and lounges. The property features more than 50 sophisticated event spaces, award-winning catering and a staff of more than 2,000

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associates to make sure that each event is a success. Meeting planners have incredible flexibility, working with cutting-edge A/V services, more than 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, six levels of function space, five different suite sizes and one of the largest ballrooms in New York. New York Marriott Marquis 1535 Broadway · New York, New York Tel: 1-212-398-1900 Visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ nycmq-new-york-marriott-marquis

Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers

he Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers is Midtown Manhattan’s popular host for business and social events. With four ballrooms, including the Imperial Ballroom, the Sheraton New York can accommodate everything from a small conference to receptions of up to 2,000 guests. The Executive Conference Center is a focused setting with 13 function rooms and meeting packages that make planning a pleasure. This landmark hotel underwent a $100 million makeover and brings a new level of style and sophistication to the heart of the City. The 1,750 guest rooms are comfortable. At the Sheraton New York, old-world comfort meets new-world style in the distinguished lobby and Library Bar. Additionally, the Hudson Bar combines the best of a classic New York bar with a 21st-century sports and information café. The Sheraton New York offers Wi-Fi Internet access throughout the public space, so guests can always be connected. The Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers offers contemporary guest rooms, F&B outlets, an updated fitness center, spa and function space.

811 7th Ave at 52nd Street, New York, NY. Tel: 212-581-1000 Visit: http://www. sheratonnewyork.com information courtesy nyc&company; nycgo.com

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Niche travel: healthcare

fortis memorial research institute, gurgaon:

Gurgaon consolidates as premier health destination Come January,and FMRI will open it doors to treat all the complex diseases of the world.

(L-R): Aditya Vij, CEO - India; Malvinder Mohan Singh, executive chairman; Shivinder Mohan Singh, executive vice chairman and Vishal Bali, Group CEO at the exclusive preview & concept launch of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fortisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon. 48

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t all started when Executive Vice Chairman, Fortis, Shivender Mohan Singh and Executive Chairman Malwinder Mohan Singh travelled overseas to treat their father Late Dr Parvinder Singh, Founder Chairman, Fortis Healthcare Limited who suffered from critical conditions. At a recent press conference held to inaugurate the opening of FMRI, a multi-super-specialty hospital in Gurgaon, the duo recalled how difficult the process was to find the right medical facility for their father. And in the course, the brothers pledged

Niche travel: healthcare Sprawling over 11 acres, FMRI is slated to be a multi-super specialty quaternary care hospital providing medical excellence in Asia. procured to keep the attendees busy when their relatives or friends are under treatment. A number of known snacks, ice-cream and gelato brands also find a place in this property. Special care has been taken to treat kids in a colouful, pleasant environment. A spa and a fitness centre are present to make FMRI a destination for holistic care.

Art watch

Celebrated artist Jitish Kallat’s sculpture of a child holding a stethoscope

Celebrated artist Jitish Kallat’s massive sculpture of a child holding a stethoscope takes centre space; the artwork stands for the institute’s endless thirst to acquire knowledge whilst healing with precision and dedication all the way. Maroon loungers in-sync with white colour palette help create a calm, no-fuss environment where patients and there well wishers can take it easy. The ethereal feel is achieved thanks to

to create a space that would cater to complex diseases that often leave patients and their families in a bitter state of being. The Fortis vision: “To create a worldclass integrated healthcare delivery system in India, entailing the finest medical skill combined with compassionate health care,” dreamed by Dr Parvinder singh stands tall today in the form of Fortis Memorial Research Institute. Sprawling over 11 acres, the wellness institute is slated to be a firstof-its-kind one-stop, multi-super specialty quaternary care hospital providing medical excellence in Asia. It is touted to be the first hospital in its category to house a full-fledged stem cell lab for cutting edge medical treatment. The institute also offers robotic surgery and organ transplantation for patients.

Destination Healthcare Enter the property, and you are at once struck by the magnitude of this sprawling landscape. And at no point whilst waltzing down its many corridors does it dawn on you that it’s a hospital. The glumness associ-

ated with hospitals is absent here thanks to calming interiors, warm staff, dancing fountains that greet you at the entrance and a specialized area dedicated to attendees of patients where they can spend all day. A mini shopping space on the first floor is

its minimalist and spacious outline. Commenting on t he new concept, Malvinder Singh, said, “This is yet another defining step in our endeavour to bring the ultimate healthcare delivery system to the people of India, a thought originally November 2012 go now

Niche travel: healthcare

Fortiplex

espoused and evangelized by the late Dr Parvinder Singh, our founder chairman and father. A comprehensive institute, it is aimed at delivering cutting edge medicine in line with the best in the West. No effort has been spared and every conceivable detail looked into, in the setting up of this next generation

factfile

Medical facilities at a glance The Fortis Memorial utilises and showcases the latest technologies in use in world class health care. Some of the milestone technologies at the hospital include the first and only pilot project for precision radio-surgery in the world bringing together the cutting edge expertise of two medical technology giants – Elekta and Brain Lab. The precision radio-surgery system is the first such collaboratively created installation in the world involving both companies. Separately, another leader, Philips Medical systems has also entered into a long term arrangement with Fortis Memorial to develop new technology and methods to treat complex medical conditions. Other state of the art technologies deployed at the hospital include the 3 T Digital MRI, 256 Slice CT Scan, Advanced Brain Suite, Bi-Plane Cath-Lab, Time of flight PET CT, Digital Mammography, e-ICU, Fibro-scan, Voice Modulated Integrated Operating Rooms and an Open Diagnostic lab. Fortis Memorial Research Institute is determined to redefine healthcare by significantly enhancing patient experience and clinical outcomes.

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MRI with ambient lighting

hospital, positioned as the healthcare destination facility, in Asia.” And quite rightly, the 450-crore institute has all the ingredients to become a fully-equipped healthcare destination facility, in Asia. The makers insist that the institute adopts a patient-centric approach, and builds on its four strong pillars: talent, world-class infrastructure, technology and treatment delivered with utmost care – all of this implemented in a friendly environment.

Holistic patient care Dedicating the hospital to the service of the nation, Shivinder Singh, said, “The new Fortis Memorial Research Institute marks a paradigm shift in our interpretation of the idea of holistic patient care and our quest for excellence. We have drawn in international quality medical talent, created the

best infrastructure, brought in the world’s most advanced medical technologies in an environment of compassionate patient care. All our efforts are directed at radically improving clinical outcomes with a warm and friendly experience.” Singh further added that the facility has been designed with great sensitivity, keeping in mind the anxiety and stress that patients and their families undergo and intuitively addresses these emotions. The overall ambience and facilities support total healing with an emphasis on complete cure and effortlessly strings together wellness into the healthcare mainstay. The institute also aims to inspire others in order to emulate the FMRI dream and transform India into destination healthcare. by Chesta Trehan

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Niche travel: wellness

Rejuvenate your Mind, Body and Soul in Germany Germany has a long history and appreciation of spas and wellness due to its many natural hot mineral springs.Over 300 therapeutic spas and health resorts in Germany invite you to recuperate with them.Discover the unique combination of centuries-old spa culture and the delightful beauty of the countryside in pleasant social and cultural surroundings.

bath complete with massage and romantic candlelit dinner. Bad Saarow caters to sports lovers with professional and amateur golf courses, while culture vultures can take day trips to nearby Berlin. The idyllic scenery in the Oder-Spree lakeland region within the Scharmützel Lake conservation area and Dahme Heideseen nature reserve will make visiting this fascinating spa resort an unforgettable experience.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Rugged beauty plays host to a premium-class health resort

Bad Saarow

Idyllic spa resort on Scharmützel Lake Bad Saarow's virtually untouched landscape is the perfect setting for a health and fitness break or a family holiday. This elegant spa resort on Scharmützel Lake also offers a range of medical treatments. ack in 1881 the writer Theodor Fontane recognised the value of this stateapproved thermal and mud spa and

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enthused over its enchanting location. Set on Scharmützel Lake amid the Rauen and the Dubrow hills, the oldest spa resort in Brandenburg has a long and distinguished tradition. Schon seit dem 19. Ever since the 19th century, visitors have been taking health breaks in Bad Saarow to enjoy the excellent air quality and the thermal salt water from the Catherinenquelle spring. After becoming an officially recognised spa (Bad) in 1923, the town further expanded its outstanding healthcare infrastructure. Alongside the SaarowTherme thermal baths, there is a spa treatment centre. The resident spa doctors and the renowned HELIOS-Klinik hospital. Visitors to the SaarowTherme can enjoy the thermal salt-water in various pools at 34°C to 36°C and take advantage of physiotherapy and wellness treatments. Another therapeutic treatment using the health benefits of natural mud is an outdoor lakeside moonlit mud

Gentle exercise, healthy air and magnificent surroundings – these all do a world of good. It’s hardly surprising then that Garmisch-Partenkirchen is one of the 15 climatic health resorts in Germany designated as premium class. ut healthy air is by no means the whole stor y here. Visitors to GarmischPar tenkirchen receive a personally customised program for getting fit and staying fit. The spa specialises in climatic exercise therapy – developed specifically for Garmisch-Partenkirchen by the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich The principle is simple: exercise in the fresh air gets you fit! Doctors calculate each patient’s individual resilience and climate therapists then use this to select suitable walking trails. The climatic exercise therapy is particularly beneficial to people with immune system deficiencies, high or low blood pressure, coronary heart disease, metabolic disorders, musculoskeletal illnesses, diseases of the respiratory organs or skin disorders – although even the fighting

Niche travel: wellness fit will feel the soothing benefits of these therapeutic trails. Those undergoing treatment are regularly offered the chance to walk the marked footpaths and high altitude spa trails, which wind their way through more than 300km of idyllic scenery. At 2,962 metres tall, Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, is a true sight to behold. The terrace at the top station offers breathtaking views of four countries and more than 400 peaks. The Garmisch-Classic ski area offers something for downhill skiers of all abilities. Winter sports enthusiasts can choose from a range of pistes covering three hills, all set against the magnificent backdrop of the mountains.

THERME ERDING

Unique atmosphere and 25 themed saunas Be amazed by the variety Europe’s biggest thermal water world offers you: bathe under palm trees in an exotic

pool paradise named Thermenparadies and relax in the VitalOase. The world’s biggest Saunaparadies has a great range of wellness attractions and ROYAL DAY SPA offers you exclusive massages and highly comfortable loungers. GALAXY ERDING is equipped with fantastic water slides suitable for all ages. Thermenparadies – Bathe under palm trees: Be close to nature while you enjoy bathing in thermal water that is not only good for your health but also officially approved. Benefit from the salt cave used with Himalayan salt, hot sulphur springs, the fountain of youth. Join the daily aqua fitness training and revitalize your body and senses. The thermal water has a pleasant temperature of 34°C (93°F) and the pool bar invites you to have a delicious cocktail under palm trees. Vitaloase: Time for myself (age 16+): Relax in the exquisite VitalOase with its nice and quiet atmosphere. The thermal pool with pool bar invites you to rest and just unwind. Three mineral pools provide your skin with calcium, iodine, and minerals from the Dead Sea. The rose and meditation saunas help your body to stay healthy. Experience simple well-being with a special health benefit. Saunaparadies: For your body, mind and soul (age 16+): Experience a unique sauna visit in the world’s largest Saunaparadies. The combination of heat, thermal water and luxurious deck chairs gives you the opportunity to be relaxed. Over 25 different saunas and other health attractions

like aroma steam rooms, swimming pools surrounded by palm trees, the pool bar and the idyllic sauna garden let your visit become an unforgettable experience. The constantly changing sauna infusions carried out by professional Paradise Guides enchant your senses. Benefit also from other free offers like skin peelings, face masks and much more. It will be a visit you’ll always remember. Royal Day Spa : Pure relaxation: Situated in the Saunaparadies it has been developed to meet your special demands for pure relaxation. Pamper your body with wonderful massages in the unique Crown Treatments. Enjoy your stay in exclusive suites, cosy loungers or four-poster beds. The ROYAL DAY SPA team will take care of your individual needs and make you feel like a royal during your visit. Gala xy Erding : Fun, action and adventure: Europe’s biggest water slide paradise GALAXY ERDING takes fun to new heights. 20 high-tech galactic slides including two summer slides in the thermal garden guarantee 1,700 metres (5,577 feet) of fun, action and adventure. The slides are classified into three different levels of difficulty – this means limitless fun for all ages and tastes. The family slides are ideal for aquatic fun and suitable for young and old. On action slides you can also participate in daily slide competition. For a whole day or just a few hours – THERME ERDING offers a great holiday feeling with its opportunity to experience adventures, action, fun and relaxation at the same time! November 2012 go now

Niche travel: wellness Bad Sobernheim

Felke spa resort between the Rhine and the Moselle Germany’s only Felke spa resort, which is set among vineyards, meadows and forests, attracts many visitors and spa guests to this holiday region. ad Sobernheim is associated with unspoilt nature, history and the arts but first and foremost it is known for its Felke treatments, which use curative loam and were discovered by Emanuel Felke. Away from the big-city hustle and bustle, visitors can replenish their energies in the newest official spa resort (1995) in Rhineland-Palatinate. The Felke cure, an active, holistic therapy for joint pain, obesity and high blood pressure is used successfully to treat patients at three health and wellness

centres. Based on the four Felke elements of air, light, water and loam (‘healing earth’), it is combined with physical exercise and a whole-food diet rich in vital nutrients, or therapeutic fasting, to create an effective therapy. The treatments feature Bad Sobernheim’s curative loam in the form of loam packs, loam baths and Rasul baths, which aim to detox, purify and restore balance to the body. In between sessions, there are

lots of places of interest to discover in the town. Felke’s life story can be traced at the Priorhof local history museum and visitors can learn how cures were administered 100 years ago in the original Felke hut. In 1992 Germany’s first barefoot trail – a 3,500m circuit – was laid out in line with Felke’s ideas. Also worth a visit are the large sauna centre, the outdoor pool complex and the ruins of Disibodenberg abbey.

Baden-Baden

The Black Forest’s world-famous thermal spa This small, atmospheric town in a beautifully scenic location in southern Germany offers charming hotels, magnificent green spaces and a variety of health-focused options.

aden-Baden’s tradition as a spa resort dates back over 2,000 years. The Romans, who were the first to appreciate the health benefits and healing powers of its hot springs, established the first baths here as long ago as 69 AD. There are a total of twelve thermal springs

in Baden-Baden with therapeutic powers that remain undiminished today. The water bubbles up from 2,000 metres below ground and contains minerals such as lithium, caesium, silicic acid, boric acid, manganese and magnesium plus traces of cobalt, zinc and copper. Spa visitors bathe in the restorative water to alleviate a variety of illnesses including cardiovascular, rheumatic and joint disorders, although metabolic ailments and respiratory conditions also reap lasting benefits. During the belle époque Baden-Baden enjoyed a reputation as Europe’s summer capital and its international renown continues to this day. Baden-Baden water is used in a variety of bathing, drinking and inhalation therapies. and two other thermal pools – the modern Caracalla Therme and the historical Roman-Irish Friedrichsbad – offer relaxation and invigoration. Baden-Baden is a qualitycertified spa resort and has won awards for the quality of its drinking water. Whether it’s a spa clinic, spa hotel or wellness hotel – all offer a wide range of exclusive treatments tailored to individual needs. information courtesy GNTO

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Niche travel: medical

bhavana phuket

Expert detox treatments under certified medicare

Asia’s only medically licensed rehab and detox centre unveils unique new solution for executives with addictions.

havana Phuket, the only medically licensed rehabilitation and detoxification centre in South East A sia, has announced a unique and highly personalized new range of programmes aimed at helping executives and professionals beat addiction without significantly disrupting their careers.  Bhavana’s flagship BEAT (Bhavana Evaluation Assessment Treatment) programmes represent a significant breakthrough in treatment of addiction in Asia, requiring a stay of as little as seven days to achieve detox from alcohol dependence and begin the rehabilitation process. Bhavana Founder and CEO, Dr Kai Goh, the international addiction specialist and visionary behind BEAT, said the programmes were also suitable to address addictions to sleeping pills, prescription drugs, opiates and party drugs, though these programmes may require a slightly longer commitment of up to 10 days. “The BEAT programmes are short-term addiction management programmes, avail56

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able to anyone who is not yet ready to fully commit to a comprehensive treatment programme or who does not have the time available due to professional commitments,” said Dr Goh, a former addiction specialist with world-renowned The Priory in London who also has a psychiatric practice dealing with addiction in London’s Knightsbridge. Dr Goh said the BEAT short-term programme s were fea sible and effective because of Bhavana's status as the region's only fully medically licensed rehab centre, allowing it to operate as a specialised detox hospital. “This is a critical difference compared to other rehab centres,” Dr Goh explained. “The inhouse detox facility guarantees a safe and smooth transition from medical detox to counselling in the competent hands of the same multi-disciplined and fully qualified team. “At Bhavana, counselling intentionally starts parallel to the physical detox. This reduces the risk of patients who have successfully detoxed to become unwilling to start the psychological work crucial to a suc-

Friendly face

Bhavana Phuket offers a friendly team of highly qualified counsellors and physicians, led by Founder and CEO Dr Kai Goh, formerly of The Priory, London

Niche travel: medical

Bhavana’s integrative rehabilitation programs combine life coaching with detoxification in the centre’s tranquil surroundings.

cessful longer-term rehabilitation.” The initial detoxification treatment restores the patient’s physical health, Dr Goh said, supported by a clinical team, providing a crucial opportunity to gain understanding and insight into the personal issues that have led to the individual’s dependency. The BEAT programmes are often followed by an extensive outpatient programme, which can be undertaken in Bangkok or other regional centres, providing patients with a flexible yet effective longer-term solution to their addiction. Bhavana's treatment programmes have been designed and created by leaders in their field at Cottonwood in the US and adapted to the Asian environment. Another of the centre’s unique, personalized programmes is the BEST Life Health Assessment, a bespoke diagnostic tool specially designed by Dr Goh to help the treatment team quickly and efficiently assess the patient's physical and emotional

health prior to formulating an individually tailored treatment program. Both the BEAT and BEST programmes are administered by fully qualified medical professionals and Masters-level counsellors from the renowned, field-leading Hazelden and Mayo clinics in the United States. “Addiction takes many forms today. Alcohol remains a major problem. But we are also facing a fast-growing issue of sleeping pill addiction in Asia. It’s a significant problem here, they are perhaps prescribed too freely, and it's a tough addiction to overcome.” Addiction often has its roots in underlying emotional or mental circumstances, he added, referred to as dual diagnosis or a co-occurring disorder. By treating the whole person and total condition, patients have a better chance of achieving long lasting recovery. “Therefore, we focus on an integrative approach that combines clinical treatment for addictions and life process understanding and skills,” Dr Goh said. “Inhouse detoxification, 24-hour medical supervision and thorough relapse prevention, followup and after-care programmes form an integral part of any Bhavana programmes.”

factfile For further information please contact: Tanagrid Chongkittiraks (Mr)   Director of Operations. Tel: +66 76 200 584   Mobile: + 6685 231 6556   Fax: +66 76 200 484   E-mail: tanagrid@bhavanahealing.com   www.bhavanahealing.com David Johnson, Managing Director Delivering Asia Communications   Tel: +662 246 1159   Mobile: +6689 170 9866   E-mail: dj@deliveringasia.com   www.deliveringcommunications.com

The centre is located on a serene and very private beachfront estate in Southern Phuket, with international flight access close at hand yet a level of seclusion and natural beauty which ensures the best possible start to each patient's recovery. “We believe that the most effective path to healing and recovery is an integrative approach that combines clinical treatment for addictions and life process understanding and skills,” Dr Goh said. information from tourism authority of thailand

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cinema tourism

You have grown accustomed to seeing your favourite heroes on great locations on the big screen. How does this happen? We cover Cinemascapes, an annual event that brings film industry in touch with destination promoters. This year, the show opened amidst a pall of gloom on the demise of Yash Chopra, the legendary filmmaker who became a tourist landmark in himself, of all places, in Switzerland!

New filmi backdrops in the offing as new destinations get showcased! November 2012 go now

cinema tourism

‘Barfi’ makes Darjeeling a great tourist destination!

Anurag Basu and Siddharth Roy of ‘Barfi’ with Mahesh Bhatt

Ritesh Sidhwani with the Spanish ambassador and Mahesh Bhatt

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Spain attracte numbers a

cinema tourism

‘Marigold Hotel’ gets its due as the best foreign film shot in India

ed instant tourist after ‘ZNMD’

‘Marigold Hotel’ was the best foreign film shot in India. Representative of Fox Studios receives the award from Ramesh Sippy

elebrating the coming together of cinema and tourism, the 6th annual edition of Cinemascapes concluded in Mumbai on 25th October, bringing some 14 exhibiting companies to meet with an estimated 450 professionals in the film fraternity. First timer Japan made its entry into this space in India, with its futuristic city of Sapporo in the province of Hokkaido coming forward as the platinum Partner. Sarawak in Malaysia, teamed with other states in Malaysia and made an aggressive bid for bringing Bollywood to its shores. Indian states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh continued with their support of the event, coming as Platinum and Silver partners, and made impressive product presentations to the film industry. Zagreb in Croatia came as presentation partner; so did Starwood Hotels and Resorts to sell hotel rooms and also its properties as enviable backdrops for film shootings, both in India and abroad. The show has seen the Film and Television Producers Guild of India as its anchor partner since its inception; this year, the event also became a part of the Mumbai Film Festival. It was also supported by other leading November 2012 go now

cinema tourism

Destination Sapporo showcased for cinema

industry association including the IMPPA and MPAA. It was two hectic days of discussing challenges in the sector: how the film industry was reaching out in search for cinemascapes, to enhance the quality and appeal of cinema, and how destination promoters were eagerly wooing the cinema world, thereby increasing the tourism potential of their destinations. The first day saw seminar ses62

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The Japanese delegation from Sapporo (Hokkaido) receive their award from Shyam Benegal

cinema tourism

Bachchanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gujarat endears itself to filmmakers

At the inauguration of Cinemascapes, among others, Mukesh Bhatt (right), Amit Khanna (centre) and Raj Tilak (left) seen lighting the auspicious lamp

sions and product presentations. What came out clearly was that it was not just concessions and financial packages that made the film industry choose a particular destination! It was also the ease and facility that was available - destinations that scored were those that made it easy, effortless execution in filming on locations. The ideal and successful destination was that which offered both- ease with an atNovember 2012 go now

cinema tourism

Sarawak and Malaysia pitch as ideal destinations

tractive financial package. Some destinations offered a natural environment where filming with ease was possible; others posed multiple problems, including security concerns and clearances hurdles. Some of the biggest names in the business were present. For the first session, named the challenge of cinema and tourism, Amit Khanna, chairman, Reliance Entertainment, was the moderator. 64

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The Sarawak delegation led by their deputy minister along with Srinivas Narayanan (third from left), director, Mumbai Film Festival and Manoharan (second from right), country director - India, Malaysia Tourism

cinema tourism

Prakash Jha has made Madhya Pradesh his favourite

A view of the B2B exchange between the film fraternity and the destination promoters

Participating in the session were Anuj Garg, CEO, Balaji Telefilms; Mukesh Bhatt, president of the Guild; Stephan Ottenburch, Indo German Film Week, Berlin; and Amit Dev, consultant. Issues were discussed and the road forward clearly defined - that cinema was a big boost to tourism, and more and more countries were recognising this fact. T he ot her bi g s e s sion wa s chaired by eminent film maker November 2012 go now

cinema tourism

KLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Twin Towers are a much sought after cinemascape

Bobby Bedi; it was put together by the Motion Pictures Association of America. It focussed on co-productions as a means of cementing ties between countries and cities. It brought attention to this aspect as a lasting boost to tourism. Participating in this session, among others, were Uday Singh, director, MPAA-India; Ramesh Sippy, chairman, Sippy Films; Mahesh Bhatt, Vishesh Films; Ravi Kottakakarra, chairman, Kottakakarra Films; Ravi Gupta, CEO Mukta Arts and former MD of NFDC, and Manoj Srivastava, CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa. The session also debated the forthcoming National Films Commission and debated upon the merits of some of its consideration. How will one window emerge, which has been stated to be one of its objectives, or will it just create an additional layer for getting approvals? The ground reality of shooting in India needs to be recognized as a local issue and problem, not something that can be ironed out sitting in New Delhi! The first time awards recognising contribution of cinema to tour66

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ism growth witnessed the famous in the Hindi film industry come forward and receive the honours. Giving away the awards in four different segments were stalwarts like TP Aggarwal, president of IMPPA; Ramesh Sippy, Mahesh Bhatt and Shyam Benegal, noted film maker and chairman of MAMI. Among those who received the awards personally included Anurag Basu and Siddarth Roy Kapoor for Barfi as the best Hindi film shot on an Indian location; Ritesh Siddhwani for the award winning Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The awards equally recognized the eminence of South Indian films in going aboard and chose as award winning some of the best films including Urmi, Ordinary and Dookadu, each of them memorable in popularising destinations. The second day saw B2B meetings and some 70 film producers, directors and camera persons met up with the exhibitors for doing business. At the end of the day, another successful edition that saw Cinem-

cinema tourism

Destination Zagreb catches the attention of Mumbai industry

scapes become an important landmark event, also unique in its aspect of bringing tourism in the forefront of Indian cinema. Among the exhibitors, the The delegation from Zagreb with their director Tourism in the centre platinum parters were Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan which made an impressive presentation on the destination. It also an impressive and unusual destination, and was represented by its underscored the zeal and support that they were ready to provide to head of tourism and also a much noted line producer that specialthe Mumbai film industry. Sarawak came independently as awards ised in co-productions with Hollywood. Their Indian representative, partner and also pitched for participation at their first ever ASEAN Shireesh Sharma, was in himself a growing institution as an actor, Film Festival due to be held in March next year. Malaysia made an and provided a direct connect with many an icon in filmy Mumbai. overall presentation and scored high with their perennial thirst for The Indian states were well represented by Gujarat as platinum Indian producers making a beeline to the country, not only from partner and Madhya Pradesh as silver - both made memorable and Mumbai but also more markedly from the South. Zagreb made for worthy presentations on their respective cinemascapes. e November 2012 go now

cinema tourism

Yash Chopra made Switzerland his favourite cinemascape The finale that was not to be! Media reports suggests that a final one and a half minute song sequence was to be shot in Switzerland for the soon-to-bereleased Yash Raj film Jab Tak Hai Jaan with SRK in the lead. It will not be shot now as it would be difficult to capture the flavour of Switzerland as Yash Chopra would have. Yashji was honoured with a special Jury Award and he had confirmed his presence to receive it, on his return from Switzerland on 23rd of last month. The dengue attack made him cancel the trip altogether!

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Person of the Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; award for the Late Yash Chopra, who had confirmed his participation. On behalf of the family, Raj Tilak receives the trophy from Shyam Benegal, chairman, MAMI. 68

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cinema tourism

CINEMASCAPES AWARDS

The chances are that Darjeeling will see a quantum jump in tourist arrivals, given that award winning ‘Barfi’ was shot in Darjeeling. Spain is recording never before numbers from India, ever since ZNMD was released. Find out where to go from our award-winning films!

Best Feature – National – Hindi

Best Feature –International – Hindi

Best Feature – National – Other than Hindi

Barfi Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Ordinary (Malayalam)

Best Feature – International – Other than Hindi

Best General Entertainment TV Fiction – National

Best General Entertainment TV Fiction – International

Diya aur Baati

Best TVC or Advertisement – National

Visa Kashmir

Best TVC or Advertisement – International

Best CinemaScape Destination® – National

Best CinemaScape Destination® – International

Best International Film – Shot on Indian Cinemascapes

Dookudu (Telugu) Bade Achhe Lagte Hain

Cinthol Soap World Goa Thailand Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

CinemaScape Person of the Year®

Yash Chopra

CinemaScape Special Jury Award®

Rock Star

Feature Film Hindi (Director)

Rock Star

Feature Film other than Hindi (Camera Person)

Urmi

Feature Film other than Hindi (Director)

Urmi

National denotes films shot within India. International denotes shot overseas

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cinema tourism

The flavours of Darjeeling and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Barfi â&#x20AC;&#x2122; will come alive at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival as the India entry. Not for the first time that the cinemascape for a film has invoked the enchantment and the romance of a destination. 70

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cinema tourism

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tourism: sports

The second edition of Formula 1 consolidated India’s position on the racing circuit.Insiders rate the Jaypee Racing Track as one of the best and,following the international pattern,believe that the next edition onwards will attract still greater numbers.

F1 steps on the gas for Greater Noida Vijay Mallya and Subrata Roy, who own F1 team Force India were there of course, with others like Sunil and Rajan Mittal of Airtel, Uday Kotak, Naina Lal Kidwai of HSBC in India, JK Group’s Harsh Pati Singhania, HCL’s Vineet Nayar, Piyush Pandey and ITC’s Nakul Anand. The executive chairman of the Jaypee group was seen giving a round of the team garages to 15 children from his and his partners’ extended family, who loved every minute of it. The organizers of the race admit it wasn’t a sellout crowd like the first race. But as Bernie Ecclestone explained, the excitement in the first race is always the

When the second F1 race on Indian soil kicked off on October 28, all eyes were on the contest between Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull who are the top of standings this year. It was a keen contest that Vettel won, extending his lead over the Spaniard. But what also got a leg up was India’s chances of earning some additional tourism dollars. It wasn’t a sell out crowd like the 2011 race, the first for India, but with 65,000 spectators, the crowd was abuzz and the F1 race drivers, including Michael Schumacher, who was driving for the last time on Indian soil before he retires at the end of the season, showcased top quality motor sports action for their fans. Red Bull Racing’s two-time world champion Vettel got his two in two in the Airtel Indian Grand Prix after winning the thrilling race with a 9.4-second lead. The F1 Paddock, the ultra luxury pad for 72

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F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone’s guests, which is the playg round for t he rich and famous s aw t he like s of spor t smen Harbhajan Singh, Virat Kohli, Sania Mirza and husband Shoaib Malik, and actors Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Sonakshi Sinha and Ajay Devgn enjoying the race alongside Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and leader of opposition Arun Jaitley. Leading Indian businessmen used this opportunity to both enjoy a Sunday and network as they walked around the pit lane and team garages where drivers and staff were getting ready for the action already.

highest. It comes down a little in the second and then picks up again from the third onwards. Sameer Gaur, the managing director and chief executive officer of Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), which operates India’s only Formula One track at the Jaypee sports city in Greater Noida understands this and

tourism: sports

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tourism: sports hopes that if all goes according to plan, they could be attracting a lot more tourists, both domestic and international, to the race track every year. Gaur attended the Singapore GP this year and had said recently that he got a lot of ideas from there for creating a ‘F1 villagelike atmosphere’ at the race track in Greater Noida, which certainly is a little out of the way currently and lacks support infrastructure like hotels and tourist spots. What everyone in Singapore does for F1 makes a lot of sense. Everyone is ready for F1, the pubs, the taxis, the concerts, everyone, and the Jaypee group wants to make that happen here as well. “We want to make this a three-day entertainment destination for people,” he told a newspaper recently. In the next two years, he wants to get an amusement park around the track, different shows, some international, some local, lots of shopping, from India ethnic stuff to international luxury brands, maybe a Dilli Haat like concept, concerts, with some Bollywood

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tourism: sports

thrown in for effect…a movie premiere maybe where everyone with a three-day F1 ticket is invited. What the area also requires is quality hotels that are sorely missing at the moment. The three years, though, should see at least 10 new hotels come up in the vicinity, in Noida and Greater Noida. All of this would be a shot in the arm for tourism in this region. At the moment, the F1 race in October brings a windfall week for the limited number of hotels in the region. Travel agents and tour operators, who bring in international tourists are certain that with the new Yamuna Expressway, more hotels in the region, the F1 race could find its way on most itineraries that include Agra in the month of October. The event will see the usual sporting enthusiasts coming in from different parts of Europe and from West Asia. In a big country that gets just about 6 million international tourists a year, this event just at the beginning of India’s tourism season which starts in October every year, could generate a lot of interest. A number of international visitors who came for the

race specifically used the new expressway to see the monument of love, Taj Mahal and also visited Jaipur to complete the golden triangle. Some, in future, would want to plan better and maybe even make plans to visit God’s own country Kerala. The Indian travel industry is gearing up, with new infrastructure and hotel rooms, to double tourist arrivals from the current level of 6 million to about 12 million by 2016 and there is no doubt that F1 could play a crucial role. There is also evidence that visitors to F1 races are usually high spenders. The Singapore GP that is held at night, and is a street race, for instance, gets in about 40,000 visi-

tors every year to the city-state and brings in close to S$140 million in revenues. Visitors for F1 are likely to come in a few days before the race and stay on after, to soak in the sights that the city has to offer. The grand infrastructure that the Jaypee group was able to set up in just two years cleared the negative image that India earned after a disastrous run with the Commonwealth Games infrastructure. Now let’s hope we can get in a few more tourists too with this goodwill well in place. by Team gonow

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metro travel: accommodation

Moevenpick Hotel & Spa Bangalore

Experience the Swiss Excellence Diverse, truly world-class gourmet offerings await at Moevenpick Hotel and Spa Bangalore, India’s very first global Swiss flagship hospitality landmark.

ou can completely trust the Swiss for their unmatched global levels of perfection, sophistication and incomparable class, that has earned them worldwide renown. Their fastidious adherence to consistently awarded uncompromising excellence extends handsomely in their hospitality enterprise that we got to savor right here in Bangalore. Moevenpick Hotel & Spa Bangalore, the flagship global Swiss five star luxury hospitality landmark of Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts in the garden city already scores way ahead in it’s many diverse attributes, food and beverage being most prominent among them.

INTERNATIONAL APPEAL The hotel’s commitment to attracting the city’s well established IT and communications clientele as well as a strong expat resident community looking for constantly innovative and interesting gastronomy and dining out options is taken very seriously. As the country’s foremost base for the rapidly expanding world class technology infrastructure, discerning Bangaloreans can look forward to outstanding gourmet options here. Constant creativity in cuisine, international and regional varieties and a smart range of beverage concepts lead this hotel well ahead of the five star hospitality pack.

ECLECTIC FOOD CONCEPTS Our personal experience with a wide variety of cuisines was uplifting indeed. What’s remarkable is the sheer range of authentic fare offered, – from traditional to modern as well as fusion. An interesting array of European fare, with special emphasis on Swiss specialities like cheese Fondues, Raclette, Roesti, Meat and Mushroom Ragout , a gourmet selection from the Italian kitchen , a gamut of cuisines from Asia uniquely including delicious Tibetan momos, a plethora of Mid76

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dle Eastern delicacies, especially Lebanese, Turkish, Jordanian and Arabic. Rahul Korgaokar, the young, erudite Food & Beverage Manager emphasizes, “We have fantastic F&B offerings, each of them is an experience in itself that a guest will cherish and remember. Our product is top notch since a lot of care and attention to detail goes into getting it right and perhaps the most important aspect is we have a team with the right kind of training and attitude that can communicate our product to our guests the way it is supposed to be experienced by the guest.”

REFRESHING PLATTERS We specially relished the diversity in south Asian cuisine whipped up to intrinsic flavours, highly recommended are Sushis, Maki and spring rolls, Thai shrimp and vegetarian noodles with stir fried vegetables, mouth-melting herb and truffle dimsums, mushroom dumplings and Soba noodles. It’s truly a culinary adventure of sorts… One can also savour

Moroccan dishes presented in a traditional Tagine like stir-fried fish and vegetables in herb sauce with aromatic herb rice or a fabulous platter of four Arabic delights including Babaganoush, Falafel, Hummus and Kibbeh with velvet-soft Pitta breads. Food specialties from all over India, -local regional specialities in particular from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala rule the roost. Don’t be surprised if you are tucking into a classic banana leaf style Sadhya meal replete with Idiappams, Pandhi curry (Coorg style pork curry), Meen varuval, Vendakai Pachdi (Okra-yoghurt dip), and other snacky goodies like Kootu paratha and Podi idlis. Our authentically created regional lunches raged from Karnataka cuisine – Mulangi Sambar (Radish Sambhar), Upp saaru (simmered lentils with lemon and salt), Kumbalakai gojju (pumpkin simmered with onions, tamarind, coconut and peppercorns), Chutney podi (A dry powder made up of dry coconut, lentils, chilies, tamarind, mustard, curry leaves and Hing), Tarkali palaya (mixed vegetables tempered with coconut and mustard), Steamed rice (sona masuri), Majjige(salted butter milk flavored with green chilies, coriander and mustard tempering.), Gas gase payasam (poppy seed simmered with jaggery and milk). The Keralite culinary rendezvous was exciting with – Pineapple rasam, Appam and mushroom moilee, Beans thoran, Kadalakootu curry, Avial, Kerala paratha and Podi Ada payasam. As a banqueting leader, one of the hotels strongest points is their cutting edge F&B offerings in sit-down themed Asian dinners. The hotel also offers of new and innovative food festivals such as the Swiss food festival showcasing a host of Swiss delicacy and authentic Swiss ingredients brought all the way from Zurich.

Clockwise (from top left) Lavish sit-down covers for fine dining-banquets. Caprese stack salad Appam and vegetable stew Executive chef Thomas Joseph Mezzaluna-Italine fine dining restaurant Filetto Di Manzo Hot off the oven-Mezzaluna-Italian fine dining

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metro travel: accommodation Food And Beverage Outposts

Mezzaluna

Theme Italian Fine Dining restaurant This unique, one-of-it’s-kind specialty fine dining outpost takes you back into the Firenze or Napoli of the sixties with it’s nostalgic interior design and ambience. Romanesque mosaic creations adorn the ceiling length and an impressive wall, Venetian frescoes and a roaring open oven and display kitchen add appetizing verve to dining, preceded by choicest complimentary wine tastings of premium labels. Ours sailed through three marvellous whites, -Orvietto Classico-Umbria, Italy, Danzante Pinot Grigio-Marchesi di Frescobaldi –Tuscany, Italy and Broken Fishplate, Sauvignon Blanc-Margaret River, Western Australia paired with cheeses like Cacciacavolo, Pecorino Romano and Gorgonzola. The reds were smart and crisp, -Sartori di Verona –Veneto, Italy, Pater Sangiovese, Marchesi di Frescobaldi, Tuscany, Italy and Three Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon –Rapel Valley, Chile matched by Parmiggiano Reggiano, Castelmagno and Sottocenere cheses. Here at Mezzaluna, other touch points such as salads being prepared live on the table from a salad cart, a range of olive oils to choose from to be ‘sprayed’ on your food once food is served. Mezzaluna’s eclectic signature creations cover Insalata Mezzaluna (Mezzaluna signature salad of garden greens, goat cheese, lemon zest with a truffle oil spray prepared at the table), Ravioli Mezzaluna (half moon shaped ravioli filled with lobster and served in a lobster bisque sauce); Risotto with porcini mushrooms, Castelmagno cheese and truffle oil, Grilled seafood in a spiced Luciana sauce with vegetable spaghetti, Spinach and ricotta crepes in a Gorgonzola sauce, Taverna Pizza with Parma ham, goat cheese and rucola and the absolutely incomparable Tiramisu and heavenly Zabaglione. To capt it all are marvels that no other hotel can boast of Mövenpick ice creams to conclude a fine experience..

MY PLACE

Multi-cuisine all-day dining restaurant The coffee wall in My Place with varied coffee offerings allows guests to choose not only the coffee but the mugs as well, the chilled lime rind and water shot served with all coffees, another Moevenpick Bangalore first. The affable Executive Chef Thomas Joseph smiles, “ There is something for everybody , special 78

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My place-multicuisine specialty restaurant

most elaborate Sunday Brunches. The treats span a bewildering array of fantasies from dozens of canapés and starters to regional Indian delights, a live grill station, Swiss and Italian specialties, a live Oyster station, a King’s spread of desserts and the finest of spirits, Piper Heidsieck Champagne, Hardy’s wine of Australia, Budweiser beer, Chivas Regal Scotch, Absolut vodka, Havana Club Rum, and innovative signature cocktails.

OBSIDIAN

Art deco bar

Laksa Shrimp

power bites menu for kids, an unique coffee wall for meetings over coffee , special menus for partying women, packed lunch orders for offices. And I should also mention that our delectable dishes have been created with the life style consious in mind”. Executive Chef Thomas Joseph’s signature dishes cover an international Smorgasbord of delicacies. We checked out his numbers clocking ‘Baked Grouper broken wheat and green peas porridge with confit garlic and cherry tomato and wilted spinach, Steamed pink salmon with saffron and roasted pumpkin giant ravioli, artichoke tapenade and garlic tossed haricots, Roasted cashew nut and jalapeno Hummus with Babaganoush and Granny smith, citrus segments with mesclun green and grilled watermelon with feta cheese crumble. My place serves up the country’s finest and

A range of trendsetting ‘first’ offerings that sets the property apart are proposed innovative bar tables with touch-screen info on drinks, to the simultaneous streaming of hundreds of music videos with audio everyday in the bar. Top world wines here entice oenophiles to the hilt, -from Champagne Dom Perignon, Cape Mentelle-Sauvignon-Semillon, Australia to Pouilly Fuisse-Louios Jadot-France and Chateauneufde-Pape Alfred Bichot-France to Californian Fetzer Coldwater Creek merlot and Barberesco Gaja-Piemonte-Italy to Saint Clair Family Estate, Marlborough Pinot Noir – New Zealand. The Bonsai lounge is another special attraction which houses 20 odd handpicked bonsai plants from all across the country and is an ideal place to relax, enjoy a drink and enjoy a vast range of our handpicked cigars available at the hotel. Signature cocktails here encompass innovative martinis prepared at your table, from espresso, pomegranate and lychee, pineapple and rassam, green apple and thyme, orange and basil as well as fruit fruit Mojito and Caiprioska like watermelon and mint, ginger and lime, strawberry and balsamic vinegar. by Kishore & Smita Iyengar

metro travel: accommodation

Park Hyatt Chennai

Where the emphasis is on creating a residential feel At the Park Hyatt in Chennai, contemporary design is planned in a way to project the hotel as a comfortable, luxurious residence.

mong the newly opened deluxe properties in Chennai is the Park Hyatt offering business and leisure travellers a new residence away from their home. Located next to the governor’s residence, alongside the Guindy Forest Reserve, this serene sanctuary offers proximity to the airport and prime business districts of the city. “Complementing the needs of the business travellers who like to indulge in a leisure break every now and then, the thoughtful understatement embraces contemporary design in all the rooms of the hotel. Providing the best of both

worlds, the Park Hyatt rooms offer views of the city, on one hand, while others overlook the serene Guindy Forest Reserve,” says Yann Gillet, general manager, Park Hyatt Chennai. The design sensibility here is contemporary; inspiration stems from flowing landforms spinning a yarn of Chennai’s rich cultural heritage as the textile hub of Southern India.

Luxury quotient The hotel rooms are segregated into six categories which are the park room, park view room, park suite, park executive suite, premier suite and presidential suite. All the rooms are bathed in floor- to-ceiling windows providing city views, rich marble flooring and are furnished with one king bed and an oversized work desk. Amenities like Nespresso coffee machine, 40-inch LCD HDTV, and iPod docking station provide comfort and entertainment. Guests can chose from a range of eclectic food preparations from the Dining Room which is the all-day dining and the The Flying Elephant which is their speciality restaurant.

Soothing design Yann Gillet

The design of the rooms has been

developed keeping in mind this core concept of projecting the hotel as a residence. The rooms have a simplistic and contemporary design which blends well with the residential concept of the hotel. As most of the guests travel to the city on business, because of the many development projects in and around Chennai, the city has limited avenues in terms of leisure travel. This is where the residential feel of the property becomes important for guests. But the USP of the hotel is definitely The Apartment which offers a unique residential-style, flexible banquet space, inviting colonial “living rooms” with streaming natural light and floor-to-ceiling windows. There are sophisticated social/ meeting facilities which lend a unique degree of flexibility to the space. An open loft kitchen provides a personalized and inviting experience to hotel guests. by avni mehrotra

factfile 39 Velachery Road, Raj Bhavan, Guindy Chennai, Tamil Nadu Tel: 044-71771234 Website: chennai.park.hyatt.com Tariff Rs 8,000-Rs 20,500 per night

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metro travel: accommodation

Artistically Asian, Radisson Blu Hyderabad Set in the residential area of Banjara Hills, the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design is heavily influenced by Asian elements, combining marble and glass into a sleek, modern look

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rooms & Suites

n important business destination, Hyderabad is constantly buzzing with travellers. The Radisson Blu Hyderabad aims at providing them with MICE facilities in a serene location merging business and luxury to provide a soothing getaway. Banjara Hills is known as an urban, upmarket, commercial centre that has earned international attention for its surplus of gourmet restaurants, speciality boutiques and luxury hotels. The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Hyderabad Banjara Hills offers resortlike ambience in the heart of the City of Pearls.

Rooms and suites The three-month old hotel has 155 rooms which are segregated into a range of categories. Guests can chose from the superior , deluxe, business class , deluxe suite, executive suite and presidential suite. Apart from general amenities like flat screen LCD TV, work station, sofa with foot rest, electronic safe and comfort mattress, the hotel has glass enclosed bathrooms that have a rain shower cubicle and bath tub along and a range of Asira Body Care Products. The high-end rooms have a complimentar y personal bar and upgraded bathroom facilities like steam room and Jacuzzi and complimentary paraffin pedicure and manicure. The rooms offer pool view, atrium view, city view and garden view. All rooms are equipped with modern amenities, unique lightings and four fixture bathrooms. The style is contemporary and a subtle sophistication is evident in the textures. Earthy tones and artistically elegant furniture further complement the exclusive interiors

MICE facilities The rooms are designed by renowned architect Shakti Parmar, known for designing townships, hotels and high-end commercial spaces. The hotel’s design is heavily influenced by Asian elements, combining marble and glass into a sleek, modern look. Radisson Blu offers services that have been created specifically to be empathetic to the challenges of modern business traveller. The rooms are well designed to host small to medium size MICE business. The second biggest advantage is a strategic location which is central yet in very tranquil surroundings. Added with Radisson service

Nishan Silva

Hyderabad is a corporate and a MICE destination, 80 per cent of our business comes from corporate travellers. The hotel is extremely sufficient in meeting and exceeding business traveller’s needs. Exclusive service concepts of the hotel like complimentary Wi fi, late check out, express laundry, are meant specially to cater MICE business. concepts like free Wi-Fi is a big bonus for MICE segment.

Tranquil dining The hotel offers total of five Food & Beverage outlets, Chill – All day dining that provides an extensive spread of Indian and Continental Buffet. Holy basil is the Pan Asian Restaurant offering the best of Chinese Japanese and Thai cuisine. Bar 41 offers sumptuous finger foods and wide range of cocktails and martinis and wine by glass. Dilmah T Bar is the India’s first tea bar by Dilmah at the hotel. It offers more than 31 single origin teas-based cocktails, mocktails and shakes. by avni mehrotra

factfile 8-2-409, Rd No. 6 | Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500034, India Tel: 40 6733 1133 Website http://www.radissonblu.com/ hotel-hyderabad Tariff Rs 6,300 - Rs 10,800 per night

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metro travel: eating out

A dining getaway at the Lemon Tree Hotel, Goa, the Republic of Noodles offers a memorable dining experience merging together the scrumptiously authentic delicacies of South East Asia.

oasting of an indoor-outdoor setting in a mystic forest-like ambiance, the Republic of Noodles at the Lemon Tree provides a dining experience like none other. Transpiring you through a savoury escapade across the streets of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Burma, the restaurant’s exotic location in the heart of Goa transforms regular dining into a global getaway.

Exotic authentic fare Picture a setting surrounded by plants on all sides with fountains filling the space for the visual treat. There are vintage mementos and antiques and artifacts from the various countries from which the restaurant derives its cuisine. Providing a platform for innovation and ingenuity, the quirky fixtures and lighting used enhance your dining rendezvous. Exotic and authentic dishes cooked with the freshest ingredients and served in a beautiful environment promise you the perfect symphony of South East Asia. The award-winning restaurant has branches in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Aurangabad. Incidentally, the word republic is derived from a Latin phrase ‘res publica’ translated as ‘a public affair’. The various offerings on the menu spice up your salivary glands and 82

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successfully commemorate the relationship between the noodles and authentic herbs and spices. Start your meal with grilled mushrooms with burnt chilly and tamarind marinade or Popiah Je - Vegetable Spring Rolls with Orange Chilly Dip. For non-vegetarians, the must-haves include Pot Roasted Spare Ribs with Honey Glaze and Wok Flashed Thai Garlic Pepper

lemon tree Goa

Eat, savour and slurp at Republic of Noodles

Prawns. If you enjoy soup – try the Indonesian Soto Soup with Glass Noodles and Coriander which is full of flavor. A wide variety of interesting stir fries like Bamboo Shoots with Picked Chilli, Minced Chicken with Chilli, Garlic and Basil and Red Snapper with Homemade Roasted Chilli Paste are very satisfying.

An array of choice The selection of noodles on the menu is quite incredible. Pick from Indonesian Bamee Goreng with Vegetables and Kecap Manis, Northern Thailand Khao Soi Curried Noodles with Grilled Chicken, Bangkok Style Pahd Thai Noodles with Wok Seared Prawns and more. Republic of Noodles is famous for its

claypot curries including the Massaman Curry with Potato and Spinach, the Jungle Curry of Chicken and Vegetables and Green Peppercorn, the rather unusual Pineapple Curry with Prawn and Lychees and the must-try Coconut and Turmeric Curry with Red Snapper. Dishes narrate the saga of the country they belong to, giving an insight into their culinary preferences. Preparations have names like the Fiery Sri Lankan Fish Curry with red tomatoes, which a popular main course choice or the Singapore Chilli King Crab with bell pepper, an authentic offering from the international city.

Spicy treats The spice really works wonders to the salivary glands. This far eastern food theatre

has stir-fries and clay pot dishes with curries from the various regions that are not typical of what you might find in other restaurants. Perhaps you won’t even want to doubt the length to which the noodle can stretch! Though the meal will leave you content, you should sweeten your meal by ending it with a Stewed Peach – with sweetened sticky rice. Text by avni mehrotra

factfile Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort, Vadi, Candolim, Bardez, Goa Tel: 832 3988188 Website: www.lemontreehotels.com Table for 2: Rs 1,500 + taxes

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metro travel: brunch time

f the food wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough to satiate your taste buds, the view complementing it makes al-fresco dining par divinity. Set against the majestic Arabian Sea, the Sqaure at Novotel Mumbai offers an extensive a-la-carte menu and a range of buffet options. With waves accompanying you for lunch, we are sure you would like to linger on for long to savour the eclectic dining options that the restaurant provides. Offering a view of the sea face, the restaurant is an

ideal meeting place for all those who love to experiment with and indulge in international cuisine. You can be assured of a good quality buffet with plenty of interactive live stations

Multicuisine fare The Square delivers multi cuisine food, drawing specialty offerings from their three restaurants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sampan, serving Chinese cuisine; Olio, the Italian restaurant and

Buffet by the Bay at The Square, Novotel Mumbai Located in Juhu,Novotel gives more than enough reasons to make its guests come back for more.One of them being the part alfresco restaurant The Square where you can be assured of a good quality buffet with plenty of interactive live stations.

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metro travel: brunch time

Bageecha that doles out Indian cuisine. The dĂŠcor and furnishing are strictly in accordance with the multicuisine theme of the restaurant. Keeping it light and modern, the design sensibilities give a rather contemporary edge to your buffet experience. The main attraction of the restaurant however, is the built-in buffet counters and open show kitchens that are buzzing with various cooking activities used for all three major meal periods. One could very see the way the food is prepared and feel free to suggest modifications if any. The alfresco dining can even be relished in the day time by sitting against the cool sea breeze, over some wine and kebabs. With daylight splattering from the outdoor terrace, one can bask in the sun-kissed terrace to enjoy a hearty meal nestled on the sea face.

Healthy breakfast options The health conscious can even request for a coconut to go along with the breakfast. The

live stations serving eggs offer a variety of options from boiled to scrambled to various types of omelette served along with sausages, mashed potatoes and baked beans. For the health-conscious, there are natural choices with home made yoghurt, along with Imported Italian coffee.

Midnight menu Complementing and completing the food, the beverages are served from the stock of house wines by the glass, aperitif, whisky, vodka, cocktail mixers, non-alcoholic drinks. Being a 24-hour restaurant, The Square also has to offer a special Midnight Menu for guests which includes appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pastas and small meals, Indian food selection and also an array of desserts.

factfile Novotel, Juhu Beach, Balraj Sahani Marg, Juhu, Mumbai Tel: 022-66934444 Website www.novotel.com Pricing: Buffets start from Rs 805 for breakfast and Rs 1,075 for dinner

Price range The French hotel chain has value priced the menu ensuring that they fall well within everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budgets. Prices range from Rs 805 for a breakfast buffet to Rs 2,472 for an alcoholic Sunday brunch. The midnight buffest is economically priced at Rs 698. The Square also invites larger groups and offers their buffet at the Rs 698 for kitty parties and small gatherings. by avni mehrotra

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metro travel: after hours

Inspiring concoctions with stunning views of the capital city An incredible venue located on the rooftop of Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi, Henri’s Bar is the place to head for a drink.

outed as the ivory chamber of Le meridian, Henri’s Bar doubles up as a bar and a lounging area for guests visiting Le Belvedere, Le Meridien’s Chinese restaurant. The place is constantly abuzz with expats, hotel guests and many a local visitors who wish to witness Delhi’s magnificent skyline in an imperialist setting over informal banter. The food menu is minimal with more emphasis laid on wine and drinks. There is a comprehensive drinks menu that flaunts champagnes and other liqueur delights from all across the globe.

Unwind in style The ambiance is enhanced by a wooden rack displaying bottles of various wines, scotches, rums, whiskeys and more. Wooden sofas form the seating of this enclosure; the enclosure is flanked by ceiling-to-floor windows. We binged on some Crispy Veg Potatoes and Cigar Rolls, which happen to be the specialty of the bar. Some signature cocktails are the Blue Lagoon, Force and Long Island Ice Tea. Mocktails, though not a part of the menu could be concocted on demand. 86

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The bartender would be more than happy to customize your mocktail as per your taste. The must-try non veg appetizer is the BBQ chicken. Complementing the food is the quick and courteous staff, that exceeds your expectations with a jovial smile! The bar is an ideal place to unwind after a hard day’s work. The bar is ideal for guests visiting the hotel with their business colleagues to indulge in an extended business conversation. After attending meetings and conferences for the entire day, Henri’s bar could serve as a great setting to relax with business colleagues and discover what defines them apart from their official positions. The bar allows you to let your hair down and sway away with a glass of champagne. by avni mehrotra

factfile 20th Floor, Le Meridien, Windsor Place, Connaught Place, New Delhi . Tel: 011-23710101 Website http://www.lemeridiendelhi.com/ Table for 2: Rs 2,000 (with alcohol), VAT extra

green travel

Green Alert In our monthly round-up of the destinations which offer sustainable tourism practices, we feature bird tourism in The Bahamas; project TerraMarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempts to conserve the ocean and the good news about tourists back to Bandipur Tiger Sanctuary.

Birding Paradise: The Bahamas TerraMar Project vows to Led by the Sustainable Tourism Unit with the support of Small Planet Consulting, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism recently celebrate and save oceans launched their first-ever birding tourism development plan. Bahamas is home to over 340 bird species including 110 species that breed in the country, over 170 migrant species and 50 rarely occurring vagrant species. Small Planet assisted The Bahamas in implementing the first initiative of the plan. This was a birding product testing and farmiliaization trip which confirmed that The Bahamas has everything it takes for a country to be a first-class birding destination. The Ministry of Tourism is actively seeking partnerships with international birding tour operators now.

The TerraMar Project, a nonprofit organisation wants to raise awareness about the high seas and unregulated oceans. Brainchild of lifelong marine enthusiast Ghislaine Maxwell, the goal of the organization is to inspire people to think and care about the ocean. TerraMar hopes to engage people with its interactive website, where visitors can take a virtual dive, or find educational projects for parents and teachers. Although much of TerraMarâ&#x20AC;şs focus is on celebrating the ocean, the website also calls attention to the many issues facing the high seas, including ocean acidification, overfishing, piracy, whaling, plastic pollution and illegal dumping.

Tiger sanctuaries back in business

Tiger sanctuaries are abuzz with tourist activities, thanks to the apex court permitting safaris in only 20 per cent of core areas. The Supreme Court decision banning safaris had left the officials of Bandipur sanctuary worried about the revenue. More worried were those who indirectly depended on tourists â&#x20AC;&#x201C; resort owners, tourist operators and travel agents. The ban had also affected the livelihood of locals involved in petty business. There was less tourist inflow to tiger sanctuaries during Dussera. But the sudden spurt in the number of tourists will also make the forest officials resume the safari at Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole sanctuary) soon. Even the cottages at Bandipur have been thrown open for tourists. Safaris will augur well with tourist activities, and bring in some revenue to fund-starved sanctuaries. Mysore region has three sanctuaries, of which Bandipur and Nagarahole are popular destinations. compiled by Avni MehrotrA 88 go now November 2012

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