City

Sipping steaming green tea, I lean over the wooden gate fencing my boutique property in Himachal, lost in thoughts of nothingness. A cool morning breeze caresses my face and I warm up to the faint rustle of cherry blossoms across the…
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It was the roaring twenties and Mumbai was Bombay. Art Deco buildings went up one by one until Bombay would soon have the world’s second largest collection of these streamlined but ornate structures. Towards the end of that decade, Bombay…
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I am on a morning walk, hunting for a strong cup of chai, when I come across a 300-year-old haveli—Bhartendu Bhawan—tucked away in the old by lanes of Varanasi’s Thatheri Bazar. The house belongs to Bhartendu Harishchandra—author,…
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For many, Diwali is all about the festivities—sweet treats, family gatherings and colourful rangolis. For others, it’s a long weekend waiting for a vacation. If you fall in the latter category, we’ve got you covered. Here are quick escapes…
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As the winter sun simmers over the Bay of Bengal, Kolkata renews vows with its perennial playmate, food. Grandmothers (and of late, commercial sweet shops) willing, plump parcels of pithey and jaggery-scented batis of payesh are a given.…
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It’s lunchtime at Suruchi, the 50-year-old Bengali eatery situated in central Kolkata. Set up by the All Bengal Women’s Union as an income-generating vocational training centre for women in need, today it is run entirely by the women…
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Curiosity led me to Kala Ghoda on a recent rainy Wednesday, to park myself in front of a building steeped so richly in Mumbai’s colonial history that the Taj Hotel was once seen as a rival upstart.The erstwhile Watson’s Hotel, now called…
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Cambodia has long been a country of many wonders that attract travelers from all over the world. From the dark and sordid history of Phnom Penh to the ancient city of Angkor Wat and everything in between, it’s no wonder so many people…
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Allahabad, recently renamed Prayagraj, brims with sanctity, heritage, and wonder. Although the rich culture of this Uttar Pradeshi gem begs to be explored in-depth, much of the city can be experienced in 48 hours—if you know where to go.…
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As someone who occasionally works in the theatre, makes films and writes on history I have always felt a connection to Bhopal–a city known for its medieval and modern architectural marvels, and contribution to Hindi and Urdu literature,…
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What to do during layover in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh city is a really impressive and nice city. Despite its rapid modernization, it still has many historical buildings and they are really well-maintained. The followings are places…
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A trip to the Mekong Delta Have you been on a trip to the Mekong Delta? Ho Chi Minh City is one of the cities near the Mekong Delta. In 2013, I had the chance to take a boat along the mighty Mekong River to get to Chau Doc, Vietnam from…
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While the words ‘private luxury club’ might conjure images of gilded interiors, plush leather sofas and liveried butlers, Embassy BLVD Club is a complete contrast with its contemporary, understated chic. Spread across an impressive one…
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Things to do on a Day in Ho Chi Minh City The main highlight of our second day in Ho Chi Minh City is our half day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels. This historical tunnel is one of the best spots to learn about the history of Vietnam especially on…
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