The song of dusk

Okay, the last wasn’t true, but is as close to paradise as you will get. And surprisingly, it was nowhere exotic or faraway, but just Bhimtal, a few hours drive northeast of Delhi. Well, if the name doesn’t ring a bell straightway, it is actually a less glamorous cousin of the Queen of the Hills, Nainital.

A bit of Grand Torino

Italy is one country that I find stunningly similar to India: mountains in the north, drama in the east, spicy food in the south and the loudest people in the capital city.

Black mud and rose-red mountains…

You almost think the aircraft is going to land in the middle of a desert…till it finally touches down on the runway, making the excitement for a dramatic landing fade away instantly.

True mélange

Think Bulgaria, and well, there is actually little that comes to an average Indian’s mind. Geography enthusiasts will inform you of the capital, and the Black Sea coast. But its history, culture, society, economy are likely to be closed chapters.

The Black Cousin

The Black Grouse has finally reached India. Part of the Famous Grouse family, Scotland’s top whiskey, the Black Grouse, with its markedly stronger peaty flavour, makes its entry as the Indian whiskey market expands its vistas.

This is it

In December, Christie’s will auction off “the Vivid Pink,” a bubble-gum-coloured five-carat diamond with an estimated value of $5 million to $7 million. But instead of scheduling the sale for New York or Geneva, the city chosen was Hong Kong.

The freedom to be

How are you feeling today? Fresh and energetic? Calm and peaceful? Or is there something bothering you right now? Are you angry or upset with someone?

Hope Flickers

If the weekend rush in South Delhi’s upmarket Select City Walk Mall is any indication, the festive fervour seems to have taken the economy in its stride.

Vietnamese, at a restaurant near you

Indians plumping for Thai as the top South East Asian cuisine may have missed at least one worthy contender.

Finger Impressions

Talk of Durga Puja and the first thing that comes to our mind is the idol of goddess Durga and the artists who painstakingly create them.

Who stole my sherwani?

Armani has done bandhgalas. Zegna is reported to be eyeing them too. Alexander McQueen’s Fall 2008 collection was inspired by Indian maharajas.

Sindoor in your sauce

For Chef Guillermo Cadena, India may be at the other end of the world from the place he calls home, but this is his ninth trip to the country.

Crowned jewel

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur has been voted the Best Hotel in the World by Condé Nast Traveller in the Readers Travel Awards for 2009. Conducted across 26 categories, it invited 40,000 entries across travel and industry segments to bring out the World Top 100 list.

For recessionistas

Despite the brave noises being made by luxury retailers globally, the impact of the downturn is severely impacting the sector. But the sector isn’t throwing in the cravat yet.

Sound of music

It was close to midnight and the much-touted punctuality of the Deustche Bahn (German Rail) was clearly faltering. Our Intercity Express from Munich was well over an hour late, and as it rolled in to Salzburg Central Station, the scene outside was far from comforting.

Bling in time

The world’s greatest annual gathering of the global horological fraternity had an unexpected bling in its midst. Following in the path of other giant fashion brands such as Dior and Chanel, the world’s leading crystal brand, Swarovski...

At Home, for a Price

Looking for a different holiday experience? The next time you are travelling, try checking-in at a home, instead of a hotel

The best shot

Shooting children is one of the toughest shooting sessions possible. Whether you are a professional photographer, an amateur or just a father with a point and shoot, kids raise some of the more challenging aspect of photography.

The lull after the storm

The hills are under the spell of Aila - a cyclone that seems to have dealt a severe blow to the hospitality and tourism sector of Darjeeling

More than just wheels

Not for auto enthusiasts alone, Stuttgart’s richness of natural and built splendour makes for an exciting bouquet for the traveller

Well in time

Those following the stars at Cannes would not have missed the opening of a Jaegar-leCoultre boutique there, only their 28th globally. A brand that is over 175 years old and steeped in pioneering technology at that, it is no accident that it is limited to the most exclusive of global customers.

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