Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

SUMMER HAS ALWAYS been about lying in the grass, eyes squinting against the glare of the tropical sun. The rough edges of the blades dug into my skin, a contrast to the cool, damp embrace of the earth beneath. Summer holidays meant escaping the concrete labyrinth of Calcutta (I still call it that), where Art Deco façades and Victorian spires funnelled heat through the crisscrossing streets of South Kolkata. Just a few hours away, Mayurbhanj softened the world—open-air, terracotta-roofed huts, untamed landscapes, and cooling foods dissolving the rigid structure of city life. Summers were subversive. Uniforms gave way to loose kurtas and trainers, textbooks were traded for endless games of kho kho and kabaddi on sprawling lawns. We collapsed, breathless, onto cool stone floors while elders stayed up talking in…

Slow travel in Indonesia Wanderers often seek balance between adventure and stillness. For one traveller, it was the Indonesan island Gili Trawangan that taught her to embrace the art of slowing down. travelandleisureasia.com/in/ trips/how-gili-trawangan-teaches-you-to-slow-down/ Explore Jasper National Park, Canada Experience the perfect blend of comfort, scenery, and adventure with the Rocky Mountaineer’s “Journey Through the Clouds” luxury train ride. travelandleisureasia.com/in/ trips/this-luxury-train-journeyis-among-the-best-ways-toexperience-jasper-national-park-canada/ Bike, Hike, Snorkel Away from the city’s hubbub, St John’s Island’s balmy terrain is perfect for picnickers and nature lovers—the marine ecosystem is a bonus. travelandleisureasia.com/in/ destinations/southeast-asia/bike-hike-snorkel-how-tospend-a-perfect-day-at-stjohns-island-singapore/ DIGITAL COVER Abhay Deol on Living the ‘Susegad’ way in Goa. travelandleisureasia.com/ in/people/digital-interviewwith-actor-abhay-deol/ DISCOVER If you’re a curious foodie, stop by Chäs im Kloster, a cheese shop tucked away in picturesque Engelberg in the Swiss Alps. travelandleisureasia.com/ in/dining/relish-localdelights-at-a-cheese-shopin-a-swiss-monastery/ INSTA INSPO Stay tuned…

Summer travel doesn’t necessarily mean beaches, island escapes, and endless pool days. Family travel means keeping in mind everyone’s likes and dislikes, and finding the best experiences to make memories. Arzoo Dina lists some of the most spectacular summer road trips to consider this season with the whole gang. 1 GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA There’s a reason why the Garden Route is rated as one of the greatest road trips in the world. With 300 kms of sun-drenched coastline, windswept beaches, quaint towns, nature reserves and lush forests, there is plenty to see, do, and experience along this coveted stretch that begins from Mossel Bay right up to Storms River. The long summer days and weather make this perfect for a family road trip. Start your journey from picturesque Cape…

You know the feeling—rushing to the airport, the hustle through security, and then you step into Terminal 2, fondly known as the ‘Terminal in a Garden.’ Suddenly, time slows down, and the usual chaos gives way to calm, like the world outside is on pause. This, I realised, is where the journey begins. The 080 Domestic Lounge at T2 I arrived at T2’s 080 Domestic Lounge on Level 4, already feeling the weight of travel. But the moment I entered, it felt different. It wasn’t just a lounge; it was a reflection of Bengaluru. The menu, curated by celebrity chef Ranveer Brar, was a celebration of Karnataka. Each dish, from dosas to global flavours, told a story of the state’s heritage. I couldn’t resist the Kodagu Café blend, which took…

Vivo X200 Pro The first memory Larissa D’Sa has of dreamy Coorg is from a decade ago—in chilly weather, when she visited for a holiday. We marvel at what we see together as we drive down the winding roads—she quips that there’s so much more to see now, as she pulls out her vivo X200 Pro, capturing the lush green coffee plantations. Exploring Coffee Estates With vivo X200 Pro Coorg is mostly always thought of for its coffee—and while we hopped from one coffee estate to another—we were curious to see more of its offerings. This also came from Larissa’s own sense of exploration, which, she narrates, was evoked by a combination of curiosity, observation, and a desire to connect with the world in a way that felt meaningful. “Growing…

Vivo X200 Pro Kaziranga, alive with the symphony of rustling reeds and chirping cicadas, welcomed us with its raw beauty. Before even entering, a deer flashed across the forest, its emerald coat gleaming in the dappled sunlight. Further in, a rhino grazed quietly, its skin a mosaic of mud and wrinkles, while a herd of elephants wandered, a baby trailing close behind. The forest pulsed with life, untamed and vibrant. Wildlife photographer Ayush Singh, an explorer at heart, was there to capture it all. The Innovative vivo X200 Pro Our journey began at Jorhat Airport, where Singh, a solo traveller, stood out—not for his gear, but for the lack of it. Instead of bulky camera bags, he held a cutting-edge, imaging powerhouse smartphone—the vivo X200 Pro. As we spoke, I…