Author: Anita

Showcasing Karnataka: Looking back, one year later

Published by Anita

On November 1, 2014 (also Karnataka Rajyotsava Day) a motley gang of 6, displayed the labor of their love at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad. Photographs taken over a 3-year period, traveling through the width and breadth of Karnataka. It was difficult to choose around 48 frames out of the more than 30-40 trips we had made individually and collectively. But, it had to be done. That’s all we could fit into the hall we had booked. What we remember though was that it was some of the best times we spent discovering the rich and abundant state of Karnataka, my home for nearly 10 years of my life. Not only did we challenge ourselves from an artistic angle, learning from and motivating one another; we also had some really fun times. Here’s a glimpse of some of the frames we displayed. We learnt so much from the time we spent together. But most of all, all of us forged a unique friendship that’s rare to find. While we had grand ambitions of putting a book …

A close encounter with the “king of wines”: Barolo Wine

Published by Anita

Apart from tea, the only other beverage I’m partial to is wine. For me a perfect meal is complete with a glass of wine which complements the food. Given my love for this extremely complex drink with a rich history, it was only natural that I even made an attempt to study the art and science of wines. I couldn’t possibly keep swirling glasses, and not knowing what exactly I was doing! Anyway, you’re now talking to a wine aficionado (I won’t call myself a connoisseur yet, given I probably still have to complete a few more levels!). But while on my favorite topic of wines, let me talk about a particular varietal that I discovered on one of my journeys and have enjoyed (amongst many others). Some of my favorite wines come from regions in are France, Argentina, Chile, Spain and Italy. This particular wine I stumbled upon while traveling in Spain last year. I really enjoyed it; the rich flavor and the strong character of the wine were what made it memorable for …

Development of local airports the way forward says the Manchester Airports Group

Published by Anita

Now, this piece of news caught my attention. Being a traveler and having been in many airports, and spending time going to and fro, I’m always interested in any developments that might impact travel and travelers. Some of you might remember my airport woes in Brussels last year, where I missed a flight because of 2 airports in the same city and landed up in the wrong one. And you might be wondering why I’m still talking about having more airports in the same area! But the more I think of it, the more it makes sense. And I’ll come to it later. But back to the report. This one pertains to Manchester Airport in the UK which is calling for development of local airports and with good reason. The UK has been, and always will be, an incredibly popular choice for vacations, and while most choose to travel to London, there are still millions of people who travel outside the iconic city every year. In fact, travel outside of London is so popular, the …

Heading to Delhi on business? Six tips to choose your hotel wisely

Published by Anita

I’ve had the good fortune of traveling and staying in quite a few well-appointed business hotels through the country during my working life with some great companies. One of my favorite destinations to travel on work has been Delhi. Since I’ve never lived there, it gives me an opportunity to see the city, more as a tourist. And there are so many wonderful sights around that you can pack in, between your work trip. There are many business hotels that have sprung up in New Delhi over the last few years; after all, it is the capital city. Travelers from all over the world, global organizations and companies have a base in Delhi and need to travel to the city at some point of time. Or have clients, vendors, work partners they want to catch up with. So how does one narrow down on a hotel? Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re making a selection: The location is everything! According to Startup Overseas, one of the main considerations you’ve got …

Interesting sights and experiences in Mussorie: Queen of the hills

Published by Anita

In this second part, Mukta Chakravorty comes back with her top 5 experiences of her trip to Mussorie with the JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove and Spa. Here are a few of her recommended things to do if you’re planning a trip to this beautiful and serene hill station. Indulge in breakfast by a stream. Imagine sitting in the middle of the water, dipping your feet in cool, crystal clear water, sipping on a cup of tea while you’re served piping hot breakfast. Pure bliss is one way to describe it. We got treated to a one-of-a-kind experience put together by Chef Sunil Kumar and team of the JW Marriott, Mussorie. The stream was just a short trek down from the famous Himalayan Adventure Institute. Tables were set amidst the gushing waters while a sumptuous treat was laid out in front of us. Now, I wouldn’t mind waking up to this kind of a breakfast everyday! Experience mountain roads… on a bike. The long winding roads make it ideal for biking and since I had …

The Terraces, Kanatal: Enjoy Himalayan views from 8500 feet

Published by Anita

Kanatal is a city in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Located 78 km from Dehradun, capital of the state, it is 38 km from Mussoorie and 12 km from Chamba. It is on the Chamba-Mussoorie highway and nearly 300 km from Delhi. Friend, adventure and nature lover, Rukhsana Parveen Haque spent a weekend at the invitation of The Terraces, Kanatal discovering the beauty of this gorgeous resort, enjoying the crisp mountain air, trekking, bird-watching and had an action-packed weekend. If you’re looking to enjoy some of the best Himalayan views, relax and even get a dose of adventure, this is a place you can keep in mind. Here’s her report transporting you to 8500 feet! It turned out to be a long journey. First from Delhi to Dehradun by train overnight and then onward to Kanatal by road: a 3-hour drive. But it was all worth it. When we arrived at The Terraces, the rhododendron juice pepped us up and then making our way through flower laden pathways, we were shown our well-appointed and luxurious …