Atmantan!!

Conveniently nestled between Mumbai and Pune, Atmantan is a short drive away to detox and to get away. Beautifully poised on a unique crystal hill that lends healing energies, Atmantan is a refuge for anyone seeking a few moments of sanity. 

There are private therapies to eliminate any pent-up stress. Hot stone therapy and hammams are other exclusive therapies with penetrated relaxation and rejuvenation. 

There are unique treatments like Chi Hei Tsang, a Taiwanese abdominal massage of emotional healing through gut health. There is a series of pranic healing sessions combined with Pranayama. 

Atmantan is meant for Atma-Mana-Tan.

The Andaman tribes!!

The Andaman and Nicobar are famous for its azure colour beaches, pristine corals and lush green forests.

It is also the witness to human history for being home to nearly 6000-year-old tribes. Of the 4 tribes, only the Sentinels have managed to maintain their way of life by not welcoming contact from outsiders. They live in a small number on strait island, The Onge.

Jarawas are the most visible tribes. These tribes are mainly hunter-gatherers like fish, wild boar and honey.

With the rise in tourism and the need for space, forest cover is also shrinking. Hopefully, we figure out a way for sustainable tourism.

Back to the forests of Karnataka!!

50-star tortoises were smuggled from India to Singapore. Good news is they have been flown back home by the combined efforts of wildlife SOS and Ministry of the environment, forest and climate change. The tortoises were transported free of charge by Singapore Airlines in boxes designed especially to keep them safe and comfortable during the long flight home. They were flown into Bangalore from where they would be taken into a protected area in Karnataka.

The unique star-like radiating pattern on their shells makes it a popular victim of the exotic vet trade. This initiative is the largest repatriation ever organised by ACRES.

Festivals in India!!

From the festivals of lights to spectrum of music festivals, there's a lot happening in India. Almost every part of the county is bursting with sound, dance and colour. 

A. Relax your mind, body and soul in international yoga and music festival from 1-7th November. 

B. The Rann Utsav from 1st November 2018 to 20th February 2019, a carnival of music and dance in the natural beauty of white Rann.  

C. Immerse yourself in Kabir's soulful teachings at Mahendra Kabir festival 16th-18th November. 

The heritage walks, literature sessions, food, music with performances. 

D. One of the world's largest camel and cattle fairs, Pushkar Mela is from 16th-23rd November. This includes animal races, camel safari, quad biking and even a camel beauty contest. 

Some other quirky contests are turban tying, Matka race and the longest moustache wins.

The green house is a boutique hotel in the heart of Pushkar. You can do the fair on day trips from Fort Barli, a heritage property in Ajmer or from Savista a two-storeyed haveli on NH-08.

E. Amritsar, Punjab on Guru Nanak Jayanti on 23rd November. The moods of the golden temple are particularly indescribable. With thousands of oil lamps, chantings of Guru Granth Saheb and fireworks in the background, the atmosphere is supremely uplifted.

ITC Grand Goa Resort and Spa.....

ITC Grand Goa Resort and Spa, 45 acres south Goa hotel is a top favourite leisure hotel. It has retained its existing structure. Portugal influenced architecture, the meandering pool and 252 spacious rooms and suites with old walled ceiling fans and indulgent sunken marble bath.

The new edition is the focus on Indian food with a desi blend of hospitality and warmth. The saboot tandoori aalo, shami kebabs are not to be missed, A simple portion of shahi tukda follows the meal. The concierge arranges cooking classes with home cook turned chef, "Sarita" at Tempero. It cannot get more Goan than this.

You can sign up for birding, crab hunting and feni making classes with the specialist from the area. The 90 min signature therapy at the Kaya-Kalp; the royal spa is extraordinary.

India's own Cherry blossom festival!!!

Cherry trees awash with wispy, pink and white blooms stretched as far as your eyes can see, this is not Japan, Paris or D.C this is Shillong. Visit the India international cherry blossom festival from 14th- 17th November. shillong's pink bounty is the gift from the Himalayas, the cherry blossoms span across the East and West Khasi hills.

The festival also highlights the art and culture through handicraft, cuisines, and wines. the cherry blossom festival is organized at polo ground, Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, state conventional centre.

You can also take a walk under a beautiful light up cherry blossom tree in a night sky at wards lake between 5-8 pm.

Taj Connemara, Chennai

Taj Connemara, Chennai has happily made a good make-over. The original hotel opened in 1854 and joined the Taj family in 1984. After a complete refurbishment which went on close to two tears has now reopened its doors with its 147 rooms.

The newly renovated Taj Connemara draws on the hotel’s illustrious past whilst offering patrons a distinctive, modern and individualistic experience. The refreshed design has eclectic architectural influences of classic colonial, art deco and selected elements from the celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa’s ‘Tropical Modernism’ style coupled with a timeless refreshing interior design.    

Taj Connemara has restaurants Verandah and Raintree and the bar - The Lady Connemara Bar & Lounge, the city’s first licensed bar. Novel culinary experiences showcase nostalgic Anglo-Indian dishes and regional Madras specialities in a relaxed ambience at the all-day-diner.

Welcome to the new Connemara.