Looking for a weekend escape, a little travel inspiration or simply something unusual to add to your bucket list? You’re in the right place.
This week, we’re starting in Kerala, where Onam is bringing the state alive with colourful processions, thrilling boat races, traditional performances and lavish feasts. From there, we’re heading to some of the world’s most unusual coastlines, exploring beaches with pink, green, black and even purple sands.
We’ll also go underground to discover ancient cities and hidden worlds beneath some of the planet’s oldest settlements.
If you’re dreaming of travelling further afield, there’s plenty to spark your wanderlust. We’re taking a look at beautiful places travellers aren’t allowed to visit, the possible new cost that could affect your next Bali holiday, and a range of destinations, experiences and travel trends making waves around the world.
For culture lovers, we’re exploring some of the world’s most spectacular opera houses, along with five music events in India that might just be worth planning an entire trip around.
And because no weekend newsletter is complete without food, we’re checking out the Kerala dosa spot that caught Anand Mahindra’s attention, and six food cities whose culinary traditions are anything but ordinary.
So grab your favourite beverage, sit back and let’s dive in.
Planning an Onam trip? Why not celebrate it in Kerala?
From the colourful Athachamayam procession in Tripunithura and Pulikali in Thrissur to snake boat races in Alappuzha and the peaceful backwaters of Kumarakom, Onam offers plenty of ways to experience Kerala beyond its usual tourist sights. Here are places to soak up the festival, culture, food and celebrations this Onam.
Ready for a beach that doesn’t look like the usual postcard?
From pastel-pink shores in Indonesia and olive-green sands in Hawaii to black beaches in Iceland, red shores in Peru and purple sands in California, some coastlines come in colours you might not expect. Here are some striking beaches around the world to add to your travel bucket list.
Ever wondered what lies beneath some of the world’s oldest cities?
From an ancient underground city stretching deep beneath Cappadocia to Roman aqueducts hidden below Naples and medieval tunnels beneath Czech streets, these subterranean worlds reveal a fascinating side of history that exists far below the surface. Here’s a look at underground cities and complexes you can actually explore.
The world’s most beautiful places — but there’s a catch
Picture the most breathtaking places on Earth, from untouched ecological sanctuaries to ancient subterranean wonders. Now imagine being told you can never set foot on them. Whether due to extreme biological hazards, fragile prehistoric heritage, or absolute environmental isolation, some of the planet’s most fascinating destinations remain completely off-limits to travellers. Here is a closer look at the world’s most stunning forbidden locations.
Planning a Bali trip? There could be a new cost to factor in.
Indonesia has proposed raising its Visa on Arrival fees for foreign travellers, with the e-VOA fee set to increase by 50% and the regular VOA fee potentially doubling. The changes have not taken effect yet, but here’s what Indian travellers should know about the proposed new fees, who would pay what and when the hike could come into force.
Ever wondered what makes an opera house worth travelling for?
From grand historic halls to architectural masterpieces, we’re taking a look at some of the world’s most spectacular opera houses and the stories, design, and performances that make them destinations in their own right. Here’s a closer look at the world-renowned stages to add to your travel list.
Travelling to the US with your child?
Planning a family trip to the United States? The US Embassy in India has reiterated that all minor visa applicants, from newborns to 17-year-olds, must be physically present for their consular interview when an in-person appointment is scheduled. Here’s what parents need to know.
How far will you travel for music?
For more young travellers, the event itself is becoming the destination. From Ziro Festival of Music and Shillong’s Cherry Blossom Festival to Guns N’ Roses in Assam, Hornbill Festival and Sunburn, here are five music events that could give you a reason to plan your next trip.
Could a dosa be worth the trip to Kerala? Anand Mahindra seems to think so.
A dosa craving, a dosa-loving grandson and one Kerala eatery have caught Anand Mahindra’s attention. After recommending Chutney Maami in Thiruvananthapuram, he joked about wanting to “teleport” his family there for a Sunday meal. Here’s what put this vegetarian restaurant on his radar.
Ever wondered what makes a food city truly extraordinary?
From Hyderabad’s slow-cooked biryani and Chengdu’s tongue-tingling Sichuan pepper to Tbilisi’s ancient winemaking traditions and Oaxaca’s complex mole negro, these six cities have culinary traditions shaped by centuries of history, science and local ingenuity. Here’s a look at the food secrets that make them stand out.
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