From there, we celebrate three Indian cities earning places among the world’s best, explore the award-winning projection mapping show at Gujarat’s UNESCO-listed Rani Ki Vav, and wander through some of the world’s oldest spice markets, islands you can reach without flying, and the best destinations to witness the Northern Lights.
Closer to home, we embrace the monsoon with spectacular train journeys and wildlife parks that remain open during the rainy season. We also look at why lung cancer is increasingly affecting people who have never smoked, and what a new study reveals about how museums, concerts and even movie nights may be linked to healthier ageing.
Finally, in ‘What We Read and Watched This Week’, we review Christopher Nolan’s sweeping adaptation of The Odyssey and a desi workplace romance ‘Love Under Cover’.
Let’s get into it.
India’s first hydrogen-powered train is here: What makes it different and why it matters
India has entered the era of hydrogen-powered rail with the launch of its first indigenous hydrogen train on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana. From how hydrogen fuel cells work and the train’s impressive power output to its dedicated refuelling infrastructure and role in India’s green mobility ambitions, here’s everything you need to know about the landmark project.
Heading to the hills? IMD warns of heavy rain across Himachal, Uttarakhand and J&K
Travellers planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand or Jammu & Kashmir may want to rethink their itinerary, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting widespread rain, very heavy downpours and a fresh Western Disturbance over the coming days. The weather office has also warned of flash floods, landslides, waterlogging and traffic disruptions across parts of the western Himalayan region, urging tourists to check weather and road conditions before travelling.
World’s Best Cities 2026: Three Indian destinations make the global Top 25
Udaipur, Jaipur and Mumbai have secured spots among the world’s 25 best cities in Travel + Leisure‘s World’s Best Awards 2026, based on votes from more than 661,000 readers. Here’s where the three Indian destinations ranked globally and in Asia, along with the cities that topped this year’s list.
Rani Ki Vav wins gold for 3D projection mapping show at WOW Awards Asia 2026
Gujarat’s UNESCO-listed Rani Ki Vav has won a Gold Award at the WOW Awards Asia 2026 for its immersive 3D projection mapping show. Developed by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat, the experience blends cutting-edge technology with one of India’s finest examples of stepwell architecture, highlighting the monument’s remarkable history, intricate sculptures and enduring legacy as a masterpiece of ancient water engineering.
From Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar to Delhi’s Khari Baoli: Six historic spice markets worth exploring
For centuries, these bustling spice markets have connected continents through the trade of saffron, pepper, cinnamon and countless other aromatic treasures. From Istanbul’s iconic Spice Bazaar and Delhi’s Khari Baoli to the historic souks of Marrakech and Tunis, these destinations continue to preserve centuries-old trading traditions while offering travellers a sensory journey through local food, culture and history.
No flight needed: 10 stunning islands you can reach by road, bridge or ferryIsland getaways don’t always require boarding a plane. From Scotland’s dramatic Isle of Skye and France’s tidal Mont Saint-Michel to Rameswaram’s Pamban Island and Japan’s Miyajima,
these destinations are easily accessible by road, bridge or ferry, offering spectacular landscapes, rich history and unforgettable journeys before you even arrive.
Chasing the Northern Lights? Here’s where to see the aurora at its best
From Norway’s Tromsø and Sweden’s Abisko to Iceland, Canada and Finland, these destinations offer some of the world’s best opportunities to witness the spectacular Northern Lights. Here’s where to go, the best time to visit, and why each location is a favourite among aurora hunters.
Monsoon adventures: India’s most scenic train journeys and wildlife escapes
National parks that stay open during the rainy season
The monsoon transforms India’s forests into lush green landscapes, and not all wildlife destinations shut their gates. From Kerala’s misty Periyar and Eravikulam to Jim Corbett’s open safari zones and Ranthambore’s buffer areas, these national parks continue to welcome visitors, offering a chance to experience wildlife against the backdrop of rain-soaked forests and dramatic monsoon scenery.
India’s most spectacular monsoon train journeys you should experience at least once
The monsoon transforms India’s rail routes into unforgettable journeys, with waterfalls cascading beside the tracks, mist-covered mountains, flooded paddy fields and dramatic sea crossings. From the iconic Pamban Bridge and the Konkan Railway to the Dudhsagar Falls route and the lush Western Ghats, these scenic train rides showcase the country at its rain-soaked best.
Never smoked? You could still be at risk of lung cancer
Lung cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in people who have never smoked, challenging one of the biggest assumptions about the disease. From air pollution and radon exposure to genetic mutations and secondhand smoke, here’s what experts say is driving the rise, and why anyone with lungs could be at risk.
Museum visits, concerts and even movie nights may help slow biological ageing, study finds
A growing body of research suggests cultural outings could benefit more than just mental wellbeing. A new study has found that older adults who regularly visited museums, cinemas, concerts and theatres had a lower physiological age than their peers, though researchers caution that the findings show an association rather than proof that these activities directly slow ageing.
What we read and watched this week
Love Under Cover: A charming enemies-to-lovers romance with heart
Aastha Roy’s ‘Love Under Cover’ is a workplace romance that understands the appeal of familiar tropes without relying on them alone. At its heart, it is an enemies-to-lovers story, but it is equally about ambition, trust and the difficult choices people make when their dreams and their conscience pull them in opposite directions.
Christopher Nolan’s Tom Holland and Matt Damon-led epic is a masterclass in blockbuster filmmaking. It is indeed a sweeping big-screen spectacle.
