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What does your ideal escape look like? Perhaps it’s a remote island far from the crowds, a little-known corner of India waiting to be explored, or a cruise where the journey is just as memorable as the destination. This week, we take you from the world’s most isolated islands to Mizoram’s blooming hills, discover centuries-old underground homes where people still live, and look at the destinations winning over travellers in 2026.
We also have plenty to savour, with eight Indian dishes earning a place among the world’s best stews, led by a familiar favourite: butter chicken. And if fashion is more your thing, our Lakmé Fashion Week coverage explores a runway full of playful nostalgia, modern wedding wear, Indian craftsmanship and designers rethinking what luxury dressing can look like.
From far-flung adventures and unexpected discoveries to flavours worth celebrating and fashion that refuses to stand still, there’s plenty to explore in this edition.
So, settle in, grab your beverage of choice, and let’s get into it!
Far-flung escapes: Seven islands at the edge of the world
For travellers who dream of going where few others venture, these remote islands offer a glimpse into some of the planet’s most isolated corners. Think tiny communities separated from the mainland by vast stretches of ocean, extraordinary landscapes shaped by volcanic activity and unusual wildlife thriving far from busy cities. From islands that can only be reached by sea to Arctic outposts straddling the International Date Line, these far-flung destinations promise a very different kind of escape.
The world’s most-loved destinations for 2026
From sun-soaked Mediterranean islands and Japan’s blend of tradition and modernity to safari adventures and tropical hideaways, the world is full of reasons to start planning your next holiday. Condé Nast Traveller’s latest Readers’ Choice Awards reveal the destinations winning over global travellers, with a mix of familiar favourites and emerging draws making the list. Whether you’re craving culture, wildlife, food or a beachside escape, these rankings offer plenty of inspiration for your next trip.
Why Mizoram deserves a spot on your travel list
Imagine hills dotted with colourful flowers, community festivals filled with local music and food, and homestays that let you experience the Northeast beyond the usual tourist trail. Mizoram is drawing attention this autumn with its floral celebrations, growing agro-tourism scene and community-led travel experiences. With improved rail connectivity and a wealth of forests, waterfalls and adventure opportunities, the state offers a compelling reason to look beyond India’s more familiar holiday destinations.
Inside ancient underground settlements where people still live
Carved into hillsides, tucked beneath the earth and hidden inside rocky cliffs, these extraordinary homes have sheltered communities for centuries. Built to withstand harsh climates and shaped by local landscapes, they remain living settlements rather than relics of the past. Step inside six remarkable places where life continues underground.
Cruise holidays decoded: What your fare covers and how to pick the right voyage
A cruise can be a quick international getaway, a multi-country adventure or an intimate river journey — but what you pay for can vary considerably. From short sailings across Southeast Asia to premium voyages spanning several ports, there are options for different budgets and travel styles. Before booking, it helps to know what your fare includes, which extras could add to the bill and how to choose an itinerary that makes the most of your time on board and ashore.
Butter chicken makes the cut: Eight Indian dishes among the world’s best stews
From rich, creamy gravies to comforting bowls of lentils and spice-laden curries, Indian cuisine has secured eight spots on TasteAtlas’ latest global ranking of the best stews. Butter chicken leads the Indian entries at No. 4, while shahi paneer takes the highest spot among vegetarian dishes. The list also features regional favourites spanning Kashmiri, Bengali and South Indian kitchens, giving Indian food plenty to savour on the global stage.
Lakmé Fashion Week: The runway gets playful, menswear gets a rethink
From a Barbie-inspired fashion playground to wedding wear that puts comfort first, Lakmé Fashion Week is showcasing how Indian designers are reimagining fashion. This edition explores the ideas behind the collections — from preserving traditional craftsmanship and bringing desert folklore to the runway to making luxury dressing more fluid, versatile and wearable.
Barbie nostalgia, roller skates and a whole lot of pink
Aneeth Arora’s péro turned its runway into a life-sized dollhouse, complete with roller-skating models, retro checks and a rock-and-roll soundtrack. Beneath the playful spectacle, the collection celebrated Indian handlooms and artisanal techniques, proving that fashion can be rooted in craftsmanship without taking itself too seriously.
The Indian groom is ready to ditch the heavy wedding outfit
Heavy sherwanis and restrictive silhouettes are making room for a more relaxed approach to wedding dressing. Tarun Tahiliani’s Tasva showcased fluid fabrics, intricate heritage detailing and versatile ensembles designed to take the modern groom from daytime ceremonies to cocktail nights — with Ali Fazal leading the runway.
What happens when desert folklore meets designer couture?
Samant Chauhan and Jaisalmer Craft Gin brought the colours, symbols and stories of the desert into a fashion collaboration built around Indian craftsmanship. From architectural handlooms to motifs inspired by the brand’s identity, the showcase also raised a larger question: can collaborations help sustain traditional artisan communities while giving luxury fashion a more distinctly Indian story?
Crease-resistant suits, fluid kurtas and a case against baggy fashion
For Ashish N Soni, the future of menswear is about getting the balance between comfort and tailoring right. His collaboration with Arvind Limited brought performance fabrics, easy-to-wear separates and gender-fluid silhouettes to the runway. The designer also shared why he welcomes looser trousers but isn’t convinced by oversized clothing that leaves little room for tailoring to shine.
Manish Malhotra’s new luxury formula: Less structure, more movement
Manish Malhotra returned to the Lakmé Fashion Week runway with a fresh take on occasionwear, swapping rigid silhouettes for fluid drapes, lighter tailoring and luminous metallic finishes. Sara Ali Khan and Ayushmann Khurrana led the showcase, which also introduced the brand’s luxury prêt menswear line — a move towards dressing up that feels contemporary rather than ceremonially constrained.
