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Hey there! Good morning \u2615\ufe0f<\/p>\n
What makes a great holiday? For some, it\u2019s squeezing in as many short getaways as possible; for others, it\u2019s a luxurious train journey, a picture-perfect village or simply finding a place to switch off from the digital world. This week, we explore how Indians are rethinking travel, from wellness-led holidays and spontaneous festive breaks to a new way of staying connected abroad.<\/p>\n
Then, we take the scenic route through Europe\u2019s storybook villages, extraordinary pink lakes and monumental arches that carry centuries of history. If you prefer your journeys a little slower, we also have luxury sleeper trains that turn the journey itself into an experience, along with historic caf\u00e9s where literary legends found inspiration. And for those who love a little culture, we explore remarkable terraced landscapes and museums that preserve some of humanity\u2019s greatest treasures.<\/p>\n
Finally, we look at the world\u2019s five traditional Blue Zones and the everyday habits that may hold clues to a longer, healthier life. From far-flung wonders to the simple pleasures of living well, this edition has a little something for every kind of traveller and curious mind.<\/p>\n
So, settle in, grab your beverage of choice, and let\u2019s get into it!<\/p>\n
Your 2027 holiday might involve a gym, a digital detox or a very specific shopping mission<\/strong><\/p>\n From working out on holiday to switching off from WhatsApp and travelling for better currency value, Indians are rethinking what a getaway should look like. Skyscanner\u2019s latest travel trends<\/a> report points to a growing appetite for wellness-led stays, unconventional destinations and experiences that make travel worth the money. Gen Z, in particular, is treating travel as an investment rather than an occasional splurge, and sometimes, the mission is simply to return with the perfect tote bag.<\/p>\n Your next international trip could come with a SIM sorted before take-off<\/strong><\/p>\n Landing abroad and scrambling for mobile data may soon be one less travel headache. Air India and Tata Communications have launched EasyRoam<\/a>, an international travel SIM offering voice and data connectivity across 30 countries, with plans starting at \u20b9241, excluding taxes. Available as both a physical SIM and an eSIM, the service lets travellers arrange connectivity before departure, with plans to expand coverage to as many as 190 countries.<\/p>\n Festive plans, but make them multiple mini-breaks<\/strong><\/p>\n Why save all your holiday leave for one big vacation when you can squeeze in several short escapes? A new Zostel report finds that young Indians are increasingly turning the festive season into a string of spontaneous getaways, averaging just two nights per stay.<\/a> Bookings for October\u2013December 2026 are already around 50% ahead of last year, with solo travellers driving much of the trend and Himalayan hideaways such as Sangla and Kalpa seeing a sharp surge in demand.<\/p>\n Europe\u2019s fairytale villages where every street feels like a film set<\/strong><\/p>\n Think pastel houses perched above turquoise waters, cobbled lanes winding past medieval cottages and tiny hamlets tucked between dramatic Alpine peaks. Europe is full of villages that look almost too beautiful to be real, each with its own slice of history and charm. From car-free Giethoorn in the Netherlands to Norway\u2019s colourful Arctic fishing hamlet of Reine, these storybook escapes are made for travellers who want to wander somewhere straight out of a painting<\/a>.<\/p>\n These trains turn the journey into the holiday<\/strong><\/p>\n Imagine waking up to the Swiss Alps, dining in a carriage that feels like a royal salon, or watching the Australian outback roll past from your private suite. These luxury sleeper trains make getting there every bit as memorable as the destination, pairing multi-course meals and plush cabins with some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. From the Maharajas’ Express crossing India to Japan’s intimate Seven Stars in Kyushu, here are seven journeys that redefine rail travel.<\/a><\/p>\n Pull up a chair: These historic caf\u00e9s have stories written into their walls<\/strong><\/p>\n Some caf\u00e9s serve excellent coffee; others have played a part in literary history. From Ernest Hemingway working on The Sun Also Rises in Paris to Peter Altenberg treating Vienna\u2019s Caf\u00e9 Central as his home, these spaces have been tied to the lives and work of celebrated writers<\/a>. And if you\u2019re a Harry Potter fan, Edinburgh has a literary trail of its own, including the caf\u00e9 site associated with J.K. Rowling\u2019s earliest work on the series.<\/p>\n Straight out of Barbie land: Six places where lakes turn pink<\/strong><\/p>\n Forget turquoise lagoons, some of the world’s most extraordinary waters come in shades of bubblegum pink, lilac and crimson. From Australia’s vividly coloured salt lakes to Bolivia’s high-altitude lagoon dotted with flamingos, these surreal landscapes owe their hues to salt-loving microorganisms, algae and mineral-rich waters. Here are six natural wonders where the view looks almost too otherworldly to be real<\/a>.<\/p>\n Architectural giants that tell stories of power, victory and history<\/strong><\/p>\n Some landmarks do more than define a skyline, they capture the ambitions, conflicts and turning points of entire nations. From ancient monuments built to celebrate military triumphs to modern engineering marvels that push the limits of design, these monumental arches combine striking architecture with stories that have endured for centuries. Here\u2019s a look at six extraordinary structures that prove even a single arch can carry a remarkable legacy.<\/p>\n Nature\u2019s staircases: Landscapes that turn mountains into living art<\/strong><\/p>\n Imagine entire mountainsides transformed into intricate patterns, with every step serving a purpose. These remarkable terraced landscapes are feats of human ingenuity, shaped over generations to grow food, manage water and make the most of challenging terrain. The result is a mesmerising blend of geometry, tradition and nature \u2014 where working agricultural landscapes become some of the world’s most extraordinary sights.<\/p>\n Art, history and a little wonder<\/strong><\/p>\n Some of the world’s greatest cultural treasures live inside buildings that are attractions in their own right. From royal palaces turned into art-filled halls to galleries preserving ancient civilisations and masterpieces that changed the course of art history, these museums offer a journey through humanity’s creativity and imagination. For travellers who love a little culture alongside their sightseeing, these six institutions deserve a place on the bucket list.<\/p>\n The secret to a longer life? These five places may offer some clues<\/strong><\/p>\n What if the key to ageing well lies in the everyday things we often overlook? From Sardinia\u2019s close-knit mountain communities to Okinawa\u2019s plant-rich traditional diet, the world\u2019s five traditional Blue Zones have drawn attention for their remarkable longevity<\/a>. Their shared threads include staying active, eating plenty of plant-based foods, nurturing social connections and having a sense of purpose.<\/p>\n