Travel

72 hours in Mahabalipuram with Chariot Beach Resort

Want to know the secret formula of any weekend getaway? I have come up with one after spending 72 hours in Mahabalipuram courtesy the Chariot Beach Resort.

Relaxation + Adventure + Hogging on Scrumptious Food = A long weekend well spent

I have already taken you out on a photo tour of this lovely place and now I will share my detailed review. 🙂

My Room: An oasis of calm

Spacious, an amalgamation of modern and traditional and homely is how I would describe the room I stayed in. The best feature for me was the open air shower and once I got over my initial apprehension, I had a great time bathing in the sunlight and the moonlight.

The room has Wi-Fi connectivity, which can sometimes be patchy, tea and coffee maker, minibar, electronic safe, toiletries, hair dryer and 24 hours room service. I personally hate lugging around my personal toiletries while travelling and I was happy with the fact that Chariot Beach Resort provided natural, ayurvedic and organic bath and body products. I was particularly impressed with their sunscreen, which took care of my skin under the harsh sunlight.

Organic toiletries in eco friendly packaging by Chariot Beach Resort

The queen sized bed is perfect to laze around and the view from my window was so beautiful that I did not even feel the need to switch on the television. What I love about the property is that the rooms provide you the privacy you crave for during holidays. Each room is a like a mini bungalow with all the facilities you desire, in short it is perfect! 🙂

Overeat and overindulge

Get ready to gain a few pounds when you are staying at Chariot Beach Resort. Their restaurant has outdoor seating available and I encourage you to take advantage of it. The food is delicious, however, the service can be slow. They also tend to serve a lot of north Indian style food in their buffets and that is why; I recommend that you should order a la carte to eat some of their local specialties.

Their pastry chef is very talented and I bet that nobody can walk away from their counters by eating just one dessert.

They have a great breakfast spread, too, with lots of options, my favourite being the pongal and the spicy sambhar along with freshly made dosas. Again, their bakery will delight you with croissants, bread and mini muffins. I sneaked a few back to my room 😉

Their beach!

Imagine strolling out of your room at 5 in the morning and walking to view like this!

Chariot Beach Resort Sunrise — Getting up at 5 in the morning was worth it

Gorgeous isn’t it? You can go for a catamaran ride, a horse ride or simply lie in the sun to get a pretty tan. Did you know that if you walk for about 2kms you would end up near the Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram? We did that and it was one of the best moments of my stay.

Beach at Chariot Beach Resort — Walking barefoot at the Chariot Beach Resort

The adventure zone

I am a scaredy-cat when it comes to walking on swinging bamboos. I guess all of us are but the team at Chariot Beach Resort are so warm and encouraging that you feel like giving it a go. I did fall off the Burma Bridge and was ‘rescued’ by two able men but I am glad I gave it a shot.

Adventure zone at The Chariot Beach Resort — Scaredy cats: It is time to wear your brave pants!

Besides this, they have a special area for kids, a challenge course, a tyre wall, a tarzan swing and many other activities that are great for individuals, as well as for teams. I know I am repeating myself but the staff are there to assuage your fears and give you that boost of confidence when needed. You may not succeed but you definitely will be happy that you tried. 😀

Swim like an Olympian

I can’t swim to save my life but I do love bobbling around in a swimming pool 😉

An Olympic size pool at the Chariot Beach Resort

The Chariot Beach Resort has a wonderful pool with all the safety precautions in place so that you can enjoy a few laps or bob around like me.

Love, attention and care

The team at Chariot Beach Resort will do everything to ensure your stay is comfortable

From a bonfire

To a traditional folk performance

And setting up a special tea and coffee stall with home made Murruku

It is tea time at the Chariot Beach Resort

There is nothing these guys won’t do to ensure that you feel well taken care of. Now this is something that money certainly can’t buy.

All I have got t0 say now is…

P.S. Do you want to vacation at Chariot Beach Resorts like me and save money, too? Use my code Khush500 to avail a special discount of Value Rs.500/- over and above the Best Rates available on their official website.

The best kept secret of Dehradun: Regenta LP Vilas

Lavish, luxurious and regal are the adjectives that will immediately pop into your mind the minute you enter Regenta LP Vilas by Royal Orchid Hotels at Dehradun. From the gorgeous chandelier at their entrance to the handcrafted elephants at the reception; everything in this hotel is curated with love and passion. You will be struck with the thought that has gone behind designing the hotel. These days; when it often becomes impossible to distinguish from one luxury hotel to the other; Regenta LP Vilas is definitely a breath of fresh air. Now, before I tell you about the time I spent there and the food that I gorged on, let me quickly get you acquainted with the place.

4 W’s and 1 H of Regenta LP Vilas

What makes me love this place and why should I holiday here?

Situated next to a forest which is a solace for the sore eyes, this hotel is reminiscent of the Rajput and Mughal architecture and décor. With 74 rooms, the largest banquets in the city and a restaurant that will definitely make you overeat, Regenta LP Vilas is perfect for a luxury holiday.

Where is it located?

Even though it is just 6 months old, it has definitely made a mark for itself. One of my favourite aspects about this hotel is the fact that it is far away from the maddening hustle and bustle of Dehradun.

When is the best time to visit?

Everybody would say that summer is the best time but I am going to disagree and say go during the winters! It is damn cold, it makes you appreciate the beautiful weather and you can indulge in hot cocoas from COCO, Regenta’s youthful and energetic round the clock patisserie for the sweet and thupkas from the street vendors!

How do I reach there?

Ola cabs are easily available from the airport and autorickshaws from the city though I recommend that you try to return to the hotel by 9 during the winters. It gets difficult to find transportation back after that. The hotel staff can also make arrangements for you to go on a local sightseeing tour or take a trip to Mussorie. Just inform them 45 minutes in advance.

My trip to Regenta LP Vilas

I am one of those people who get restless in the city and I feel the constant need to get away from it all. A short holiday to the beautiful Doon valley reinvigorated me and refreshed my senses. Staying at Regenta LP Vilas certainly helped.

I spent two days just walking up and down the property; it is that gorgeous! There are little elements that will enrapture you and I certainly managed to capture quite a few of them. Have a look…

Food for your soul

Food is the most important aspect of my holidays and I personally blame Zaffran and COCO for adding a few more pounds on my waistline. Their dinner buffet is so good and their spread is so grand that you will initially find it difficult to figure out what you should sample first.

Mexican? Lebanese? Chinese? Indian? Fish? Lamb? Italian? A live counter? Their chefs are available to whip up whatever your stomach desires.

Their breakfast will spoil you silly and their room service, well I will just let the pictures speak!

COCO is the perfect place if you want to chill with a book or chatter away with your friends. Just look at the food they serve; you will definitely drool!

COCO: One of the coolest cafes in Dehradun to unwind and relax

Massage your worries away

Have you really had a luxury holiday if you haven’t had a masseuse gently ease those muscle knots? Besides this, they have a full fledged parlour, a gym and a play area for kids, too!

I am also told that despite offering such a gamut of services, Regenta LP Vilas does not want to stop here. They are soon planning to add Unplugged, a rustic bar and an open air Jacuzzi. Can’t wait for that to happen.

My abode in Dehradun

Regenta LP Vilas has the largest room sizes on Dehradun with a private balcony overlooking their forest. I hate carrying my toiletries when I travel and I was happy to know that they have one of my favourite brands, Biotique for the guests.

They, interestingly, have a free mini bar! Midnight snacks will no longer cost astronomical prices thanks to their thoughtfulness. I stayed in room 309, a 400 square feet Club Room with a King Sized bed and with one of the best views! Have a look.

My balcony with the most gorgeous view of the forest!

They also have:

i) Executive Rooms

Island Bed, private sofa seating with separate television, spacious balcony and a lavish room size of 474 square feet, customers alike.

ii) Suites

4 poster beds, exquisite traditional lamp shades and a separate living egentaoom and a traditional Agra inlay dining table have a size of 675 square feet deemed fit for the kings.

iii) Family Suite

The lavishly appointed family suite with two beautifully presented bedrooms, the rooms have been aesthetically built with traditional paintings and elegant inlay work.

Touristy things to do

You could spend all your time at Regenta LP Vilas and lounge around comfortably. If you are the kind who likes to explore the tourist spots of a place then there are a lot of places that you travel to. Mussorie and Rishikesh are a couple of hours away and famous tourist spots of Dehradun like Mindrolling Monastery, Robber’s Cave and many others are just a drive away. I did spend a day visiting some beautiful places and I will share the detailed itinerary with you in my next post.

Safety for women and solo travelers

Traveling solo means safety and security are always your first priority. I was happy to know that all all the rooms and public areas are fully equipped with smoke detectors and sprinklers. Surveillance cameras and 24 hours guard adds to their security measures.

Disabled friendly Features:

I often find that not all hotels take the trouble to be friendly to people with disabilities. Regenta LP Vilas is wheelchair accessible and has Braille signage in elevators. They also have one room that is compliant with ADA.

Final verdict

Romantic getaway, solo trip, soul searching, residing in the lap of luxury, gourmet trip; you can do everything your heart desires at Regenta LP Vilas. Stay tuned for my next post on their Banquets

Want to book your stay?

Visit their website for more details: http://www.royalorchidhotels.com/regenta-lp-vilas-dehradun/overview

Sterling Holidays: Hatke Holidays for you and me!

Long or short, exciting or peaceful, indulgent or simple, breathtaking or awe inspiring; it is almost impossible to encapsulate a holiday in a single term. When I was young, holidays were simple. We would pack our bags and go to visit my Grandfather who resided in Mount Abu. As I grew up, I developed a severe case of itchy feet and wanderlust. I wanted to see the world, I wanted to see the myriad hues of sand in a dessert, climb mountains and not give a thought to my weight when I gorged on local delicacies. Instead of a month long vacation, I prefer taking three mini vacations of five to seven days every four months are so. The joy of discovery, the delight of trying something new and exploring the many facets of a destination is essential to my existence and I am glad that Sterling Holidays understands the mindset of young travelers like me.

So what makes Sterling Holidays different from what they were before? I have identified 5 things and would love to share it with you.

100 days of Joy

Sterling Holidays 2018 — Celebrating Coconut day with Sterling Holidays

Stay at a Sterling Resort for three days and you never know when they will decide to surprise you with a wonderfully planned event. Apart from the regular festivals, they have a yellow day, Coconut day and other delightful activities at their resorts.

New and experiential getaway resorts

Sterling Resorts Dindi — The beautiful pool at Sterling Dindi

Tell me truthfully, have you ever heard of Dindi? I certainly hadn’t till Sterling Holidays decided to blow me away with these gorgeous shots. Have a look!

To the unbeknownst, Dindi lies on the banks of the river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh and is one of those places that still isn’t filled with tourists. Serene, peaceful and cozy is how I would like to describe this gorgeous destination. And let me tell you, Sterling holidays has a resort here as well as in other equally off beat destinations.

Beyond Tourists and Regular Tourism

Sterling Holidays Ooty — Holiday Differently at Ooty with Sterling Holidays

Vacationing in Ooty may be passé; after all everybody likes to go to the coolest and the newest travel destination. What people tend to forget is that there is something new to discover in every destination. Did you know about the Toda tribe who are the original residents of the scenic hill station? Did you know that you can visit a Toda hut, sample their cuisine as well as learn their traditional weaving techniques? With Sterling Holidays, you definitely can. It is their endeavor to ensure that customers go back with more than pretty photographs, they go back with precious memories.

Making customers feel like royalty

Sterling Resorts 2018 — Local cuisine courtesy the caring chefs of Sterling Resorts

Like anybody else, I love being pampered during my holiday. From eating my breakfast in bed, to have thoughtful staff taking care of my needs; for me the service quality is of utmost importance.

Sterling Holiday promises nothing short of the royal treatment for all their guests and I am more than happy to be treated like a queen during my stay with them.

Sterling has shown that they truly care by introducing something unheard of; a free of cost travel insurance that covers everything from your travel and your health. Now that is innovative!

Giving back to nature

Holiday destinations cannot survive without being kind to nature. It is after all the breathtaking natural beauty that attracts us human beings to long to visit a place. A thoughtful concept introduced by Sterling Holiday is called Save the Sparrows. You can order your own sparrow nest kit at home or when you are at a Sterling resort, you can spend an afternoon making one.

It is definitely one of the most unique things I have seen in a long time.

Sterling Holidays Sparrow Nest — Happy customers with their Sparrow Nests

So there you have it folks! I have just told you all that is there to know about the all-new Sterling Holidays. I bet you are as excited as me to holiday differently with them. For more information, do visit: http://www.sterlingholidays.com

Soaking the cultural heritage at the Korea Festival 2017

For somebody who has grown up having gigantic crushes on the cast of Boys Over Flowers and using K Beauty brands like Etude House, Innisfree and Tony Moly, travelling to Korea to soak up its culture as well as take in its contemporary way of life is a dream come true. Did you know that Korea has a beautiful concept called Glocal which showcases all the travel destinations of this country? I must say I was very impressed with it and after reading about it I decided to say Yeoboseyo (Hello) to Korea by visiting the Korea Festival 2017.

I began my trip by getting a lovely passport from the officials. Once you visit the travel zones, you can get it stamped. Lucky winners will win souvenirs and one person can even win tickets to Korea! I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Held at the Ambience Mall, Gurgaon this festival had a wide range of activities like calligraphy sessions, mask painting, a gallery full of stunning photographs of Korea’s heritage, hanbok photo-ops, meeting the tourist partners of Korea as well as enjoy Nanta and B-boying!

My favourite was the K beauty show as well as the K Pop Cover Dance. As I met tour operators from Korea, I managed to glean some important information and using that I have put together a handy guide of must have experiences at Korea. Hope you enjoy the post 🙂

Trying on the Hanbok

Hanbok is a traditional clothing of Korea which is worn on special festivals. In fact, Korea has a special experiential tour for travelers like me who would love to own a piece of Korea’ tradition.

At the K-Style Hub a tourist can not only get all the information on this beautiful country but can also participate in their unique hanbok fitting experience. You can try a few outfits, from the elegant traditional style to an edgy contemporary fusion and walk to the Cheonggyecheon Stream for a great photo-op for free! All you have to do is submit a few documents and they will allow you to browse through their marvellous collection.

Dubbed as a one of its kind living museum showcasing Korea’s culture as well as their modern history, the Insa-dong PR centre allows visitors to have a deeper understanding of its diverse culture through its tour guides. You can also have a look at the marvellous hanboks which were worn by the royalty as well as celebrities to support social causes.

Nanta

Music lovers rejoice! Nanta, a cooking performance featuring samulnori (a kind of percussion quartet) uses knives, pots, spoons and other kitchen utensils to showcase their talent.

Temple Stay

If you want to experience tranquility and peace as you practice mindfulness to relieve the stresses of modern life, I definitely recommend you to opt for a Temple Stay in Korea. It is an opportunity to experience Korean Buddhism by engaging in daily activities of a monastery like a Buddhist service, meditation and communal work. You are fed simple monastic meals and are invited to be a part of the traditional tea ceremony. The temples also offer a lotus lantern making program, too, especially during the Lotus Lantern Festival to celebrate Buddha’s birthday.

Royal Palace Tour

Changdeokgung Palace welcomes tourists to its Moonlight Tour to experience its true magnificence. The tour begins at the Donhwamun Gate and ends with a visit to the secret garden. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and often has traditional performances to revel its guests.

Another option is to visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace, that has a mixture of contemporary art and historical artefacts. Don’t forget to visit the National Folk Museum which is nearby.

Hot springs and spa

One of the biggest attractions of Korea are the oncheons also known as hot springs where you can relax and rejuvenate your senses surrounded by serene nature. The oncheons are famed to treat dermatitis, assuaging symptoms related to sleep deprivation, high blood pressure, and more.

Jijimjil-bang, a Korean spa treatment featuring saunas is another must have experience. Some of them feature private hot pools as well as hot rooms which are made of hwangtoe or yellow mud which helps soften your skin.

Food

You cannot experience true Korea without trying out Bulgogi with a side of Kimchi and ending it with a dessert of Tteok, the Korean rice cake.

Do have a look at the complete event guide here: http://koreafestival2017.com/# and I hope you will visit the Korea Festival 2017, too! 🙂

6 offbeat destinations in Singapore

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust. Taking these words to heart; I decided to use my ‘new pair of eyes’ to discover the lesser known places wherever I travel. Today, I would like to take you on a virtual visual journey across the Lion City through my list of the top 6 offbeat destinations in Singapore.

1. Magical Mandai Mangroves

Mandai Mangroves in Singapore — *Kayaking at Mandai Mangroves*

The northern most edge of the city has managed to keep itself protected from becoming a part of the concrete jungle. These unique mature mangroves are a delight for those who love the nature. The best way to enjoy the full experience is to kayak through traditional villages with wooden huts also called kampongs, meet horseshoe crabs and spot rare birds as you float on Sungei Mandai Besar and Sungei Mandai Kechil rivers.

2. Meet the Umbrella Trees

An art installation by Marthalia Budiman, the Umbrella Trees has been created out of pure whimsy and love. Located in Little India, on the Hindoo road, you will see an extraordinary sight; trees whose branches have been replaced with vibrantly hued umbrellas which can provide passersby like you and me protection when it rains unexpectedly. There are comfy verdant cushion at the base where visitors can sit and relax. Isn’t this one of the cutest offbeat destinations in Singapore, probably in South east Asia? 🙂

3. A Gourmet’s Delight

Andsoforth Singapore — *A dinner party in Wonderland by Andsoforth*

Off beat destinations in Singapore — *Andsoforth’s secret dinner party*

Are you a foodie who also loves a good mystery? Do you like reading Sherlock Holmes as you enjoy Hokkien Mie? If yes, then you will definitely love Andsoforth and its mystery! It is a secret pop up restaurant whose location is revealed to those who have made reservations only a few hours before they are set to enjoy a meal. What cuisine do they serve? It is a surprise that they call “The Experiment”. Maybe it is will be something traditional or a fusion. You never know what the chef decides to delight your taste buds with.

4. The Beautiful Market, Pasar Bella

Originating from the Italian words Pasar (market) and Bella; this is a farmer’s market where you can pick gourmet food, fresh produce straight from the farm, wine, handicrafts and anything else you desire. One interesting souvenir that I recommend you buy is the Singapore Shawl. The social enterprise was founded by Shelley Siu and is supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development since the company gives employment to the marginalized women in Singapore. Your shawl will keep you warm on all your future international flights to different parts of the world 🙂

5. The Red Dot Museum

One of newest and the most noteworthy off beat destination in Singapore, the Red Dot Museum is a must visit. In September 2017, the Red Dot Museum officially moved to its new and permanent premises at the Marina Bay. Established in 2005, this museum showcases the best of the best contemporary art forms like product design, communication design, industrial products and other design concepts. They also hold awards every year and in 2017, they received over 15000 entries from all over the world. Truly, a one of its kind, museum experience!

6. Haw Par Villa

You can summarize this place in just three words; quirky, bizarre and mad hatter crazy. Started in 1937, this park showcases more than 1000 statues and 150 unusual and sometimes disturbing figurines, depictions of hell and punishment as depicted in the Chinese Mythology.

Some quick tips before you travel to Singapore

Eating in Singapore is a little expensive and it is best to ask your hotel for recommendations. Alcohol also attracts a lot of taxes at restaurants. To enjoy a true Singapore culinary experience, don’t hesitate to eat food from hawkers or local food stalls.
Singapore has very strict laws on spitting, jaywalking and cleanliness; therefore to avoid getting fined, you should definitely read up on local laws.
During certain months, Singapore is unexpectedly hot and bottled water is expensive. Always carry your own water and refill it from water fountains from place to place
The best way to get around to different places is public transport because it is quick, cheap and hassle-free!

Hope you enjoyed this guide to offbeat destinations in Singapore 🙂

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72 hours in Mahabalipuram with Chariot Beach Resort

The best kept secret of Dehradun: Regenta LP Vilas

Sterling Holidays: Hatke Holidays for you and me!

Soaking the cultural heritage at the Korea Festival 2017

6 offbeat destinations in Singapore

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