Where to eat
We begin our journey with haute cuisine, immersing ourselves in the vibrant flavours and exuberant colours that define it. Culinary heritage, imbued with rich complexity, reveals itself through diverse textures and aromas. From the velvety softness of shahi paneer, the succulent tandoori chicken marinated in masala and yoghurt, to the intriguing mix of flavours in papdi chaat, adorned with a variety of chutneys and spicy yoghurt.
Qualia, Mumbai
Considered one of India’s top 50 restaurants, Qualia treats diners as integral participants in the culinary experience. The sequence of spaces, aligned with the restaurant’s linear design, is highlighted by delicate material details, transforming the meal into a theatrical event. Rahul Akerkar, a biochemist and a chef, shines on this vibrant stage with its red furnishings and mesh curtains that hint at the arrival of dishes – sweet and sour, unexpected, and some Mediterranean-inspired.
Masque
Distinguished by its use of locally sourced ingredients selected by chef Varun Totlani, Masque offers India’s first ten-course tasting menu. A marriage of tradition and innovation, the dishes are the result of extensive research, reflected in the Masque Lab, the restaurant’s experimental kitchen. While focused primarily on innovation, it also serves as a space for private dining and freestyle cooking. Masque is widely regarded as one of Mumbai’s most notable fine-dining establishments.
Noon
Situated in Mumbai, Noon reinterprets Indian cuisine using ancient fermentation techniques and innovative applications of mould. Led by renowned chef Vanika Choudhary, a pioneer of India’s farm-to-table movement, Noon stands out for its unique culinary philosophy. The ten-course tasting menu, inspired by the nuances of seasonal changes, transcends conventional boundaries, offering a refined and contemporary experience.
Misu 2.0
An audacious reinterpretation of a restaurant within a church, blending classical Western and colonial elements. Soft lighting reveals mesh arches and hand-painted walls, creating an intimate atmosphere at night. Misu 2.0 fuses concept and material, representing a wonderful evolution of its predecessor. It is considered one of Bangalore’s finest restaurants and is currently one of the trendiest spots in the city.
What to do
Aer Bar & Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
Perfect for celebrations, this rooftop bar is situated at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mumbai, one of the city’s finest establishments. It offers spectacular views of the nearby Mahalakshmi Racecourse and the sea. Open year-round, it features a retractable roof for any season. The Art Deco-inspired design complements a sophisticated cocktail menu, including all the classics, spicy highballs, and an exclusive selection of wines. A must-visit spot.
Glenburn Tea Estate
Darjeeling, located in northeastern India in West Bengal state, is known for its tea, cultivated and produced exclusively at altitudes ranging from 600 to 2,000 metres above sea level. A trip to the Darjeeling tea world is an unforgettable experience for visitors to India. We recommend the historic Glenburn Tea Estate, perched on Darjeeling’s emerald slopes. Offering a mix of luxury, tranquillity, and natural beauty, the estate boasts colonial-era bungalows with views of the majestic Kanchenjunga Mountain. Guests can enjoy guided tea-tasting sessions, factory tours, and walks through the lush tea gardens, like stepping back into the early 1900s.
Where to stay
India is known for its palace hotels, with lush gardens scented by exotic flowers, fountains, courtyards, exquisite interiors, and premium service, regardless of the region.
Villa Palladio Jaipur
For this journey, we’ve chosen this boutique hotel with only nine rooms. Part of a rural property inspired by the traditions of grand hotels from the past, the villa features a pool surrounded by red blooms, charming tents, a pavilion bar, and the Eremo – a space dedicated to meditation, yoga, or physical exercise. Its spa and stunning jasmine-filled garden with roses, pomegranates, hibiscus, and oleanders, as well as fountains and palm-lined walkways, offer exclusive luxury.
Kumarakom Lake Resort
Acclaimed as India’s best luxury resort, it’s located on the shores of Vembanad Lake in one of the country’s trendiest holiday destinations: Kerala. Spanning a vast area of lush landscapes, the resort has won the prestigious World Travel Awards three times in a row. Guests can enjoy luxurious accommodations, an Ayurvedic spa, pools, traditional Kerala-style houseboats, and a tea shop – all offering a flawless stay.
Where to shop
Rahul Mishra
In 2022, rapper Megan Thee Stallion wore a custom slate-blue gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta for her Oscars debut. Meanwhile, Rahul Mishra, the first Indian designer to showcase at Paris Haute Couture Week, champions a blend of slow fashion and traditional Indian craftsmanship. His brand, AFEW Rahul Mishra, an acronym for air, fire, earth, and water, embodies his vision of effortless luxury tailored for the modern woman’s wardrobe.
Sabyasachi
Sabyasachi Mukherjee is globally renowned for his grand creations rooted in Indian culture. The designer is a favourite among Boomers and Millennials, with his work celebrated across Bollywood couples. From restoring vintage art to creating original masterpieces, his work is on display in all Sabyasachi stores. The Sabyasachi High Jewellery collections, featuring hand-painted gold pieces, are considered true works of art.
Wellness
Many travellers seek peace retreats in India, focusing on their health and well-being. The country abounds in such destinations, often secluded in mountains or near the sea, but also within major cities, offering yoga, massage, and ancient practices.
The Imperial Spa
Now open to non-residents, this retreat in New Delhi combines ancient Ayurvedic and yoga healing practices. The spa has ten private treatment rooms, with many therapies using “miracle herbs” such as moringa and Indian gooseberry. These ingredients nurture the skin while healing from within, and treatments can include consultations with the resident Ayurvedic doctor. White-toned suites, inlaid with marble, create a meditative ambiance.
Shreyas Retreat
Athithi devo bhava is the philosophy that defines Shreyas Retreat in Bangalore, meaning, “a guest is to be served as God.” This ethos permeates all interactions, reflecting the belief that “all beings are divine.” Anaha, Sanskrit for “well-being” or “free breathing,” is the spa’s name. Treatments include ancient Ayurvedic and Panchakarma therapies, modern approaches like physiotherapy and acupuncture, mud therapies, and a wide variety of massages, all guided by Indian holistic principles.
Manja Spa
Located in Karnataka, this spa complex is designed with floating, fragmented blocks connected by elevated walkways. The architecture integrates with natural elements: the central plaza opens to the sky, massage rooms are connected to water features, and pathways meander through the forest. Its name honours manja, the local term for turmeric, one of ancient India’s most revered medicinal herbs. With a focus on both traditional knowledge and modern techniques, Manja Spa offers rejuvenation for the mind, body, and soul.
Vivanta by Taj
In Bekal, this luxury resort offers private beach access and a romantic setting. Inspired by Kerala’s traditional kettuvallam houseboats, the rooms feature private decks, outdoor dining areas, showers, and soaking tubs. The J Wellness Circle, internationally renowned, is the resort’s hallmark of Indian well-being, blending ancient healing wisdom with the luxury of the Old World. Healing is guided by the delicate balance of the five sacred elements – Akash (space), Vayu (wind), Agni (fire), Jal (water), and Prithvi (earth).
Six Senses Vana
Located in Uttarakhand, northern India, this impressive wellness retreat explores physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being through Ayurveda, Tibetan Sowa Rigpa healing, yoga, natural therapies, fitness, and aqua activities. Known as India’s most sublime spiritual spa, Vana offers personalised plans crafted by therapists trained at Men-Tsee-Khang, the Tibetan Institute of Medicine and Astrology, complemented by group activities like meditation and music as part of its daily routine.
