According to the International Surfing Association, the world governing body for surfing, more than 35 million people now surf regularly. And with surfing due to become a professional sport at the Tokyo Olympics this summer (the competition will be held at Shidashita Beach), this number looks set to rise.

While the sport and its surrounding culture has traditionally been associated with Hawaii, surf tourism is now happening in more than 160 countries: from Biarritz to Bali, from Tahiti to Thailand, from Morocco to Mui Ne to the Maldives. And it’s no longer just bare-foot beach bums wanting to sip beer and catch a few hours sleep in a shack before hitting the water. A new wave of high network urbanites are looking to carve up their own slice of the waves – and the many luxurious surf resorts that have washed up on pristine beaches around the world are proof that they’re prepared to pay for the privilege.

Part of the appeal for well-heeled types is the sport’s wellness credentials. Paddling against the current is a killer cardiovascular exercise, popping up works the core and scanning the endless horizon is enforced mindfulness practice. Alongside surf schools and kit hire, these ultra-luxe resorts offer a myriad of other wellness opportunities. Think state of the art spas, world-class restaurants specialising in vegetarian food, on-site healers and quirky therapies such as horse meditation. Surf widows (who are just as likely to be men as women these days) and little ones are well catered for with endless facilities and armies of highly-trained staff on hand to cater to their every whim.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

An exhilarating ride in Indonesia, image by Jason Childs

Nihi Sumba is characterised by elegant, minimalist design with blonde wood touches, image by Read McKendree

Long afternoons at sea are a restful way to spend time with friends, image by Jason Childs

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Take Nihi Sumba, (nihi.com) located on a tropical island of the same name 400 km east of Bali. Founders Claude and Petra Grave actually chose the location for its private access to the legendary surf break, Occy’s Left. Named after Australian surfer Mark Occhilupo, this particular break is known as a challenge because it is so sensitive to different conditions: tides, size, strength and direction. Catching a good ride isn’t as easy as it looks, but the reward is a 300m long ride through crystalline water. To make it even more special, they limit access to just ten people a day.

The resort however is well worth the adventure even for those with no interest in surfing. It’s a collection of private villas inspired by the traditional architecture of Indonesia but infinitely more extravagant, with canopied beds and tasteful antique furniture. The yoga shala offers sweeping views of picture-perfect Nihiwatu Beach and there are free classes throughout the day, as well as the opportunity to book a private lesson in the jungle beneath a canopy of trees and exotic birds. The wellness programme also includes ‘horse meditation’ at the hotel’s private stables and a new series of breathing workshops that teach techniques developed by pro-surfers.

Just an hour away by flight, Bali is naturally home to plenty of high-end retreats and, as with so many other things on the Island of the Gods, holistic wellness is often the focus. Located on a powder-soft volcanic beach on the lesser developed east coast of Bali, Hotel Komune (komuneresorts.com)has unbeatable access to the Keramas surf break. Polish your skills in their 25 m exercise pool where they run a series of workshops, including breathing and big wave training. Their new health hub includes a kitchen garden where pineapples, greens and herbs are grown organically, before being reimagined into calorie-light dishes at the farm to table restaurant, while a skate park and kids club make this one perfect for adult surfers with ‘grommies’ (slang for ‘little ones’) in tow.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Laid back Aussie luxury with subtle Asian influences at 28 Degrees

One&Only Palmilla has resident Tropicsurf guides, available for individual or group sessions

There’s no shortage of freshly squeezed juices and exotic cocktails at Hotel Komune

The perfect weather forecast at 28 Degrees

A spacious beachfront pool suite at Hotel Komune, image by Peter Mylonas

The Baja Peninsular enjoys consistent surf

Find your zen on dry land too, at Hotel Komune’s wellness centre, image by Peter Mylonas

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Over on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, where the consistently powerful waves of the Southern Ocean pound beaches with sand as soft as sugar, One&OnlyPalmilla (oneandonlyresorts.com/palmilla) has its own Tropicsurfcentre on-site with no shortage of local experts to guide you to the best spots. A combination of sand bar beach breaks, short and punchy reef breaks and long rolling pointbreaks make this area any surfer’s paradise, and you can spot gray whales breaching on the horizon. On dry land, the spa draws on ancient healing practices lead by a shaman from the Mayo tribe, a truly unique way to experience the local culture.

In Australia, the surfer’s paradise of Byron continues to attract its fair share of long-haired hippie types, but a more luxurious side of this chilled-out beach town is emerging. The last few years have seen the opening of high-end concept stores and acclaimed restaurants such as Fleet, as well as intimate guesthouses like 28 Degrees (byronbayluxuryaccommodation.com.au). It’s handful of rooms offer relaxed Aussie style at its most polished: think organic bed linen, outdoor showers and private plunge pools. Located just minutes from the beach in a buzzy part of town, this one is ideal for those who want to be able to shop and explore without compromising on the quality of the surf.

To try and understand more about what attracts high-flying adults to surfing, World Travel Magazine spoke to James Hendy, who has been president director of Rip Curl Indonesia for more than ten years. If anyone knows how to hustle like a boss both on and off the water, it’s him. He takes a while to put his thoughts into words, and then says: ‘When you’re out there, focusing on catching the next wave with the cold spray in your face, its each to forget the pressures of the daily grind. Each surf clears your head and makes you feel ten times more alive.’ We’ll see you at the beach. By Imogen Lepere ◼[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.

© This article was first published in Feb-Mar 2020 edition of World Travel Magazine.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post Waves & Wellness: Guide To Luxurious Surf Resorts For Grown-Ups first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”10″][vc_custom_heading text=”At Fort Bazaar on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, an earthy interpretation of luxury takes one back in time.”][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”2″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-page”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

Does nostalgia end up having far too easy a way with me? I suppose there’s a ring of truth to this. I’ve been compelled by the textures of the past, from ever since I can remember. My bureau of travels and writings lies tinged with the fabric and the fragrances of times gone by, my navigational compass automatically attuned towards horizons and desires drenched in vintage. Perhaps it’s a sense of longing that lies at the heart of this, the need to hold on to things and places and people often already gone.

But in the courtyard of Fort Bazaar – the Teardrop Hospitality Group’s white-accented star, I’m finding an undeniable affirmation to my love affair with wistfulness. This tango with the past has landed me, yet again, smack dab in the heart of something special. I’m in the coastal gem of Galle for an encounter with relaxation and resonance. Fortune and good judgement having played their parts, Fort Bazaar is my home for the next three nights. This is the sort of address with which I’m preconditioned to forming an immediate connection.

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First built by the Portuguese in 1588 and fortified by the Dutch in the late 17th-Century, Sri Lanka’s best-preserved colonial township is now purveyor of all things hip and boutique on the island

I feel a palpable buzz to my new home. It revels in the white and lime green timbre of its colour palette; it comes to life in the lilting cadence of a courtyard dappled with divans, lamps that flicker with nonchalance come nightfall, a sprinkling of red tables and chairs, and an air of serenity that compels writers to reach for their pens; and it sparkles in the communal vibe of its mainstay – the Church Street Social Restaurant & Bar – which, being accessible from the main road, is everyone’s entry point to the property. There is a quiet grace to everything I’m coming across. This is an interpretation of luxury that believes in holding back, rather than showing off.

Location-wise, this couldn’t have worked out better. Galle is a town filled with customary hustle and bustle, but the Galle Fort – also known as the Rampart of Galle – is a treasure-trove of bohemian charm that cradles the town on its southern tip. First built by the Portuguese in 1588 and fortified by the Dutch in the late 17th-Century, Sri Lanka’s best-preserved colonial township is now purveyor of all things hip and boutique on the island. There are bars that play a bit of jazz, there are family-run Sri Lankan restaurants that serve spice and heritage with every spoonful, there are homegrown fashion labels that pour on the ethnic swagger, there are bistros that hint at the area’s long-ago heritage, and there are poster shops that offer up the perfect island memento or an homage to a nearby homeland in the form of vintage Bollywood posters.

Given my hotel’s location on Church Street, all these lie within walking distance; most of them, in fact, are an aimless amble away. I pick up a poster dappled in moonlight and the area’s defining lighthouse at Stick No Bills; I head for a vodka martini to the Amangalla; I pick up some shirts and fabric from Odel; Exotic Roots welcomes me with its Pandora’s Box of trinkets and art; Fortaleza bids me farewell after feeding me with seafood brought in that morning from the tides; The Kitchen serves up pasta in an alfresco setting kissed by ocean breeze; while my fondness for quirk and a touch of whimsy are sated at the Three By TPV boutique (on the deliciously named Leyn Baan Street). Around every corner, I feel I’m walking into a confluence of old Goa meets unapologetically unanchored Riviera… ripe with the intoxication of Bohemia, blessed by the indulgences of a maritime vibe.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Galle’s outlying beaches are their best at dawn

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Amidst conversations and laughter, amidst deep discussions and light-hearted flirtation, I duck in and out of a bouquet of pleasures. Each night ends with much drunken revelry and friendships forged. Sunsets are cherished at the Galle Lighthouse, which casts a faraway eye on the ocean beyond; fresh coconut water is partaken of on early mornings from a parade of shacks lining one of the Fort’s ramparts. Sri Lanka was once known as Serendib; as serendipity would have it, I run into friends of friends who colour this experience with their accounts of Sri Lanka. My connection with the address grows a notch deeper.

From among its 18 rooms, my Bazaar Bedroom delivers uninterrupted views of a courtyard I’m much in love with – its trees, divans of cane and white wood, curios plucked from Sri Lanka’s wealth of homegrown artistry, and candlelight that frolics in the night breeze are the stuff of poetry and memoirs. Fitzgerald would’ve loved the place, I note to myself. My room’s lime green countenance houses a queen-size bed of old wood, a bathroom with a sun-light that floods its granite form with brightness, and even a retro telephone, all of which compel you to accept the past without much protest.

I’m made privy to the property’s other rooms as well: the Banyan Bedroom with its private verandah; the Upper Suite that looks out over the Fort from a private balcony; and finally, an Upper Family Suite with its additional bedroom. Fort Bazaar’s devotion to hospitality doesn’t falter at any stage; all rooms come inclusive of breakfast, mini bar soft drinks, afternoon tea, and evening mocktails.

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Healthy, seasonal produce forms the bistro’s main philosophy

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]In this boutique townhouse hotel, I find my senses and my literary proclivities being nourished with a restrained sense of grace. I head to the upper level library whenever the mood, or a phrase, takes me, and find myself consumed by its lush green setting; the Z Spa enhances my sense of languor to perfection by pampering me with a bouquet of luxurious treatments and therapies, including a collection of signature massages, each administered via homegrown red, green, pink, and black tea-blended Ophir products.

Teardrop’s hospitality legacy in Sri Lanka extends wider to some of the most compelling small boutique hotels on the island. It’s this schooling in the art of the small hotel that delivers courtesy, warmth, and respect each time I interact with Fort Bazaar’s staff.

Galle is a town filled with customary hustle and bustle, but the Galle Fort – also known as the Rampart of Galle – is a treasure-trove of bohemian charm, as witnessed at the Odel flagship

The only time the service ethic slips is at the Church Street Social Restaurant & Bar (the latter currently sans alcohol, serving more as a café). My companions and I have placed our lunch orders 35 minutes ago, and there’s no sign of a single plate or piece of cutlery, leave alone the food. “This is how things are right now in Sri Lankan hospitality,” a local friend tells me. “Good waiting staff keeps getting poached on rote.” When the food does arrive, most of it is worthy of the wait – including a Chicken Caesar where the poultry has been replaced by the dark sizzle of crisply grilled prawns.

Rustic family-style sharing platters of charcuterie and cheese, lagoon crab salad, and the mélange of Sri Lankan and Asian fusion cuisine have managed to rescue the hotel’s flagship restaurant from its island-like slumber

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Island life idles by from one of Galle Fort’s many cafes

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Galle, and this address, continues to leave its mark on me. I soak up atmosphere within the Fort’s centuries old walls; I savour the minutiae of Sri Lankan hospitality; scones and high tea at the verandah hit just the spot at 4, as the world idles by. It’s at the verandah café that I sit as I write this to you. The thoroughfare in front of me is eliciting notes of sepia from the air. Light and life stream though the open arches. An old jazz record plays away. Once home to a merchant who dealt in spices and tea, Fort Bazaar has ended up adding an indelible fragrance to my journeys. Nostalgia, wouldn’t you know it, remains the headiest of affairs. ◼

[/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”ids” element_width=”12″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1542277917590-6ace6cb7-f82b-1″ include=”11470″][vc_column_text]Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.

© This article was first published in Aug-Sept 2018 edition of World Travel Magazine.

If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on World Travel Magazine, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.

And if you liked this story, subscribe to our bi-monthly World Travel Magazine, a handpicked selection of editorial features and stories from Global Destinations, Inspire Me, Insider, Style File, Wellness & Travel, City Travel, Suite Life, At Leisure, Short Breaks and much more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”9″ style=”load-more” items_per_page=”9″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1542277917596-7991668c-4485-8″ taxonomies=”1628″ exclude=”15205, 14466, 11296″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post A Teardrop From Serendib first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”10″][vc_custom_heading text=”The fine art of forest bathing in South India”][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”2″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-page”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Vibrant, colourful, exotic and ethnic, with attractions as diverse as the mind can visualise- this is Southern India. Allow it to lure you this winter.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Beautiful vistas along the quaint hilly roads of Munnar

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Southern India offers rich diversity to its visitors all through the year including the winter months of December and January. With its salubrious climate and breathtaking locales, one needs to look no further for an exclusive holiday. Undoubtedly, a lot is there in store for the eager traveller.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Scenic drive along Munnar Thekkady

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Scenic drives

Rated among the top 10 drives in the world, the drive from Munnar to Thekkady is a journey that wholly justifies its rating. This drive, roughly around 90 km, is to be experienced to believe. The sheer beauty of nature that travels alongside you as you eat up the miles is sure to compel you to stop ever so often to soak in the scenes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Tea plantations in Munnar

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]From tea plantations and cardamom estates to beautiful hills and waterfalls, there’s indeed a lot to enchant you. Another beautiful drive is from Bangalore in Karnataka to Masinagudi, stretching over 225 km. With the forest areas of Mudumalai and Bandipur on the route, you have a good chance to encounter wild elephants on the way. It does not matter if you do not have a destination in mind; it is the journey that will enchant you all through. Feasting your eyes on the greenery along the way, taking in the splendour of nature, savouring the occasional glimpses of wildlife as you traverse the route, these are drives that will rejuvenate you inside out.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Sarovaram Ayurvedic Health Center

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Ayurveda

A relaxing massage, oil bath, therapeutic massage, and the likes are the hallmark of Kerala and to a large extent in Karnataka as well. Some of the most exclusive ayurvedic retreats are to be found in this part of Southern India. To have your daily stresses and worries eased out in the hands of trained staff and having oil massages tailored to your needs is the ultimate lure for your winter holiday in South India.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Ayurveda rejuvenation therapy in Kerala

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Some of the most luxurious and prominent resorts are located along the seas and their sole objective is to pamper your senses with various medicinal as well as relaxing massages and packs. Experience the sublime and retreat to a world of utter indulgence while having the cares of daily life expunged from your system.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Padmanabhapuram Palace

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Unusual temples and palaces

South India is characterised by a typical architectural style for its temples known as gopurams. All major temples are built on this pattern. There are, however, some offbeat and exemplary architectural instances that stand out for their unique styles. Away from the humdrum, standing in their own majestic splendour are some of the lesser known but more exquisite temples and palaces in this region of India.

The Padmanabhapuram Palace is one such in Kerala. It is famous for its intricate woodwork and breathtaking finesse and detail. Halebidu and Pattadakal temples vie for attention in Karnataka, steeped in history and reflecting the cultural richness of a bygone era.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Padmanabhapuram Palace’s ornate gate

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]These temples will appeal to your aesthetics for the sheer artistry and carvings on display, more than perhaps the accent on the religious aspect.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Beautiful and serene backwaters of Kerala

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Exotic beaches and backwaters

Rippling seawaters in every imaginable shade of blue and green, sun-kissed and adorned by generous groves of coconut palms, lapping waves and the serene calm of backwaters, a lazy dusk colouring the same waters a vivid red as you savour a sundowner by the waters while coconut fronds provide a beautiful backdrop- could there be anything more idyllic? Known for backwaters that rival the best in the world, Valiyaparamba and Kumarakom in Kerala beckon with their pristine beauty.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Its the simple life at its best on a boathouse in Alleppey

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]You need just to reach these places and let go, sit back and relax in a setting that has all the ingredients to pamper every one of your senses to the maximum.  Complementing the calm backwaters are the countless number of beaches dotting the coastline of Kerala and Karnataka that can give you the luxury of exotica.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

By far the best way to explore the backwaters is on a House Boat

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]It is worth travelling to some of the lesser-known virgin beaches and let the sheer beauty of the surroundings take over.  Gokarna and Kanwatheertha are two such beaches that make for a luxuriant but quiet getaway.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

A haven for wildlife in Thekkady

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Going wild

Kerala and Karnataka are known for their abundant and varied wildlife, although the majestic elephant dominates in almost all the national parks and reserve forests.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Wild elephants in Munnar

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]The parks have beautiful resorts in the lap of the forest where one can chance upon herds of blackbuck while sipping on the morning tea, hear the cautionary call of the langur to signal a big cat on the prowl nearby, and invariably wake up to a cacophony of bird calls. You can trek within these parks or laze around and enjoy the sights and sounds. Kudremukh and Periyar sanctuaries need special mention here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Kori Gassi (Mangalorean chicken curry)

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Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam is a one-stop destination for every traveller who wishes for a quick immersion into the culture and heritage of this ancient land that traces its traditions back to 3rd century BC. This is, in fact, a deemed University for performing arts of different types that abound in this state. One can experience a rare Mizhavu recital here, a single major percussion instrument that forms part of the Sanskrit theatre, as well as come across various martial art forms indigenous to Kerala. The campus in itself is worth a visit with every pillar, every thatched roof, every wall being an ode to the rich cultural heritage of this state.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

South Indian thali colourful as ever

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Pamper your palate

The quintessential cuisine of Kerala and Karnataka is as full-flavoured and colourful as are the locals. Subject your palate to an explosion of tastes, go for the regional cuisine apart from the ever-famous dosa; although it must be said that the sheer variety of dosas across these states is enough to stump you. Indulge in various coconut dishes in sweet and savoury tastes, such as Korri Gassi and Obbattu. The Udupi cuisine of Karnataka and Malabar cuisine of Kerala are outstanding examples of local foods that bring out the masterchef amongst all. Make sure you taste the unique red banana of Kerala and various dishes built around it.

It is in the subcontinent’s peninsula that one comes to experience the exquisite. Unexplored vistas await you this winter in Southern India! ◼[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.

© This article was first published online in Nov 2018 edition – World Travel Magazine.

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And if you liked this story, subscribe to our bi-monthly World Travel Magazine, a handpicked selection of editorial features and stories from Global Destinations, Inspire Me, Insider, Style File, Wellness & Travel, City Travel, Suite Life, At Leisure, Short Breaks and much more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”9″ style=”load-more” items_per_page=”9″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1542274588996-f9002e02-de78-8″ taxonomies=”540″ exclude=”15205, 14466, 11296″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post Spend Your Winter In Winsome Southern India first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”10″][vc_custom_heading text=”Sensual tranquillity in Bali”][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”2″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-page”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Jungle luxury at its finest, you have discovered the most romantic bedroom in Indonesia. Fantastic bamboo architecture and dramatic construction will sweep you off of your feet and into a cocoon of magic. The Moon House features an open-air shower and copper bathtub, your own butler and private plunge pool. Natural tiered swimming pools with a view of the Ayung River enchant here as do the gardens.

Your stay is an adventure in itself. Enjoy the sustainable kolam, or swimming pond, made out of all natural materials leaving the usual concrete and chemicals of resort pools behind. Find tranquillity in the wonderful harm-free environment with a turn on the rope swing, rest in the deck chairs as you take in the beautiful view, or take a refreshing swim in the pool and admire the natural mountain stone hardscape as you float along with a few fish.

Indulge your inner child by playing the musical strings of the minang harp, an installation by visiting sound architect Rudiger Schodel. Enjoy restoring your own inner harmony in the magical world of sound therapy and vibration therapy. Cultural immersion includes participation in Balinese blessings and ceremonies, and a bamboo tour where you can learn how to make an architectural model taught at a local bamboo factory. bambuindah.com ◼[/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”ids” element_width=”12″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1540514320714-988540fa-e771-0″ include=”16012″][vc_column_text]

Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.

© This article was first published in Oct-Nov 2018 edition of World Travel Magazine.

If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on World Travel Magazine, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.

And if you liked this story, subscribe to our bi-monthly World Travel Magazine, a handpicked selection of editorial features and stories from Global Destinations, Inspire Me, Insider, Style File, Wellness & Travel, City Travel, Suite Life, At Leisure, Short Breaks and much more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”9″ style=”load-more” items_per_page=”9″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1540514320716-647253c3-e032-5″ taxonomies=”1211″ exclude=”15205, 14466, 11296″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post Moon House, bamboo, music and romance first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

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Your legendary wedding begins on the water, feeling the flow of nature and the romance of picture-perfect West Lake. Upon arrival, you and your beloved sail to the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake onboard a Chinese-style wooden rowboat. The bewitching, fairytale setting the perfect place to launch your life together or a romantic retreat.

Water has always been a symbol of love. You immediately succumb to romantic recollections of Marco Polo and the ancient days of sailing, crossing over into the realm of total rest and relaxation, in the arms of your beloved. Cruising through willow-fringed waters, you breathe in the stunning panorama of West Lake not wanting to forget one detail of the beginning of the rest of your life together, or simply this sacred moment. As you float past Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and its elegant, Qing Dynasty miniature pagodas that sit in the water, the boatman regales you with tales about the statues providing magic views of the moon in the water. It occurs to you that your love has been just as awe-inspiring.

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If this is a dream, no pinch would ever wake you. Instead you fall deeper into the spell that is West Lake and the enchantment of your unique happily ever after at the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou where intimate, striking pagoda-style pavilions string along walkways like pearls through lush waterfall gardens and jungle landscapes. Say I do surrounded by ancient temples, pagodas, gardens, dramatically carved man-made islands, and causeways. Your vows just as timeless as the UNESCO world heritage surroundings.

After docking, a lavish welcome tea greets you to further set the mood. You decide to take the boat out again later that afternoon, this time with a bottle of your favourite champagne––after the bride has her traditional String Resonance Massage at the Jiang Nan-inspired SPA. Her beloved decides on a traditional Dragon-Well Tea and Jade Spring Ritual.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Our favourite way to explore West Lake is aboard a traditional Chinese wooden rowboat

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]78 guestrooms with many featuring breathtaking terraces with remarkable panoramas of the lake, forest glades and water gardens. Framed with willow trees, ponds and lagoons, the hotel provides a picturesque setting for open-air weddings and intimate receptions. Make your dreams come true when you promise to love and honour each other––for the first time or fortieth––on the Love Bridge hovering above a stunning infinity pond overlooking the ancient landscapes that surround West Lake.

The changing seasons here add different, unforgettable, personalities to the flora and fauna. From the lavish, abundant, heavy blooms of summer to delicate, wind-whipped branches of winter, every day and every season unfolds the beauty of West Lake in new and exciting ways.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Join the legends of star-crossed poets, mythical white snake ladies, painters and ancient royals to celebrate your union or intimate retreat at the wonder that is the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake. Your boat awaits to take you deeper into the most romantic voyage of your life on the sea of love.
Visit www.fourseasons.com/hangzhou ◼[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

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© This article was first published in Oct-Nov 2018 edition of World Travel Magazine.

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The post Sailing The Sea Of Love first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

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Five key takeaways to live a healthier, and more relaxed life

The first is to eat healthily, with a variety of foods to get the essential nutrients while eating lesser calories. This will help to slim waistlines as well as slow down the process of ageing at a cellular level.
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Chiva Som probiotic salad

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Pair this with regular physical activity, to control your body weight and reduce the possibility of gaining excess weight. Regular exercise can also help prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol etc. while improving your mood and helping to manage stress, which is the third aspect of living longer. Too much stress may lead to changes in your appetite or mood and may affect your sleep and concentration. It might be beneficial to try meditation to help reduce stress.

Fourth, if you have a meaningful purpose defined in your life, especially something more significant than just yourself, will help improve your well-being, while strengthening your body. Lastly, remember to surround yourself with friends and family in frequent face-to-face conversations.
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Chiva Som new Thai pavilion

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Take some time to build good habits at Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, Thailand, which can help you focus on any areas you lack in, whether it’s building up your fitness, instilling good food choices—the vegetables, fruits and other edible plants are all grown in the resort’s organic gardens—or just taking some time to unwind from the stresses of daily life with a Siam Ritual Cocoon treatment. www.chivasom.com ◼
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_basic_grid post_type=”ids” element_width=”12″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1535009909835-63095419-0d54-7″ include=”8382″][vc_column_text]Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.

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The post Learn the secret to living longer at Chiva-Som first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”10″][vc_custom_heading text=”The rise of mental wellness tourism and the global luxury destinations that curate this experience”][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”2″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-page”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]With tension and stress induced aches on the rise worldwide, it is little wonder that mental wellness is expected to be one of the most meaningful and powerful well-being trends for decades to come. Paul Joseph, cofounder of Health and Fitness Travel discusses the rise of mental wellness retreats and the benefits of attending one.

Spotlight on Mental Health

When we analyse our well-being, there are various aspects to take into consideration: physical, mental, spiritual, ecological, social, occupational and emotional health. It is often that we find ourselves focusing on physical well-being alone; however, with increasing awareness raised, we have been reminded not to neglect our mental health.

With longer working hours, increasing pressures both professionally and personally, mental health issues are now more prevalent than ever. In the past 15 years, there has been a 50% increase in anxiety and depression globally, with around 600 million people being affected by mental health issues, according to the World Health Organisation.

de-stressing break at Longevity Medical Spa

THE RISE OF MENTAL WELLNESS TOURISM

Responding to this need and mirroring the rapid growth of wellness tourism, is the emergence
of mental wellness and mindfulness holidays. With most of us looking for ways to boost self-confidence or learn how to manage stress, these healthy mind retreats offer coaching to those suffering from the burnout
of modern living, and offer a new perspective, expansion of horizons, and bring positive energy back into mind, body and soul.

An integral part of these retreats is the practice of relaxation and mindfulness, which plays a
fundamental role in mental and emotional health. Mindfulness gives us the tools to cope with the strain of daily life, reboot our minds and re-connect with our inner-calm. Mindfulness retreats offer practical techniques for staying present, balanced and peaceful – states which are more easily achieved when removed from the stresses and strains of everyday life (and the exotic locations don’t hurt either!).

LUXURY MENTAL WELLNESS RETREATS

These 5 luxury destinations have everything you need to channel a more balanced mind and find inner peace.

Italy: The Mental Makeover Retreat
The Mental Makeover Retreat at Ti Sana will change your life in ways you may never have thought. This treatment developed by expert coach Steve McKeown, a master of mind-improvement; it uses a psychological programme combined with state-of-the-art tools to better your professional and personal performance. Guests partake in private consultations, group classes in meditation, hypnotherapy and NLP – all geared towards transforming your state of mind. This is the perfect location for those wanting to distance themselves and fully focus on mind rejuvenation and clarity.

India: Shreyas Silent Retreat
Begin your journey to recovery with a health consultation designed for a bespoke wellness transformation. The stresses of daily living shall be put to one side on this meditation holiday, as you embrace the art of mindfulness at Shreya’s Silent Retreat in India. Set amongst 25 acres of calming gardens, you can immerse yourself in utter stillness, spending the days relaxing and benefiting from the range of meditation and yoga classes; from Pranayama to Trataka – it’s impossible to not feel renewed.

Portugal: Longevity Mindfulness
At a secluded beach haven in Portugal, you will be surrounded by the practices of mindfulness at Longevity Medical Spa. This destress holiday lives up to its name, as you learn the skills needed to use mindful movement in everyday life through private mindfulness sessions with Longevity’s resident mindfulness teacher. Not forgetting your physical wellbeing, your body is rejuvenated with a healing osteopathy session. Slow down the pace and experience a greater sense of inner peace as you discover the power of meditation.

Bali: Maya Ubud Spiritual Journey
Bali’s long tradition of spirituality and wellbeing restoration is carried through the charming island villages at Maya Ubud Spiritual Journey. Wake up to yoga and meditation sessions which will kick start your day with positivity. You shall visit a traditional local healer on an energising walk to the nearby village, and receive a fresh perspective on your wellbeing. Recount your experiences in your retreat journal as you relax after luxury spa treatments; your memories shall boost the feeling of health and happiness.

Mental Makeover Ti Sana outdoor grounds

Ibiza: The Body Camp
Experience a full mind and body transformation on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza with The Body Camp. Your new home is a stunning villa nestled within terraced gardens of olive and citrus trees. Here, you will discover the art of mindfulness during one-to-one coaching sessions, and reflect during silent short walks. Shape up with other like-minded guests on a singles holiday, which offers a variety of revitalising activities; from circuit training and sea swimming to an unwinding yoga class, full body massage and dip in the mineral-rich salt water pool.

Health and Fitness Travel is a global luxury wellness travel company and is committed to providing healthy holidays that enhance and change lives. Created by Paul Joseph and Adam Heathcote as a result of their passion for health and fitness travel and offering bespoke holidays to improve people’s well-being to lead happier and healthier lives. www.healthandfitnesstravel.com. ◼

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© This article was first published in Apr-May 2017 edition of World Travel Magazine.

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The post Sojourn For Mind first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

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With stressful lives, overworked populations and a general global unrest, wellness has become a guiding light for the hospitality industry. They have pampered their faithful clients and wooed an entire generation of holiday seekers with products and services that conform to the highest standards of wellness. Within the wellness space too there has been a lot of debate, discussion and reinvention as guests became more discerning and selective.

The Global Wellness Summit has in recent years emerged as a key platform for some of these wellness trends to be refined. The 2017 edition held in Kitzbühel, Austria, brought together more than 500 leaders from as many as 46 countries representing the travel, spa, beauty, fitness, nutrition, technology, medical and architecture fields to shortlist eight wellness trends for 2017.

Many of the old concepts were challenged as experts brainstormed on ways in which they could expand some of their products and refine existing ones. A new era for wellness seems to have dawned with eight strong contenders vying for space.

Moving from an intimate to a sociable sauna experience

Saunas have been around for thousands of years. History accounts have detailed descriptions of kings and warriors in Central and Eastern Europe having a sauna before readying for battle or other state functions in enclosures that were akin to amphitheatres.

According to wellness experts, the repackaged sauna experience will be the biggest wellness trend of 2017 and these will move away from the earlier preference of intimate and private saunas to the theatrical and spectacular. Mostly, the sweatier the sauna is and the more socialisation it provides, the more in demand it is going to be. We are going to see more of communal saunas which are designed like large amphitheaters where 50-300 people can sweat together relaxing with music, food, bars, and talks on art and culture. Sauna events and sauna hangouts will be popular with a music DJ and bar thrown in the “hot box” which is the sauna itself. Saunas will also turn into “urban sweat lodges” offering infrared treatments.

Contrast therapy would also be popular with clients taking a cold/snow plunge after and repeating the same to get their endorphins pumping. Medical experts have given a thumbs up to saunas with benefits for those wanting to alleviate aches and pains and other cardiovascular problems. According to doctors, there has been a marked improvement in patients with cardio problems who have turned to saunas on a regular basis. Other smaller studies have shown a clear link between longevity and sauna use.

Transitioning of architecture to “living properties”

There has been a fair amount of churning with respect to what could possibly comprise of Wellness Architecture. In 2017 there is a clear direction here, moving away from surface aesthetics produced by “starchitects” who design more to wow and shock to those who create “living buildings” that improve the health of the humans living within.

Phone apps will be created to alert guests halting them from entering “sick” buildings that are likely to cause depression, breathing problems and other mood altering phenomena. Also, dawn-simulating lighting will ease guests into the different seasonal and climate driven changes creating an evenness that is important for a calm and collected state of mind.

Clearly, everything that is being built is getting reengineered and repurposed, from indoor air quality to sleep and
acoustics. Marketing these hitherto intangible concepts is becoming a lot easier as guests value their significance and are willing to shell big bucks for the same.

Distancing from noise to stillness and silence

While guests are going to find it hard to switch off from the noise around them, whether it is due to the crowds, vehicles, their mobile phones or laptops, they are going to make a beeline to places that help them create a downtime for their minds and bodies.

Silent spas, wellness monasteries and “down-time abbeys” will in all likelihood be big in 2017. These silent resorts, spas and wellness centres are going to draw from the contemplative values of ancient

cultures and scriptures creating a deep soul connect with each of their guests. Silent rooms, suites and restaurants, gyms and shopping arcades will surface and be in demand. Most international airports are already moving in the silent direction by using signages and computerised screens to display messages that they would otherwise have been announcing.

Just as there are people who want to fill their loneliness with people and noise, there are as many who want to run away from it all and seek their private haven of tranquillity, silence and contemplative environment.

Personalised journey of art and creativity

From admiring art works on walls and interiors, wellness resorts will strive to make art a more intimate experience for guests. They will hold classical concerts, art appreciation talks and organise intensive painting classes at hotels, wellness retreats, spas and studios. These options will be woven into the regular hotel schedule, allowing guests to experience art while continuing with their other pre-commitments and chores.

Yoga concerts will blend fitness and inner silence with music, live classical violin concerts and beginners classes under star spangled skies. These will find an audience as some of these ideas bear fruition. Activity based wellness tourism that gets you to mingle with locals, see their art and craft closely and listen to folklore that goes back hundreds of years will have a fascination all its own.

Inner beauty will continue to be a focus area

The fashion and beauty industry has been a huge driver for the wellness industry. This will see a marked shift to exploring options that strengthen inner beauty. In demand will be food, drinks, cosmetics and medicines that nourish and enrich the soul and the body from inside.

Chemical based products will be a strict NO and organic or natural will be sought after. The concept of “neuroaesthetics” where the brain is wired to respond to beauty will see a translation into the way spas and salons are designed and beauty is repackaged.

Moving from physical to mental wellness

The pressures of modern life are forcing people to demand more from their bodies and now increasingly their minds too. There is a growing consciousness about the wear and tear that the mind is going through and the need to nourish it and set it right before it degenerates into a more permanent kind of disorder.

This has built a case for a new breed of neuroscientists and psychotherapists who can work with wellness seekers, identifying their issues and helping them to overcome them as they navigate a more balanced and normal life.

Meditation, reflection, introspection, resilience and tolerance will be talked about as tech apps are developed to map and monitor the mental state. Special attention would be paid to depression and performance anxiety, the two biggest issues faced by millennials and seniors.

Panacea for those with the dreaded C condition

Cancer is the dreaded word in the health and wellness sector. The epidemic like proportions of all kinds of cancer have forced the wellness industry to cater to this large underserved population.

They are setting up special “Nurture and Support” programmes that combine oncological aesthetics and mindful therapies that serve the heart, mind, soul and body. Cancer patients themselves, their families and caregivers are showing interest in the offerings, willing to invest in programs that can provide comfort and succour to their loved ones.

Taking wellness to the masses With wellness acquiring an aspirational quality that goes beyond the elite to the masses, properties are looking at catering to a segment that seem to have been lagging for quite some time.

Apart from looking at volume, they are also being driven by a desire to give back to society and to reduce the gap between the have’s and have not’s. Value offerings that combine good health practices with soulful and inner rejuvenation packages are being specially customised to suit this part of the pie.

Stay tuned to World Travel Magazine’s social media feeds and digital editions as we explore the global wellness trends in detail during the course of this year.

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The post Wellness trends first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

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Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay pays tribute to Morocco’s Andalusian- Moorish legacy and heritage while commanding magnificent views of the Mediterranean. The first all-pool villa resort in Morocco, 92 luxury villas each come with a beautiful garden and private pool, some with direct beach access.

The Banyan Tree Spa features The Rainforest, a journey through a cascading Rain Walk. Calm your spirit in the Aroma Steam Chamber, luxuriate and detox in the Hammam followed by a cooling rub-down from the Ice Fountain. Enjoy Moroccan delicacies and Mediterranean-inspired seafood dishes in a villa or by the beach. Foodies might be inspired to make their own Moroccan or Thai dishes at a fun cooking session while the little ones hit the Kids Club for sand-castle building and water sports.

Thrill-seekers can choose from scuba diving, wake boarding, jet skiing, hiking into the Rif Mountains; or hitting The Royal Golf Clubs in Tetouan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or Tangier, home to the country’s most vibrant medina, kasbah, bazaars and souks. An exotic journey deep into the Riff mountains finds Chefchaouen, the blue city––a perfect romantic getaway painted in hues from sea to sky blue.

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The post Rejuvenate in Morocco first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

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The holy town of Rishikesh is known for its numerous temples and vibrant Ganga aarti. It is also for those who crave adrenaline and spirituality. Anushka Patodia visits this tiny town that has now made it to the global wellness landscape.

“13, 12, 11, 10…” I can feel people behind me exhale loudly and sigh as I will myself to hold on. My left leg is on the ground but the right is in my hand and behind my back as I’m bending forwards trying to balance my body on one leg. Around me is a bucolic landscape, something right out of a fairy tale, with lush fields to my right, the soft murmur of the Ganges flowing to my left and Himalayan peaks forming a protective barrier on all sides. “9, 8, 7, 6…” The sky is all shades of orange and blue and I can see the sun peeking out of the clouds to make its way to the top of the cerulean-carpeted sky.

It’s 5am (yes, 5 – I can hardly believe I’m up at this hour) and I’m willing my yoga instructor to count down faster so I can come back to standing position and look around me at the breath-taking scene in peace. “3, 2, 1…” It feels like an eternity has passed between these last three numbers as my foot finally rests on the ground and I exhale loudly and audibly. I have barely rested my right foot when it’s time to put the left one up and perform the asana again. But even amid the yoga pose I perform with difficulty, I have never felt more serene and at ease. I can actually feel my stress melt away and turn inconsequential as I stare at the mighty Himalayas all around me. Perhaps this is why Hindu sages and priests have thronged to Rishikesh for centuries in search of inner peace.

I’m on a terrace at the Parmarth Niketan ashram, one of the most popular ones in town, for an early morning yoga session. Built in the 1940s, Parmarth Niketan is also the host of the International Yoga Festival (which takes place in February/March) this year. I look around me at my fellow yoga practitioners and see a mixed bag of people. There’s something about yoga that unites people of all castes, creeds, religions and nationalities. It is also here that the Ganga Aarti takes place in the evenings, but we’ll come to that bit later. Known as the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh is a haven for those seeking spirituality, meditation and inner peace. You’ll find all schools of yoga here, from hatha and iyengar to kundalini as well as lecturers on Vedanta philosophy. It’s no wonder then that yoga enthusiasts from across the globe flock to this tiny town in the Garhwal hills of Uttarakhand to learn from the best.

But yoga isn’t the only thing that has put Rishikesh on the global map. It was way back in 1968 that the Beatles — Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison – came to this temple town to attend a transcendental meditation session with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. They later claimed that this experience greatly inspired them creatively and led to them having composed 20 songs. Ever since then, Rishikesh has become a place of visit for music lovers, hippies, yogis and those seeking spiritual awakening.

As for me, this was my second trip to the town and I was amazed to see the change that had taken place over the last seven years. Getting off at Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, I was unsurprised to see saffron-clad sadhus and long-haired mendicants around me. What was pleasantly surprising, however, was the sheer number of adventure enthusiasts I encountered during my 20-odd kilometre drive to Rishikesh. The last time I’d been here, my experience had been largely religious and meditative — this time, however, I saw adventurers white-water rafting, kayaking, cycling, trekking and even bungee jumping all around me.

Over the last five to six years, the adventure tourism scene has exploded in this town, with many companies offering camping and adventure sports packages. Excited and filled with adrenaline at this proposition, I had signed myself up with Aquaterra Adventures for a three-day camp that included white-water rafting, abseiling and kayaking. The strong currents on the Ganges makes it ideal for rafting up to grade six. However, the beginner that I was, I decided to start with grade one.

Our camp, known as Silver Sands, was set up about 27 kilometres from Rishikesh, along the Rishikesh Devprayag Road, on a sandy river beach. The adventure sports season is from September to May, and the weather in March when I visited was calm and pleasant. Camp games, solitude, campfire tales, kayaking, abseiling, good food and newfound friends were promised to us before the trip. My first day was relaxed, with friendly introductions made with fellow campers. The rafting would take place the next day and I just could not wait.

After breakfast the next morning, we set off on our adventure pursuit. We were to raft the 22 kilometres to the Laxman Jhula, one of the largest and most popular suspension bridges in Rishikesh. I got on to my raft even as the staff gave instructions on how to manoeuvre it in the rapids. The rowing was strenuous but the sight of the rippling waters of the majestic Ganges around us made it all worth it. As morning turned into afternoon, I finally saw the silhouette of the Laxman Jhula up ahead even as my body swelled in pride (and relief) at having completed the tiring but exhilarating ride. Here, amid the waters of the Ganges and surrounded by the Himalayas I had ticked one more thing off my bucket list.

That day, after we returned to camp, and a few rounds of kayaking and abseiling later, I looked up at the sky and started to retire into my tent a happy girl. But nothing could have prepared me for the sheer beauty of the clear night sky, with thousands of stars glittering in its midst. I stared mesmerised for many minutes, in utter awe. I had gone stargazing in many places around India and the world, but this experience, surrounded by the camps with a bonfire on the beach, was truly unparalleled.

Aquaterra also co-runs Atali Ganga, an “activotel”, is a hotel with a specific focus on outdoor activities. After checking out of the camp, I decided to spend a day there to get some much-needed R&R as well as go birding and hiking. The eco-conscious hotel has individual cottages and conducts much of the same adventure activities as the camp, albeit in more luxurious surroundings. Another luxury camping property is AquaForest, which offers guests riverside luxury tents and is close to the white-water rafting sites.

Rishikesh has its fair share of luxury spa and yoga resorts, the most popular unarguably being Ananda – In The Himalayas. Having stayed there before and partaking in its daily yoga and exercise schedule, I knew that it offered one of the finest stays in Rishikesh. However, its 30-minute driving distance from the city made it impractical for me to explore the town. For this reason, Raga On The Ganges, one of the many boutique wellness retreats springing up within the city made for a better stay.

After my taste of adventure sports and yoga, I decided to explore the cultural side of Rishikesh. Walking around the crowded town threw up a number of scenes – devotees walking around with flowers and other offerings to the many temples before they began their Char Dham yatra, or pilgrimage; tourists taking pictures on the Laxman Jhula, which was built in 1823 and later rebuilt in 1930 after a great flood; mendicants walking around begging for alms; sadhus in saffron robes hurrying off to pray; the busy market with shopkeepers selling incense, Shiva statues, clothes, Beatles paraphernalia and yoga mats; cafes serving delicious organic, vegetarian food. (Rishikesh is a meat- and alcohol-free town.) I walked up to where the giant Shiva statue had once stood, which had been washed away in the floods three years ago. Everywhere I went, I could see hordes of tourists around me (statistics suggest that Uttarakhand attracts 20 million tourists a year). In the evening, I returned to Parmarth Niketan to attend the famous Ganga Aarti on the banks of the Ganges. The sheer spectacle, sounds, bells clanging, chanting, and number of attendees left me spellbound and more than a little shaken.

On the last leg of my holiday, I decided to venture out of the city to Rajaji National Park. Spread over 820 square kilometres, it is known for its wildlife, including elephants, mountain goats, deer, sloth bears, tigers, leopards and hyenas. Also part of Rajaji National Park was the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, where the Beatles stayed. Now also called the Beatles ashram, the estate was in shambles. However, within the crumbling nooks and crannies, meditation pods and yoga pavilions, were whispers of the rich history buried here. As I walked around the estate, my guide told me about a music player and instructor called Mukesh, who conducted workshops in a hut. Mukesh had learned to play the Australian didgeridoo from a visiting tourist and now taught it to students under the name of Jungle Vibes. It is perhaps this rich history and talent that makes Rishikesh a place worthy of visit from tourists around the world.

In the quiet sanctity of its ashrams and yoga schools, in the adrenaline-pumping adventure sports now a ubiquitous part of the city, in its loud and cacophonous Ganga Aarti, in its secluded meditation centres, in its relaxing spa retreats and, above all, in its rich heritage, I found the inner peace that I had been searching for. As I made my way back to my flight which would transport me to the city I came from, I knew that I had come back richer and wiser from this holy town.

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