Pitched under the canopy of luxuriant trees, Oberoi Vanyavilas celebrates the great outdoors. The all-tent resort is located just a few kilometers away from Ranthambore National Park, making it a perfect base to explore the famous tiger reserve.
Continue reading Oberoi Vanyavilas: Glamping in the Land of TigersCategory Archives: Asia
Istanbul and Legacies of the Byzantine Empire
In today’s Istanbul, Byzantine legacies stand in tandem with the best monuments of the Ottoman era. Some are obvious, while others are harder to recognize and require some imagination to grasp their bygone grandeur.
Continue reading Istanbul and Legacies of the Byzantine Empire
An Giang: Discover the Southern Frontier
A mostly flat landscape where rice paddies stretch as far as the eyes can see, An Giang is a perfect overture to all that is distinctive about the Mekong Delta. But this province on Vietnam’s southern border is more than a “rice bowl”. It’s a place known for cultural diversity where multi-ethnics have coexisted for centuries.
Continue reading An Giang: Discover the Southern Frontier
Yen Tu: Ascending the Holy Mountain
Yen Tu is a spiritual retreat and one of Vietnam’s most sacred sites. It features a series of temples, pagodas, and towered stupas set amidst a lush mountain landscape. It’s also here that Tran Nhan Tong, the revered Buddha Enlightened King, founded Truc Lam – a Vietnamese Zen lineage – some 700 years ago.
Continue reading Yen Tu: Ascending the Holy Mountain
Ranthambore: In Audience with the Bengal tigers
Once the hunting grounds of maharajas, Ranthambore National Park is now a sanctuary for the majestic Bengal tigers. The number of wild tigers has miraculously increased over time, making it one of India’s favorite spots to see the rulers of the jungle.
Continue reading Ranthambore: In Audience with the Bengal tigers
Halong: Bay of the Descending Dragon
Covering an area of over 43,000 hectares, Halong Bay in northeast Vietnam is known for its impressive seascape formed by thousands of limestone islands and islets. These towering pillars rise from the seabed like a defensive wall and locals believe that they are the vestige of a legendary battle.
Continue reading Halong: Bay of the Descending Dragon20.9100512107.1839024
Six Senses Fort Barwara: Night in a Rajput Palace
Set within the 700-year-old walls, Six Senses Fort Barwara is a resort of extraordinary. It is not only a place to spend the night but a meticulous conversion project that took nearly 11 years to complete.
Continue reading Six Senses Fort Barwara: Night in a Rajput Palace
Jaipur Forts: Glory of the Rajput Rulers
Standing majestically on the Aravalli ranges, the forts of Jaipur have attracted admiration from far and wide. They are best known for their remarkable architecture which combines Rajput and Mughal elements. The fortresses reflect the glory of Rajput rulers and the expertise of Indian craftsmen.
Continue reading Jaipur Forts: Glory of the Rajput Rulers
Jaipur: Behind the Pink Gates
Jaipur is by no means India’s largest, grandest, or even oldest. Yet behind its earthy pink gates is an energetic city where markets, shops, and splendid architecture jostle against each other.
Continue reading Jaipur: Behind the Pink Gates
Gwalior: An Untapped Treasure
Though located just 120 km from Agra, Gwalior only sees a minuscule share of tourists. The city rarely turns up in the itinerary of first-time visitors; many have never even heard of its name. However, those who travel to Gwalior will be astonished by the grandeur of its fort and palace.
Continue reading Gwalior: An Untapped Treasure
Agra: Beyond the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is undoubtedly the reason that draws millions of visitors to Agra. Yet it’s not the only monument built in the former imperial capital of the Mughal empire. Early rulers, from Akbar, Jahangir to Shah Jahan, preferred the city over Delhi. They furnished it with an imposing fort and a sprinkle of magnificent tombs and mausoleums.
Continue reading Agra: Beyond the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal: An Architectural Perfection
For many, the Taj Mahal is the most impressive monument built for love, an eternal testament to a husband’s devotion to his wife. For others, it represents the perfection of architectural planning and excellent craftsmanship. Regardless, the marble mausoleum is considered to be the icon of India and the greatest architectural achievement of the Mughal dynasty.
Continue reading Taj Mahal: An Architectural Perfection
Hoshinoya Bali: A Forest Sanctuary
Embraced by vividly green forests, Hoshinoya Bali is a sanctuary of serenity. It’s designed after a traditional Balinese village, featuring villas with thatched roofs and canal-like swimming pools that mimic the subak system. Yet the modern ryokan also reflects the Japanese aesthetic via the use of space and extraordinary hospitality.
Continue reading Hoshinoya Bali: A Forest Sanctuary
The Mark of Empires in Delhi
Delhi is a city like no other. The capital of India had seen more warlords, conquerors, and emperors than most cities in the world. Each ruler constructed a new capital on, or near, the ruins of his predecessor, leaving today Delhi a mega city that is dotted with ancient monuments, gardens, and forts.
Continue reading The Mark of Empires in Delhi