Condé Nast Traveller India December 2020 - January 2021

Conde Nast Traveller is the world’s most iconic luxury travel magazine. It is the most independent and authoritative source of luxury travel and lifestyle. CNT India is created for the sophisticated Indian traveller who is looking for authentic travel experiences, discoveries and journeys.

₹120

in this issue

IN THIS ISSUE

CONTRIBUTORSPEAK

RIAAN JACOB GEORGE Writer; Royal Rendezvous; p108 A: “The year 2020 has taught me that all the virtual travel experiences and Zoom calls can never compare to the actual thrill of travel.” @riaangeorge SAMIRA SOOD Writer; Hunker Down; p132 A: “It’s reminded me to never take travel for granted. Whether it’s a weekend away or a work trip, do it. It’s also taught me the value of the mundane—that you can cherish even a visit to the market.” @samirasood NICOLA CHILTON Writer; What’s new in the UAE; p78 A: “I’ve flown once since March, and that first post-lockdown trip was both exciting and disorienting. I was experiencing the miracle of flight as if for the first time, and I never want to lose that feeling again.” @nicolachilton YASHASVINI RAJESHWAR Writer; Can and Able; p140 A: “I’m sure I’m not the…

3 min

IN THIS ISSUE

EDITOR’S LETTER

“Remember the people and brands that chose to help others during the darkest days of this year” To travel or not to travel? That seems to be the question on everyone’s minds as 2020 ends and 2021 begins. Now that you can travel, the question is, should you? Everyone on Instagram seems to be doing it. Goa is packed; you can’t find a hotel room in Shimla; flights to Dubai are full; and as Freddy Birdy put it, “Maldives is the new banana bread.” And yet, this is a deeply personal choice with real dangers and, potentially, very hard-hitting consequences. I travelled recently to Dubai, but I met very few people outside the bubble I travelled and lived with, isolated for a week and tested (twice) post my return. Any form…

3 min

IN THIS ISSUE

DESTINATIONS

FAVOURITE LEISURE DESTINATION IN INDIA Udaipur and Jaipur have long featured in your top five vacay spots in the country, and this year, Rajasthan wears the crown. Goa continues to win hearts with its touch of paradise, as do Kerala’s serene backwaters and Ayurvedic massages. The evergreen pleasures of Odisha’s calm beaches and temples and Himachal Pradesh’s quiet mountain views are even more on your mind. 1 Rajasthan 2 Goa 3 Kerala 4 Odisha 5 Himachal Pradesh FAVOURITE OVERSEAS COUNTRY You could probably tell us your top five countries in your sleep, but #1 remains a surprise. This year, France hits the sweet spot, as do Switzerland’s alpine charms and Thailand’s carefree, sunshine vibes. And who wouldn’t wish for the Maldives’ picture-perfect beauty in this whopper of a year! We’ll bet The Crown had its own part to…

1 min

IN THIS ISSUE

HOTELS

FAVOURITE DESTINATION WEDDING HOTEL IN INDIA Stunning Himalayan views and opulent palace feels are for tying the knot, with JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa earning the most love. Rajasthan has all your loyalty: Rambagh Palace, Jaipur and The Oberoi Udaivilas. Udaipur are close to your heart, as are Fairmont Jaipur and Alila Fort Bishangarh. 1 JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa 2 Rambagh Palace, Jaipur 3 The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur 4 Fairmont Jaipur 5 Alila Fort Bishangarh FAVOURITE DESTINATION SPA May we count the ways you love unwinding to your heart’s content? You’re clearly head over heels for Ananda in the Himalayas, and you’d fall over backwards for Chiva-Som Hua Hin, Thailand, dive in the deep end for Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, cross the seas for Banyan Tree Phuket and…

5 min

IN THIS ISSUE

You voted—and won!*

How we did it Voting was conducted online at cntraveller.in from 10 September-4 October 2020. The responses were analysed by an independent market research company, Market Management, in the UK. 1 ANKIT CHAUBAL wins a two-night stay for two people in an Island Villa at COCO Bodu Hithi, Maldives. 2 VIPIN NANDA wins a three-night stay for two people in a Lagoon Terrace Room at The Leela Goa. 3 ANIL BAKSHI wins a two-night stay for two people in a Kwena Hut at the Gondwana Game Reserve, South Africa. 4 SUNIL BHALLA wins a three-night stay for two people in a Burj Khalifa view Double Deluxe Room at Dusit Thani Dubai. 5 ARYATA AGARWAL wins a three-night stay for two people in a Tower Premium Room at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney in Australia. 6 DR VINAY…

1 min

IN THIS ISSUE

AIRLINES

FAVOURITE INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE Singapore Airlines is your numero uno airline for the second year! Emirates is a staunch favourite, and you’ve been racking up miles on Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways and British Airways for ages. 1 Singapore Airlines 2 Emirates 3 Turkish Airlines 4 Etihad Airways 5 British Airways FAVOURITE DOMESTIC AIRLINE For the third year in a row, Vistara is your queen of the skies! IndiGo and Air India remain among your top-voted airlines too. 1 Vistara 2 IndiGo 3 Air India FAVOURITE AIRPORT We almost can’t remember a time when Singapore Changi Airport wasn’t everyone’s favourite. Dubai International Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi know just how to keep you smiling too, long layover or not. 1 Singapore Changi Airport 2 Dubai International Airport 3 Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi 4 Heathrow Airport, London 5 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai HERE WE ARE AT THE…

2 min