editor’s letter

YOU KNOW THe one question I am totally fed up of answering?“You edit a travel magazine, suggest somewhere we can go for a quick break. Something offbeat. And, we don’t want to spend too much time travelling…”

Weekend getaways are the new mantra. Long weekends are hugely awaited and if you try and book yourself into any halfway decent resort around one of these you will immediately understand what I am saying. They are almost always booked out. Long vacations are increasingly becoming a luxury few can afford. not just in terms of time off from work, but also the economies of putting it all together. I am struggling hard to remember when was the last time I put together one.

So here we are with just what many of you want. A bumper issue of 150 fabulous weekend getaways from ALL the state capitals in our India special. The navigation of the magazine is simple. It is divided into north, South, east, West (do note that the sections are colour coded on the top left hand corner for quick access to a region). The getaways are chosen keeping in mind their proximity to the state capital. We have really scoured the country and you will find inside a good mix: nature and wildlife ideas, quaint homestays, earthy farmstays, luxury resorts, fabulous spas, heritage trails, adventure breaks, spiritual journeys, river cruises, plantation experiences… and lots more.

While putting the issue together for you I have discovered the exotic Fort Unchagaon just about 100 km from Delhi. now I have something different to suggest to my ever-pestering friends. Also Surjivan in Haryana, which sounds like a lovely farmstay complete with milking cows, tilling fields and tucking into hot rotis straight off the tawa! For a feel of virgin kashmir head to Watlab, just 60 km from Srinagar, where stands this gorgeous lakeside village. If you are in need of some body and soul repair, there are holistic resorts like Leonia, just 30 km outside Hyderabad. Then there is Cardamom House in Tamil nadu located on a spice estate on the slopes of the Western Ghats, which sounds unbelievable, surrounded with mountains, lakes, tropical flowers.

keeping in sync with our promise of delivering ‘Beautiful People, Beautiful Places’ we have actor Diya Mirza, our cover girl sharing her favourite weekend destination, which happens to be Alibaug in Maharashtra. Writer and Parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor, who is out with a new book, Pax Indica: India and the World in the 21st Century, shares some kovalam secrets. Vicky Donor boy Ayushmann khuranna says he loves to dash off to kasauli whenever he gets some time, while actor Jimmy Shergill is the quintessential Goa boy. This is your ultimate India weekend travel guide. enjoy it, use it, hoard it.