When faced with dire situations and unsettling times like now, keeping spirits high becomes more important than ever. At Travel + Leisure India & South Asia, we aim to do just that. Even though we have to stay confined to our houses right now, dreaming can soar well beyond the horizons. With this rainbow in our hearts, and our inner wanderers itching to set sail again, we decided to get in touch with the Travel + Leisure A-List 2019 members – a collective of experts in their respective fields – to know about their #DreamEscapes once #CoronaBeGone. By Bayar Jain
1. Shivan & Narresh
“Travel inspires us, so it is absolutely impossible to pick one destination. However, if we had to, then we would choose Italy with its exceptional art, culture, heritage and gastronomical experiences. The country has a fine balance of contemporary attractions whilst preserving the rich cultural and ancestral heritage that highlights the true essence of the nation. Our travel would depict an unabashed admiration for the undying spirit of the peninsula and its people. Plus, fashion is at its personalised best there. It’s a country known for its bold aesthetic, which is closest to our sensibility as well. Sophistication transpires through the locals in their effortless style as an art form. Our travel escapade would be an ideal connotation of their indispensable role in the global scenario and our affection for them. Moreover, it would be intriguing to see how pandemic impacts the art of dressing in the region. Italy, for us, stands for a complete representation of the Shivan & Narresh holiday lifestyle.”
2. Zorawar Kalra
“The first place I would like to visit is Dubai because one of my restaurants in Dubai — Masala Library by Jiggs Karla-JW Mariott Marquis — was going to have a pop-up with some great chefs from Spain. Obviously, the event had to be cancelled. So, the first thing I am going to do as soon as the ban lifts is to try and reinstate this pop-up. After Dubai, I would like to travel to Tokyo, Japan. I had planned on going there this year, and catching up on new dining trends, enhancing my culinary knowledge, and even indulging in a few chef tastings.”
3. Anahita Dhondy
“Once all the risks are eliminated, I would like to travel somewhere in India. Even though I’d love the hills in the summer, I love Goa in the early winters more, right before the hustle and bustle begin. If I do travel abroad, I’d love to visit Bali for pleasure, nature, and rejuvenation; and Osaka and Tokyo for their insane food!”
4. Rohini Iyer
“Every time I go to Paris, I get a piece of my soul back. I have tried to go there twice this year already, and then, the outbreak happened, so I chose to stay back. When I do go back, I have a long list of stuff to do. First, I’d go to my favourite cafe in Montmartre and have their chocolate croissants and espresso. Then, I’d go visit Café de Flore and Café Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, where Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Zelda sat and wrote. I’d love to walk around the village of Montmartre. I’d go to Place du Tertre, where artists paint and pick up some sketches and watercolours. I’d go to the Eiffel Tower because that makes my day, followed by Café L’Avenue. Fashion begins on Avenue Montaigne for me. I’d probably end the day at the Ritz Paris, and raise a toast to the city at Bar Hemingway.”
Related: Influencers Talk About What Will Be Their Dream Escape Once #CoronaBeGone
