Travel Diaries

Staycations

Trip To The Sula Vineyards, Nashik

July 14, 2016

So you think that only French and Italians excel in the art of wine making? Well, if you are an Indian and love sipping some fine wine & cheese over a tête-à-tête, then a trip to Nashik is what you need! Sula is considered to be one of the best wine makers in the country as they produce French Sauvignon Blanc & Californian Chenin Blanc; which were planted and produced first by Sula in 1997. Sula Vineyards founder Mr. Rajeev Samant took up the challenge of transforming barren lands of Nashik into wine farming stations. Sula Vineyards was officially established by Mr. Samant and Mr. Kerry Damskey, who happens to be an eminent Californian winemaker. The 30 acre family estate has since then come a long way from being a barren property to a fully functional grapes farming and wine producing facility. Not only do they have a concrete wine production facility & wine cellars, but the property also offers a destination restaurant, wine tasting and wine production tour for its guests. While December – Early February is considered as the grapes harvesting and wine producing time at Sula Vineyards, the month of July to early August is marked as the time of celebrating wine over picturesque view of Nashik’s mountain terrain and the monsoon season. Families and youngsters often travel down to Nashik during this period to celebrate the romantic rainy season with some wine and hors d’oeuvres! Me, along with a couple of other influences of India were invited over by SULA team for a grand experiential of the SULA Vineyards. As we transitioned from the humid Mumbai monsoon weather to the cloudy atmosphere of Nashik, all that we could think of was the experience that awaited us. If you google up www.sulawines.com, you will be redirected to the …

Staycations

#DiscoverInHondaAmaze with Chetan Bhagat

December 23, 2014

Don’t we all dream to have a life that only gifts us the opportunity of travelling through the narrow lanes of the world (India, for now) in a butter-smooth ride and get travelogued throughout the journey? Well, while we sigh at such a dream, their is one literature mind who is actually livin it up! The genius behind write-ups like ‘Two States’ & ‘Three Mistakes of My Life’; Chetan Bhagat has started a breathtaking journey with Honda Amaze, discovering the real beauty of India – Amazing India. While he’s at it, Honda India has left no stone un-turned to capture the moments in the form of a travel-series. Called ‘#DiscoverInHondaAmaze Travelogue’ “You know what’s amazing about India? That it’s home to so many superb and unique destinations. And after the exciting and hectic year I’ve had, I really needed a good break. Honda had given me the perfect opportunity to experience the amaze. To get out there and discover amazing India.” – Chetan Bhagat Well, this webisode series is surely something to watch out for. Why? Because a literature genius exploring the diverse cultures and sharing his experience, the virtual drive in Honda Amaze and the knowledge that we will gain about unexplored regions of India will be a truly amazing experience. Don’t you wish to pack your bags and get out on an adventure already? Check out the first webisode of the series wherein Chetan Bhagat will explore the mystery behind Karnataka’s ‘Drowning Church’. Follow all the action Website Youtube Facebook

Staycations

Spice Studio : Alila Diwa Goa

November 24, 2014

Their are two types of people. The type who ‘Eats to Live’ & the type who ‘Lives to Eat’. I believe that latter is what defines my life perfectly. Food is one grand affair that I can’t get enough of. So every time a travel is on my cards, I make sure that I come back with some memorable taste buds that I get to try in the local suburbs. If you are in Goa and would like to experience the authentic Goan delicacies, then make your way to the lush land of Alila Diwa Goa. The food fairy (insane chuckles) blessed me with a chance to try out some great Goan authentics at one of Alila Diwa Goa’s restaurants, The Spice Studio. About Spice Studio Spice Studio is an elegant, contemporary setting for a dining experience centred on the authenticity of Indian spices, their varying flavours and cooking techniques. Located on an elevated platform that spreads naturally around a banyan tree and surrounded by a water body, it features a menu celebrating regional fare from across India and an extensive array of seafood. You can choose from cuisine from the Northern region of the country (Punjab, Rajasthan, Kashmir and Awadhi style), South India (Kerala,Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh), Eastern influences (Assam, Bengal, Orissa), cuisine from Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat) and our very own Goa. From fresh produce and spices to the serving styles unique to these regions, every meal immerses you in a rich experience of India’s culinary traditions and spice history. You can also opt for a master class with the chef to learn about signature Indian delicacies, cooking techniques and age-old culinary secrets. The Food Tamatar Tulsi Ka Shorba Jaitooni Malai Paneer Non Veg Platter – Prawn Balchao, Kozhi Varjha Curry, Goan Fish Curry, Dum Murgh Biryani, Laccha Paratha, Aloo Kulcha, …

Staycations

Goa – Travel Diaries courtesy Tata Zest

August 29, 2014

A couple of days back I was invited by Tata Motors and Blogadda.com for the experience of a lifetime. Tata Motor’s introduced us to their latest launch – ZEST. Not just that, they even gave us the opportunity of going for a test drive, taking over the streets of GOA. Check out this travel video that I made of my experience there. For rest of the details about the car, check out my previous post HERE. Follow http://www.blogadda.com/ Follow https://www.facebook.com/ZestfromTataMotors

Staycations

Reason To Live Up The Adrenaline Rush – TATA Zest Experience

July 27, 2014

I remember the time when I first sat on a tricycle (for kids). The experience gave me, maybe, my first adrenaline rush. But what I wasn’t aware about was the #Speed that one gets to experience in their lives as they grow old. From the first scooter ride to the unreal aircraft ride, the andreline rush just keeps getting intense. And that feeling of flying, racing with the wind gets so intense that you crave for ‘some more’ moments. As a child, I had seen my dad ride a fiat. Even if that meant sitting on the back seat, with no airconditioner or no music on, the ride was no less than a trip to the amusement park. I used to make excuses (get late for school) and plead my dad to give me a Fiat ride…. just to live up the experienc again. Looking at him I used to look forward to turning 18, the legal age (in India) to ride a car. On my 18th birthday, I only wished to grab my dad’s car keys and enroll in a driving school. And I did! The first time I sat on the driver’s seat, that was the moment when I felt that I am no more a school kiddo. And that, I can finally be incharge of somethings in life. But… the experience was not that I had expected. The clutch-break-accelerator experience was confusing and disappointing. Unwanted breakdowns, sudden breaks, a scratch-worth of accident and some more low points drew my driving experience to a complete hault. With a broken heart I stepped back and returned to the backseat drama. THE ZEST CALL A few days back I saw my social media feed buzzing with #ZestUpYourExperience. My cousin Ila (The Flea Market Queen) buzzed me asking if I’m gonna be a …

Staycations

Travel Diaries – BeBeautiful Workshop, Mumbai

October 29, 2013

Who said that ‘Great conversations start over great coffee’?? Hell no! Great conversations can start over anywhere, even when it’s 5a.m. outside the city airport. Well, atleast I wasn’t keeping any hopes on that. To give you a broader perspective, here is the summary…. While Delhi was buzzing over the recently concluded Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week, amidst the crazy schedules, I got an invitation, which usually might piss anyone off. Reason? Well, the invite was for a workshop to be held in Mumbai, while I reside in Delhi. Like always, I had to politely decline the invite, stating my current location. To which, they replied, with an equally polite smile, that this trip will be fully sponsored. YAY! (Dil mai ladoo phoota? Yesss!) As the days closed by, I learnt that few more bloggers will be flown down from Delhii, among which I got in touch with Ritu from The Indian Beauty , who introduced me to Deeptima from Beauty Unleash with Deeptima . I started my trip with anxiety and a hope that I will *meet* new people, only if I knew that much more is what I will get out of this mini trip. Let me take you through a ‘Picture Diary’, like I always do, to share the fun, friendship and love I felt in these two days. DEL – BOM The early morning flight plan. BEBEAUTIFUL WORKSHOP The google team member, happily addressing queries. Bumpy from 120mediacollective team 120mediacollective team explaining the right videography skills. Hello! Video testing 1-2-3. The insights of a youtube channel. Ambika Anand Clint Fernandes The always cheerful Dolon from PoutPretty Our setup for an instant youtube shoot. Beauties at work. THE NOM NOMS Desserts for lunch, during Bebeautiful workshop. The dinner desserts. Diwali already? Cuteness eh? Did I just own a Louis Vuitton myself? …