Tuesday, 22 April 2014

[www.keralites.net] India's 20 most romantic resorts

India's 20 most romantic resorts

Here's some great information for the adventure traveler to India.

Vaamika Island Kochi

This seven-acre private island along Vembanad Lake has two main residences—Sun Rise and High Noon—which reside on their own islets with access to private lagoons. These centuries-old Kerala homes, restored and relocated onto the island from nearby villages, come with lakefront pools, gardens, massage pavilions and a private butler service. You can reach this secluded spot (wi-fi enabled throughout) within half an hour via speedboat from Kochi's Bolgatty jetty. Take advantage of their 'dine anywhere' concept and have your butler set up lunch by the pool or along the water lily-covered pond; they make for quiet, refreshing venues on hot summer days. Complete your romantic experience by having dinner at the resort's moonlit museum—the partially open-air space is located on the waterfront and houses ancient artefacts and sculptures from Kerala.

(http://vaamika.com) Doubles from Rs10,000

Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kottayam, Kerala.

Kumarakom Lake Resort, acclaimed as the finest luxury heritage resort in India, nestles on the serene banks of the Lake Vembanad, the vast stretch of tranquil, emerald green backwaters, in one of India's popular holiday spots, Kerala.

Sprawling across 25 acres of lush greenery and set in soul-stirring ambience, Kumarakom Lake Resort, the winner of the much acclaimed World Travel Award as India's Leading Resort for four years, exudes the charm of Kerala's true heritage while offering a complete range of New Age amenities for a luxuriously comfortable stay. Luxury-laden rooms, villas and suites; Ayurmana, the Ayurveda Spa; swimming pools galore; health club; multi-cuisine and specialty restaurants; traditional Kerala teashop and countless other attractions in and around the resort offer you the simple luxuries of life, in the grandeur of the royalty of yore.

Ahilya Fort Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh

Whitewashed walls lined with royal images, bougainvillea-festooned courtyards and age-old bronze idols all tell stories of love, romance and valour. The hotel's 13 rooms—including the spectacular Narmada Suite overlooking the river, and the Neem Suite that Maratha queen Ahilya Bai Holkar once occupied—have been restored using traditional textiles such as the Maheshwari and indigo block prints from Indore. Spend a quiet evening under the giant tree in the central courtyard, then feast in the moveable restaurant on food cooked using the royal family's own recipes. Or go for a sunset sail down the Narmada River. There are few places that truly spark love, but Ahilya Fort is one of them.

(www.ahilyafort.com) Doubles from Rs18,060 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

The Oberoi Vanyavilas Ranthambore

A stay at Vanyavilas is perfect for couples looking for adventure without compromising on luxury. You'll wake up at dawn to drive into the beautiful Ranthambore forest in the hope of sighting a tiger; and by midday you can return to the plush comfort of The Oberoi's 25 luxury tents (replete with huge bathrooms, beautiful tubs and teak floors). There are little touches of magic everywhere, from the friendly elephant who greets you at the entrance to the way the sunshine dapples onto the four-poster beds in the afternoons. The massages at the spa are particularly indulgent. Whether or not you have an exhilarating wildlife adventure, you're bound to treasure the experience.

(www.oberoihotels.com) Doubles from Rs19,000 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Nandadevi Estate, Binsar, Uttarakhand

Lying deep in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, this heritage estate is perched at a height of 7,500ft on the Kumaon Himalayas. With three bungalows affording dramatic 500km-long unbroken views of the mountains and surrounded by lush forests, it offers absolute privacy. Book the Goralkot Bungalow, which comes with wide verandas, an extensive library and an open fireplace to curl up in front of. The hotel can also arrange outdoor activities, so you can spend some uninterrupted time together—camp overnight in the forest, go horse-riding along the centuries-old trails, or make a trip to Almora to visit the ancient Nanda Devi temple.

Doubles from 19,000 for a minimum three-night stay - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Bungalow on the Beach Tranquebar, Tamil Nadu

The tiny town of Tranquebar has few attractions (two churches, one restaurant and an arts and crafts store), but that also means fewer distractions. The island's remoteness from Chennai and Trichy—the closest city with an airport—ensures that very few will make it this far. Bungalow on the Beach is a quiet hideaway, where you won't be interrupted by any trappings of city life. Hire a local fisherman's boat and have him cook you a meal at sea under a starlit sky. Or go skinny-dipping in the waters off the hotel's virgin beach; even the fishermen disappear inland by mid-morning.

(www.neemranahotels.com) Doubles from Rs4,450 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Butt's Clermont Houseboats Srinagar

Experience Kashmir, the quintessential honeymoon destination, in quiet seclusion by staying in one of the five Butt's Clermont houseboats. Moored in a sheltered corner of Dal Lake, the five houseboats offer stunning views of the placid waters and surrounding snow-covered peaks. Set up home in a cosy houseboat built with cedar wood and furnished with carved wooden pieces and Kashmiri objets d'art; then spend a lazy afternoon on the veranda amid spectacular scenery.

(http://buttsclermonthouseboat.com) Doubles from Rs5,500 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Wildernest Goa ; High up on the Western Ghats at the meeting point of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka, this resort provides the perfect escape in the lap of nature. You'll see abundant greenery on every side, but we suggest you pick a room with a view of the waterfall. It might be far from the pool, but that only means you'll stay away from loud families. There isn't all that much to do here, which makes it perfect for spending time getting to know each other. In the evening, while the light is still strong, trek up the hills and enjoy the spectacular sunset as you breathe in the crisp mountain air.

(www.wildernest-goa.com) Doubles from Rs5,500 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

The Machan Lonavala

This chic hotel with four tree houses just off Lonavala's town centre is a boon for couples looking to escape the hustle and bustle of cities such as Mumbai and Pune. Located in Jambulne, a botanical hotspot, the luxury eco-resort's 30ft to 45ft high tree houses offer stellar views of clear, star-studded skies and the surrounding 25 acres of forestland. Pack a picnic and go on long walks, or enjoy an alfresco dinner on your machan's wooden deck. Book the 800sq ft Canopy Machan—its bathroom's skylight will give you a feeling of bathing outdoors.

(www.themachan.com) Doubles from Rs10,000 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Another Holiday Home at Lonavala - "The Basilica Holiday Home"

Glenburn Tea Estate Darjeeling

Overlooked by the mighty Kanchenjunga, the tea estates around Darjeeling offer some of India's most idyllic scenery. Hidden among their emerald hillsides is the Glenburn Tea Estate. Each of its eight suites comes kitted out in lavish colonial style, with four-poster beds and roll-top baths. You'll be woken each morning with a tray of cookies and 'bed-tea', which is made using leaves plucked from the plantations outside your window, of course. If you're craving the great outdoors, book a stay in the Glenburn Lodge and Campsite on the banks of the River Teesta. Here, the two of you can sit around a campfire, as the hotel chef prepares an alfresco dinner for you to eat under the stars.

(www.glenburnteaestate.com) Doubles from Rs23,000 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Devi Garh by lebua Udaipur

With the Aravali Hills as its backdrop and a quaint village as its base, this 18th-century palace just outside Udaipur has a truly magical setting. Over the years, the clifftop hotel has been refurbished to reflect a more contemporary design. While local marbles and semi-precious stones have been used in its minimalistic décor, the ancient sandstone exterior has been left intact, and the result is breathtaking. If you're looking for A-class luxury, check into the 1,200sq ft Devi Garh Suite, which comes with a stunning black marble pool and its own private sundeck affording romantic views of fiery sunsets across the mountains—the sight alone warrants Devi Garh a spot on this list.

(www.lebua.com) Doubles from Rs9,775 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Barefoot at Havelock Andaman Islands

Known for its pristine white-sand beaches, azure waters and abundant coral, Havelock Island makes for a tranquil holiday spot. Right next door to the spotless Radhanagar beach, Barefoot at Havelock is one of the finest resorts on the island. You're bound to fall for the hotel's 19 elegant cottages and villas (either fan cooled or air-conditioned), each of which is built using local materials and features tribal architecture. Rise in the morning and go snorkelling or fishing, then laze in a hammock throughout.

(www.barefoot-andaman.com) Doubles from Rs4,725 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Taj Falaknuma Palace Hyderabad

Perched atop a hill with the city of Hyderabad at its feet and nothing but the sky above, Taj Falaknuma Palace is a place for true old-world romantics. With 60 beautifully restored rooms, grand, marble staircases and plenty of antique objets d'art, it will make you feel as if you're living in your own fairytale palace. After a guided walk, sit down to a candlelit dinner at Gol Bungalow, where you can feel the night breeze on your face and listen to smooth live jazz music. You aren't simply surrounded by more than a hundred years of history; instead, you will feel as if you're making it.

(www.tajhotels.com) Doubles from Rs19,500 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Elsewhere Goa

(The location of this hotel is a well-kept secret)

You'll be surprised how close you are to the action on Ashwem beach, yet how cut off you'll feel from it. The property's four beachside Portuguese bungalows, owned by fashion photographer Denzil Sequeira, seem to exist in a bubble of solitude, thanks to the creek that surrounds them. Make the 10-minute walk for a delicious French feast at La Plage, or pack it up to eat under the stars on the beach in front of the property. Either way, you're guaranteed plenty of 'us' time without intrusion from Goa's perennial party seekers.

(www.aseascape.com) Doubles from Rs50,500 for a two-bedroom villa - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Ri Kynjai Shillong

There's nothing more romantic than a monsoon break in idyllic natural surroundings—which is why Ri Kynjai is the perfect honeymoon spot. Located in the Cherrapunjee-Mawsynram district—one of the world's rainiest areas—the resort has been designed in Khasi style, with upturned boat-shaped roofs to shrug off excess water. The pine-panelled rooms have balconies overlooking the serene Umiam Lake. There's more to do here than just relaxing at the in-house Khem Janai spa; go trekking in the Khasi hills, play a round of golf at the Shillong Golf Course, or head to Laitkynsew (80km away), and spend an afternoon walking across its living tree-root bridges.

Fun & Info @ Keralites.net

(www.rikynjai.com) Doubles from Rs6,500 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Shakti Ladakh

(Part of the Shakti experience is going on a village walk with a local guide - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf)

These high-end village homestays offer a seductive combination of absolute seclusion, spectacular scenery and five-star comfort. You'll stay in charming village houses surrounded by flower-filled meadows and sparkling streams. Each group of guests gets a village home entirely to themselves, so you and your partner can star-gaze from your rooftop gazebo, share a bottle of wine around the wood-burner or enjoy a five-course dinner in your cosy cottage kitchen, with only your butler for company.

(www.shaktihimalaya.com) A seven-night package from 2.29 lakh per person - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh

This is an all-out spa retreat, where time seems elastic as you spend your days indulging in aromatherapy massages or doing yoga and meditation in the pavilions. At night, sit in the fire-lit Infinity Pool-bar Pavilion with a bottle of wine and gaze up at the sparkling Himalayan sky or the illuminated city of Chandigarh far below. (Parwanoo is only half an hour from Chandigarh.) An added bonus: all suites here are decked out in classic wooden furniture and come with private terraces and extra-large bathtubs.

(www.mokshaspa.com) Doubles from Rs15,000 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

The Tamara Coorg

(Tamara Coorg has been listed as one of the Top 20 Honeymoon Destinations in India by Condé Nast Traveller India - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf)

The long drive to Kabinakkad Estate, 260km from Bengaluru, sets the tone for the languorous agenda ahead. You'll find no dramatic elements en route here; just gently curving roads and blossom-scented air that lead you to 170 acres of pristine, private space. Set among lush coffee plantations, the cottages on stilts seem to float above the misty Kodagu valley. Appointed with every luxurious amenity, each suite is designed for uninterrupted together time. Wake up in the morning to a ripe-peach sky blushing under the mountains. Then snuggle in bed with a cup of coffee or let the panoramic sundeck seduce you to step out. The Tamara delivers the luxury that city-slickers are always longing for: solitude à deux.

(www.thetamara.com) Doubles from Rs11,000 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

Wildflower Hall Himachal Pradesh

This colonial hotel has spectacular mountain views
Wake up to the sweet smell of pine and cedar wafting through your suite, as the Himalayan monal chirps softly outside your window. Situated on a forested cliff, this refurbished colonial structure overlooks the snowcapped Pir Panjal range on one side and the mountains of Nanda Devi on the other. It's one of those entirely romantic spots you can't help falling for, where the suites come with four-poster beds, teakwood flooring and cosy fireplaces. There's an indoor heated pool and an outdoor jacuzzi with jaw-dropping views of cedar forests and the Himalayas beyond it. And if all that wasn't enough, it also houses the Oberoi spa—a winner of the Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards in 2010.

Doubles from Rs26,000

The LaLit Resort Spa Bekal Kerala

(The rooms at this hotel come with their own private Jacuzzis - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf)

This stunning resort is located in Kasargod, which despite being North Kerala's foremost beach destination is still largely undiscovered; go there before it changes. Just a two-hour drive from Mangalore airport, it's set amid 26 acres of lush landscape fringed by palm trees and is surrounded by backwaters. Book a couples' massage at the 20,000sq ft Rejuve Spa, which offers a range of ayurvedic and Swedish treatments, and opt for a few nights in their houseboat accommodation, Kettuvallam, where you and your partner can enjoy unhurried cocktails on the water.

(www.thelalit.com) Doubles from Rs15,000 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

The Serai Chikmagalur Karnataka

Karnataka's lesser-known coffee country is home to miles of rolling plantations as well as majestic temples—and The Serai is bang in the middle of it. The resort, where no kids are allowed, has four private villas with pools, jacuzzis and large bay windows; book the Estate Terrace which has a paddy field as its backyard. Let the pleasing smell of spices from nearby fields intoxicate you on walks. Then explore the grand Belur and Halebid temples, where Shiva and Shakti have been worshipped for centuries. After all this exercise, recoup with a deep-tissue coffee massage à deux at the resort's Oma Spa.

(www.theserai.in) Doubles from Rs19,700 - See more at: http://www.cntraveller.in/story/india-s-20-most-romantic-resorts#sthash.ClNZdiho.dpuf

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[www.keralites.net] 5 of the World’s Most Underrated Nature P ho tographers

When it comes to photography, much attention is paid to those who excel at capturing the intricacies of the human form. The work of landscape photographers, then, is often brushed to the side. Unlike with human models, nature photographers are not able to direct their subjects' behavior; rather, they must adapt their own behavior to it. Such realities render the genre quite difficult and yet that much more rewarding. The following photographers deserve credit for allowing us to perceive all that is around us in a different way, prompting us to admire the beauty in the topography and sky we have become blindly accustomed to.

Kilian Schoenberger

Source: Kilian Schoenberger

Kilian Schoenberger is a 28 year-old German landscape photographer whose artistic visions are not hindered by the fact that he is colorblind. His work has recently been compared to the landscapes that could have served as backdrop to the Brothers Grimm fairy tales; moody and mystical, with an air of otherworldliness – which he hopes will inspire people to simply relax.

As Schönberger says, "I think there is a deep longing for tranquil naturalness among people in our technology-driven environment. Therefore, I don't want to show just portrayals of natural scenes. I want to create visually accessible places where the visitor can virtually put his mind to rest. Possibly this is the real benefit of my work – resting places for the eyes in an overstimulated world".

Source: Kilian Schoenberger

Mikko Lagerstedt

Born in Finland, the talented Mikko Lagerstedt began his photography career in 2008, and is completely self-taught. When it comes to capturing his simple yet grand (in terms of scale) compositions, Lagerstedt picks a natural subject that encapsulates his feelings at the time of the photo. Such vast, atmospheric moods may stem from the loss of his best friend, an event that would change the way anyone would look at the world.

With photos featured in both National Geographic and Reader's Digest, is no stranger to what some refer to as "immersion photography". When Larsen decided to commit herself to photo documenting the people and lifestyles of the Sami people – who reside in Northern Scandinavia and Northern Russia – she became one family's live-in housekeeper for two years. While Larsen dabbles in several different photographical arenas, the landscapes she photographed while fully immersed in this Scandinavian culture are representative of a true-to-life moment capture, unlike some of the more stylized approaches of her peers.

Nature Photographers: Hengki Koentjoro

Hengki Koentjoro believes black and white photography is the best way in which to express himself. Born in Central Java, Indonesia, and attending the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, Hengki currently resides in Jakarta with his wife and three kids, and works part-time as a videographer editing nature documentaries, as well as pursuing his other passion. "Photography can never be separated from the aspects of making the common things unusual, welcoming the unexpected, indulging and embracing ourselves with the joy of photography." Hengki says. His joy shines through in his subjects and compositions.

Nature Photographers: Ben Canales

A self-professed "time-lapse junkie", Ben Canales also splits his time between photography and videography, his main focus being capturing the night sky –and more specifically- the stars. This particular brand has its own name: Astrophotography. On his website, he explains his penchant for the darkened veil above us: "I take these pictures first for the joy of it, but second to bring back the experience to friends, family and others that don't have the opportunity to get out from the city."