AS I SIT TO WRITE THIS STORY, I can't find the right words for Gwalior. Do I talk about the city's history, dating back to the eighth century when the fortress first got its name? Or do I speak about its political prowess that flourished under the aegis of multiple dynasties like the Kachchhapaghatas (in the 10th century), Tomars (13th century), Mughals and Marathas (18th century), and finally, the Scindias, the last dynasty to hold the royal seat before the nation gained independence in 1947? To rid myself of this conundrum, I turn to Maharani Priyadarshini Raje Scindia and Yuvraj Mahanaaryaman Scindia, the royals of the city and cover stars of Travel+Leisure India & South Asia's first issue of 2023, in whose company I am to discover this remarkable land.
"Madhya Pradesh has some of the most beautiful landscapes you will ever see," says the prince. The queen mother agrees. "For me, it's home! An ideal vacation for me would be in Madhya Pradesh itself-one where Mahanaaryaman and I would just drive [around the state]," she says with a glimmer in her eyes. On this trip, the new Volvo XC90, a mild hybrid seven-seater SUV that makes city and highway drives conscious and comfortable, is our road companion. The tech-savvy millennial prince connects his phone to the car's built-in Google interface to play music on the Bowers & Wilkins high-fidelity audio system. The rest of us-his mum and the shoot crew-eye the display screen as it maps the directions towards our first stop: Harsi Dam.
Located roughly 80 kilometres from Jai Vilas Palace, the royals' home-turned museum, Harsi Dam is fed by the Atal Sagar River and is made entirely of clay. The water, I learn, serves as an important source of irrigation and is used by locals to catch fresh fish. In the distance, a green hilly island dons the hues of the setting sun.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2023 من Travel+Leisure India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2023 من Travel+Leisure India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
GOOD SPIRITS
I think it must have been my mother's mom, Moyra, from whom I inherited my love of travel. Widowed in her sixties, she used her late husband's pension to fund a succession of solo trips, each more ambitious than the last.
THE BIG SWING
When her son, a lifelong sports fan, expressed an interest in visiting the baseball stadiums of Japan, Helen Schulman planned a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tokyo. The result was a home run.
Safari Bond
Tanzania abounds in national parks with dramatic landscapes. Devanshi Mody scouts a few with her mother, encountering captivating wildlife and insightful guides on the way.
Toddler Towns
Turning a leisurely vacation into a child-friendly one brings unique challenges but also the joy of seeing the world in a new light. Huzan Tata recounts navigating Austria and Hungary with a toddler in tow.
And Quiet Flows the Ganges
The river Ganges becomes a steadfast travel companion for Gustasp and Jeroo Irani on a sustainable luxury cruise to the Sundarbans National Park and Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.
"Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort Is The Perfect Place To Disconnect From The City"
Be it comedic flair in rom coms like De De Pyaar De and Manmadhudu 2, an action hero persona in thrillers like Runway 34 and Spyder, or displays of vulnerability in emotional dramas like Doctor G and Chhatriwali, RAKUL PREET SINGH embraces genres and movie industries with a certain panache. In a conversation with Bayar Jain, the versatile actor speaks about adapting to different styles of acting and credits her parents for this journey.
At Home In The Mountains
Actor Rakul Preet Singh has had little time to celebrate post her wedding to her dear friend Jackky Bhagnani. Two months into the union, Travel+Leisure India & South Asia whisks away the newly wed actor to Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort in Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh for a celebration of the mind and soul.
Just For Laughs
A Mumbai-based businessman, Atul Khatri switched the gears of his career at 44 to become a stand-up comedian. Since then, he has performed at many international shows, sending the audience into a laughing fit with his middle-class life anecdotes and jokes surrounding fatherhood. The comedian speaks to Simrran Gill about his sets, dealing with trolls, and the best compliment he has received.
World Through Their Eyes
A television host, model, and actor, Mini Mathur is also a passionate advocate of family bonding over travel. In 2018, she produced and presented Mini Me, a 10-part series that chronicled her travels with her seven-year-old daughter across six countries in Europe. In a conversation with Bayar Jain, the multi-hyphenate reveals the fun and challenges of exploring the globe with her kids, Sairah and Vivaan.
Paws and Go
Pet parents Tanveer Taj and Priyanka Jena (wheelsandtails) started travelling with their dogs in 2015. In 2019, they embarked on a road trip across India for 90 days, covering more than 10,000 km with their furry kids, Frodo and Cruise. The couple's Instagram feed is abuzz with pictures and videos of the Golden Retriever, Labrador, and their pet cat Noorie running around on beaches and climbing mountains. The couple speaks to Simrran Gill about the joy and challenges of travelling with their pets.