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Lost and alone in a giant Asian city, wandering inside a dimly lit parking lot, is not how most would choose to spend a Thursday night.  But I am here by choice, lured by the kind of invitation I find irresistible: “Kain Tayo!”  – helpfully subtitled in English, “Come Eat with Us!” It’s the battle cry of Pinoy Eats World, a collective of in-the-know locals united by their love of Philippine food culture.  The group hosts food tours at home and overseas from Hong Kong to Turkey; themed evening that pair cuisine with art (their official, irreverent name:”{f}art” dinners); and…

Until recently locals on the Malaysian Island of Langkawi believed that their home was cursed.  According to legent, in the early 19th century a beautiful woman named Mahsuri was wrongfully accused of adultery.  During her execution, blood ran white from her wounds, revealing her innocence, and in her dying breath Mahsuri declared that bad fortune would befall Langkawi for seven generations. If Langkawi’s history of failed crops and Siamese invasions are signs that there may have been something to this legend, the island –  and its wider archipelago with the same name – is certainly not without its blessing.  Located…

Boasting of splendid climate all year round, Saputara is beautiful during the monsoons and will enthral you with its myriad offerings. A must visit for someone looking for a unique experience, this quaint hill station is sure to delight you with its breathtaking sites. Nestled in the Dang district on the southern tip of Gujarat, at an altitude of 875 metres amidst the Sahyadri Mountains, lies the picturesque, lush, green hill town of Saputara. Saputara means Abode of Serpents, which is where the town town derives its name from owing to the several images of snakes that are present on…

For GOURMANDS, it is easy to stay infinitely satiated in Ho Chi Minh City from morning till night.  Whether it’s early morning bowl of freshly barbecued pork served over noodles and heaps of herbs cooked up by a street vendor or a decadent, multi-course French meal rendered by a renowned chef and served in the most refined of surroundings, gastronomic pleasures in the city abound.  And now, a host of new eateries, whose offerings span the globe from Naples to Argentina, are drawing on the city’s entrepreneurial, cosmopolitan roots more than ever.  Like so much in the city these days,…

HOTEL MUSE Housed in a cupola topped building.  Hotel Muse has become one of the city’s luxe-boutique retreats.  Thai design firm PIA references a blend of fin de siecle France and Thailand’s Rama V era, styling the darkened lobby with wrought-iron lattice walls and arching ceilings.  The 174 rooms and suites-named after the Buddhist cosmic levels of Jatu, Dowadueng, Yama, Dusid, Nimman and Paranim-have stuccoed ceilings and faux vintage suitcase drawers.  Basement-level eatery Medici features solid Italian fare in a space that feels like a renovated wine cellar.  T+L TIP The Jatu Deluxe and Dowadeung Corner Deluxe rooms have our…

Pimalai, located on Koh Lanta and close to Lanta Marine National Park is the perfect luxury destination to set your sight on.  This green season, go snorkeling and diving at Green Pimalai Set in harmony with nature. Pimalai Resort and Spa makes for the perfect serene and private getaway.  Luxury, class, natural surroundings and indisputable friendly service add to its charm.  Built where the rainforest meets the blue ocean, this boutique resort is spread over 100 acres of tropical vegetation with direct access to a pristine beach.. Your dream wedding, a romantic getaway, a diving experience, or a business meeting-whatever…

The Overview Chiang Mai’s day as an idyllic, sleepy town are long past.  Nowadays, Thailand’s second largest city lays claim to the same charms and ills as Bangkok.  One area where Chiang Mai has a definite edge: a sense of history.  The former capital of the Lanna kingdom, the town has proudly held onto its roots, from its gleaming temples to its lively night markets.   Restoration, meanwhile, has breathed new life into old houses.  At the heart of 137 Pillars House, a 30-suite property that opened in January, stands a teakwood house that was once the home of the manager…

Considering its position at the heart of Manhattan as central as central gets-it’s a bit odd that the area between 26th and 30th streets, Park Avenue and Broadway didn’t, until recently, even have a name.  But for decates there wasn’t much there: just a wasteland of dingy wholesalers and shops selling hair extensions and counterfeit perfume.  The tide began to turn with the 2009 arrival of the Ace Hotel.  Whose restaurants and lobby bar were soon luring trendy downtowners to its obscure, patch of Broadway. Other pioneers followed.  Yet if urban renewal has a tipping point, the just-opened NoMad Hotel…

Known as the soul of India, Odisha is a land where the mysteries of the past combine with the modernized present to from a harmonious blend.  Situated along the Bay of Bengal, it is adorned with awe inspiring monuments, temples and stunning landscapes. The magnificence of the temples in Odisha is common knowledge, and from the piousness of the people living here is derived the rath yatra. During the month of June, there is a religious festival that is held at Puri in Odisha.  This festival takes place in honour of the abundantly worshipped Jagannath, said to be an incarnation…

An amalgamation of modern sophistication and old world charm, Kuala Lampur in truly a 21st Century metropolis. This vibrant city that is bustling with shopping malls and a colorful jumble of street markets, also comes adorned with beautiful mosques and temples, thus reflecting its remarkable culture diversity. With so much on display, Kuala Lampur is definitely a globetrotters dream come true! A shopper’s paradise, Kuala Lampur is home to grand shopping malls that have a never-ending stream of stores selling both international and local brands. So go ahead and include the shopaholic in you. From designer discoveries to artsy finds,…