Go Go Goa

Demanding parents, screaming kids, and nosy aunties. A bona fide recipe for another stressful holiday season. Busy bee that you are, you’re going to need a relaxing getaway.

So how about a super secret beach separated from the mainland by a bamboo bridge, your own private villa, and blue water for miles? If that doesn’t sound like a dream you need to get your pulse checked.

Welcome to Elsewhere, a beautiful Goanese estate owned by local photographer Denzil Sequiera. Elsewhere has been in Sequeira’s family since 1886, when his great grandfather Anjelo Sequeira bought the property for a mere Rs. 2000.

The property was transformed when Denzil decided to renovate the property and rent the houses out to the public. Now you can enjoy cooking fresh fish over the fire, listening to the birds or watch a turtle hatching. Lest you think all this is a little too granola for you, rest assured there is a cook available to prepare all meals, a yoga instructor, and a car with driver if you’re so inclined.

Rates range from $1200 per week for a tent to $2400 for a two bedroom villa. Elsewhere is so secret that they won’t give you the address until you confirm a booking. Hmm, bet that nosy auntie won’t find you here.

Who said Goa is just for hippies? Calgon take me away!!!

Elsewhere. For reservations email gaze@aseaescape.com www.aseaescape.com

Bombay Dreams, Part 2.

Eat
The Scenester. Indigo. The choice of visiting rock stars (Mick Jagger), local Bollywood glitterati, and listed by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the 60 best restaurants in the world, Indigo is THE place to dine when in Mumbai. 4 Mandlik House, Colaba, Mumbai 400 001. Tel: 91 22 5636 8999.

The Health Nut. Pure. The all white decor and organic international menu (yes organic in Mumbai), and juice bar will wow foodies and macrobiotics alike. Taj Lands Hotel, Bandra West. Tel: 91 22 6668 1234. www.tajhotels.com

The Snacker. Swati Snacks. A vegetarian junk food paradise, patrons can revel in the deliciousness of dal dhoklis, jaggery, and paanki. 248 Karai Estate, Tardeo Road.
Tel: 91 22 2492 0994.

Nightlife
The Clubber: Enigma. THE hottest club at the moment counts itself as one of Aishwarya's favorites. A combo of western and Bollywood music and well-known DJs keep the crowds coming. J W Marriott Hotel, Juhu Tara Road, Tel: 91-22 5693 3287. Couples only.

The Historian: Leopold Cafe and Bar. This Mumbai institution has been around since the days of the British Raj and still continues to attract travelers seeking to swap subcontinental tales. CNR Colaba Causeway & Nawroji F Rd Tel: 91 22 2202 0131

The Chiller: Mocha Bar. This coffeeshop/bar stays open late, plays world music, features comfy sofa seating, and has plenty of hookahs to go around. What more can you ask for? Best location: 82 Veer Nariman Rd. Tel: 91 22 6633 6070.www.mocha.co.in

The Rocker. Ghetto. OK so India isn't exactly known for its raging rock scene. But Ghetto is probably the best you're going to get in Mumbai. A dingy, graffiti covered bar playing a rock/pop mix can be a welcome respite from all of the other glossy Bollywood clubs. 30 Bhulabhai Desai Marg Tel: 022 2353 8418

Bombay Dreams, Part 1

Beautiful people, trendy nightclubs, cows roaming the streets, and crazy rikshaw drivers. Glamorous and gritty, Mumbai has always been a city of vast contradictions. You know about Chowpatty Beach, Chor Bazaar, and Crawford Market, but there's more to Mumbai ........ and its ready to explode.

Sleep
Old school. The Taj. he granddaddy of all hotel is still one of the most luxurious hotels in all of India. Situated next to The Gateway of India, with views of the Arabian Sea and a nightclub (Insomnia) on the premises, you can't go wrong. Apollo Bunder, Tel: 91 22 5665 3366, www.tajhotels.com.

The Modernist. The Oberoi. With butlers on every floor and impeccably trained staff, it's no wonder that Bill Clinton stayed here. Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400 021,Tel: 91 22 6632 5757. www.oberoimumbai.com

The Minimalist. The Gordon Hotel. Although the Gordon is a boutique hotel, it doesn't mean they don't know how to party. The adjacent Polly Ester's nightclub (not as cheesy as the States) and Stir Fry restaurant will keep you entertained and well-fed until the wee hours. 5 Battery Street, Apollo Bunder, Colaba. Tel: 91 22 2287 1122. www.ghhotel.com

Shopping
The Classic. Ensemble. Home to designers Manish Malhotra, Wendell Rodericks, as well as owner Tarun Tahiliani's own designs, Ensemble is a sure fire bet when you're looking for upscale desi wear. Great Western Building, 130/132, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg. Tel: 91 22 2284 3227.

The Trendster. The Courtyard. A complex of 15 stores (choices, choices!), shoppers can find designers Ashish N Soni, Rajesh Pratap Singh, and Rohit Bal among others. SP Centre 41/44 Minoo Desai Marg, Colaba.

The Beauty Junkie. Forest Essentials. After shopping all day, you'll need to refresh your weary self. So head to Forest Essentials and stock up on all kinds of ayurvedic goodies from honey cleansers to sandalwood and rose lotions. 12 Tirupati Apartments, Bhulabhai Desai Road. Breach Candy. Tel: 91 22 3290 8114. www.forestessentialsindia.com

Now that you're shopped out go back to your hotel and rest. Hot clubs, amazing restaurants and more await you. Stay tuned for part 2....

Banging Bangalore

India’s “silcon valley” is more than just IT, engineers, and computer programmers. The subcontinent’s 5^th largest city is also home to emerging art scene, which includes the likes homegrown and returning artists pushing the boundaries of what we consider “desi”. Here’s a guide to Bangalore’s burgeoning art scene….

At the forefront is one of Bangalore’s most well known galleries, Gallery Sumukha. The gallery, which exhibits Indian contemporary art, shows emerging and established artists in a beautifully minimalist 5000 sq foot space. Look for upcoming exhibits featuring Lalitha Shankar, M.Shanthamani, and Vidya Kamat.

Another venue leading the pack is Gallery Ske, featuring upcoming exhibits by Susanta Mandal and Chinmoy Pramanick.

Support local artists and get yourself a copy of artist and graphic designer Avinash Veeraraghavan’s book I Love My India, a visual journey though India. Combining photography with digital art, Avinash blurs the lines between fantasy and reality while successfully avoiding the clichés of snake charmers and 4-armed gods.

After all the gallery hopping, you’re bound to be thirsty. Treat to yourself to a cocktail at Spinn. Designed by one of the hottest architects in town, Sandeep Khosla, Spinn still remains one of the most beautifully designed bars in Bangalore. With a 1940’s colonial house as a backdrop and an open air courtyard, Spinn combines retro and modern for a perfect Bangalore night.

Gallery Sumekha 24/10 BTS Depot Road, Wilson Garden, +91 80 2229 2230, www.sumekha.com

Gallery Ske, The Presidency 82, St. Marks Road. +91 80 4112 0873. www.galleryske.com

Spinn, 80, 3rd Cross, Residency Road. +91 80 2558 1555. www.spinnblr.com

The Pink City

“Pink is the navy blue of India”, Diana Vreeland, once astutely remarked oh-so many years ago. And when you visit Jaipur, you’ll realize she was right.

SLEEP
Liz Hurley threw Arun Nayar’s 40^th birthday here, French Vogue’s Carine Roitfeld is rumored to have stayed here, and well, it’s fabulous. Devi Garh, the painfully luxurious 18^th century palace turned hotel features suites embellished with marble and semi-precious stones, swimming pools with mountain views. This is way better than Uma’s house. Devi Garh, deviresorts.com

SHOP
French jeweler Marie-Helene de Taillac and Munnu Kasliwal of the famed Gem Palace have partnered together to create Hot Pink, the first concept store in Jaipur. Hot Pink brings together the best of contemporary Indian design and fashion, stocking lines such as Abraham and Thakore, Bounipun,Manish Arora, and Tulsi. Hot stuff indeed. Hot Pink, www.hotpinkindia.com

EAT
Hungry out-of-towners like Naomi Campbell and home grown royalty like Amitabh Bachchan eat at Niros Restaurant for some of the best Rajastani food in the area. It’s not exactly the hottest or trendiest spot, but with a menu that ranges from Rajastani to Chinese to Continental everyone is bound to be happy. Niros Restaurant www.nirosindia.com