Bor For Voyage

Havana, Cuba

Havana, a city of jarring paradoxes, where Mother Nature herself strives to compete with the Cuban infrastructure in a beauty contest. It is nothing short of a paradise, a surreal mix of fact and fantasy, if you will. A retro land with buildings emitting colours brighter than the sun, think more pastel than primary. It promises to take you back to the ‘80s. Vintage Cars? Check. Daiquiris flowing like water? Check. Giant Cigars? Check. This is one of those places that you have on your bucket list. Get a sense of how massively the island has contributed to the arts by visiting the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, churches, cigar factories, artists’ studios, museums, UNESCO heritage sites or beaches outside of Havana to lounge or go scuba diving while music is pouring out of radios in people’s homes, as you casually take a stroll. Great fodder for your Instagram. Check

Where to stay: A classic thirties hotel that has hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra or a traditional bed and breakfast true to the Cuban culture? There’s plenty to choose from. The Saratoga is the most luxurious of Havana's hotels, located across from El Capitolio on the edge of Old Havana, a central location within walking distance of many major sights. Although a few cheaper alternatives would be, Casa de Miriam y Sinai, La Rosa de Ortega Bed and Breakfast and Iberostar Parque Central.

L’Officiel India DigitalRead L’Officiel India in the digital libraryEvery issue and every cover story, on TCG Media.Read now

Where to eat: Amongst Hemingway’s favorite haunt is the El Floridita, sip on Daiquiris at what feels like Cuba in the ‘50s and dine at La Cocina de Lilliam for their ropa vieja (The national dish of Cuba). Street food in Havana definitely trumps gourmet, buy guava pastries or little doughnuts from vendors along the Malecón in the morning. Be on the look out for guarapo, a sugarcane drink, and homemade peanut candy and don’t miss out on Batido de mamey, a shake made from the beloved fruit, Mamey Sapote.

Where to shop: Hostal Conde de Villanueva, a ceilinged cigar shop, is definitely worth a visit whether or not you intend to buy anything. There's a smoking lounge where you can test the habanos, and knowledgeable staff are there to advise. Coleccion Habana, is another unique shop selling reproduction colonial-era items of the kind once found in aristocratic Cuban family homes. You'll also find a plethora of simple, artisan-produced necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings at most tourist shops and street markets.

Alaçati, Turkey

Laid back and pristine, with low mountains drifting not too far off a peaceful turquoise ocean, so perfect are its cobbled streets lined with cosy bistros and eateries, whitewashed houses with blue shutters, and idyllic restaurants with courtyards draped in bougainvillea, the dreamy port town of Alaçati, on the Turkish Aegean coast makes for an almost utopian seaside break. From lavish beach club parties to tourists flocking off into the sunset for some peace and quiet, the town is built on unfathomable contradictions. Alaçati is also known around the world for it’s stellar architecture, vineyards and windmills.

Where to stay: Alaçati Kapari Hotel is on top of every tourists list while visiting the Turkish town, it not only offers a great view of the harbour but is also very close to the sea with the La Vela Boutique Hotel as a close second. The Manastir is also amongst the upcoming newly built boutique hotel. Inspired by the church it has chapel-like lobby with a high ceiling and wooden doors, to the pure white furnishings of the intimate prayer-chamber-like guestrooms, Alaçati is definitely not failing to impress us.

Where to eat: Alancha, a truly offbeat restaurant on a secluded hilltop offers an avant-garde dining experience with a menu tracing the history of Anatolian cuisine back over 12,000 years. Some of the more unusual food combinations include lamb brain cream with wheat powder, strawberry vinegar and potato crisps with chocolate. But if you are on a budget, Avrasya is the perfect fit for you. From a menu of fresh breads, salads, soups and grilled seafood and meats made to order, this low-key, buffet-style restaurant offers a large selection of Turkish cuisine with a homemade feel.

Where to shop: Shopping in the narrow streets of Alaçatı is an experience in itself. One can find anything and everything here, from paintings and sculptures made by noted artists to jewellery, ceramics, home textile collections, regional olives & olive oils, soaps and natural products, The latest addition to the list of exclusive boutiques dedicated to Turkish design is Bashaques. Run by fashion designer Başak Çankes, the space is a boutique, a showroom and a gallery.

Marrakech, Morocco

In the Moroccan subcontinent surrounded by majestic seas in three directions and the Sahara desert in the fourth, the Red City of Marrakech is now a vibrant urbanscape fizzing with life and yet drenched in the richest cultural heritage you will ever come across. Feel the worlds resonate with the echo of soulful prayers at the mosques in the mornings or with the blaring music of the night parties, gawk at the age-old imperial architecture and admire the best works of art in their many galleries, hustle through the busy market streets to experience ancient artistry thriving alongside contemporary art and design marvels in a city that is a fascinating blend old and new.

Where to stay: For a taste of unparalleled luxury in the heart of Morocco, spend a night in the unbeatable Mandarin Oriental or live like a king at the grand La Sultana, with its renowned spas and saunas while the seekers of solitude can find an abode in the opulent suites of The Palmeraie. If you’d rather choose to empty your bank over shopping but also long for authentic Moroccan hospitality, crash at the royal Riad Le J for lush gardens, relaxing spas and sprawling pools or check into Dar Sbihi for an eye pleasing combination of contemporary and ornate.

Where to eat: Destination: Falafels and baba ganoush! Revel in the sensational flavours of Arabic cuisines at locations that will convince you to give up on your mundane life and just stay there. Get high on culinary pleasures at the green oasis of Le Jardin or go for some wine dine and wine under the stars at Kechmara while you tap your feet to live jazz. Add some belly dancing to the mix at Le Comptoir.

Where to shop: Wander along the crisscross of lanes in the Souks to pawn off some spices, trinkets and structured leather goods. Get a glimpse of the rich tapestry of cultural textiles in Souq Cherifia and splurge on the fabulous assortment of home décor in Mustapha Blaoui and lounge in luxury boutiques to bag in as much of the Moroccan fashions as you can.

Langkawi, Malaysia

Amidst the sparkling turquoise waters, along the western coast of Malaysia, lies this archipelago made up of 99 islands, with a history intricately woven in myths and lore. Dive into the underwater world of Pantai Cenang, take a cable car to Mount Mat Cincang or hover over to the Field of Burnt Rice in the city that’s home to rustic villages and picturesque landscapes, citylights and exotic shorelines, canopied mangroves, swaying palm trees and austere paddy fields. Langkawi offers a classic yet contemporary allure that will make you want to pack your bags and leave right away, for a healthy dose of Sun, sand and fun and a one of a kind, tax-exempted shopping spree.

Where to stay: Choose from the abundant hotels and resorts in and around the forests, on the seashores and of course, in main streets (remember, that’s where the shopping happens). While the likes of St. Regis Langkawi, The Andaman Luxury Collection Resort and Four Seasons Resort make for perfect abodes in the lap of nature and luxury; Casa Del Mar and Bon Ton Restaurant & Resort, among others, are ideal to enjoy the lively cityscape and stunning beachfronts alike.

Where to eat: Hog on some herb-garnished and spice loaded local Malay cuisine and explore the wide variety of exotic seafood around Kuah Town. Those with the fear of the unknown, treat yourself to your favourites with their multicuisine fine dining, all alongside the abundant flow of tempting cocktails.

Where to shop: You can actually shop till you drop in this world of duty free outlets (at literally every nook and corner). Go ahead and bag just about everything from a pair of jeans to gadgets and automobiles and from homemade souvenirs to authentic batik and songket prints. Splurge on brands and then rummage through the local night markets to get the best of all worlds.