Dwarika’s Sanctuary in Nepal has opened a new chapter in Himalayan wellness with its renewed vision and all-inclusive retreat experience. Formerly known as Dwarika’s Resort, the property has been renamed to reflect a deeper commitment to wellbeing inspired by the philosophies of the Himalayas. This transformation has already earned the prestigious 2025 Michelin Key, recognising its excellence, authenticity, and distinct identity in hospitality. The Sanctuary will introduce its minimum three-night, all-inclusive concept from January 2026, bringing a richer, more immersive approach to holistic living.

The retreat’s new direction is rooted in the ancient wisdom of Buddhist and Vedic medicine, offering guests an experience that is personal, exclusive, and focused on profound renewal. Every aspect is designed to bring balance to the body, mind, and spirit, making it ideal for travellers seeking a meaningful and restorative escape. Nestled in the peaceful Dhulikhel hills, the Sanctuary spans 22 acres of natural beauty with panoramic Himalayan views. Its 40 residential suites reflect traditional Nepali village life, blending woodland trails, terraced farms, and serene glades into a harmonious landscape. Each suite features natural materials, soft textures, and unobstructed views that help guests feel connected to nature throughout their stay.

Guests begin their journey with a personalised Ayurvedic consultation with the resident doctor to understand their unique constitution. Daily activities include breathwork at the Himalayan Rock Salt House, guided meditation at the Himalayan Rock Crystal Chamber, Shiva linga maze meditation walks, open-air yoga, nine planet balancing sessions, singing bowl therapy, and a spiritual blessing ceremony. The Pancha Kosha Spa further supports holistic healing with treatments inspired by the five layers of being, including one signature massage per three nights of stay. Nourishing cuisine made from local, organic produce grown on the Sanctuary’s farms is served along with wellness-focused beverages to support inner balance.

For guests interested in cultural exploration and the outdoors, the Sanctuary offers curated experiences such as monastery visits and guided hikes to Dwarika’s Organic Farm, ending with a farm-fresh meal prepared by local farmers. Each element is thoughtfully designed to help guests reconnect with themselves, nature, and the spiritual traditions of the region.

“Dwarika’s Sanctuary is more than a destination, it is an inward journey for travellers seeking not just rest, but a profound renewal of body, mind, and spirit,” shares René Vijay Shrestha, CEO of Dwarika’s Collection. “Rooted in the ancient philosophies of the Himalayas, our immersive wellbeing experiences are both exclusive and deeply personal, inviting each guest to reconnect with themselves and with nature in a truly transformative way.”

Easily accessible with a 45-minute road journey from Kathmandu airport and no visa requirements for Indian travellers, Dwarika’s Sanctuary offers a convenient yet deeply rejuvenating getaway for anyone seeking a quick detox and reset.

Banyan Tree Krabi, which was recently named the “Finest Hotel in Thailand” by Fodor’s and awarded Two Keys by MICHELIN in its annual Thailand hotel guide, is gearing up for a spectacular festive season. The resort sits in a peaceful corner of Tubkaek Beach, surrounded by lush greenery and blue waters, about 40km from Krabi International Airport. All 72 suites and villas come with private pools, while the property also offers wellbeing programmes, a kids’ club, and views that feel truly picture-perfect.

The resort has now unveiled its special menus for the upcoming celebrations, starting with an indulgent Christmas Eve Gala Dinner. Hosted at The Naga Kitchen, the evening will feature an international buffet, live music, and a fire show. Guests will be welcomed with a drink before exploring a wide variety of gourmet selections. From a salad bar and cheese & charcuterie spread to truffle risotto and a chef’s carving station, the dinner brings plenty of festive choices. Seafood lovers can enjoy seabass and prawn ceviche with coconut, lobster bisque with cognac, and a live ice station offering sushi & sashimi, smoked salmon, Fine de Claire oysters, rock lobster, clams, mussels, crab and local scallops. The dessert counter completes the feast with classics such as Christmas fruit stollen, croquembouche Christmas tree, Christmas fruit cake, American baked cheesecake and Christmas log cake.

On Christmas Day, The Naga Kitchen will serve a refined 6-course dinner that blends festive warmth with elegant flavours. The line-up includes Fine de Claire oysters, oscietra caviar, baked camembert, duck terrine with pistachios, and beetroot-cured salmon. A Christmas carvery will also be available with a choice of turkey or ham, paired with favourites like Brussels sprouts, chestnut purée, cranberry gel and turkey gravy.

The celebrations continue with the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner set on the resort’s beachfront lawn. Guests can welcome the New Year under the night sky with live entertainment, a lavish buffet, and selected free-flow beverages. The spread will include international dishes and the popular live cooking stations featured during the Christmas dinners, along with a Southern Thai cuisine station serving tom yam and massaman curry. The night will flow into live performances and a beachside countdown, ending with fireworks lighting up the shoreline.

For more information or reservations, email krabi@banyantree.com 

Emirates has expanded its fleet plans with a fresh order for 65 Boeing 777-9 aircraft, worth US$ 38 billion at list prices. Announced on the opening day of Dubai Airshow 2025, this move deepens the airline’s relationship with Boeing and GE Aerospace while reinforcing its long-term fleet strategy. The aircraft will be powered by GE9X engines, with Emirates also adding 130 more engines to its orderbook.

With this latest agreement, Emirates now holds a total of 315 widebody aircraft on order from Boeing. This includes 270 Boeing 777Xs, 10 Boeing 777 freighters, and 35 Boeing 787s. The GE9X engine order has also grown to 540 units in total. The scale of these commitments directly supports US aerospace manufacturing jobs across states involved in the production of the 777X and GE9X programmes.

The airline has also secured options to convert part of its new 777-9 order into either the 777-8 or the proposed 777-10. These options give strong support to Boeing’s ongoing feasibility study for the 777-10, a larger capacity variant of the 777X family.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: Emirates is already the world’s largest Boeing 777 operator and we are expanding our commitment to the programme today with additional orders worth US$ 38 billion for 65 Boeing 777-9s, and 130 GE9X engines. This is a long-term commitment and testament to our partnership with Boeing and GE, and to US aerospace.

“Each of our aircraft on order has been carefully factored into Emirates’ expansion plan, which is aligned to Dubai’s growth plans. Flying a young and modern fleet with innovative cabin products has always been a cornerstone of Emirates’ strategy, and we look forward to continue working closely with Boeing to receive delivery of our first 777-9s from Q2 of 2027, and to equip our latest aircraft with state-of-the-art, industry-leading onboard products.”

On the 777-10 study, HH Sheikh Ahmed added: “Emirates has been open about the fact that we are keen for manufacturers to build larger capacity aircraft, which are more efficient to operate especially with projected air traffic growth and increasing constraints at airports. We fully support Boeing’s feasibility study to develop the 777-10 and have options to convert our latest 777-9 order to the 777-10 or the 777-8.”

Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said, “We are deeply honoured that Emirates has once again selected the Boeing 777X to power its future as the airline refreshes its world-class fleet and expands its vaunted global network. Boeing has been a proud supporter of Emirates over the past 40 years as the airline has grown into one of the world’s leading carriers and developed a reputation for excellence and innovation. We look forward to growing our partnership and for Emirates to fly Boeing airplanes for decades to come.”

Russell Stokes, President & CEO, Commercial Engines & Services for GE Aerospace, said, “We are proud to deepen our decades-long partnership with Emirates as we advance the future of flight together. Already the world’s largest customer for GE90 and GP7200 engines, this additional GE9X order reflects Emirates’ confidence in our technology and our team. We are ready to support Emirates in every way to leverage the efficiency and durability of our industry-leading solutions and services.”

Emirates has flown every model of the Boeing 777 over its 40-year history and continues to operate the world’s largest 777 fleet today. With 119 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 Boeing 777-200LRs, and 11 Boeing 777 freighters currently in service, these aircraft connect Dubai to more than 140 cities worldwide. After this latest order, Emirates’ Boeing deliveries will extend up to 2038, drawing on the expertise of thousands of workers across US manufacturing sites involved in the 777X and GE9X programmes.

About Emirates
Emirates’ 39 years in India reflect a steady journey of investment, partnership, and expansion. Since launching flights from Dubai to Delhi and Mumbai in its early days, Emirates now serves nine cities across the country. For details on routes, operations, travel guidance and safety measures, visit Emirates’ official website.