Top Destinations to Celebrate India's Independence Day Long Weekend

Top Destinations to Celebrate India's Independence Day Long Weekend

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 15, 2024

With India’s Independence Day falling on a long weekend this year, it's the perfect time for an extended getaway. Whether you're seeking luxury, adventure, or relaxation, these destinations offer something special for every type of traveler.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore - A Luxurious Urban Retreat

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In the heart of Bangalore, The Ritz-Carlton invites guests to indulge in a world of elegance and serenity. The hotel offers unique experiences like an art walk showcasing over 1,200 installations, a traditional Yakshagana dance, and a private poolside cabana dinner. Families can enjoy a fun-filled weekend creating lasting memories at this opulent retreat.

Reservations: 080 49148000

Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai - A Culinary and Spa Escape

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Experience the new Opus at Four Seasons Mumbai, an all-day lobby restaurant that offers a diverse European-led menu. Guests can enjoy everything from gourmet coffee to fine wines, all in a beautifully designed space. To complete the experience, indulge in a luxurious spa treatment and enjoy special staycation rates for the long weekend.

Dates: August 13-20

Price: Starting at Rs. 12,000 plus taxes per night

Reservations: +91 22 6982 8000

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru - Celebrate with Desi Chaat

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The Four Seasons Bengaluru offers a "Joy of Celebration" package that includes a relaxing staycation with access to their Infuse Spa and a special Desi Chaat menu at CUR8, their all-day dining restaurant. The menu celebrates street food from across India in a luxurious setting.

Desi Chaat Price: Rs. 3,200 plus taxes

Reservations: +91 76191 46004

Four Seasons Maldives - Monsoon with the Mantas

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Spend your long weekend at Four Seasons Maldives, where you can swim with manta rays during the prime season at the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort offers a unique "Manta-on-Call" service, alerting guests when manta rays are nearby for an unforgettable experience.

Reservations: +960 66 00 888

Four Seasons Dubai - Rejuvenate with Wellness Retreats

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Prioritize your health and well-being at Four Seasons Dubai with their Sky Bliss package. Enjoy spa treatments, dining, and refreshing dips in the pool, all while soaking in stunning skyline views. The Pearl Spa and Wellness offer meditation and art therapy for a holistic retreat.

Price: AED 650

Reservations: +971 4 270 7732

Four Seasons Riyadh - A Tea Journey

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Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh invites you to an afternoon tea experience featuring a selection of JING Teas. This exclusive menu takes guests on a Silk Road journey through Asia, offering a taste of the region’s finest single-garden teas paired with delicious pastries and sandwiches.

Reservations: +966 11 2115000

The OZEN COLLECTION, Maldives - Crafting Memories

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Escape to The OZEN COLLECTION in the Maldives for an ultra-luxurious experience. Choose between OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI for exclusivity with private villas and personalized butler service, or OZEN LIFE MAADHOO for a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Both properties offer a perfect blend of luxury, adventure, and relaxation.

Reservations: reservations@ozenreserve-bolifushi.com | reservations@ozen-maadhoo.com

Jaisalmer Marriott Resort and Spa - The Freedom Buffet

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Celebrate Independence Day at Jaisalmer Marriott Resort and Spa with the largest buffet in town. The Freedom Buffet at The Jaisalmer Kitchen offers a culinary journey through India with dishes curated by Executive Chef Jamal. The resort is also offering a 25% discount for service personnel.

When: August 15

Price: INR 2,000 plus taxes

Reservations: 9027307405, 8273678273

This long weekend offers the perfect opportunity to explore these luxurious destinations and create unforgettable memories.


The Rise of Night Tourism This Summer: Where to Go, What to Experience

The Rise of Night Tourism This Summer: Where to Go, What to Experience

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 22, 2025

There is something magical about the world after sunset. This year, elevate your travel experiences with the moonlit coastlines, twilight cityscapes, overnight safaris, and stargazing escapes that night tourism has to offer. Here’s a curated list of unique nighttime destinations making waves this summer — and why they deserve a spot in your 2025 travel itinerary.

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

imageFar from the gleaming skyscrapers of Dubai lies Ras Al Khaimah, an oasis of luxury and adventure. Nestled within the Al Wadi Nature Reserve, Sonara Camp offers a fine-dining experience under the stars complete with live entertainment. For those craving adventure, the Nocturnal Summit Series takes thrill-seekers to Camp 1770, the highest campsite in the UAE, where starlit hikes, traditional Emirati dinners, and bonfires turn the desert into a dream. Back in the city, Ula Beach Bar at Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island makes for an unforgettable sundowner spot with views of the Persian Gulf and Al Marjan’s coral-shaped islands.

Laikipia, Kenya

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Nightfall in Kenya isn’t the end of the adventure — it’s just the beginning. In Laikipia’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of the few places in Kenya offering legal night safaris, you can spot the Big Five by spotlight. Guided night drives are also available in Lewa and Mara Naboisho conservancies, where nocturnal creatures roam free. Pack neutral layers — the temperatures drop, but the thrill only escalates.

Seychelles

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As day fades to dusk, Seychelles comes alive in entirely new ways. From sunset cruises on the Indian Ocean to romantic twilight beach dinners at Beau Vallon in Mahé, there’s magic in every moment. Adventurous travelers can take part in night hikes on Silhouette, North, and Fregate Islands, led by the Seychelles Islands Foundation. These offer chances to spot rare nocturnal species like the Sheath-tailed Bat and nesting sea turtles. For a cultural twist, the Takamaka Rum Distillery throws lively Creole nights on Fridays, blending local food, music, and rum until 10 p.m.

Doha, Qatar

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In Doha, night is when the city truly glows. Explore the vibrant Souq Waqif for spices, textiles, and authentic street food, or head to Katara Cultural Village for open-air performances and art exhibits. Dhow boat cruises along the Corniche offer stellar skyline views, while The Pearl-Qatar sets the stage for luxurious waterfront dining. For a more secluded escape, stargazing in the desert near the Inland Sea and camel rides on night safaris offer a cultural immersion under celestial skies.

Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka’s central highlands become a quiet haven by night. At Teardrop Hotels’ Camellia Hills, take a guided night walk through serene tea estates with an in-house naturalist. Using ultraviolet flashlights, spot the glowing eyes of owls, porcupines, Sambar deer — and perhaps even a stealthy leopard. While sightings are never guaranteed, the silence and suspense of the misty forest under the stars make this a poetic and unforgettable encounter with the wild.

Tokyo Skytree, Japan

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Rising 2,080 feet above Tokyo, the Skytree becomes a kaleidoscope of color at night. Visitors can ascend to the Tembo Decks for panoramic city views, walk the glass skywalk of the Tembo Galleria, or catch immersive light shows at the SKYTREE ROUND THEATER. From sipping coffee above the city to fine dining at Sky Restaurant 634, a night at the Skytree blends thrill with elegance — perfect for couples, solo travelers, and groups alike.

Whether you're seeking cultural connections, natural wonder, or city lights from new heights, night tourism in 2025 invites you to step out after dark and explore the world when it’s at its most serene and spectacular.


Tata Sons Sets Up ₹500 Cr Charitable Trust for AI-171 Victims and First Responders

Tata Sons Sets Up ₹500 Cr Charitable Trust for AI-171 Victims and First Responders

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 20, 2025

In a major humanitarian move, Tata Sons has announced the formation of a ₹500 crore public charitable trust to support the victims and affected individuals of the recent Air India AI-171 tragedy in Ahmedabad. Named The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust, this initiative reflects the group's commitment to offering both immediate and long-term support to the families of those who lost their lives, those who sustained injuries, and others impacted by the tragic incident.

Registered in Mumbai, the Trust will provide ex-gratia assistance of ₹1 crore to the families of the deceased and cover the medical treatment for seriously injured survivors. Additionally, the Trust will support the rebuilding of the B.J. Medical College Hostel infrastructure, which suffered damage during the incident.

The initiative also acknowledges the tireless efforts of first responders, healthcare professionals, disaster relief workers, and government staff by including them in the welfare ambit. The Trust aims to help them cope with trauma and stress resulting from their crucial service in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Tata Sons and Tata Trusts will each contribute ₹250 crore, totalling ₹500 crore towards the Trust’s philanthropic initiatives. A five-member Board of Trustees will oversee the operations, with S. Padmanabhan, former Tata veteran, and Sidharth Sharma, General Counsel at Tata Sons, appointed as the initial trustees. More appointments will follow.

Once necessary registrations and formalities with tax authorities are completed, the Trust will commence its operations in full swing, ensuring a robust and compassionate response to one of India’s most tragic aviation incidents in recent years.


7 Epic Getaways to Reconnect with Your Tribe This Friendship Day

7 Epic Getaways to Reconnect with Your Tribe This Friendship Day

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 18, 2025

Remember Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara or even Dil Chahta Hai? There’s just something about travelling with your closest friends that hits differently. Whether it's long conversations that stretch into the night or silent moments shared over a sunrise, these trips remind us why we stay in each other’s lives despite the noise of everyday life. This Friendship Day, here’s your cue to finally plan that long-overdue trip with your tribe.

1. Nairobi & Maasai Mara, Kenya

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Wild mornings, long drives, and campfire nights
Few experiences bond people like the stillness of a lion sighting or watching the sun rise from a hot-air balloon over the Mara. Kenya’s iconic safaris offer just that—and more. Travel in August to catch the Great Migration in full force, and don't miss Nairobi’s Africa Food Show if your gang loves culinary adventures. Add a surreal breakfast with giraffes at Giraffe Manor to your bucket list.
Plan it for: The Big Five, game drives, Maasai tribe stories, and starry skies
Stay at: A tented safari camp in the Mara

2. Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

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Where adventure meets stunning evenings
This lesser-known Emirate brings together beaches, deserts, and mountains in one epic package. Zipline across Jebel Jais, hike to Camp 1770, or chill on Flamingo Beach. You can camp under the stars, cuddle camels, or explore ancient pearling villages—all in one weekend.
Plan it for: High-adrenaline mornings, lazy afternoons, and Arabian sunsets
Stay at: Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, Longbeach Campground

3. Koh Samui, Thailand

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Island days, spa nights, and full moon stories
For a quieter, soulful beach holiday with your gang, Koh Samui delivers. In August, the Gulf side is calm, the beaches are postcard-perfect, and the pace is just right. Opt for group spa experiences, island-hopping, or a quick trip to Koh Phangan for fire shows under the full moon.
Plan it for: Spa days, beach barbecues, and full-moon evenings
Stay at: Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui

4. Kalkudah, East Coast, Sri Lanka

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Where sunrise surfing meets quiet nights by the water
Kalkudah is all about that slow island rhythm. Wake up to surf-ready waves, spend the afternoon exploring sandbars and lagoons, and wind down with grilled seafood and cool Lion beers. It’s still off the tourist radar, which makes it perfect for authentic moments.
Plan it for: Surfing, snorkelling, seafood nights, and slow travel
Stay at: Kalkudah Beach House by Teardrop Hotels

5. Mahé or La Digue, Seychelles

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Creole picnics, bike rides, and barefoot luxury
Whether you’re into cycling between beaches or kayaking over coral reefs, Seychelles in August is idyllic. Choose Mahé for adventures or La Digue for unplugged bliss. Add reggae bars, Creole meals, and impromptu beach dances for full core-memory impact.
Plan it for: Clear skies, chilled vibes, and unforgettable ocean adventures
Stay at:

  • Boutique: L’Escale Resort Marina & Spa

  • Budget: La Digue Island Lodge or Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort

  • Self-catering: Available across all 3 main islands

6. Tokyo, Japan

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For friends who don’t need a plan, just a starting point
Start your day above Tokyo at the Skytree, then scatter across the city—matcha soft serves, secondhand vinyl in Shimokitazawa, ramen in Shinjuku, and neon-lit nights in Golden Gai. You’ll all find your way back with stories to trade over skewers.
Plan it for: Urban wandering, ramen runs, and unforgettable city views
Stay at: Trunk Hotel, Shibuya

7. Tel Aviv & The Dead Sea, Israel

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A city that moves fast, but always has room for a long night out
Tel Aviv is where your tribe can enjoy beach days, rooftop nights, and street food with soul. Add in a road trip to the Dead Sea to float, laugh, and grab selfies covered in mineral-rich mud. It’s the mix of culture, connection, and celebration you didn’t know you needed.
Plan it for: Floating in the Dead Sea, rooftop bars, and people-watching at its finest
Stay at: A boutique hotel near Gordon Beach or Neve Tzedek

You don’t need a perfect itinerary to bring your friends together—just the intent to make it happen. Pick a place, book the trip, and trust the conversations, belly laughs, and those quiet shared moments to take care of the rest.

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