It feels a lot like a New Year!

 

‘Tis the season of fresh beginnings and new adventures! There’s an infectious buzz in the air that beckons us to wander, discover, and savour the unconventional.

Something new, to start the year ! As we step into the New Year, keep your eyes peeled for something exclusive that we will unveil this season.

In this edition of Shared Space, we steer clear of the ordinary. Instead, we delve into offbeat experiential travel destinations for 2024. From unconventional escapades to uncharted territories, discover the allure of experiences that go way beyond being just a travel experience. These will be life experiences.

Speaking of experiences, let’s make the experience of the air travel that’s an inevitable part of our lives better with impeccable airline etiquette. Elevate your travel game with mindful practices that make the journey a breeze for everyone on board.

No seasonal celebration is complete without indulgence (or should we say, over-indulgence)? We serve up some cleansing recipes for detox water and gut-soothing salads that will help you revive after the festive season. And should you wish to continue the gastronomic experience, do visit our newly refurbished Lemon Tree Suites in Whitefield – your gateway to a holiday or staycation wonderland!

And finally, we plan to set you up for success in 2024 (pun intended)! Whether you’re the meticulous scheduler, the spontaneous adventurer, or the wanderer with a knack for discoveries, find just the right planner for you.

Here’s to embracing the festivities, cherishing new discoveries, and crafting memories that sparkle.

Happy New Year, from all of us at

Team Vaswani !

FEATURE

 

 

A YEAR OF BEING, NOT CHASING

 

What if. The phrase holds within it the promise of a life lived differently.

What if 2024 were the year when we stopped chasing the next thing and decided to just be, right here, right now?

What if even when we take that dream holiday, we were to choose differently?

Join us on this voyage that isn’t merely about ticking off destinations but about immersing yourself so deeply in the raw, the every day, the ordinary, that it becomes enchanting. Pack your curiosity, leave behind your travel to-do, and dive into one experience that will stay with you for life.

1. Festival of a Million Fireflies: Purushwadi, Maharashtra

 

Purushwadi is where the night of a million fireflies comes alive. As the sun sets, immerse yourself in an ethereal ballet of countless fireflies in the night sky. Who knew that a sight so awe-inspiring would have a sound too, a gentle hum that rises above the sounds of the forest. If you’re thinking, “Ah, a nice camping experience,” you couldn’t be more wrong. Prepare to feel like a child faced with the immensity of space.

2. In Search of the Dzukou Lily: Dzukou Valley, Nagaland

 

The Dzukou Lily, found only in this valley, blooms once a year, carpeting the hills in a vibrant blanket of white and pink during the monsoon. Plunge into the role of an explorer questing for the rare lily of the valley. This will be the odyssey of serenity that your life seeks. Walk through verdant trails, each step unveiling a surprise, each turn revealing a wondrous thing of beauty. As you breathe in the crisp mountain air, feel the tranquility seep into your soul.

3. Dance to a Love Story: Majuli Island, Assam

 

Majuli Island is home to a mesmerising Raas Leela, the dance of Krishna and the Gopis. Sail along the giant river of the east, the Brahmaputra, to Majuli, a haven of simplicity that holds unparalleled cultural richness. Lose yourself in daily life with the locals, see how tradition seeps into every aspect of their life, and embrace the rhythm of island life. Staying at Majuli might well rouse the weaver in you, rich as it is with textures and hues. And dance the raas leela like you were born to this dance or listen to age-old stories told by a loquacious village grandmother.

4. Chasing the Danfe: Chopta, Uttarakhand

 

The metallic green and copper back of the Danfe or the Himalayan Monal can give the more common peacock a run for its feathers. The Danfe is not the only bird you will find in Chopta. Birders say there are more than 240 species of migratory and native birds here. The solitude of the mountains, the unspoiled charm of the emerald forests, and the trails adorned with rhododendron: you may come here to know birds, but you will leave knowing yourself better.

5. Watch the Buddha Sleep: Sandakphu, West Bengal

 

Hold your breath as the sun’s rays cast a halo around the peaks of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu, at Sandakphu. The Kanchenjunga is locally called the Sleeping Buddha, as its peaks illuminated by the sun resemble the form of a giant Buddha in peaceful repose. Most people “do Sandakphu” as an adrenaline boosting challenge, almost as though to dominate the mountain. Walk away and absorb the tranquillity of the Buddha in repose, feeling slightly humbled by the might of the mountains.

6. Fall in Awe of the Ancient Humans: Dholavira, Gujarat

 

There’s much in the natural world that humbles us or makes our jaws drop. At Dholavira, it’s the ancient humans that cast a spell. An intricate network of reservoirs and channels comes together in the form of a sophisticated water conservation system, attesting to the advanced engineering skills of the Harappans. Walk through the ruins of this ancient Harappan city in the Rann of Kutch, and be spellbound by the grandeur of human achievement.

Ibn Batuta, the Maghreb traveller and scholar, said: “Travel makes you speechless – and then turns you into a storyteller.” Immerse yourself in any of these places and experiences as you travel, and you’ll know exactly what he meant.

 

RESPONSIBLY  YOURS!

 

 

 

AIRBORNE ETIQUETTE

 

Fasten your seatbelts this New Year, fellow travellers! Air travel is not just about savoring the skies; it’s about cruising through cultural courtesy at 30,000 feet. Here’s how to be a considerate co-passenger:

  • Harmonious Harmonies
    Let the beats soar, but keep them in your headphones. Whether soaring through the airport hustle or cruising on public transit, pop those headphones on to groove to your tunes without jolting the harmony of fellow passengers.
  • Volume Control, Engage
    Engage in chitchat without booming announcements. When traveling with friends or family, we’re all for the jet-set camaraderie, but keep those decibels in check. Not doing so is one surefire way of getting on the nerves of an entire flight!
  • Spotless Space
    Your seat, your responsibility. Keep that nest tidy! From airport lounges to terminal seats, leave no crumbs behind. Keeping shared spaces spick-and-span makes the travel experience as smooth as a tailwind. And if you’re travelling with kids, teach them to clean up after themselves too!
  • Queue Quest
    Ah, the line dance etiquette! When boarding or snaking through the security check, follow the queue game. No skipping, no hopping— queue camaraderie keeps the jet-setting vibe light and breezy. And a pet peeve here: upon landing, please wait for the family, we’re all for the jet-set camaraderie, but keep those decibels in check. Not doing so is one surefire way of getting on the nerves of an entire flight!

  • Seatback Serenity
    Respect the recline! Feel the urge to lean back? Mind your manners by checking with the passenger behind you before reclining. It’s all about sharing the airspace harmoniously.
  • Row Ethics
    Bagged the coveted exit row? Embrace the responsibility! Be ready and willing to assist in case of emergencies. It’s not just extra legroom; it’s a commitment to everyone’s safety and convenience. Also, if you’re lucky enough to get a window or aisle seat, do be considerate of the passenger squashed in the middle seat. The least you can do is not wage a war of the elbows on the arm rests.

    With these tiny touch-points of airline etiquette, your journey through the skies will be a smooth, shared adventure where courtesy takes the pilot seat!

 

MALL

 

SPARKLE AND SHINE AT THE BROOKEFIELD MALL

 

The festive cheer is right here, at Vaswani Brookefield Mall. The store shelves are groaning under the weight of the latest launches. Brands like Soch, Pantaloons, Biba, W, Levi’s, Zodiac, Melange, and Reliance Digital have curated the perfect celebration catalyst in the form of a fabulous shopping extravaganza. Shop for your festive finery and head over to the food court or the restaurants to sample the delectable range of cuisines on offer.

Make a complete day of it by watching a film with the family. Inox shows you how to movie.

WHAT’S THE COOLEST – AND HOTTEST – SPOT IN TOWN?

 

 

The Lemon Tree Suites, in Whitefield, that’s what. The hotel has been buzzing for a few months now, and it’s finally fully open!

Step into the hotel for a stay that’s all about relaxation and luxury. Whether you’re craving a long vacation or a productive work-cation, we’ve got you covered. Make yourselves at home in our swanky rooms, each with its own private balcony.

Kickstart your day with some gym action, a friendly game of snooker or squash, or a zen yoga class. A quick 15 minutes at the sauna, and you’re good to go.

While you’re working away in one of our 44 executive suites or the 60 studio homes, your family can enjoy the beautiful lawns or chill by the pool. Speaking of the pool, it’s safe for the little ones with a shallow area – worry-free fun for everyone! And if you need to run a meeting or host a workshop, our executive boardroom is right here on-site.

At Lemon Tree Suites, we know full well that your furry companion animals are an integral part of your family. So, bring them along when you holiday with us, and we’ll make them feel right at home.

Wrap up your day with a relaxing drink at the Slounge or dive into a scrumptious meal at Citrus, our delightful restaurant.

Once you step into Lemon Tree Suites, it’s like finding a second home. You might just check in and never want to leave!

SPECIAL 

 

DELICIOUSLY, YOURS

Recipe Image Courtesy: Realfood.tesco.com

SPARKLING GRAPEFRUIT, LIME AND ROSEMARY DETOX

 

Counter the indulgences of the holiday season with this refreshing recipe for detox water. Detox water is just water but infused with the flavors of fresh herbs, fruit, or vegetables. Enjoy the health benefits of a detox with the much-needed post-binge hydration that water provides.

INGREDIENTS

 

  • 1 red grapefruit
  • 3 Rosemary sprigs, plus extra to serve (optional)
  • 1 Lime
  • 1 Ltr sparkling mineral water

Preparation

  • Pare the grapefruit with a vegetable peeler and remove the white pith from the peel. Cut the grapefruit into segments, trimming any remaining pith from the edges, then put the flesh and peel in a 1.5 ltr sealable jar.
  • Thinly slice the lime and add to the jar along with three rosemary sprigs. Gently pour over 1 ltr of sparkling mineral water, then seal and chill in the fridge for 30 mins to infuse. Serve with ice and an extra rosemary sprig, if you like.

Special Tip:
Infuse the water the day before – just remove the rosemary after 3 hours to stop it from overpowering the citrus!

Also, did you know?
Detox water promotes weight loss, removes toxins, balances the pH levels in the body, boosts digestive health and immunity, improves your mood, and enhances energy levels. Apart from having a visible refreshing impact on your complexion!

 

DETOX SALAD FOR THE WIN

Recipe Image Courtesy: Delightfulmomfood.com

This detox salad is a winner not just after a season of indulgence, but for business as usual times of the year too!
It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb (and can easily be veganised by swapping the honey with maple syrup). It is loaded with delicious veggies such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, kale, and cabbage, and great texture with the sunflower seeds and crunchy almonds.

INGREDIENTS

 

  • Kale (any leafy greens will do though!)
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Carrots
  • Almonds and sunflower seeds
  • Broccoli
  • Red cabbage
  • Parsley
  • Lemon ginger dressing

Preparation 

  • First, you’ll want to give all your veggies a rough chop. Then place the kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots and parsley in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until all the veggies are finely chopped.
  • Add nuts and seeds. Add in the almonds to the food processor and pulse a few more times until they are roughly chopped. Transfer the chopped salad to a large bowl and mix in the sunflower seeds.
  • Make the dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, grated ginger, dijon mustard, honey and salt until the dressing is creamy and smooth.
  • Store until ready to serve. To keep this salad as fresh as possible, make sure you store the salad and the dressing separately and toss them together right before serving!

Recipe courtesy:
Chef. Kamalesh
Lemon Tree Suites, Whitefield  – Bangalore

Get in Touch

Bangalore
Vaswani Victoria, 30 Victoria Road, Bangalore – 47
Phone – 87479 87479

Mumbai
601, Sant Nivas, 14th Road Corner, Khar West, Mumbai
Email – sales@vaswanigroup.com
www.vaswanigroup.com