Maldivian cuisine has a myriad of flavors - soul soothing and palate pleasing * Fly from India to Maldives via Air India, Indigo, Go Air and Maldivian Photo by: Conrad travelandleisureindia.in DECEMBER 2020 / 150 $ 4.50/ SLR 450/ NPR 35/ MVR 60 PKR 30O/ BTN 200 / TAKA 350 2020 INDIA’S BEST AWARDS Plus! WINNERS OF 10 OTT SHOWS THAT TOOK US PLACES IN 2020 Mithila Palkar Little Things Shares The That Made Her A BIG STAR SWEET WINTER CHILLS SUSEGAD STATE OF MIND The New Face Of Goa Post Lockdown CHRISTMAS IN GOTHENBURG + ADVENTURE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA Pankaj Tripathi Arjun Mathur Anu Menon & More... WIZARDS ON THE WEB M IS FOR MAGIC The Why, Where & How Of A Maldives Vacation Ashok Gehlot Chief Minister of Rajasthan www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in www.rtdc.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in rajasthantourism my_rajasthan rajasthan_tourism Rajasthan Tourism Channel Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan Discover Wildlife in its Home R A J A S T H A N R E A D Y & S A F E IT’S SAFE TO TRAVEL AGAIN Hotels, Restaurants & Monuments of Rajasthan are SOP-compliant and Safe. Rajasthan is a safe haven for many wildlife wonders. Discover tigers in Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve, witness migratory waterfowl and other birds in Keoladeo Ghana National Park, or explore the Thar desert’s unique ecosystem amid its undulating dunes in the Desert National Park. The state’s multitude of sanctuaries offer you a chance to see rare wildlife in its natural habitat. 4 T R AV E L + L E I S U R E I N D I A & S O U T H A S I A | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 RAHUL JHANGIANI 6 Letter from the Editor Discoveries 12 Experience the world virtually from your couch with these OTT shows and films, and catch up with the stars of the hour who are taking the Internet by storm. The Intelligent Traveller 30 Find out what’s drawing more and more Indians to the Maldives now; hear from one of the founders of Sleepy Owl Coffee, the country’s pioneering cold brew brand; get a sneak peek into the Delhi home of Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan; and set travel goals with Instagram influencer Meghna Kaur. Cover Story 42 Cover star Mithila Palkar talks about her journey from featuring in a viral video to becoming one of the leading stars of Indian OTT content. Through the Lens 46 A photographer traverses the wintry landscape of British Columbia in search of natural treasures and heartwarming traditions. Experiences 52 GOA TRAVEL DIARIES Two chronicles of contrasting post- lockdown trips to Goa. While one samples the new normal in aviation and luxury hotels, the other explores private villa stays and nature walks with physical distancing. 58 THE ROYAL CENOTAPHS OF RAJASTHAN Follow an inriguing trail of cenotaphs and learn the stories of the past that stay buried in each one. 62 GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST A trip down memory lane explores the colourful Christmas markets of Gothenburg in Sweden. Departments Your Best Shot 120 Reader Ankit Verma captures a dreamy snow-clad landscape on the Kedarkantha trek in Uttarakhand. ON THE COVER Mithila Palkar photographed by the sea in Mumbai. ON HER: Bustier, `8,000, skirt, `12,000, Saaksha & Kinni; beret and tote, prices on request, Christian Dior. PRODUCED BY Rashima Nagpal PHOTOGRAPHED BY Rahul Jhangiani ASSISTED BY Azfar Khan, Deepak Yadav & Abhishek Yadav STYLED BY Divyak D’Souza ASSISTED BY Khushi Bhatia HAIR Siddhesh Avinash Shinde MAKEUP Sahithya Shetty LOCATION Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Isles of Hope 66 A guide to the Maldives lists luxe resorts and their current offerings; the founder of Soneva reveals how the brand’s resorts have adapted to the pandemic; and an island- hopping travelogue reviews sustainability initiatives. Wellness & Spas 81 Discover the spa towns of Western Bohemia in the Czech Republic, and whip up coconut oil-based creams to protect your skin this winter. India’s Best Awards 2020 89 Find out who was voted the best in travel and hospitality by our discerning readers in the fi rst ever virtual edition of India’s Best Awards. With #TnlSalutes, we honour the heroes who strived to make others’ lives easier during the pandemic. CONTENTS Cover star Mithila Palkar enjoys the sun at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. (p. 42) from the Editor LETTER FROM MY TRAVELS This picture was captured at Jamun, Goa—a concept-led restaurant based on ‘elemental thalis’. If you’re heading to Goa in the future, this place is a must-visit, and if you’re a seafood aficionado, then the daab chingri served here is a must-try. I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE it is the last month of 2020. A year that has changed the lives of people around the globe. For an industry that lost millions in revenue and thousands of jobs, it’s no easy task to bounce back. But it is human nature to push back and survive. While COVID-19’s ramifi cations continue, it’s heartening to see the travel industry taking baby steps. And we could not be more thrilled to play a part in the journey—by felicitating the true heroes of this pandemic, those who work round the clock to make sure that your overdue holiday, or staycation, or workation, is hassle-free and safe. Catch all the winners of the readers’choice India’s Best Awards 2020 to make your travel plans for 2021 easy and meaningful (p. 89). This year saw a surge of viewers on OTT platforms—it was, for most of us, an escape route when we were restricted from physically venturing out. We’ve compiled a list of must- see films and shows that offered a window to the world this year (p. 12). Aptly, our cover star is the golden girl of OTT in India, Mithila Palkar, who rose to fame with shows like Girl in the City and Little Things. The young actor sheds light on her journey in a candid interview (p. 42). Joining her are other wizards of the web who have lit up our screens with enthralling content and memorable performances. This special section features riveting conversations with Pankaj Tripathi, Arjun Mathur, Anu Menon, Rohit Saraf, and Sumukhi Suresh (p. 18). Please Note: Some of the destinations and businesses mentioned in the magazine may be closed at the moment due to COVID-19. Refer to the rules and guidelines issued by your state government and those in place at the destination of your choice before making travel plans. Aindrila Mitra