Ayurveda meets movie Life of Pi in Trivandrum

After the off-beaten trip in Quilon it was time to venture into Kerala’s polluted capital, Trivandrum. The city itself did not look like any attention puller and I would have easily skipped it if I didn’t have an appointment in Kottakkal Ayurveda hospital. It was a morning session. The hospital itself is not the typical 3 to 5 star Ayurveda resort but more like a modest looking facility. Very simple building with no fountains, no incense sticks, no rose petals, no music and shoes to be strictly removed before crossing the threshold.

Worn down shoes do inspire

How would you discover big cities’ mysterious corners, the countryside beauties and rural island paths? If I’m not wandering around alone, I definitely opt for an original kind of outing, rather than following the red umbrella. So here’s the deal.

Paris – eclectic mix of cultures and art

No time would be long enough to discover all the beauties, major and off-tracks, splendid buildings and tiny shops Paris hides. To try to make the most out of it, a well-constructed list and a detailed map were my best travel companions when I visited (came in very handy indeed). Yet so many things left undiscovered for now but not for ever.

Eiffel Tower sneak peek

Vienna is cool on foot (part 2.)

Started with a filling breakfast, then visited a number of upcoming hot spots in Vienna. After a short break I hit the streets of the buzzing Austrian capital again.

14.00 PM

Due to the hearty breakfast just a few hours back, some quick bites were more than enough to get back on track for the afternoon. The good thing is that you can always grab something fast and healthy in Vienna. You can pick up a whole-grain sandwich in one of the bakeries, if opting for something light you can find a number of vegetarian restaurants around the seventh district. Pop in for the daily vegetarian and vegan lunch menu to Govinda (Lindengasse 2).

One of the guest rooms at Hotel Daniel

Vienna is cool on foot (part 1.)

Conventional yet innovative, bustling yet livable, Vienna is very different from other capital cities around Europe. Loyal to it’s traditions but open for the new this fantastic city can always surprise. Travelers who venture beyond the obvious will be left with colorful memories and a good dose of inspiration. I’ve put on my walking shoes on a Saturday morning and checked for myself what all the sidetracks hide.

Valletta – an upcoming art scene in the Mediterranean

Beyond guidebooks around the Maltese islands (part I.)

Traveling to Malta for the umpteenth time? Staying longer than a short-term vacationer? Living on the rock for over 14 months, within weeks I’ve finished off all the sightseeing the guidebooks had to offer. Then I put the map and a bottle of water in my bag and let the roads take me wherever they had to take me. Out of this experience I’m starting a series of alternative trips around the islands to share some handy tips with fellow travelers.

Protecting residents

Milano: passion for design and innovation

Milano. Beyond the Duomo and Da Vinci’s Last Supper it offers many off-path venues for the design hunters. You only have an afternoon and a night free to immerse? Here we go.

All about design – reception at Nhow Milano Hotel

Design, vintage, art and wine – Budapest side street walks

The morning of 1^st January when most people were struggling to get out of bed, or actually they went to bed at that time I started to feel an inner push, an urge which did kick me out of bed in the early hours. Something repeatedly was telling me ‘what you do today will reflect on your entire year, get up and be productive’. I took my morning shot of coffee, with an unusually fair amount of time devoted for breakfast and went on to immerse myself in a couple of projects I have started have been planning to start recently. My New Year’s resolution for 2014? Stop dreaming about things, get up, get out and just get it!

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