AUROVILLE (PREVIOUS PAGE)
The former French enclave of Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) got star billing in the fantastical film Life of Pi. But beyond the city’s boundaries is a real-life fantasy: the extraordinary ‘experimental city’ known as Auroville. The community’s restaurants, shops, eco-projects and workshops are well worth a visit. But the centrepiece, the golden dome and light chamber known as the Matrimandir, is truly one of the wonders of the modern world. pondytourism.in
ALILA FORT BISHANGARH (BELOW RIGHT)
The new Alila Fort Bishangarh in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is an architectural marvel. Converted from an ancient fortress into a luxurious heritage hotel, the powerful fort sits atop one of the granite hills of the Aravallis, glowing in a rich shade of ochre. Inside, guests will appreciate the meticulous renovations as they wander through scalloped archways, discover hidden corridors and navigate the labyrinthine floor plan – an adventure in itself. The best views from the fort are at Nazaara, an openair terrace restaurant that overlooks golden fields and green farmland below. alilahotels.com/fortbishangarh
BENGALURU
Bengaluru, high up on the Deccan Plateau in Karnataka, has its coders and fintech crowd to thank for its zazzy atmosphere. As some of India’s sparkiest minds have migrated to the sunny southern city, neighbourhoods like Indiranagar have exploded with bars, restaurants and boundary-pushing coffee shops. Take a walk along 12th Main Road to find relaxed Bombay Brasserie, rooftop bar Sly Granny and microbrewery Toit.
Alila Fort Bishangarh堡酒壘 店（右圖）最近開業的Alila Fort Bishangarh堡壘酒店位於拉賈斯坦邦東北部城市齋浦爾是， 一座令人歎為觀止的宏偉建築。這座由派氣非凡的堡壘改建而成的豪華文物酒店，矗立於Aravallis山脈其中一座花崗岩山峰上，綻放瑰麗的赭色光采。賓客可於酒店內鑲嵌波浪形飾緣的拱廊之間漫步，探索隱秘通道，細賞一絲不苟的裝飾，在恍如迷宮的建築中辨別方向，本身就是一場探險。酒店的天台廳露陽餐 Nazaara坐享最佳觀景位置，可俯瞰腳下的金黃原野和翠綠農田。alilahotels.com/fortbishangarh 班加羅爾
班加羅爾聳立於卡納克塔 卡邦的德干高原上內，匯城 聚電腦程式編寫員及金融科技才俊，散發時髦灑瀟 的氣息。隨著一些印度最富創意的人才遷居至這個陽光充的沛 南印度城市，在Indiranagar及其他社區，、酒吧餐廳和風格前衛的咖啡室如雨後春筍般湧現。旅客著可沿 12th Main Road路漫步，順道到格調悠閒的Bombay Brasserie餐廳天、台酒吧Sly Granny或微型啤酒廠消Toit 磨悠閒光時 。