Did our Bollywood stars shine at Cannes and more
Braving the scorching sun may be an adventure for some, but our recommendations will scorch your imagination instead. From the hautest at Cannes to the hottest luxury adventure hotels in the US, spice up your travel for those who Cannes do.
The Cannes Diary
For most women, fashion may be a lot of things, but adventure mostly isn't. That's why when some women dare to do things differently, that too on one of the most keenly watched red carpets globally, the Cannes Film Festival, they need to be duly applauded.
Therefore, we're taking a closer look at three of our country's top stars who also happen to be the brand ambassadors of L'Oreal Paris, the official make-up partner for Cannes every year. While Aishwarya and Sonam have been there before, this was the first time for Katrina. How adventurous were they in their outfits? Let's find out.
Cannes do and how... Sonam Kapoor
She's definitely a fashionista in India and is known to take her fashion very seriously. This year, Sonam certainly dared when she chose to wear this feathered Elie Saab creation. There's nothing ordinary or safe about this outfit; it's overwhelming, offbeat in colour and feathers have never been easy to pull off anyway. But trust Sonam to always nudge things a notch higher. Yes, the outfit got everyone talking, some good and some not so much. But full marks to her for carrying it with gusto.
 |
Cannes, somehow... Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
The woman who's had her own journey from being thrashed for every outfit to finally getting a thumbs up last year, Aishwarya is more or less a conservative dresser. She sticks to styles and fits that suit her and is rarely experimental. To see her then in a ruffled Ralph & Russo outfit on the red carpet was quite a shock. But a pleasant one at that. She looked lovely in her strapless monochrome outfit though she was visibly uncomfortable while walking in it. Anyway, good for a start, Mrs B.
 |
Canned... Katrina Kaif
We'd like to pass off her newbie nervousness as the reason for the choice of her outfits but Katrina was anything but adventurous at Cannes this year. From her choice of designer (Oscar De La Renta) to the colour of her outfit, nothing was even remotely fun. What's worse was the horrendous fit of her dress that showed more than it should have. Red gown, red hair, red lips, red belt and the red carpet, there was way too much red in there for anybody's liking. Better luck next time Katrina.
 |
Luxury Adventure Travel
USA
Private butlers, pillow plumpers and personal plunge pools, luxury experiences can be found a dime a dozen across the US. But rough luxe or adventure in the lap of luxury is what hands-on dude ranches is all about. Savour these special experiences at resorts that offer five-star experiences, but with an unusual twist.
Mustang Monument, Nevada
Giddy up for a luxury horseback holiday in northern Nevada for a luxury Wild West experience. One of the main attractions here is the chance to saddle up and ride out on horseback at one of the most high-end ranches that combine luxury and adventure.
Pitched just outside Wells, around 380 miles north of Las Vegas, catch your breath watching wild horses cantering across the greens. Nay for those who prefer their gentler domesticated cousins? Head out in classic Western style in a wooden horse-drawn wagon instead. Other activities include roping lessons, archery, wild Mustang adventure safaris, guided hikes and historic walking tours, and of course, horseback rides.
Sample the traditions of the region by sleeping in comfortable Tipis and wake up to the sights and sounds of the prairie outside. There's safari cottages available for those who prefer the cliché of four walls.
 | ||
|
Amangani, Wyoming
Discover tranquillity at a ten-minute drive from the town of Jackson in Wyoming. This luxury resort provides superb access to the ski slopes of Jackson Hole (it even features an exclusive private Ski Lounge in Teton Village), as well as Grand Teton National Park. Amangani (peaceful home) is perched on the crest of East GrosVentre Butte, about 2,135m above sea level, and offers magnificent views of the Grand Tetons and Snake River Valley below. The winter highlight is skiing, while in spring, summer and fall, the surrounding wilderness of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are great attractions. Explore the flora and fauna or discover fishing in one of the world's finest fly-fishing locations.
 |
Ludlow's Island Resort, Minnesota
The state of Minnesota offers a side of America that is rarely seen by international visitors. Ludlow's Island Resort is a case in point. It perches on a tiny outcrop in the winding channels of Lake Vermilion in the north of the state, just 50 miles south of the Canadian border.
Ludlow's is a hotspot of five-star extravagance, where a selection of luxury cabins is dotted amid pine trees along the water's edge. Each has its own log fire, sauna and boat dock with kayaks and sailboats at hand. Guests are shuttled to the resort by boat; opt for massages, manicures, hiking into the woody trails or simply vegetate, fishing rods in hand. Whatever floats your boat is their leisure credo.
https://ludlowsresort.com
 |
Teton Springs Lodge and Spa, Idaho
Five-star finesse in unknown Idaho is the little secret of the lesser-seen parts of the West. Soothe your travel-weary soul in the 51 rooms and 17 luxury cabins. Breathe in the glorious Idaho scenery or opt for fly-fishing, hiking or mountain biking. The hotel can also arrange horse riding excursions, or hot air balloon flights. Of course, the wild trails of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are just a short trip east over the state line.
Teton Springs Lodge and Spa also offers heli-skiing tours for skiers and snowboarders seeking the ultimate winter season thrill. The chopper collects guests from outside their lodge door before whisking them away to one of the many perfect powder zones found in over 305,000 acres of terrain surrounding the resort. For those who like their sport to be gentle can always find a piece of the action on The Headwaters Course; the resort's 18-hole golf course.
 |
OTT
Scent of luxury: Passion De L'Amour
 |
A signature scent need not necessarily come bottled in a unique "cupcake" flacon featuring a tropical gecko embellished with rare Columbian emeralds, but luxury doesn't need to conform to norm. With notes that fall between citrus essence and caramel with vanilla, saffron, agarwood, raspberry, patchouli, lily of the valley and tobacco for company, exotic is part of the formulation for Passion De L'Amour by the House of Sillage.
Part of its signature Privée Collection, the perfume is the latest of eight fragrances offered by the American parfumerie, known for its olfactory wonders served up in bejeweled cupcake bottles. The fragrance was developed by prominent perfumer Mark Buxton. Price on request, of course.
http://www.houseofsillage.com
Food
Windows of India
 |
With Piku smashing the box office, all things Bengali seem to be in season. Starting May 22, 2015, Masala Bay at Taj Lands End in Mumbai has introduced "Windows of India", a culinary expedition that celebrates the flavours from Bengal. The lavish spread of delicacies include Mochar Chop (a crumb-fried patty prepared with banana flower), Kaccha Lanka Bata Murgi (chicken cooked in a base of ground spice paste and flavoured with fresh green chillies), Narkel Diye Chholar Dal (tempered split Bengal gram flavoured with coconut) and Bekti Maccher Paturi (Kolkata sea bass marinated with mustard and steamed in banana leaf). Sample mustard magic all the way till May 31 and you will realise that Bengalis are equally obsessive about gastronomy as they are about anatomy.