Kerala Calling

December 2025

From lush tea gardens to gushing waterfalls and from exciting snake boat races to calming Ayurveda—Kerala’s richness and diversity is unmatched.

And that is why, our Cover Story this month takes you to God’s Own Country, with insider secrets on immersive experiences shared by an award-winning travel guide. We take a peek into the 6th edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, feature a stunning display of photographs that capture the range of Kerala’s raw beauty, and speak to global sensation, rapper Hanumankind on the little things he loves about his home state.

Home, of course, means different things to different people. For author Ruskin Bond, his home and the environs of Landour, Mussoorie, have offered him immense inspiration over the years. Booker winner Kiran Desai, on the other hand, has lived and worked in many places, and she reflects on how “the ideas of home change all the time”.

Festivals, for one, feel like home, wherever you may be celebrating. This December, we take you to Christmas markets in Delhi and in Vienna—the latter boasts some of the world’s oldest and grandest Xmas markets that envelop you in a blanket of cheer. Elsewhere, explore Lisbon through eight quintessential dishes, find exciting vegan options in cuisine-rich Singapore, and plan a day out in Rome with our itinerary.

The end of the year is also a good time to reflect, and Milind Soman talks to us about his passion for running and why it is much more than a physical sport. If you want to introspect, try something unique, like flotation therapy—it promises clarity of thought through sensory deprivation.

As we put 2025 behind us and move on to a hope-filled 2026, we continue to strive to make your journeys better, with a sprinkling of our distinctive hospitality and warmth.

Happy reading!