MIDWINTER'S DREAM
Travel+Leisure India|March 2023
The bucolic charm of Zermatt and the cosmopolitan flair of Montreux are two sides of the Swiss coin. On a winter holiday in the country, Adila Matra uncovers these contrasting worlds.
Adila Matra
MIDWINTER'S DREAM

IT IS A SILENT NIGHT, 10 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. The streets of Zermatt are dressed up in twinkling lights, Christmas trees, Santas of varying sizes and shapes. Plow machines pass by occasionally, clearing snow and sludge off the roads, leaving it glossy enough to reflect all the lights. I pull down my beanie, tuck my hands inside the pocket of my parka and continue walking towards my hotel.

The tingle of what sounds like a xylophone forces me to take a detour. Above the door of one of the closed shops is a band of little people carved out of wood. There's a drummer and a xylophonist lit by a single bulb, and as I approach, they play a little song that makes me smile.

Christmastime in Zermatt is truly magical. The town becomes a meeting point for ski enthusiasts during the day; in the evenings, there are small pubs playing festive music while its patrons huddle around with wine and beer in hand. By 8:30 pm, the town goes silent barring the din of a few restaurants that run late into the night.

I landed in this ski town earlier in the day; the sun, however, was nowhere to be seen. Like a rookie, I had come unprepared for the snowy slopes of Zermatt. So, the first order of business was to hire a pair of sturdy boots for my excursion to Gornergrat, one of the many mountains around Zermatt that offers sledding, skiing, and winter hiking opportunities. One common aspect among all these mountain excursions, I would learn later, is the Matterhorn, the 4,000-metre peak in the Alps.

Bu hikaye Travel+Leisure India dergisinin March 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Travel+Leisure India dergisinin March 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

TRAVEL+LEISURE INDIA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
SAILING the ENIGMATIC NILE
Travel+Leisure India

SAILING the ENIGMATIC NILE

Shikha Shah explores how slow cruising the world's longest river offers a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of the pharaohs and uncover the mysteries of Egypt

time-read
6 dak  |
February 2025
AJABGARH: RAJASTHAN'S SECRET GARDEN
Travel+Leisure India

AJABGARH: RAJASTHAN'S SECRET GARDEN

Ajabgarh unveils an oasis where ancient history meets modern indulgence, offering an unforgettable escape.

time-read
2 dak  |
February 2025
T+L CHAMPIONS
Travel+Leisure India

T+L CHAMPIONS

Presenting the movers and shakers who have not only won accolades for their contributions to their respective industries but have also set the bar for creativity high. From celebrating heritage cuisine and philanthropic contributions to making Indian couture go global and charting a new path of storytelling on social media, here are the T+L Champions of 2024 and their inspiring stories.

time-read
7 dak  |
February 2025
Sacred Peaks, Ancient Traditions
Travel+Leisure India

Sacred Peaks, Ancient Traditions

From mist-laden hills and riverside picnics to paddy fields and tranquil monasteries, Punita Malhotra discovers a place for hearts to connect and memories to bloom in Arunachal Pradesh

time-read
5 dak  |
February 2025
YOUR BEST SHOT
Travel+Leisure India

YOUR BEST SHOT

THE PHOTOGRAPH, TAKEN AT Urpad Beel in Goalpara, Assam, captures a tranquil scene at dawn, with mist lingering on the horizon.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2025
Handwoven With Love
Travel+Leisure India

Handwoven With Love

What makes Radhikaraje Gaekwad a queen? Spoiler alert: It's not just the title. SAMREEN TUNGEKAR spends a day at her palace, and discovers how the queen of Baroda's royal legacy is blending history, craft, and luxury travel with progressive values, modernism, and a celebration of the future

time-read
4 dak  |
February 2025
Soul to Seoul
Travel+Leisure India

Soul to Seoul

In the heart of Seoul's underground vinyl scene, Alex Outhwaite discovers more than just music with stories of passion, and memory

time-read
4 dak  |
February 2025
WANDER with PRIDE
Travel+Leisure India

WANDER with PRIDE

LGBTQ+ couples seek holiday spaces that walk the talk and offer inclusive environments, fostering a strong sense of community. Nayare Ali highlights the most popular travel trends for same-sex couples in 2025

time-read
5 dak  |
February 2025
A ROMANTIC ODYSSEY
Travel+Leisure India

A ROMANTIC ODYSSEY

From cherry blossoms to serene hot springs, from misty mountains to lush tea fields-Nantou County offers the perfect romantic getaway, discovers Ketki Gadre

time-read
4 dak  |
February 2025
LOCAL FLAVOUR
Travel+Leisure India

LOCAL FLAVOUR

Often thought of as vanilla, all-inclusive resorts are thinking up ways to get guests exploring.

time-read
2 dak  |
February 2025