26 December,2013 05:28 AM IST | | The Guide Team
Chill > Artescape, Goa
Imagine giving your creative mind, a scenic setting - sandy shoreline, calm waters, great food and a harmonious vibe?u00a0Art Escape that opened a little over a year offers a close-to-nature experience for artists and creative people to let their expressions take shape and form. Started off as a pilot project by Darryl Noronha and Vinesh Iyer, to promote all kinds of art and also focus on music, film, dance and theatre is now a great escape. The cottages here serve as residences where people can come and live, for long durations.
Artescape is fast emerging as an ideal destination for the creatively inclined. Representation Pic.
The space around is used for workshops and various performances and the restaurant is used for basically promoting food as art. It is an initiative driven by experienced professionals who have a passion for all forms of creative arts a. With no other houses or resort nearby and the sound of waves as background music (the Vaddi beach is just 30 seconds away from the space), it's paradise on earth.
Art Escape has 12 bamboo cottages, resto lounge and an art space as part of the common space for the visitors staying in the cottages. The place is active between the months of October and May. The rates during that period come up to Rs 2,000 per night for a cottage.u00a0The rest of the year they introduce the idea of a gift economy, where people can pay whatever they like.
Convenience > Mahua Resorts, Alibaug
Alibaug's coastline and proximity to Mumbai makes it a favourite. Pic/Bipin Kokate.
Maharashtra is blessed with a beautiful coastline though several of these naturally wondrous locations remain unexplored. Though one beach destination that remains popular amongst Mumbai's folks is Alibaug. Located just a few hours away from the city, the mango orchards and the scenic beaches successfully draw several travellers from the city on weekends. And the time from November to February is the best period to visit this location.
View from Janjira fort
One of the major attractions of Alibaug is Murud Janjira. Other than sightseeing and ferrying to the formidable fort of Murud Janjira, the location has also recently been offering options for adventure travelling. And located at a short distance of Murud is Mahua Bagh, an organic Alphonso mango orchard that combines the goodness of nature with the comfort of lounging in serviced personal cottages.
Mahua Bagh
The property offers eight cottages and two studio cottages designed with antique furniture to preserve the natural ambiance of the space. If you wish to rejuvenate, each cottage is also equipped with a yoga kit. The food makes for special mention as farm-grown fruits and vegetables are what is on offer. And, if you'd like to go for a short walk, try taking a trek through the farm that will take you a hilltop that gives a view of the sea.u00a0They also offer to arrange for a ride in the fisherman's boat and a fishing trip. Fort lovers also have Kasa fort built by Maratha king Shivaji to look forward to.
Entertainment > Adlabs Imagica, Panvel
Imagica is a one-stop amusement delight, close to Mumbai
Year-end is a celebratory time with friends and families coming together to share in the merriment and joy for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Adlabs Imagica provides that perfect opportunity for families to come together and make this winter season a cherished celebration with one another.u00a0The theme park has introduced its Winter Celebration aiming to make the year-end an affair to remember.
This winter season will be celebrated amidst much fanfare and promises to be filled with festive cheerand lots of exciting gifts for kids. This apart, one can choose from thrilling rides for the right amount of adrenalin rush to add zing to the celebrations. To add a Christmas feel, the park will be embellished with a Christmas tree, floats in the lagoon area, Santa and a lot more. To add to the festivities and fun, all kids will get to write a personal message to Santa and get a free gift of their choice all through the winter celebrations.u00a0So, if adrenaline rushing rides are your idea of fun, you know where to head.
International > Dubai
Fireworks over Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
If you'd like to ring in 2014 in style, and far, far away from Mumbai, Dubai might be your best bet. On December 31, its vibrant landscape will be lit up with a host of impressive fireworks displays that promise to place the city as one of the world's premier locations in which to mark the end of 2013. The festivities will centre on the city's landmarks including Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, The Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis the Palm.
Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building had opened in 2010. The show will start with an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Fireworks Display, a six-minute display choreographed across the whole of The Palm Jumeirah and The Islands of the World.u00a0The World Record breaking attempt will cover a distance of over 99.4 km of seafront and feature 4,50,000 colourful fireworks and a series of scenes designed exclusively for the show and set to a musical soundtrack designed for the event. It will be visible from vantage points across Dubai.
As the six-minute world record attempt concludes, a 15 minute display covering a one kilometre stretch of the Jumeirah beach will commence, with the Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Hotel as the stunning backdrop.
The best locations to enjoy the fireworks include Burj Park - an island overlooking Burj Khalifa, set on Burj Lake - or the Waterfront Promenade lining the Dubai Mall; Burj Plaza; the 3.5 km Emaar Boulevard; and other areas in downtown Dubai. The shows, and numerous events marked for on December 31, including a fireworks, and water and light show at Dubai Festival City are sure to make for a memorable occasion for residents and visitors alike.
