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How I curated comfort for museums

Published on by 100cobbledroads32 Comments

It’s not for everyone, but once you start…

Last month, I read a question by someone on a travel forum…“Is it worthwhile to visit the Louvre Museum in Paris?” Her question didn’t surprise me that much, though Louvre is amongst the most-visited spots in the world. Anyway, I was curious to know the replies, so I scrolled over the comments till I reached the most interesting one. “Don’t waste your money on the expensive ticket. Shop for LV at Galleries Lafayette instead.” This fashionista was advising a splurge on a logo-splattered Louis Vuitton piece of leather arm-candy rather than investing a few hours and a few euros on real art. Talk of divergent perspectives…specially when it comes to value for money!

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Stop! That clock is singing!

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Two time-keepers that make the world stand still…

It was Prague. Capital of the Czech Republic. Mother of cities. A symphony of elegance. Our mission to explore the enchanting historic centre, had landed us into the Old Town Square, where hundreds were milling. It was a surprise till then, but our arrival had been precisely timed for a certain spectacle. But what? Seconds before our guide pointed it out, we had spotted it. It was impossible to miss…everyone on the street who was pointing anywhere, was pointing at it. A great medieval astronomical clock (The Orloj) on the south wall of Old Town Hall Tower.

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Senses awaken at the city of sunrise

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Give in to Udaipur’s charms…

We were booked in Trident Hotel and our choice couldn’t have been more perfect. Trident shares expansive gardens with Oberoi Udai Vilas, one of the most uber-lux hotels in the world. Location, location, location…the words raced through my head, as we walked to the hotel’s boat jetty. There, we were rewarded by a stunning sight of the colossal city palace shimmering on the Lake Pichola. Even better things awaited…an exclusive one-hour boat ride to remember.

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Secret behind black magic

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Demystifying fashion colour coding across Europe…

He gazed down haughtily at me…from the thick folds of his sumptuous velvet purple cloak studded with rich gold embroidery, his white stockinged legs poised perfectly to flaunt his extravagant red block-heeled shoes. I locked eyes with Louis XIV. Was I was more enamoured by the craft of the artist who had painted this magnificent canvas oozing power, defiance and superiority from every inch or the sizzling persona of the French monarch himself? I couldn’t decide.

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The day we got choco’late’

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Oops, missed the bus at Bruges…

Day-tours are quite enjoyable…structured, planned, with tips on must-sees, must-eats, must-drinks and must-buys, informative tidbits, juicy legends…a taste of nature, history, culture, architecture, culinary traditions and crafts, all rolled into one. Pied Piper takes you merrily along the destined path and you play ‘follow the leader’ meekly, most of the time that is.

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Does reverence need a voice?

Published on by 100cobbledroads18 Comments

How about hushed silence instead…

During a short trip to Gwalior, we happened to visit the 9th-century Sahastrabahu Temple in the complex that houses the glorious turquoise stone-studded Gwalior Fort. It was the first ‘ancient’ Hindu temple I had seen.The marvellous architecture and the exquisite carvings left me stunned. But other than the beauty, what struck me most was the peaceful aura created by the absence of idols and worshippers (to clarify, it’s not a working temple anymore).

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