My last visit to Spain was when I was 17. I was swimming in the world championships at Barcelona. So although I spent a longer time in Spain before, this felt like the first time I really got to know her!
"It's nestled amidst dense Sal forests, in the grounds of the Maharaja's Palace and overlooks the spiritual hub of Rishikesh and the Ganges and counts celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Liz Hurley among its clientele," says the star athlete.
Seaside Finolhu is a welcoming island paradise and TravelWithRehan recommends this resort for its luxurious and irreverent vibe, its long stretches of coral sand banks, the infinitely captivating azure ocean, and its wonderfully welcoming hospitality.
This winter, #TravelWithRehan takes my friends and me to Galle - a charming city on the southern tip of gorgeous Sri Lanka. History buffs will enjoy Galle's Old Town and its fortifications that make it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a walk through the historic city, go whale watching, take surfing lessons or just soak in the sun lounging on the beach. However you choose to spend your time, it's a trip you'll definitely enjoy.
Rehan Poncha is an Olympian swimmer and Arjuna Awardee. The poster boy of Indian Swimming, Rehan has been National Champion 8 times, India's Best athlete at National Games twice, and holds multiple National Records. He is an avid traveller and blogs on TravelWithRehan with his friend Gitika Taraporewala.
French writer Alphonse de Lamartine famously said, "If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul." Spreading enticingly across the border of Asia and Europe, this fascinating country has so much to delight the traveller. Olympian swimmer and Arjuna Awardee Rehan Poncha lists his top 3 places to visit for the first time traveller to Turkey.
My love for travel brought me back to Jaipur - in the peak summer period. While the scorching heat seemed too hot to handle, my stay at the luxurious Fairmont Jaipur washed away my summer woes.
Fitness for me has always been more than than just a lifestyle choice. My sporting career has always been in sync with my fitness goals. Now as you all know, I am an avid lover of exploring the unknown and of course gorging on fabulous food. But in this scenario, to remain fit is an almost impossible task.
Food is a big part of making a holiday perfect! And you can carry back a bit of that scrumptiousness in the form of recipes to try at home long after the vacation has ended. On this blog, I share the recipe of the Maldivian Fish Curry by Executive Chef Bhaloo Ravin's kitchen, taught to me by Chef Libin from his team during my unforgettable vacation at Club Med, Maldives.
From the seaplane I see a handful of Maldives’ 1200 golden-white islands, sprinkled across a translucent turquoise sea, Maldives is ridiculously beautiful.
Virginia Wolfe famously said that one cannot eat, sleep, or love well if one hasn’t dined well. A visit to Fairmont Ajman will ensure this is not a problem!
If you’re dreaming of postcard-worthy stretches of beach, delectable coastal cuisine, leisurely shopping at flea markets and haute couture studios or wild, wild parties - then Goa can’t be far from your mind.
From hospitality perspective, one of my favourite places to unwind in Jaipur is the Taj Rambagh Palace. With its stunning grounds, beautifully restored rooms and suites, it truly is a jewel of the city.
I absolutely loved being hosted by Chef Rami and his team who created magic with amazingly authentic Arabic cuisine. Here's a list of my ten favourite starters from Chef Rami's kitchen ! Enjoy reading.
Get your slice of history by visiting the 9th century Prague Castle, visit the very lovely cobblestone Charles bridge, flanked by statues on either side. See the world's oldest Astronomical Clock in action, located on top the Town Hall and learn about its very long history. Read this blog to know all about my visit to the largest city of the Czech Republic, Prague.
My parents were married at The President Hotel, 30 years ago. I recently celebrated my birthday here, and was reminded of why the hotel has remained a family favourite, after all these years, despite the change in name, ownership and all.
According to you, what are some of the best golf-courses/ resorts and why? Is there some place that you'd really like to play golf that you haven't so far?
I'm two years into the sport and as I love to travel have had the opportunity to play many spectacular courses in India and around the world. But there truly are still so many to discover. One of the most memorable was staying on a remote but luxurious castle with spectacular views on a cliff at Wick, in Scotland and playing the courses there with their beautiful, fairways banked by the sea.
The United Arab Emirates cuisine is a reflection of a great Arabian heritage and vast exposure to civilizations over time. Ritz Carton’s Amseena celebrates this beautifully. Private bedouin tents cluster across the lawn creating a luxurious village-like feel.
It’s the view I’d go here for, most of all, along with the fact that I enjoy Thai food. The place can be hard to find, so do get clear directions on how to get there to avoid getting lost in the meandering avenues up to the restaurant.
Tesoro is Spanish for 'treasure' and it's an enchanting restaurant, riding the wave of Peruvian outlets that opened in Dubai recently.
Sumptuous silence in constant chaos, for me it's the ultimate luxury. Changes in technology create 24x7 connectivity, and its subsequent impact on lifestyles has created a shift in culture and communication, and a deep interest in less tangible forms of luxury, such as the longing for space and time.
There's something about the monsoons that have always had the poets very inspired. And while the city's an unbelievable mess if you're trying to dodge potholed roads, pavements crowded with hawkers and pedestrians or just the traffic that's moving at a snail's pace, there are some places that immediately take you right back to that inspiring, sweet spot like the poets, even in the urban jungle.
I started swimming at 7, and loved competing, so becoming a professional swimmer was meant to be. I was fortunate that the passion I felt, translated to success and I became one of India's best in the sport. I've recently taken up a new sport - Golf, and now dream of tasting the same success in this as well.
I like this chain of budget hotels. Travel for sport or work, has always been a part of my life and with so much travel, you end up staying in many, many hotel rooms. Bangalore was my home for 13 years as a swimmer, and I continue to visit the city even now, to coach national and state level swimmers.
Some moments in life are so dear that we end up cherishing them, holding them close to our hearts, and no matter what life throws at us in our most trying times, their memory brings a smile to our faces.