On being a wanderlust - Lisa Ray | Exclusive Interview

Photo courtesy: Joy Dutta

You have always referred to yourself as a wanderlust. Tell us something about your recent trips.

This year, I traveled through Italy with Insight Vacations. Both were phenomenal trips, a complete eye opener. In Italy, we started in Rome which is truly one of the most gorgeous cities in the world. I was staying right next to the Forum and my favourite moments were sipping espresso in the sidewalk cafes. It can be a challenge to stay away from the crowds. Cinque terre, Capri, Luca and finally Venice were among my favourite sights, but particularly Venice. Later, my husband Jason joined me and we wandered on the streets of La Serenissima and enjoyed afternoons lunching with Roberto, a local entrepreneur who runs a magnificent murano glass showroom. I chose a gorgeous murano sculpture of a Picasso painting by Walter Furlan for ourselves. 

What about the Rajasthan trip?

The ever so royal Rajasthan was also very special, as we stayed at the Leela Palace in Udaipur and I enjoyed an audience with Arvind Singh Mewar or Shriji as he's called, the 76th custodian of the Mewar dynasty. Jason also joined me for a part of the trip. I love travelling in India and can never get enough of it because I love this country and there's always something new to discover. Next, I will be traveling to Athens, Hong Kong, Bali and I will spend some time in Nelson BC. Travel is my oxygen and fires me up. And believe it or not, this has been a slower year than usual for travel.

If there is any country that you would love to settle down in for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?

Can't choose just one. It's not in my nature. My perfect triangle would be India, Italy and Canada.

 Being a style icon, which is your favorite shopping destination and what do you love picking up from there?

I shop a lot when I travel. Of course, Paris and New York are great shopping destinations, but I've also picked up some really cool stuff in Athens, Capetown and Buenos Aires. Also, I love picking up art these days and have been a collector for a number of years. Athens is great for sandals, Buenos Aires has some cool leather goods and Capetown has a very quirky art scene.

Your dream destination for the perfect getaway would be?

Well, that has to be Bora Bora.

Travel is my oxygen and fires me up. And believe it or not, this has been a slower year than usual for travel

Which are the three places in Mumbai that you can never get enough of?

My home in Bandra, my friends' homes in Mumbai and Salt Water Cafe, which is my office by default and the number of meetings I have had there are just endless.

Do you like experimenting with food while travelling? If yes, which is the weirdest experiment that you have ever encountered.

Strange is obviously in the eye of beholder and I am pretty fearless when it comes to trying new food. I try to eat healthy most of the time, but I really love experimenting with local food when I'm travelling. Some of my most unusual meals have been Crickets in Mexico, la Pajata or baby calf intestines in Rome and Ostrich steak in Capetown.

Is there any country or city that tops your 'Must visit' wishlist?

I am interested in visiting Mongolia now. And, Australia.

What are the five travel essentials that you will never leave home without?

Sunscreen, my iPhone, sunglasses, comfy shoes and workout clothes.

Any travel tip that you would like to share with your fans?

Roll, don't fold- your clothes! Also, walk and talk to the locals. And finally, just breathe and take a moment to look around you and sometimes just put down the phone. How many selfies do you really need?

Just breathe and take a moment to look around you and sometimes just put down the phone. How many selfies do you really need?

-- By Priya Adivarekar --