Tag: #adventure

Business

Swiggy Dineout Taps Bhuvan Bam for GIRF 2026; ‘Bill Half. Party Full.’ Takes Over India

Tanisha Cardozo

Swiggy Dineout has officially announced the return of its flagship dining celebration, the Great Indian Restaurant Festival (GIRF) 2026, bringing with it bigger offers, wider reach, and a strong cultural connect. Spearheaded by Swiggy Limited, this year’s edition promises to transform how India dines out, making it more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable.

At the heart of GIRF 2026 is its collaboration with digital creator Bhuvan Bam, who joins as the official ambassador. Known for his iconic work through BB Ki Vines, Bhuvan brings a unique storytelling element to the campaign. Popular characters like Babloo, Babli, and Sameer are woven into the narrative, representing relatable dining personalities seen across India.

The campaign revolves around the simple yet impactful theme: “Bill Half. Party Full.” It captures a universal truth—while dining out is a joyful experience, the cost often becomes a limiting factor. By addressing this barrier, GIRF 2026 aims to encourage consumers to step out more often, celebrate freely, and explore diverse culinary experiences.

Starting February 15, 2026, and running for two months, the festival offers up to 50% discounts across more than 40,000 restaurants in over 60 cities. The offers span across cafés, pubs, bars, fine-dining establishments, and family restaurants, ensuring something for every kind of diner.

In addition to the headline discounts, users can avail extra benefits including a 10% instant discount on HDFC Bank cards and 10% cashback as Dinecash on bookings. These added incentives further enhance the value proposition, making dining out both rewarding and economical.

GIRF 2026 also introduces engaging elements like “Crazzzy Deals of the Day,” complimentary cocktails and mocktails at select venues, and extended happy hours—designed to elevate the overall dining experience.

The festival is not limited to metro cities alone. While major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai remain key markets, GIRF also extends to emerging food destinations such as Goa, Jaipur, Indore, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Coimbatore, and Udaipur. This widespread reach highlights Swiggy’s ambition to democratize dining experiences across India.

With participation from leading brands including Cafe Coffee Day, Barista, Punjab Grill, YouMee, and Good Flippin Burgers, GIRF 2026 stands as one of the largest and most inclusive dining festivals in the country.

Blending food, culture, and digital storytelling, GIRF 2026 is more than just a discount event—it is a celebration of India’s evolving dining culture, where affordability meets experience, and every meal becomes an occasion.

Travel

Music-Led Travel Is Reshaping How Gen Z Explores India, Airbnb Insights Reveal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Music is fast becoming a defining force behind how India’s Gen Z travels, with live concerts and festivals now shaping not just where young people go, but how they experience destinations. According to Airbnb’s Experience-Led Travel Insights, nearly 62 percent of Gen Z travelers in India plan to travel specifically for concerts and music festivals in 2026, signalling a significant shift in travel motivation.

Live events are also influencing first-time visits to cities. An overwhelming 76 percent of Gen Z respondents said they had travelled to a city for the first time because of a concert or festival, turning music into a gateway for discovery. For many, the journey extends well beyond the event itself. While 65 percent prefer accommodation close to concert venues, more than half use the opportunity to explore local cafés, nightlife spots, and surrounding neighbourhoods, contributing directly to local economies.

Group travel plays a central role in this trend. Around 70 percent of Gen Z concert-goers attend live events with friends, reinforcing the social nature of music-led travel. These trips are carefully planned lifestyle choices rather than impulsive getaways. Nearly six in ten Gen Z travelers are willing to spend between 21 and 40 percent of their monthly income on event-led travel, with the average spend per journey estimated at ₹51,000. The appetite for global experiences is also growing, with over 40 percent open to travelling internationally for live music events.

Commenting on this shift, Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head, Airbnb India and Southeast Asia, noted that the rising interest in concerts and festivals has given rise to a new kind of traveler—one who views music as a lens through which to discover destinations. He highlighted how concert tourism is opening up neighbourhoods and communities to young travelers, creating meaningful local impact while driving demand for group-friendly stays that encourage shared experiences.

Reflecting this momentum, Airbnb has entered its first-ever global live music partnership by collaborating with Lollapalooza India. As part of the association, the platform will offer fans unique stays and experiences during the 2026 edition of the festival, scheduled to take place in Mumbai on January 24 and 25. The partnership underscores how deeply music and travel are now intertwined for Gen Z, marking a cultural shift where playlists, passports, and purpose increasingly move in sync.

Entertainment

Priyanka Chopra Reflects on Her ‘Healing Days’ in Goa, Calls It One of Her Favourite Places

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Entertainment Desk

Priyanka Chopra has shared fresh glimpses from her relaxing getaway in Goa, describing her time there as “a few healing days” in one of her most favourite places in the world. Currently in India for work, including her appearance at the grand GlobeTrotter event in Hyderabad where the title of her upcoming SS Rajamouli film Varanasi was unveiled, Priyanka took a short break from her schedule to spend time in the coastal paradise. Her newly posted photo dump captures moments of warmth, laughter, and serenity as she enjoyed a luxurious property with her close friends Tamanna Dutt and Sudeep Dutt. One of the highlights was revisiting Pousada by the Beach, a restaurant she returned to after seven years, along with soaking in quiet beach time and playing carrom—where she admitted she lost several times and needed more practice.

Priyanka also expressed gratitude for the hospitality of Pinky Reddy and GV Sanjay Reddy at their beautiful home, Palacio Aguada, describing her time there as both comforting and memorable. In her caption, she wrote about Goa’s spirit—how its people, food, and culture embody kindness and warmth, making the city adaptable to whatever one needs, whether rest, joy, or escape. She concluded her post saying, “It just wasn’t enough time,” a reflection of how deeply connected she feels to the place.

Alongside her Goa trip, Priyanka also shared pictures with her Varanasi co-stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. In a heartfelt appreciation post, she called it a privilege to work with legends from the Telugu and Malayalam industries and praised Rajamouli’s vision. With global promotions beginning almost a year ahead of release, Priyanka expressed excitement at the response the film is already generating.

Beyond India, Priyanka’s schedule remains packed. She is set to return as Nadia Sinh in season two of Citadel, and she will star alongside Karl Urban in The Bluff, playing a 19th-century Caribbean pirate. She was most recently seen in the action thriller Heads of State with Idris Elba and John Cena. Her Goa getaway offered a brief but meaningful pause—one that reminded fans why the actress continues to balance intense work commitments with moments of grounding and gratitude.

Special Occasion

Pushkar Camel Fair: Rajasthan’s Vibrant Celebration of Culture, Camels, and Community

Tanisha Cardozo

Every year, the desert town of Pushkar in Rajasthan bursts into color and celebration as thousands gather for the Pushkar Camel Fair — one of India’s most vibrant and unique cultural festivals. Originally a simple livestock trading event, the fair has evolved into a global attraction that beautifully blends tradition, spirituality, and festivity.

The fairgrounds become a spectacle of life and color, where decorated camels parade proudly through the sands, their owners showcasing years of skill and care through intricate ornaments and vivid fabrics. Camel races, beauty contests, and mustache competitions draw enthusiastic crowds, each event filled with laughter, pride, and an undeniable sense of community spirit.

Visitors are invited to dive into the essence of Rajasthan by participating in interactive experiences such as turban-tying contests, traditional dances, and camel safaris that meander through the golden dunes. As dusk falls, the air fills with the rhythm of drums and the swirls of Ghoomar dancers, creating a mesmerizing scene beneath the desert sky.

For photography enthusiasts, the fair offers endless inspiration — from portraits of local traders and performers to the warm hues of desert sunsets. Many even take part in the “Frame of the Fair” competition to capture the heart of Pushkar through their lenses.

No visit is complete without indulging in Rajasthan’s flavorful cuisine. Food stalls across the fairgrounds serve up classics like dal baati churma, spicy kachoris, and sweet malpua, turning every bite into a celebration of taste and tradition.

Steeped in history, the Pushkar Camel Fair dates back to the 19th century when local tribes gathered to trade camels and livestock. Over time, it transformed into a cultural and religious gathering that now coincides with the sacred Hindu month of Kartik, culminating on Kartik Purnima — a day when devotees bathe in Pushkar Lake for spiritual purification.

Today, the fair stands as a symbol of Rajasthan’s enduring charm and resilience, merging ancient customs with modern attractions such as hot air balloon rides and photography tours. It’s not just an event — it’s an experience that brings people together from across the world to witness the incredible spirit of Rajasthan in full bloom.

Travel

Goa to Spotlight Regenerative Tourism & “Feels Like Goa” Campaign at WTM London 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa is set to make a powerful impression on the global tourism map as it participates in World Travel Market (WTM) London 2025, from 4th to 6th November. The Department of Tourism will unveil two key narratives: the state’s Regenerative Tourism model, and its deeply emotional, year-end campaign, “Feels Like Goa.”

Unlike traditional promotional strategies, Goa’s approach this year is rooted in its people, culture, and environment. As India’s first state to formally adopt Regenerative Tourism, Goa aims not just to preserve but to actively restore ecosystems, empower local communities, and celebrate its unique spiritual and cultural heritage. This vision is guided by four foundational pillars—People, Community, Environment, and Economy—with a strong commitment to ensuring that tourism benefits everyone, not just economically, but emotionally and culturally as well.

The “Feels Like Goa” campaign is more than marketing—it’s a heartfelt call to travelers to reconnect with the emotions, nostalgia, and magic that make Goa unforgettable. From village feasts and soulful sunsets to the vibrant end-of-year celebrations that define Goa’s festive spirit, the campaign captures what it truly means to experience the state. It reminds global audiences that Goa is not just a location—it’s a feeling of belonging, warmth, and discovery.

At WTM London, the focus will also be on Goa Beyond Beaches—an invitation to discover the lesser-known spiritual trails, heritage circuits, hinterland escapes, and vibrant cultural festivals that lie beyond the coast. Initiatives like the Ekadasha Teertha Circuit aim to draw attention to Goa’s deep spiritual roots while ensuring that local communities are central to the tourism economy.

Culinary tourism will also take centre stage, highlighting Goa’s diverse and storied food culture. With influences from Hindu, Portuguese, Saraswat, and tribal traditions, Goan cuisine reflects centuries of cultural exchange. Visitors will be invited to explore Goa’s rich flavours through curated culinary trails, traditional feasts, and modern interpretations that continue to evolve.

The state’s vision includes robust plans for the future—investing in community-led tourism enterprises, supporting women and youth empowerment, promoting sustainable infrastructure, and nurturing biodiversity. New projects such as the Unity Mall, Porvorim Town Square, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum are set to enhance Goa’s position as a multi-dimensional tourism destination.

As Goa prepares for the final months of 2025, its participation at WTM London represents a new chapter in how the state defines and shares its identity with the world. This is a tourism model that regenerates, uplifts, and inspires—not only delivering memorable experiences to travelers, but ensuring that every visit contributes positively to Goa’s people and its future.

At WTM London 2025, Goa invites the world to go beyond the beaches, to taste its cuisine, walk its spiritual paths, explore its living traditions, and above all—feel like Goa.