What: Atha Yogashala, Agonda Beach, Goa, visit www.yogaretreatsgoa.com or call Suveer on +91 9833122677, start at Rs 17,680 for a weeklong retreat.

Why: The beach view from this brand new yoga studio, fully equipped and presided over by internationally recognised instructors, is enough to get you bent into shape. Add tie-ups with pretty resorts, full service community breakfast and enthusiastic owners, and you have a perfect ommm away from home!

When: Bookings currently open for first yoga retreat on November 4; early bird discount for enrollments before September 30.

What: Made-to-order summit day jackets, AVI Industries, 13, Shriji Sadan, 352, Chandavarkar Road, Matunga (E), call 24143810 or visit www.aviindustries.com, Rs 3,000.

Why: Because you’ve come so far, it’ll be a pity for you to get cold feet now. Prepare for summit day in mountain climbing jackets by AVI Industries, tailored specifically to your measurements from rain-proof polyester, and warm enough to keep you toasty even at -15 degrees Celsius. Available in black, blue, red and green.

When: You need the help of a trail-blazer. 

Postcard from Istanbul

One of us Scouters travelled West to sun on the banks of the Bosphorus, and not just came back with awesome recommendations from Istanbul, but also found pieces of the charming European destination in Mumbai.

Eat

Arrive at KeVe, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a magic garden. Located on the very edge of Taksim, Istanbul’s hippest shopping district (we highly recommend the walk here from Taksim square) and housed in a 19th century courtyard, this little restaurant is cannily decorated with fairy lights, wrought iron chairs and a couple of resident cats. It serves airily light cheese and spinach tortellini, mint lamb and perfectly pitched drinks.
Another good bet is The House Café, also in Taksim, which offers plenty of vegetarian options (get the generous mezze platter), a major bonus in Istanbul.
KeVe, Tünel Geçidi 10, Beyoglu, approx 25 Turkish lira/person*; The House Café, İstiklal Caddesi Mısır Apt. No:163, Beyoğlum, approx 20 Turkish lira/person.

Şerefe!

What: Monsoon escape to Wildernest, off Sankhali, Chorla Ghats, North Goa, visit www.wildernest-goa.com, Rs 4,000 per couple, per night for a suite. 

Why: Infinity plunge pool with valley view, garden beer bar, two bulls named Ramu and Shamu: at this secluded jungle estate perched 800 metres above sea level, you’ll reach the height of fun!

When: Now, in the Goa monsoon, when all the beach shacks (and hot swimsuits) have folded up for the season.

Villa in a Box

Package Contents: One bedroom, kitchenette, bathroom, outdoor deck with shaded pergola. Electric supply, air conditioner and TV included.

Building Instructions: Show the crew to your land (no concrete foundation required), and within a month they’ll assemble these parts to make a whole 670 square feet pop-up holiday villa. On the house? Far from it. This baby will cost you a cool Rs 30 lakhs!

Chamber Made

They may be ridiculously expensive, but they’re also awfully cute, these mini villas conceptualised and built by interior design extraordinaire Pinakin Patel, who’s celebrating 25 years in the business. With these Hara Villas, not only does he transpose the pre-made holiday home from his Alibaug showroom to your property, but also designs the interior down to every detail: furniture, linen, wall art and crockery. What? No hot French maid?

These readymade holiday homes are a limited edition line, built from local timbre, eco friendly structures that advocate bucket baths and use solar panels to generate electricity. We hear there’s also an additional water-saving tap you can use while shaving, which gives out only a trickle of water. When 25 of these eco-chic homes are sold, Pinakin will set out to design a new batch. House swap!

Design Cache

Can we picture ourselves lounging on Hara Villa’s wooden deck, shaded by wide-brimmed straw hat and Pinakin’s pergola, a glass of Moet in hand? Yes. Do we have 30 lakh rupees to spare? No. Until we do, you’ll find us on Aurus’ deck, sipping Sula and planning for a piece of Pinakin.

Getting there: Pinakin, Raghuvanshi Mills, Lower Parel, call 65002400 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or, Rs 30 lakhs per villa.

With this Bandra (West) guide, compiled by the Secret Scouters for CNNGO.com, it's never been easier to nail down everything from the best French cheesecake, kooky hairstylist, designer store, corner-pub-styled-like-an-automobile-garage, fresh vegetables, flowers and all the other terrific little discoveries that make up the DNA of this unique area.

View the map and read the full story here!

What: Group ride to Nashik’s Vineyards with the Mocha Bike Association, to register email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Rs 2,000 includes accommodation at Ginger Hotels, breakfast, lunch, cocktail dinner and a visit to Sula vineyards.

Why: It’s time again to feel the breeze in your hair and the grease on your palms. After a long off-the-road hiatus, The Mocha Bike Association is back and ready to zoom off on its first group ride of the season, this one to Nashik. Riders get to stay overnight at Ginger Hotels and visit the Sula vineyards. 

When: July 10 and 11, last day to register is July 5.

There’s more to see than Messi’s magic and Torres’ goals in Johannesburg this World Cup season. As football fever grips the globe, guest Scouter and Joburg local Khevna Naran tells you about the other games in town.

Eat

No matter what part of the world you’re in, pizza is the perfect pre-game food. For your hit, head to Piza e Vino in the chic Melrose Arch neighbourhood, where you can score delish pies straight out of a cheerily yellow wood fire oven. Breakfast here is awesome too – get the eggs Florentine, loaded with fresh spinach and served in a flaky pastry.

When a travel writer and a marine biologist offer to veer you off the beaten track, you’d be a fool to refuse. Put your voyage in the hands of this duo’s new travel company, Broken Compass, and you might end up playing guest to an all-important Village Chief in Leh. Or land in Thailand with a local boatman’s telephone number, who’ll teach you to fish. With quirky itineraries and local contacts, Broken Compass aims to customise holidays to suit every case.

It’s against bpb policy to mix alcohol and engines, but we’ll make an exception for Big Wheels Motoring Café and Pub, a brand new resto-bar on the old Mumbai-Pune highway, which serves cocktails and grub to motor enthusiasts in a garage-like setting. Just make sure your chauffeur’s your plus one.