OT Do you enjoy travelling
Shahnaz Hussain I love travelling. Travel adds another dimension to one&rsquos life and personality, enriches our experience and broadens the outlook. When I travel on vacation, it provides a much-needed period of relaxation and change.
OT Which is your favourite holiday destination
Shahnaz Hussain London is my favourite city to holiday in. In fact, it has become a home away from home.
OT Your favourite Indian destination, a place you keep returning to
Shahnaz Hussain Nainital, a place of exceptional scenic beauty. I have spent many memorable summers there.
OT Any dream destination you still haven&rsquot been
Shahnaz Hussain Morocco is a dream destination which I am yet to visit.
OT What is the last place you visited
Shahnaz Hussain I recently visited Egypt for the first time. It was like travelling back in time. Few countries evoke the kind of awe and mystery that Egypt does. The architectural brilliance of ancient Egypt left me mesmerised. Like India, the modern and the traditional co-exist here. It is a sightseer&rsquos delight and one visit is just not enough.
OT Do you experiment with different cuisines when travelling
Shahnaz Hussain I do love trying out different cuisines, because the culinary art of a country provides a wonderful insight into its history and its people.
OT Any travel disasters you&rsquove encountered
Shahnaz Hussain Once my husband and I landed in Paris and he went off to cash Traveler&rsquos Cheques, while I was having a cup of coffee. He turned around to open his briefcase and found that it had vanished. It was a real calamity, because it contained all our travel documents, Traveler&rsquos Cheques, credit cards, etc. We didn&rsquot even have a coin to make a call, leave alone take a taxi to our hotel. With the smattering of French I knew, I explained to Starbucks why I couldn&rsquot pay for my coffee Then we took a taxi to the Indian Embassy. I spoke to the ambassador and borrowed money to pay the taxi. Then disaster management followed &mdash getting our passports processed, talking to our travel agents in India about the lost Traveler&rsquos Cheques and getting more issued. I still remember that night, walking down the Champs-Elysées at 1am, totally penniless.
OT What is the one thing you always pack
Shahnaz Hussain I never forget to pack my diary. It has my appointments and I also have a habit of jotting down thoughts that occur to me.
OT What herbal cosmetics would you recommend one carry when travelling
Shahnaz Hussain It is imperative to carry a cleanser containing aloe vera and lemon, a rose skin toner, sandalwood protective cream and a sunscreen.
OT Your best piece of travel advice
Shahnaz Hussain Take great care of your travel documents and passport. Avoid carrying cash &mdash Traveler&rsquos Cheques are preferable, as they can always be replaced in case you lose them.
