New York: The Art Deco structures of Midtown, the glitzy designer stores on Madison Avenue and the high-kicking productions on Broadway—the Big Apple is certainly every screen diva’s playground. And it holds a special place in Aishwarya’s heart, for it was in this city that husband Abhishek Bachchan proposed to her. The two of them had just returned from the Toronto premiere of Guru (2007), when Abhishek popped the question on the balcony of a hotel with a view of the glittering New York skyline (and a ring that was used as a prop in the movie). The couple returned to New York together in 2013, baby Aaradhya in arms. It’s where, they admit, they return when they want to escape the Indian paparazzi and still enjoy the energy of a maximum city.
London: This city is arguably Bollywood’s favourite—but it’s especially true for Aishwarya, as it was here that she was crowned Miss World back in 1994 and then lived for a year. On that fateful trip, Aishwarya discovered the Tube; since then, her explorations have been considerably more highbrow: the Commonwealth Games, the Royal Ascot races and the opening of the Bulgari hotel. She likes to shop at Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Selfridges, but also at independent boutiques and, believe it or not, high-street stores. The Bachchans usually stay at the St James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, very close to Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, and home to Quilon, an award-winning Indian restaurant.
Paris: No city channels classic, old-school glamour the way Paris does. So, it’s not surprising that Aishwarya chose this city to shoot Condé Nast Traveller’s launch cover, back in 2010. She knows Paris well, and visits it often due to work commitments, including assignments for Longines and L’Oréal. Aishwarya also shot here for several films, such as Pink Panther 2. Her favourite spots in Paris? The Sacré-Coeur, or the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, in Montmartre, the roof of which offers amazing aerial views of Paris’ skyline; Les Deux Magots café, in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where once the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir stopped for a coffee; and of course, Musée du Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa among other incredible works of art.
Dubai: Aishwarya’s first trip abroad with daughter Aaradhya, then just under four months old, was in 2012, for the Dubai World Cup. The actor makes every attempt to take Aaradhya along on her work trips, often having her mother, Vrinda Rai, accompany them. Dubai has become a favourite New Year’s destination for the family, where they enjoy staying at the One&Only Royal Mirage.