Special Spots in Aurangabad

Think of Aurangabad, Maharashtra in India and Ajanta and Ellora Caves come to mind except they are really far from the city. Meanwhile what does one do in Aurangabad other than make travel arrangements to the caves? Well, you pack the family into an auto rickshaw and go see Deccan's Taj Mahal- Bibi ka Maqbara.…

Sleepless In Stockholm

Four memorable days in Stockholm was not a tall order but I was determined to make every hour count. So you can imagine my excitement as I sat peering through the aircraft window for my first glimpse of the city. "Venice of the North", was what my classmate had called it. I could see why.…

Sunday Walk Through Paltan Bazaar, Dehradun.

Things I tell myself the night before Sunday walk: a) Be resolute, be strong. Be ready to abandon bed-blanket on a Sunday morn. Sigh! b) Be on time to hit the trail. Set the alarm for 5.45 and 6.00 am. Another one for 6.15. Then RUN! c) Carry the essentials. Excitement , wonder, curiosity, and…

Perched On A Roof In Milan

“Milan is the fashion capital”, Ms Teen chirped. The Knight of course had to counter, “ San Siro Stadium- AC Milan- the gods of football.” Both good choices but I stuck to the Milan Cathedral. I should know because I was astounded when I saw it for the first time. You see, no amount of…

Chasing Art On Streets Of Italy.

Honestly speaking, street art was the last thing in my mind while visiting the land of the Old Masters. Florence was picked because of David, the one that Michelangelo carved. Well, he was spectacular but then so were Michelangelo's unfinished Prisoners/Slaves that really don't get the attention they deserve. Anyway more of that in another…

Magical Venice!

I have always dreamt of Venice like the way made famous by our very own Bollywood films and romantic novels. Water would lap at the doorsteps of these grand buildings that would stretch on either side of a winding canal. The gondoliers would be dressed in their jaunty striped shirts humming a tune, their gondolas…

Cats Of The Most Beautiful Bookshop In Venice.

It was my Instagram savvy teen who told me first about the bookshop that goes by the tag line- The most beautiful bookshop in the world. It happened to be in Venice and since I was going to be there, perfect opportunity to check it out. Well, the online chatter around it was amazing and…

A Hauntingly Good Walk!

The Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun India, is every bit grand as its name. Ask the locals and on cue they go into raptures. See the sweeping emerald green lawns and don't miss the museum and the botanical garden! The monkeys are a menace and be careful of leopards. Yes! They sneak up on…

Most Instagrammable Metro Stations of Stockholm

If I had to pick the most instagrammable spot in Stockholm, I would say, "Go underground." Yes! That's right. Skip the azure sky and descend into the bowels of the Earth. That's where the Tunnelbana, Stockholm Metro Stations are. Incidentally, it also happens to be the most effective way of travelling across the city. Anyway,…

Unexpected Beauty Of Akhnoor, India.

When your expectations are low because everyone says there isn't anything to see in a small, dusty town called Akhoor, you hide behind your sunglasses and nod off. You instead look forward to sampling the flavours of the sprawling Jammu City next door, perhaps launch a pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi Shrine. Till your eyes…