Manali - Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh - Travel Guide

As soon as I noticed an extended weekend sneaking up on the calendar, my inner wanderlust did a happy dance. I quickly applied for an extra day off (because why not extend an already extended weekend?) and finally zeroed in on Manali, Himachal Pradesh. I'd always wanted to go, but connectivity issues had held me back. The nearest railway station is Chandigarh—about 350 km away—and the closest airport is Kullu, 40 km from Manali. So, road trip it was!

After some deliberation - to self drive or book a taxi - I finalized on bus ride - Himachal Tourism Volvo to cover the 550 km stretch from Delhi to Manali, which promised a 14-hour roller-coaster ride through mountains, valleys, and my patience.

Jaipur Rajasthan Travel Guide - The land of Maharajas

Jaipur

Most of the places I’ve traveled to were master-planned by me, but this trip? Oh no, this one had my wife’s fingerprints all over it. And let me confess—when your wife plans a trip, you don’t ask questions; you just pack your bags and pray Google Maps is kind.

We both desperately needed a Kit-Kat break (that’s what I call short getaways, because much like the chocolate, they’re short-lived but very satisfying). August monsoon was in full swing in North India, and the plan was simple: hit the highway, roll down the windows, and let the rains make Bollywood-level slow-motion moments happen. Destination? Jaipur—the Pink City, the city of palaces, forts, royal food, and bargaining battles.

Goa – The Land of Sun, Sand and beaches (India)

Goa - Land of Sun, sand and beaches

If weddings are Bollywood blockbusters, then honeymoons are the sequels everyone secretly waits for. After months of shopping, dancing, and nodding at distant relatives I didn’t recognize, it was finally time to live my own “Dil Chahta Hai” moment. Destination? None other than Goa – the land of sun, sand, and beaches.

But before we dive into the Goa honeymoon travel guide part, let me confess: choosing the destination wasn’t easy. I spent so many nights scrolling travel blogs and honeymoon packages that my face started carrying permanent keyboard imprints (as I slept on it). Maldives was too expensive, Manali felt too obvious, and then… Goa called me. Loud and clear.