Author Profile: Mihir Shah

After an overnight stay in The Hague, we ventured to Amsterdam, the iconic city of canals. Rested and refreshed, we set out to explore as much as possible in a single, windy day, skipping museums and diving straight into the city’s...   view more

Zaanse Schans is a picturesque Dutch village near Amsterdam in the North Holland province. Known for its well-preserved historic windmills, traditional wooden houses, and charming workshops, the village offers a glimpse into 18th and 19th-century Dutch life. Visitors can explore working windmills and witness artisan crafts like cheese-making, and clog-making to name a few. The village also features museums, quaint shops, and scenic walking paths along the Zaan River, making it a popular cultural...   view more

Our plan for the day was jam-packed with exciting places to visit. In the morning, we set out to explore Serenity Beach, Maitri Mandir at the Auroville, and The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at noon. For our beach adventure in the evening, we planned to explore Pondi Marina Beach and a nearby...   view more

The Hague or Den Haag in Dutch, is the administrative capital and seat of the Dutch government, although Amsterdam is the official capital. Its rich history dates back to the 13th century when it began as a hunting lodge for Count Floris IV. By the early 1300s, the establishment of the Binnenhof—a complex of government buildings—transformed the area into a politically significant village. Today, it is a vibrant blend of history, governance, and international...   view more

Before planning a holiday, we always include activities catering to our son’s interests, keeping him as excited as we are. When creating the itinerary, we plan one special activity for him each day, something he can look forward to. Here’s what we planned for our son in Brussels,...   view more

After visiting Mini-Europe and Atomium, we hopped on to the next Toot bus. Originally, we planned to get off at Stop 12: Louise – Palais de Justice to visit the Place Poelaert, Justice Palace, and Mont des Arts, but we changed our plans due to the rain. Instead, we headed to Stop 15: Cinquantenaire to visit the Triumphal Arch locally known as Cinquantenaire Arch. Before exploring, we stopped at a Manhattan burger near the Toot bus stop for a delightful...   view more

Bruges is a city that perfectly blends medieval charm with a rich historical past. Founded in the 9th century by Vikings who utilized its canals for trade, Bruges became a prominent commercial hub by the 12th century, thriving in the wool and cloth industries due to its access to the North Sea. In the 14th century, it became part of the Hanseatic League, a powerful trading alliance connecting major European...   view more

To begin our day, we opted for the comforts of the hotel and found solace in the terrace pool, offering breathtaking views of the city and the Bay of Bengal. While witnessing the sunrise was on our Pondicherry to-do list, nature had other plans, concealing the sun behind a curtain of...   view more

Nathdwara is a quaint town located in the state of Rajasthan, India. It’s famous for its Shrinath Ji temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The town’s name “Nathdwara” translates to “Gateway to the Lord” in the local language. The main attractions here are the Shrinathji Temple, street food, and...   view more

Mysore is approx 185 Kms and 3.5 hrs drive from Bengaluru airport. The drive is smooth once you escape Bengaluru traffic. The route has multiple outlets of Cafe Coffee Day and a local chain Adyar Ananda Bhavan AKA A2B, for short breaks. Adyar Ananda Bhavan serves North and South Indian veg. food. In the morning, they serve only South Indian breakfast. Prefer this for good food, ample parking space, children play area and relatively cleaner loo...   view more

Embarking on a 7-night, 8-day trip to the north of India, we eagerly set foot in the vibrant city of Delhi. Our itinerary was packed with historical landmarks, cultural experiences, and culinary delights. Join us as we delve into the rich history of Rajpath, the President’s Museum, India Gate, and the National War Memorial. We also explore the happening area of...   view more

Delhi, the bustling capital city of India, is a melting pot of cultures, spirituality, and architectural wonders. In this blog post, we will take you on a journey to the serene Lotus Temple and the magnificent Qutub Minar. Additionally, we will explore the organized development and charm of Gurgaon, where we spent quality time with our loved...   view more

Agra, a city steeped in history and romance, is home to two iconic architectural wonders—the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Join us on a journey as we explore the grandeur of these magnificent structures, delving into their rich history and experiencing their timeless beauty. In this blog post, we will take you through the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal and the architectural marvels of the Red Fort in...   view more

Our journey to the charming town of Pondicherry commenced with eager anticipation and the promise of creating beautiful memories. Join us as we recount our experiences from Day 1, filled with the thrill of travel and...   view more

We woke up early today because we were excited to visit the most beautiful and clean beach in Pondicherry, Paradise Beach. After a quick freshening up and a delicious breakfast, we started our journey to Chunnambar Boat House around 8 a.m., which was about 10 kilometers from our hotel. Surprisingly, we reached there before the ticket windows opened. The friendly security guard told us to wait until 9 a.m. for entry tickets. There was ample paid parking space, and washrooms were available behind...   view more

While researching transportation in Paris, we discovered the hop-on-hop-off water taxi service called Batobus. Opting for this instead of the usual Seine River cruises, which are typically packed with hundreds of travelers, turned out to be a fantastic decision. We thoroughly enjoyed every...   view more

On our last day in Paris, we planned a stroll through Montmartre, the large hill in the city’s northern 18th arrondissement. Rising 130 meters high, it gives its name, ‘Montmartre,’ to the surrounding district, part of the Right Bank. Montmartre is primarily known for its artistic history, the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur at its summit, and as a vibrant nightclub...   view more

We began our exploration of DUMBO, Brooklyn, at the Manhattan Bridge View, where we captured the iconic sight of the Empire State Building perfectly framed between the bridge’s towering pillars — one of the most photographed spots in the...   view more

In 2021, when we visited the world’s tallest statue — the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, India — Yuven expressed his wish to see the Statue of Liberty someday. We never thought that wish would come true so soon, but here we were, ready to make it happen! He was super excited to visit Liberty Island, although I initially tried to convince him to just take a ferry ride and admire it from a distance. Eventually, we ended up visiting the island itself — and I’m glad we...   view more

Day 5 started on a slightly stressful note. Mihir and I had an intense conversation about how to optimize our plan to include the places we missed on Day 1. I really wanted to experience the calmer, non-crazy side of New York City, and that was the only reason Roosevelt Island was on the list. It wasn’t just about riding the famous tram – it was about enjoying the peace, open spaces, and views the island offers. After some discussion, we finally decided to begin our day there and then cover...   view more

This day was dedicated to exploring Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History. Usually, we don’t include parks in our travel plans, but we had read so much about Central Park—and seen it countless times in movies and web series—that our curiosity to visit it only grew stronger. The park also has a fascinating history. It opened in 1858 and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux to provide New Yorkers with a natural escape in the middle of a fast-developing...   view more