Trip Pandit

T he focus of vacationing has changed over the years, from '10 must-see places' to '10 less-known places'. Young travellers especially seem keen to have profound travel experiences. And this has popularised 'travel for cause', also called voluntourism. Voluntourism, is volunteering for a community or for a cause, while vacationing. Simply put, it's a combination of volunteering and travelling. "I have observed that young people want to travel as well as give back to the society. For last few years, people have moved away from the typical touristy travelling and want to get involved in some activities while they travel," says Subhash Motwani, Director of Namaste Tourism, a Mumbai-based travel company. Echoing this is a survey report released last month by Cox and Kings, which was based on the responses of 5,000 respondents aged between ages 20 and 35 across Indian cities. The report highlighted that voluntourism as an eme...

W hile it certainly is the ‘City of Dreams’, Mumbai is also a complex, bustling metropolis with a distinct way of life. Visitors may take a while to get used to the city and not be intimidated by its hectic atmosphere. We have compiled this list of ten safety tips for you to make the most of your Mumbai visit, while not risking your health or safety. 1.   Bottom of Form Super crowded trains Mumbai’s trains are overwhelming, even for locals. They’re severely overcrowded – to the point that a term, ‘super dense crush load’ has been coined to specifically describe how crowded they get. Tourists are generally advised to avoid traveling on the trains during peak hours. If you have a little extra cash to dish out, buy first class tickets instead of the regular ones to access the relatively less crowded and much airier first class compartments. If you are a woman, you may find the exclusively women’s compartment more comfortable, particularly during busy hours. ...

T his earth is full of mysterious places that are yet to be explored by humankind. And out of the ones that have been discovered in  India , but are still lesser-known to the public is the waterfall at Naneghat in  Maharashtra .  Naneghat is a place, located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra near Junnar in Pune It is located about three hours from MumbaiIt is a cryptic Mountain from where flows a waterfall in the reverse direction. And how does that happen? Well, the cause is the strong force of the winds that pushes the gushing waters upwards.  Interestingly, this trekking route was used for carrying out trade many centuries ago; perhaps, during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji. There are ancient caves and rock-cut pots telling tales of the bygone times witnessed by this place. Almost every visitor, who makes it to Naneghat would agree that it is like a heaven on earth when seen from the top.  Things to do at Naneghat Naneg...

F loating markets essentially came into existence as a means of sustenance for riverside communities. This clearly explains the genesis of such markets in Thailand, where most communities were built on the sides of the river. Later, the concept of floating markets spread in the neighbouring countries, including Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam and India too. Floating markets in India may not be a common feature and it is perhaps their rarity that eventually turned them into popular tourists attractions as well. Kolkata is now the   latest into the list of floating-market destinations. The city is gearing up for a proud display of a unique floating market on its water front, near Patuli area, in January next year. But did you know that this won't be the first-ever floating market in India? In fact, there are two other floating markets, that are, interestingly, located on either ends of the country. So, while you await the opening of Kolkata's floating...

W hether you’re having your second coconut  ice cream  in Bangkok or eating way too much pastries, staying healthy and fit while traveling can be a challenge. Traveling comes with a busy schedule and being healthy and fit often falls short on the road. However, small changes to your travel routine can have a great impact on your health and fitness! Here are some easy tips to stay fit and healthy, because no one wants to be sick while traveling or even after it, right? 1. Stay hydrated While traveling, it can easily be forgotten to drink enough. Drink plenty of water and try to always have a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated. Before your trip look up, if the tap water in the country you’re visiting is safe to drink. Do not consume sugary drinks or soft drinks. 2. Have a healthy snack In order to not be tempted to buy unhealthy snacks, have some nuts, a smoothie or fresh fruits in your bag. They fill you up...

When thinking about your travel outfit, there is an unavoidable struggle between wanting to look fashionable and presentable when arriving and being cozy and comfortable considering that you will be sitting in a tiny space for several hours. Ideally, your clothes should also be reused with other outfits at your travel destination, because we all know that packing light is another challenge that we need to handle. So, yes the struggle is real! But don’t worry, because I’ve got your jet setting wardrobe covered: here are the things that you should wear on a flight. 1. Basics Let’s start with the basics! Leave the tight clothes in your suitcase and put on some loose layers to combat the hot/cold situation up in the air. The layers also come handy when traveling through various climates (imagine cold & snowy Kasmir to hot & humid Bangkok – yes, that happened).  Try to wear breathable and soft fabrics like cotton, silk or linen. 2. Bottoms Nine out of...