As a travel company owner, I believe that travel is more about the people than the places themselves. Having travelled to over 20 countries, I've found that the best and most authentic experiences come from connecting with locals and immersing oneself in their daily lives and cultures.
I often travel solo or with my best friend Dhairya Chheda(who funnily enough I met while the two of us were solo travelling), which allows me to socialize with anyone and everyone, whether at a café, an event, or on the subway. Staying in hostels is an experience everyone must have. It’s where I meet fellow travellers from around the globe.
These lead to the most spontaneous plans as I join others in their travels or plans or invite them to join mine. Road trips are another favourite, offering occasional lifts to hitchhikers, I’ve forged friendships and the most unusual shared stories. Many of these are still my very good friends. I have couch-surfed across Europe where many of these connections came through and vice versa. This also has been a significant part of my travel experience as well, both as a guest and a host. Hosting friends in India gives me the privilege to share my culture and hospitality while being a guest abroad lets me experience places through the eyes of a local.
When it comes to exploring the destination, I prefer a flexible, go-with-the-flow approach. I start with a basic plan - knowing only my start and end points but everything in between is open to spontaneity. If I meet someone in the morning, I might adopt their plan or wander off to discover hidden local gems. Not having a fixed itinerary allows me to have a fully immersive experience, explore the unexpected, and find the most authentic and memorable experiences.
My philosophy of connecting with people and embracing spontaneity enriches travel and shapes the ethos of my travel company. I aim to provide my clients with genuine, immersive travel experiences that prioritise cultural immersion and a one-in-lifetime kind of experience.
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