Q: Your most memorable trip to any destination, foreign and domestic?
I love to visit places rich in history, art and culture. I absolutely love spending time in museums. But, that’s not all. In a way, my soul feels nourished when I go for long walks in the hills and breathe the crisp air. From that context, Scotland has to be my most memorable trip. We booked a home and spent seven idyllic days walking through Scottish towns, lochs and also extended our visits to the Lake Districts in North England. Picture-perfect locales, lovely weather and loads to see make my Scotland trip the most memorable ever.
In India, I think it has to be Goa in the rains. Due to the off-season, the place was relatively less crowded and every day, we’d rent a car and drive up and down the Goan coastline to explore hidden restaurants and places to see. It was a very serene experience.
Q: Your dream destination and why?
I would love to do Scandinavia and explore the raw beauty of the Tundra and the Arctic region.
Q: Favourite airline and why?
Many, depending upon the reason for flying. I appreciate polite interactions, good service and a variety of food options.
Q: Great food you enjoyed and where?
Crabs in Colombo. The restaurant and cuisine was incredible!
Q: Best hotel experience and why?
The fundamental criteria to judge a hotel experience are exceptional service, ambience and location. Over time, I have realised that a key differentiator has to be personalised attention that makes for an exceptional experience. Regardless of whether one is travelling for business or leisure, it’s the little things that matter and one feels welcome whenever the service quality bar goes higher.
Q: A place you plan to visit again?
Scotland, for sure.
Q: A family vacation that stands out?
Udaipur. We were young, the hotel was small and cosy, and the food was authentically local. We spent many days exploring Udaipur and went up to Mt Abu. I was pleasantly surprised with the quaint British era feel to certain parts of Mt Abu and the weather was just amazing.
Q: Your best holiday with friends?
This was more than two decades back, when we were in college. We took an overnight bus ride to Mussoorie and I daresay, painted the town red, as only young adults with nary a care in the world can do. That trip was indeed very memorable.
Q: As a travel buyer, what’s your philosophy?
I like to choose quality of services offered, convenience and ambience more than anything else. I typically prefer a great experience, variety of cuisines or better connections over other things.
