Mexico City, 2024
Where to Stay: The best neighborhoods to stay in CDMX are Polanco, Condesa or Roma Norte. I stayed at a boutique hotel, Nima Local House, located on Colima in Roma Norte near shops, cafes and restaurants. The hotel has 4 rooms and I stayed in Tovar and Teresa, which was the largest room with a balcony facing the streets that brought in a lot of natural light. The hotel also offers complimentary breakfast and turn down service for the evening. The rooms are clean and comfortable. There is a terrace where you can enjoy your meal and get some fresh air. This hotel is great for couples or solo travelers. Kids under 14 are not allowed and neither are pets. It is a block away from Panaderia Rosetta and two blocks away from Jenni’s Quesadillas in Roma Norte.
What to Do:
There is so much do see and do in Mexico City. Each neighborhood is diverse and unique. You can visit the local markets to shop, go to the museum, check out a cafe, watch a Lucha Libre wrestling match, dine at some of the best restaurants in the world, or take a day trip to Coyoacan to visit the Frida Kahlo museum (advance tickets needed) or Xochimilco to take a boat ride in the canals. You can also take a day trip to do a hot air balloon ride over Teoticuhan pyramids and then have breakfast in a cave at La Gruta. The options are endless.
Where to Eat:
Panadería Rosetta: Located in Roma Norte, this popular bakery is know for their guava roll and cardamom roll. It is absolutely delicious. They also offer gluten-free and vegan items too. Their Mexican hot chocolate is also really good.
Pujol: Located in Polanco, this is ranked #13 in the World’s Best Restaurants. They can accommodate vegan or vegetarian diets. I enjoyed my tasting and service was wonderful. Advance reservations required.
Quintonil: Located in Polanco, this is ranked #9 in the World’s Best Restaurants. They can accommodate vegan, lacto-ovovegetarian and pescatarian diets. I enjoyed their kitchen tasting, where I got to see the chefs in action. The service was amazing and I loved the tasting. Advance reservations required.
Jenni’s Quesadillas: Located in Roma Norte on a street corner, it was one of my favorite street foods. I love all the vegetarian options they had and they made everything from scratch.
Mari Gold: Located in Chapultepec, this Indian-Mexican fusion restaurant serves casual bites. It is owned by the same owners as Masala y Maiz. I loved the sabudana vada and refreshing beverages.
Rosetta: This is an Italian restaurant in case you are craving pasta in Mexico. I did find the food a bit bland.
Jaipur, India 2023
On my vision board I had the Hawa Mahal which is located in Jaipur. As I was planning to go to India, I knew I had to make this vision come to life. Jaipur is in the state of Rajasthan, which is a short (1 hour) flight from my family’s home state of Gujarat. I loved the architecture, history, design, food and culture of Rajasthan.
Places to Visit:
It’s best to hire a private driver, guide and car to take you around to all the touristy places.
Hawa Mahal: Hawa means “wind” and “mahal” means palace, often referred to as “Palace of the Winds.” It is made with red and pink sandstone and so beautiful in person. It is great to see it from the outside during the day as well as after sunset.
Amer Fort: This fort is on a hill in nearby Jaipur in the namesake town of Amer. It is a beautiful fort with so much history. There is also Sheesh Mahal “Palace of Mirrors” inside the fort which is known for intricate mirror work, but can only be seen from the outside. You also have the opportunity to ride on an elephant in the courtyard for an additional cost.
City Palace: A great place to learn history and culture of Jaipur and admire the architecture. It has several courtyards, buildings, temples and gardens.
Jantar Mantar: If you are into astronomy, then this is a great place to visit. This observatory features 13 architectural astronomy instruments.
Jal Mahal: A “water palace” in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. It is not open to visitors, however, you can admire the beautiful architecture from afar.
Places to Eat:
LMB (Laxmi Misthan Bhandar): This place is well known for their vegetarian snacks and sweets in the heart of Johri Bazaar. Highly recommend any of their savory chaats or for a sweet dish, try their ghevar.
Rawat: This place is known for their pyaz kachori, which is really delicious. They also have other sweets and snacks including ghevar and sutarfeni.
Cafe Kothi: Great for light meals, snacks, sandwiches or beverages. Everything is made fresh to order so it does take some time. Located inside of 28 Kothi.
28 Kothi: We stayed here and also made reservations to have a candlelight dinner featuring a Rajasthani thali on the patio. It was so delicious and everything was made fresh. You need to make reservations ahead of time.
The Johri Jaipur: A fine-dining restaurant inside of a hotel in the heart of Johri Bazaar. They offer a season menu of organic vegetarian food. A lot of jain friendly items as well. The staff and service were also amazing.
Rambagh Palace: They have afternoon tea in the gardens with a prix fixe menu offering vegetarian items, including snacks, sandwiches, desserts, tea and coffee. You can also see peacocks roaming around the property.
Lassiwala (Original): This iconic lassi shop has been around since 1944. They sell lassi in kulhads (clay pot glasses) in 2 sizes from 7 AM – 4 PM. My favorite is their sweet lassi with curd on top.
Where to stay:
28 Kothi – a boutique hotel away from the city that has various types of rooms. We stayed in the Topaz room, a double-bed room with a private balcony. They also carry organic and ayurvedic shower products. The rooms are clean and efficient. They also serve a wonderful, complimentary organic vegetarian breakfast with so many options. The staff is really great and accommodating.
Where to shop:
Anokhi: A famous textile shop in Jaipur where you can find hand block print design outfits and accessories.
Ellementry: A shop that sells kitchenware, tableware and home decor items.
Hot Pink: A cute shop with clothing and accessories for adults and kids.
Ratan: A textile shop where you will find hand block print design bedding, clothing and accessories.
Bapu Bazaar: A market in old city that sells clothing, shoes and accessories where you can and should bargain.
Johri Bazaar: A market in old city that is known for gems, fashion jewelry and accessories where you can and should bargain.
Turks & Caicos 2021
Before You Go:
Make sure you check travel entry requirements on the Turks & Caicos Travel Website for pre-authorization requirements. For us, we were required to have a negative covid test, travel insurance and application all submitted within 72 hours of departure. It was very stressful as we received approval less than 24 hours before our departure.
Where to Stay:
We stayed at Beaches Turks & Caicos all inclusive resort. It was our first time at a Beaches property and we really liked it. It is a family-friendly resort with over 21 gourmet dining options (unlimited food and beverage), 4 villages with amazing architecture, a waterpark, 10 pools, 15 bars, a stocked mini fridge, roundtrip airport transfer, tips, taxes and gratuities all included. Our travel insurance was also included in our stay which was useful. Each village offers different types of accommodations depending on your budget and lifestyle. You can choose to have a concierge service added on.
1. Caribbean Village is the oldest one with dated rooms, hence it is the least expensive option. It is close to the beach. Seaside village is part of the Caribbean village that offers ocean views and tropical oasis vibe.
2. Key West Village is the newest one which is the most expensive one. It is much more low key and quiet. Close to the beach.
3. Italian Village is centrally located and has the largest pool with a swim up bar along with a kid friendly swimming area. Close to the beach and proximity to Pirate’s Island. Great for families with kids.
4. French Village is farthest from the beach and another least expensive option. The waterpark, Pirate’s Island, is located here along with center stage for live night shows. Also, the pool at French village is nice and almost big as the Italian village one.
Where to Dine:
For Beaches Turks & Caicos, there are 21 global cuisines to choose from. The great thing about the resort is that they accommodate dietary requirements. You have to go the Culinary Desk (located in Caribbean Village) and fill out a form with what you want at the specified restaurant at least 24 hours in advance. The service at the restaurants is slow and sometimes there is a wait. In addition, here are some of the restaurants we checked out during our stay:
- Dino’s – We loved the pizza and french fries. The vegetarian pizza was my favorite. Open during daytime. Located in Italian Village.
- Bombay Club – They are open for dinner only and located in Italian Village. We loved the dal tadka with rice. They have other vegetarian dishes as well. They also play Bollywood music which was a pleasant surprise.
- Mario’s – We went for dinner and loved the antipasto bar filled with different cheeses, fruits, breads, soups, salads and olives. The penne arrabiata was good but a little dry for my taste. The saffron risotto was really good. The wine selection was from Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks collection, which was good. The dessert was delicious and nicely plated. Loved the warm chocolate tart with almond ice cream. Located in Italian village.
- Arizona’s – We went for dinner and we requested vegetarian dishes ahead of time. We requested cheese and bean enchiladas topped with jalapeño and a side of white rice, steamed veggies, black beans and salsa. The piña coladas were really good here. Located in the Caribbean Village.
- Mr. Mac Truck – A Mac & Cheese truck that offers a variety of macaroni and cheese. Loved the All American classic one. Located in French Village near waterpark.
- Cafe de Paris – Grab a cappuccino or espresso and pastries for breakfast. Located in French Village.
- Giuseppe’s – Breakfast buffet serving warm breakfast items, juices, croissants and sit outside for a nice view. Located next to Cafe de Paris in the French Village.
- Bayside restaurant – Loved the breakfast selection and open air views of the beach. The menu is à la carte which I prefer over a buffet. The orange juice is freshly squeezed, the steel cut oatmeal, yogurt parfait, banana bread french toast, chocolate chip pancakes and fresh fruit salad were all great. Not on menu, but you can get an order of hash browns and toast with butter. Located in Key West Village.
What to Do:
There are many activities for the whole family from water activities, a waterpark, live shows to land sports activities including tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, soccer, chess and golf. We also did a complimentary photo shoot on the beach with a professional photographer. They offer various photo packages starting at $22 per photo (digital copy). You will need to reserve ahead of time and I recommend doing it in the morning.
Food, Fashion, Fun – India 2020
My trip to India was mostly spent in my parent’s home state of Gujarat. I have so much family on both sides as my dad is 1 of 7 and my mom is 1 of 4. It’s always nice to see all my extended family and learn about my family history. I loved visiting the home my grandparents lived in and the shop my great grandfather founded. It made me feel connected to them in a way words cannot express.
While I saved a lot of my India snaps and stories on my Instagram highlights, I received a lot of messages for information on where I shopped, what I ate and what my experiences were. Hope you find this guide helpful.
Food:
The food in India is so incredible with an array of spices, flavors and aromas. I loved going to restaurants, from 5-stars to American chains to hole in the walls, as well as eating from the famous street carts. Here are my favorites in Ahmedabad:
Global 650 – Make sure you make reservations for this 5-star restaurant with an international fusion menu and ambiance.
Rangeen – Another 5-star restaurant where reservations are recommended. I love the fusion menu and ambiance. Located above Global 650.
Three Quarter Indian (TQI) – 5-star rooftop restaurant with international fusion cuisine.
Swati Snacks – an NRI favorite with so many traditional Gujarati snacks and their sugar cane juice is one of the best and clean.
Nini’s Kitchen – a fun family spot with food puns, whimsical décor and international cuisine.
Jassi De Parathe – So many types of parathas in a Punjabi dhabba setting.
Sankalp – One of the oldest South Indian restaurants.
Dakshinayan – South Indian cuisine.
Urban Khichdi –a variety of different types of Khichdi aka comfort food.
Jassuben’s Pizza – My favorite bhakri style pizza joint.
Honest – Known for their pav bhaji and pulav.
Choice – Known for their pizzas and sandwiches.
Freezeland – Known for their sandwiches and shakes.
Havmor – Known for their Chole Bhature and ice creams.
Maggi Street Carts – So many varieties of maggi noodles. I loved tadka maggi.
Shriji Vada Pav – One of the best Vada Pavs joints.
SBR Social – A place to gather filled with so many food carts, music and games for the whole family.
Happy Street (Law Garden) – Newly renovated, a fun family spot with rides for children, food trucks with lots of lights and colorful lanterns.
Exclusive Country Clubs (membership required) – Rajpath Club, Karnavati Club.
American Chains – McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Taco Bell (all have Indian inspired menus).
Fashion:
Shopping in India is a blast, especially for ethnic wear. So many different types of fabrics, colors and work designed by artisans. I love the detailing and hard work they put into making each piece of outfit. Here are some of the shops in Ahmedabad to purchase outfits.
Aishwarya – (Showroom) https://www.aishwaryadesignstudio.com/
Aso Palav – (Showroom) https://www.asopalav.com/
Anmol by Ankoor Shukla – (Women’s Boutique)
Om Ethnic by Dipali Parikh (Women’s Boutique) https://www.omethnic.co.in/
Seasons (Not the same one as Mumbai) – Known for their organic cotton and silk kurtis. Mix & Match outfits. http://www.baghindia.com
Ray Ethnic – Mix & Match outfits; high quality of cotton and silk items. http://www.rayethnic.com
Fab India – Organic cotton clothing, organic food and home decor. https://www.fabindia.com/
Aurelia – https://shopforaurelia.com/
Biba – https://www.biba.in/
W for Woman – https://wforwoman.com/
Global Desi – https://www.globaldesi.in/us/
Manyavar (Men’s Collection) https://www.manyavar.com/
Jade Blue (Men’s Collection) https://jadeblue.com/
Metro (Shoes)
Inc. 5 (Shoes)
Bata (Shoes)
Fun:
There is so much to do in India. When I visited Mumbai, I wanted to go to the famous Taj Hotel and have High Tea at Sea Lounge. Luckily, we were able to get reservations and it was amazing. I loved how they had a variety of vegetarian street food, snacks and desserts available in their buffet. They can even customize to meet any dietary requirement. They made an array of Jain appetizers for us as well. While we sipped on tea and coffee, we enjoyed the views of Gateway of India, overlooking the Arabian Sea.
India also has some great spas where you can get body massages, facials, body scrubs and other treatments for an amazing value for your dollar. I went to Rewa Escape, a spa oasis which overlooks the Arabian sea, in the hustle and bustle of Mumbai. I highly recommend making reservations. The service and cleanliness was great.
The Swiss Countryside 2019
Over the summer, my family and I visited Switzerland. One of the most memorable trips I have experienced. We heard the cowbells, breathed in the crisp air, enjoyed the lush greenery, admired the turquoise-blue water and appreciated the serenity of the Swiss countryside. It was everything and more that I dreamed of. I got to experience staying on a farmhouse in the countryside of Lucerne, thanks to AirBnB. It was so nice waking up to the sound of the farm animals, smelling all the beautiful flowers surrounding the farmhouse, and having freshly made bread, milk and cheese every morning. We were only a 15 minute drive from the city of Lucerne. In Lucerne, we admired the medieval architecture, visited the famous Chapel Bridge (Europe’s oldest covered bridge) and strolled along the cobblestone alleys. I definitely recommend staying in the countryside if you have a chance to visit this beautiful country.
The Yacht Week – Croatia 2019
It’s a once in a lifetime experience to stay on a luxury yacht, meet people from around the world and sail around the different islands of Croatia over the Adriatic Sea. We had a private yacht with 5 cabins (including skipper and hostess’ cabins), 2 1/2 bathrooms, dining/ living area, office nook, kitchen, wine cellar and the upper deck. We hired a hostess/private chef who made delicious vegetarian meals for us. Before we began sailing, we made sure to stock up on groceries and essentials. I used a sea-band to help with motion sickness and it definitely helped. See below on what to pack for the Yacht Week.
Things to pack for The Yacht Week:
- 2-3 swimsuits
- Sunscreen (the higher the SPF the better)
- Sea-band (helps with motion sickness)
- Shoes (make sure you bring a pair that is comfortable and won’t make you slip and fall on the yacht)
- Fun floaties (I had a pink flamingo)
- Flags (Our yacht was filled with Game of Thrones fans, so we had a few GoT flags)
- Sunglasses
- Hats
- Coverups and sarongs
- Tanks, tees and shorts
- Outfits for themed TYW parties (ie- a white or blue dress for Riviera Chic , a floral or colorful dress for Tropical Retro, etc)
- Charger/ Battery pack – You will need to have your phones/ cameras fully charged and ready for Instagram worthy photos
- GoPro/ waterproof mobile case – If you plan on taking photos in the water during the river raft party
