Travel

Greece (Athens, Santorini, Crete) – 2025

We celebrated my mom’s milestone birthday in Greece. An amazing 9 days filled with so many memories. We chose to fly in and out of Athens from Newark, New Jersey via Emirates. Greece has so many beautiful islands, we decided on seeing only two – Santorini and Crete. Going to Greece in peak season in summertime requires lots of planning as things get booked up pretty quick and you will be paying more.

Athens:

Athens is a very small city and you only need 1 or 2 days there, especially if you want to spend more time on the other islands. We booked airport transfers ( 90 – 100 Euros each way) via our hotels we stayed at. Ubers are available as well.

Where to stay:

For the first part of our Athens trip, we stayed at Niche Hotel – a boutique 4-star hotel near the Acropolis and walking distance to Plaka neighborhood, that features a rooftop with breathtaking views of the Acropolis and complimentary buffet breakfast.

For the last part of our Athens trip, we stayed at Ivis 4 Boutique Hotel – in the Psyrri neighborhood. We stayed in their “Can I Live Here Forever” spacious suite that accommodates 4 people and has private balconies. We also received complimentary à la carte breakfast.

What to see and do:

For the Acropolis, we purchased tickets in advance for the 8 AM slot directly online. It is recommended to go either first thing in the morning or much later in the day, when it is cooler. While we did go as soon as it opened, there was still a line to get in and it was crowded. BEWARE: There are pickpockets INSIDE the Acropolis, so be careful with your belongings. Wear a crossbody bag and stay alert. Make sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, wear SPF, wear sneakers and take water with you.

Visit the Olympic Stadium – (tickets required)

Additionally, you can go to the Acropolis museum (tickets required) or any of the other historical sites if time permits in your schedule.

Try freddo cappuccino; a popular Greek iced coffee drink that combines the rich flavor of espresso with a creamy layer of cold frothed milk. It tastes so good.

Where to shop:

Visit any of the pharmacies to get European skincare brands for much less. You can also speak with the pharmacists to see which products are best suited for your skin type.

Hondos Center (Shop Tax Free) – Best place to shop for all variety of branded cosmetics, beauty, skincare and makeup; You also get a VAT form to get a tax refund at the airport.

Haris Cotton – An apparel brand that specializes in linen and cotton resort wear made with sustainable and natural fabrics.

Plaka – This area in Athens has many different types of shops from tourist shops to local finds to clothing shops and jewelry shops. I loved strolling through Plaka.

Monastiraki flea market – This area is great place to buy souvenirs, t-shirts or trinkets for lower prices.

Little Kook – Located on a side street near Monastiraki, it has a Disney-like, whimsical vibe with fairy tale-themed cafes, desserts, coffee and brunch options.

Where to eat:

Lukamades – Greek donuts (eggless) and dessert; vegan options available

Lartecono Davinci Gelato – Artisanal gelato, sorbet, desserts

Namaste Indian Restaurant – Indian food; we loved the paneer butter masala (chef’s special) and naan

Dosa King – Indian food; try their masala dosa

Indian Haveli – Indian food; try their vegetable biryani

Greek Stories – Greek food with gluten free and vegan options; try their vegan moussaka

Mama Tierra – Vegan Greek food (fast casual)

MS Roof Garden – Go for drinks in the evening to see the sunset or night views of the Acropolis

Places recommended to us that we did not get a chance to try:

Avocado – Vegan cafe

Mirch – Fusion Indian

Royal Curry House – Indian food

Lithos – Greek taverna known for their Greek salad

Vegan Beat

Moma Urban Bar

From Athens, we chose to fly to Santorini, which is a short 1 hour flight via Aegean Airlines.

Santorini

Santorini is a beautiful island with one of the best sunsets I have seen. I can see why it is so popular with tourists. It is also very steep with lots of steps and cobblestone walkways. If you are going with elder parents, please be mindful as it is a lot of walking. Many of the streets are closed to traffic and are for pedestrians only. It is also one of the more expensive islands in Greece. We did 2 nights in Santorini.

Where to stay:

You can choose to stay in Oia or Fira (Thira), both have many hotels and Airbnb options. We stayed in Fira in a 2-bedroom Airbnb with a shared balcony and caldera view. It was at least 25 steep steps to get to our Airbnb. We had the host arrange a porter service (10 euros per bag each way). We also had the host arrange transfer service (52 euros each way) to and from the Airbnb. Fortunately, they were able to store our bags after checkout. Otherwise, there is a luggage storage service available in Fira. If I were to go again to Santorini, I think I would choose a hotel vs. Airbnb and do a stay in Oia as well as Fira, to experience both places.

What to see and do:

If you are staying in Fira, go to Oia and catch the sunset from the caldera. It is one of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen. Plan to arrive before Golden Hour to get a good spot to watch the sunset. We also caught the sunset in Fira from our balcony but catching it from Oia is better. You can also do a sunset catamaran cruise that goes around the island and get a view of the sunset too.

We heard about the Greek Wedding Show in Fira but tickets were sold out. Plan on getting tickets in advance if you want to see it.

Plan for a family photoshoot in Santorini. The best times are at either at sunrise when it is cooler or at sunset. There is also the Flying Dress photoshoot which I have seen all over Instagram. We did a 1 hour sunrise family photoshoot in Oia with Michael Kouvalis Photography – such a memorable experience.

Where to shop:

There are so many boutique shops in Fira and Oia. You can spend a whole afternoon just browsing and shopping.

Where to eat:
Falafeland (Fira) – We absolutely loved this place and went 3x. It is vegetarian and vegan with so many options. Loved the Greek falafel wrap, fries, Greek salad, hummus, and baba ghanoush. If they have the ginger sparkling water, try that too! Everything is freshly prepared and the owner, George, is a sweetheart.

Karma (Oia) – We made reservations for dinner and it was wonderful. The ambiance is really nice and they have many vegetarian options. We loved the salads, dips, and homemade pasta.

Pelican Kipos (Fira) – This was recommended to us by our Airbnb host. They have lots of fresh juices, smoothies, and vegetarian brunch options. We sat inside in the air condition but they do have a beautiful tropical garden and would have opted for that if the weather was cooler.

Svoronos Bakery (Fira) – This bakery was recommended to us by our Airbnb host. We picked up breakfast from here. They have lots of freshly baked treats and a coffee bar. We enjoyed the pastelli (honey sesame nut bark) and pistachio croissant. We also got freddo cappucino too.

Figo Fresh Pasta and Cocktails (Fira) – This place is great for getting takeout of freshly made pasta or they do have a few tables where you can sit and eat. The pasta is freshly made and there are so many different types of sauces to choose from. My favorite sauces were arrabbiata and santorinian, both with lots of flavor. You can also enjoy many types of refreshments and cocktails.

From Santorini, we chose to take a high speed ferry, Seajets, to Crete (Heraklion), which is 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Crete

Crete is beautiful and the largest island in Greece. It was also our favorite island on our Greece trip. We rented a car and drove from Heraklion to Chania, approximately 2 hours. Chania is a charming city in the northwest part of Crete. It is known for its Venetian harbor, narrow streets, and makes for a great base for first time visitors to the island. Other notable city is Rethymno, which is in between Chania and Heraklion. Crete is predominately mountainous and has some of the most beautiful beaches. There is so much to see and do in Crete and highly recommend having this on your list to visit next time you go to Greece.

Where to stay:

We stayed in Old Town Chania at Casa Delfino, a family-owned boutique hotel and also part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It is located in a central location close to many restaurants, cafes, shops and waterfront. When we arrived we were greeted with refreshments and a wet towel. We stayed in a suite and a standard room. The suite was a spacious 2 floors, with a living room, wet bar, bathroom on the main floor and a large bedroom with vanity seating upstairs. The standard room was also spacious but on a higher floor on the side without elevators. We received a complimentary bottle of wine, cookies and a handwritten note. We also received complimentary breakfast which was all freshly prepared daily in their courtyard. There is also a spa in the hotel along with a rooftop bar with lovely views of the Venetian harbor. They also have a private parking lot, where you can park your rental for free and provide golf cart pick up and drop off to hotel. The staff is always available to help and very friendly. This was definitely the best hotel we stayed in for our trip.

Things to see and do:

Visit an olive farm. Crete is known to be the biggest producer of olive oil in Greece. We did a tour, olive oil tasting and farm to table lunch at Biolea , a family run olive estate that specializes in stone milled and cold pressed, organic olive oils. The lunch was custom made vegetarian by the chef for us and it was one of the best meals we had in Greece. The food was freshly prepared and the flavors were all great.

Do a wine tasting. We visited Manousakis Winery where we did a tour, tasting and lunch. The tours are complimentary and you pay only for tasting and a la carte lunch. It is a great option for those that do not drink alcohol but want to learn about the wine making process. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options for lunch.

Go to the beach. Crete has some of the most beautiful beaches with turquoise waters and pink sand. We went to two – Elafonisi Beach and Falassarna Beach. We also heard about Balos Beach, but it is a trek to get there. Marathi Beach is also another family friendly beach near Chania. Elafonisi Beach is located on the southwest part of Crete. It is known for its clear turquoise waters and sand with hues of pink. The water is shallow, making it an ideal swimming option for families and children. It is also very crowded during peak season, making it harder to get an umbrella and chairs. It is also very touristy. Since it is a protected nature reserve, parking is a bit of a hike and you do have to pay for parking. Be prepared for a long walk to and from the beach. Falassarna Beach is located on the northwest part of Crete. It was recommended by the locals as many locals go there. Parking is free and a short walk to the beach. There are plenty of chairs and umbrellas. It is also known for the best sunsets in Crete.

Take a cooking class. We decided on a sourdough bread baking class at Veerna’s Kitchen – Chania Cooking Class. Since we were the only party at the class, it ended up as a private family cooking class. We were able to customize our sourdough bread with different toppings. We took a tour of the farm, vegetable/ herb garden and learned how to prepare a few side dishes too. We enjoyed our lunch with all freshly prepared items.

Where to shop: In Chania, there are so many shops along the waterfront and in Old Town. You can also go to the local supermarket to get local delicacies. There is a shop, Abea, recommended by our hotel, that sells olive oils, olive soaps, spices, pastellis and olives. Also, there are many stalls along the drive to the beaches to buy local honey, olive oils and spices. For jewelry, there is small shop in Chania called Vasilki that carries silver jewelry for reasonable prices. I found really nice evil eye pieces.

Where to eat:

Biolea – à la carte dining options available; farm to table with a picturesque ambiance

Tamam – This was close to our hotel and they offer traditional Cretan food.

Tartufo Forneria Italiana – Neopolitan style pizza

From Crete to Athens, we took a short 1 hour flight via Aegean Airlines.

Ayurvedic Retreat – Kerala, India – 2025

Ayurveda, originated in India over 3000 years ago, is a holistic system of medicine based on the belief that the mind, body and spirit are connected. Kerala, the birthplace of Ayurveda, has been on my vision board since I went to an Ayurvedic 7-day retreat via Art of Living in Boone, North Carolina in March 2019. On my vision board were palm trees, Ayurveda, and the sound of water; everything that Kerala offers. One of the great things about Ayurveda is it can help anyone dealing with any ailments under the care of an Ayurvedic doctor via different holistic healing treatments.

With a lot of research and my vision board in mind, I narrowed it down to a few Ayurvedic centers in Kerala. Ultimately, one of the centers had a cancellation and I was able to book their Wooden Premium Villa. I chose Sitaram Beach Retreat in Thrissur, Kerala overlooking the shores of the Arabian Sea on Thalikulam Beach. There is also Sitaram Mountain Retreat in Munnar, Kerala overlooking the plantations. It is important to choose the right center based on your preferences, budget and time.

I submitted a pre-consultation form prior to arrival. On the day of my arrival to Kochi airport, I was picked up by a private driver, which was provided by Sitaram Beach Retreat, who drove two hours to Thrissur. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the reception staff with fresh flowers, fresh coconut water and blessed with a small red tikka on my forehead. Upon check-in, I got a tour of the facility and settled into my room.

The premium villas are all beautifully situated on the property with a lovely garden in front of each villa. My garden had tomatoes and eggplants growing along with flowers and shrubs. The front porch had a dining table and lounge chairs. Inside the wooden villa was wooden sitting area, wooden armoire, wooden desk and chair, and a wooden bed. The bathroom was spacious with an attached outdoor sky shower and greenery. It really felt very tropical, clean and comfortable. Every day, someone would come to my villa with Frankincense to clear the energy and purify my space. Also, the room service staff would clean my room daily and would have different towel origami placed on my bed.

I had a consultation with my Ayurvedic doctor and started my 15-day Panchakarma treatment. It is recommended to stay at least 2 weeks for this treatment to experience its benefits. Treatment varies daily upon consultation with your Ayurvedic doctor. Some of the treatments I experienced during the retreat were Abhyanga (full body oil massage), Shirodhara (oil poured on forehead in a steady stream), Takradhara (buttermilk poured on the forehead in a steady stream), Nasyam ( purifying head and nasal passageways), Kashayadhara (medicated water bath), Swedhana (steam bath), Snehapanam (ghee therapy), Udwarthanam (powder massage), Virechanam (purgation).

I would start my day waking up before sunrise, brushing my teeth and oil pulling. Then, I would attend a group yoga class overlooking the Arabian Sea, followed by a nutritious breakfast. Then, I would have a consultation with my Ayurvedic doctor to go over symptoms, treatments, and medications for the day. Sometimes my treatments started before lunch and sometimes after lunch. During treatment, I would see two female therapists who would be assigned to me. They take your blood pressure and pulse rate before and after each treatment. Before and after each treatment, we would also do a prayer. During the afternoon, there would be refreshments available in the dining hall with fresh juice and fresh fruits. Sometimes, I would have 1:1 private yoga and meditation class with an assigned yoga teacher. Sometimes, there would be educational lectures. Once a week, there is an Ayurvedic cooking class, where the head chef will teach 3 different recipes with a cooking demonstration and you get to sample it at the end. Dinners would either be in the dining hall or on the beach. After dinner, I would head to my room and get to sleep between 9 PM – 10 PM. It is so important to get plenty of rest during your retreat.

The kitchen uses all organically grown, local produce and spices. They grow many vegetables, fruits and herbs on their property too. It really is a farm to table concept. All the meals at the retreat are well balanced vegetarian meals. You can also ask for no onion, no garlic options too. Your meals are based on what your Ayurvedic doctor recommends based on your treatment plan. You also receive your medicines to take before or after every meal.

After the treatment is over, the Ayurvedic doctor, will give you an assessment and can purchase any additional medicine to continue treatment at home. The staff at Sitaram Beach Retreat was so wonderful and made my last day at the retreat memorable. Overall, I felt really great inside and out post Panchakarma treatment. I highly recommend doing an Ayurvedic retreat as a gift to yourself and as an investment to your wellness.

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:

1. Dino’s – We loved the pizza and french fries. The vegetarian pizza was my favorite. Open during daytime. Located in Italian Village.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Cafe de Paris – Grab a cappuccino or espresso and pastries for breakfast. Located in French Village.
7. 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.
8. 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