Let me take you back to the early ’80s. I was three years old when I boarded my first flight to Srinagar. Exciting, right? Well, that was my first and last flight for the next 15 years. Growing up in India, we didn’t “vacation” as people do now. A yearly trip to Shimla(3 hour away road trip) was our hill station getaway, and our idea of fun? A family dinner once a week at a decent restaurant. That was pretty much it.

But something shifted around the early 2000s. Flights became cheaper. Study visas, job opportunities abroad, and immigration options opened up. Suddenly, everyone had a cousin in Canada, a friend in Australia, and a reason to visit Europe. Travel became not just aspirational, but accessible. I was one of those people. In 2008, my husband and I moved to Canada. And just like that, my travel life took off—literally.

My Passport Pages Tell Stories

• 2006: Our honeymoon in Singapore and Malaysia—my first international trip. Lion safari, Bird Kingdom, lively streets, food courts. Everything felt different and unique.
• 2008 onward: Moved to Canada. Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Quebec City, Banff, and the mind-blowing sunsets of London, Ontario became part of our yearly adventures.
• Europe: Ticked off London and Paris. Visited Disneyland Paris.
• Beaches? Been to Cuba’s white sands.
• Mountains? Banff’s Rockies.
• Waterfalls? Niagara Falls. Top of the line.
• Theme parks? Canada Wonderland, Marineland, Disneyland. You name it.
• Aquarium ? Ripley’s aquarium, Singapore aquarium
• Museums? Royal Ontario Museum, Van Gogh Museum, Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad. Options of museums are endless and I am sure unique to every city.

And now, I’m writing this from Amsterdam, where the locals glide through life on bicycles and few seem to own a car. Quite Impressive!

But here’s the thing: I’ve seen it all. And it’s made me wonder—what next?

Once You’ve Seen It All… Then What?

There comes a time when waterfalls start looking alike. Mountains blur into each other. Another safari feels like a repeat telecast. Once you’ve collected all the magnets and selfies with iconic landmarks, it’s time to ask yourself:

Are you travelling, or just checking boxes?

Don’t get me wrong—travel is a blessing. It’s a privilege. It opens your mind to how people live, work, eat, meditate, and even budget. But once you’ve done the top 10 things in the top 10 cities, the real joy begins when you go beyond.

Here’s some heartfelt advice for my fellow travellers (especially those under 40 from India or the diaspora):

1. Stop Collecting Places, Start Collecting Experiences

Instead of chasing yet another waterfall, try:

• A cooking class in Italy
• A Flamenco dance workshop in Spain
• A Sufi music retreat in Rishikesh
• A pottery course in Japan
• A painting workshop in Paris

2. Make It Personal, Not Instagram-Worthy

Your travel should be you. Skip the Instagram pressure. Think:

• Visiting your grandfather’s birthplace in Punjab
• Attending a silent meditation retreat
• Spending a day with a local artist in Amsterdam (yes, it’s a thing!)

3. Budget Smart: Travel Within Your Means

If your budget is $5000 , plan for $4000.00. Keep the rest for:

• Flight delays
• Souvenirs
• Extra dessert (non-negotiable)

And please, never travel on borrowed money or credit card debt. Travelling is joy, not EMIs.

4. Travel Light—Emotionally and Physically

Pack less. Expect less. Enjoy more. Remember:

“Bade bade deshon mein chhoti chhoti baatein hoti rehti hai.”

Things may go wrong. You might miss a train or overpay for a croissant. Let it go.

For example, in Amsterdam, I had pre-booked a guided tour of the Van Gogh Museum. I reached on time, but couldn’t locate my guide—no signs, no help desk, no internet on my phone to get the messages. Just like that, poof—100 dollars gone. I ended up buying another ticket and visiting the museum on my own. It was frustrating, but I also laughed it off. Travel teaches you flexibility, not perfection.

5. Solo Travel: Not Luxury, But Necessity

Let me share something deeply personal—I’m in early 40’s, a mom of two, with a loving husband. But this trip to Amsterdam? I came solo. Five days, just me. Why? Because I want to remind myself that I can do this. That I can navigate airports, museums, metros—and my own thoughts—alone.

Solo travel isn’t selfish. It’s soul care.

I want to do this every year—not as a break from my family, but as a gift to myself. It keeps my confidence alive, tells me I’m not dependent on anyone emotionally or physically. It’s a rehearsal for the future when my kids will fly out of the nest, and I still want to soar—on my own terms.

This isn’t about luxury. It’s a life skill. And to every woman reading this: if you’ve been waiting for a sign to take that solo trip—this is it.

Final Thoughts: Travel is a Mirror

Travel has been my greatest teacher. It taught me gratitude. It showed me how the world works beyond our own bubble. And it made me appreciate people of all kinds—because whether you’re in Timmins or Jammu, everyone’s just trying to make a decent life.

So, dear reader, I hope you continue to travel. But travel mindfully. Travel deeply. Travel not to escape life, but to embrace it.

Call to Action

Have you had a travel moment that changed your perspective? Drop it in the comments or share your story with me on www.wealthveda.ca. Let’s move beyond checklists and towards connection.

Happy travelling—and may your passport tell better stories than your Instagram ever will.