Good morning! ☕️ This Sunday, we retrace the iconic solo journey of Rani from Queen. We then dive into some of the bluest lakes in the world and canal cities like Venice and Amsterdam, as well as Kerala’s backwaters.
From there, we look at the countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In Kansas City, we discover a side beyond its fountains, where jazz, barbecue and museums come together to define its identity. Back home, we unpack Indian Railways’ new Premium Tatkal rules and see how UPI’s acceptance in Greece is making travel a little more convenient for Indian tourists.
We also explore how Indian states carry their own identities through evocative titles, the emergence of women-led spy thrillers in Indian cinema with Alpha
, and why places tied to tragedy continue to draw travellers through dark tourism.
Let’s get into it.
The ‘Queen’ trail: Follow Rani’s iconic solo journey from Delhi to Paris and Amsterdam
(Image created using ChatGPT)
With reports of Queen 2 being based in India, revisit the unforgettable route that made Rani Mehra’s solo honeymoon an inspiration for travellers. From the streets of Delhi to the cafés of Paris and the canals of Amsterdam, here’s how you can recreate the iconic journey that redefined solo travel for a generation.
The psychology behind dark tourism: Why tragedy draws travellers
From murder sites and disaster zones to battlefields and memorials, places associated with death continue to attract visitors across the world. The phenomenon of dark tourism explores how curiosity, collective memory, history, and our understanding of mortality shape how people engage with sites of tragedy.
Top 10 bluest lakes in the world that look almost too beautiful to be real
From New Zealand’s impossibly clear Blue Lake to Switzerland’s turquoise Blausee, these stunning lakes captivate with their crystal-clear waters, vivid shades of blue and spectacular natural surroundings. Here’s a journey through 10 of the world’s most breathtaking lakes that look straight out of a postcard.
Top canal cities you must visit around the world
Whether it’s gliding through Venice’s Grand Canal, cruising Kerala’s backwaters or exploring Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed waterways, these canal cities promise a slower, more scenic way to discover some of the world’s most beautiful destinations.
Countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites — and where India ranks
From Italy’s Roman ruins and China’s ancient wonders to India’s forts, caves and biodiversity hotspots, these countries are home to the world’s largest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, preserving some of humanity’s most remarkable cultural and natural treasures.
Beyond the fountains: 10 reasons to put Kansas City on your travel list
Known as the ‘City of Fountains’, Kansas City offers far more than its iconic water features. From its legendary jazz heritage and World War I museum to celebrated barbecue joints and striking cultural landmarks, the city blends history, music, art and food into a distinctly American experience.
From Premium Tatkal to steeper fines: What train travellers need to know
Indian Railways has rolled out several changes affecting passengers, from Premium Tatkal‘s dynamic pricing for last-minute confirmed tickets to stricter penalties for ticketless travel and other violations.
UPI goes Greek: Indian travellers can now pay with a simple scan
Indian travellers visiting Greece can now use UPI for everyday payments, making transactions faster, cheaper and more convenient. The move expands India’s digital payments footprint in Europe and reduces reliance on cash, forex exchanges and international cards while travelling abroad.
(Image created using ChatGPT)
God’s Own Country to the Land of Five Rivers: Indian states and the titles that define them
(Image created using ChatGPT)
From Kerala’s “God’s Own Country” and Punjab’s “Land of Five Rivers” to Arunachal Pradesh’s “Land of the Rising Sun”, India’s states are known by evocative titles that reflect their history, geography, culture and identity.
What the world’s healthiest breakfasts have in common
From Japan’s traditional rice-and-miso meal to India’s fermented idlis and sambar, the breakfasts eaten in some of the world’s longest-living communities prioritise whole foods, fermentation, fibre and protein over processed convenience. Here’s what makes these morning meals nutritional powerhouses—and what we can learn from them.
With Alpha, Indian spy thrillers finally put women in charge after six decades
Nearly 60 years after Gudachari 116 laid the foundation for Indian spy cinema, Alpha marks a milestone by becoming the first major commercial spy franchise led entirely by women. The film may not fully escape the genre’s long-standing reliance on male heroes, but it signals a significant shift in how Indian espionage stories imagine their protagonists.
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Asmita Pant