World Tourism Day: TV celebs explore exotic locales in India

September 27 is celebrated as World Tourism Day across the globe. However, the pandemic had put a dampener on travel plans for the last two years given the restrictions imposed by governments around the world. Now, with things opening up, several celebrities have stepped out to travel and explore some of India’s popular as well as hidden cultural gems.

From exploring Ladakh’s gorgeous mountains to trekking in Igatpuri and spotting tigers and exotic birds in forests, our TV celebs have been enjoying the various tourist spots that India has to offer. We spoke to some of them to talk about the places they visited amid the pandemic. Read on…

The couple says, “We recently went to Goa and took all safety measures given that we were travelling with a baby. The fact that we can now travel by adhering to precautions is a good sign. This time when we went to Goa, we explored Panjim and stayed near a beach called Bambolim. In the past, we would usually visit North Goa, so this time we thought of exploring a different region. We went to the church, Panjim market, and even visited a lot of new cafes. The highlight of our trip was Ekbir's first flight out of Mumbai and his first time on the beaches of Goa. It was good to see how developed Panjim is now, with the new bridge over the Mandovi river, new cafes and hangout spots.”

The couple decided to head up north for an adventurous sojourn. Jasmin says, “We decided to travel keeping all safety rules and regulations in mind. India has so many beautiful spots that are underrated and undiscovered. Aly and I went to Ladakh, and truly discovered the beauty of nature. It was a short trip, but it rejuvenated us. There were no crowds there and the fresh air was amazing. The lake water was crystal clear and the mountains covered with snow were a vision to behold.”

For Puneet Sachdev, travelling is something that is very close to his heart. He says, “Travelling is like food for the soul, but during the pandemic, this indulgence was badly affected. Fortunately, I could manage a few solo trips to different forests in the country. With life becoming stagnant in cities, travelling to forests offered me warmth, calm and solace. I explored the forests of South India including Kabini. Mysore paak became my favourite mithai. I also enjoyed sampling food with the locals of the area. India has varied food cuisines and I learnt so much about our forests and wildlife in general. The pandemic has made us realise that hoarding and getting lost in a routine should be avoided and that we must love to live life the simple way.”

The couple opted for a detoxing trip recently. Ridhiema says, “Last month, we finally decided that we must learn to accept the new normal and travel while taking all safety measures. We were missing being amidst nature, so Jas and I travelled to Igatpuri. Maharashtra is beautiful, and small towns like Ratnagiri are very pretty. If you want to see scenic beauty, the outskirts of Mumbai are beautiful. We trekked at Igatpuri, went off social media and did not watch television. We just kept walking and enjoying those few days in Igatpuri. This was our first trip with our three pets and it was lovely to take them along with us.”

Asmita Sood says, “Initially, last year during the pandemic, I was dreading coming back to Mumbai from my hometown. It was difficult after all those months of lockdown. However, in the past few months, I got the opportunity to visit a few lovely places such as Pondicherry, Jabalpur and Haridwar. I was surprised by how lush and green Jabalpur is! I assumed the small town would not have much to offer, but there were so many interesting places. I enjoyed spending time at the Bargi Dam and felt overwhelmed watching the aarti on the Narmada ghats.”

After living in Mumbai continuously for so many months, Sheen Dass was eager for a break. So, when she got a chance for a getaway, she decided to visit Kashmir. Talking about her trip, she says, “Not many people are aware, but I am a Kashmiri myself, who was born in Delhi. The locals are very happy that tourism has opened up in Kashmir. I enjoyed my time by Dal Lake. I also went to Kheer Bhawani Shankaracharya temple, which is Lord Shiva's temple on the outskirts of Srinagar. It is atop a mountain and gives a beautiful view of the entire city. People wear masks and there are sanitising machines in prime areas, so I wasn’t worried about safety. All in all, I loved my stay there, Kashmir is truly heaven on Earth.”

Kaveri Priyam visited Manali recently and fell in love with its picturesque locales. She says, “The one destination I would want everyone to visit is Manali. It has such gorgeous mountains and nature all around. The place has a peaceful vibe, which you will never find in metro cities. I visited apple, pomegranate and kiwi gardens. The houses are made up of wood there and they look so beautiful. I loved my trip.”

Sreejita says, “2021 has been stagnant and I missed travelling, so I explored beautiful mountain locations around Mumbai (weekend road trips). Travelling during the pandemic has been challenging because we have to wear masks and face shields, constantly sanitize and get Covid tests done on time before leaving a city and again before entering Mumbai. Life has been all about exploring areas around Mumbai in the past few months and it was good.”