FlyFree As You Take A Winter Vacation, Thanks To PayTM’s Flight Sale

It is that time of the year again when the nip in the air makes everything rosier than before. There are no monsoon showers to ruin your outdoor plans, nor is there the sweltering summer heat that would burn your skin. Winters are the best time for lovely vacations, whether you wish to head to the mountains, hide away in a forest, or escape to a private island.

Jet Off To A Maldivian Private Island

Our ocean-facing table at the Maldivian restaurant close to our water villa at Paradise Island Resort.

Winter was just settling in when my husband and I took off for The Maldives to celebrate our honeymoon. We knew we had made a great decision to stay on the private Paradise Island. Gentle ocean waves lapping on the white sand shores, lazy walks on our water villa boardwalk, breezy evenings with soft music… there was romance in the air already! You too can book your flights to this tranquil haven on PayTM Travel.

Stay In A Tree House In A Jungle

Our jungle-stay in one of the Wood Cabins of The Machan in Atvan, close to Lonavala.

When I went on my first trip with my hubby after our marriage, I wondered if I would miss solo travel. But the joy of travelling as a couple far outweighed the highs of being on my own. We went to a small village called Atvan, almost 4 hours’ drive away from Mumbai. Our wooden room in the woods was kitted out with all sorts of modern and rustic amenities, from mood lighting to an hourglass.

Fly Free With PayTM Travel

So many of you ask me how to travel now that vacations are so expensive. While you can look for affordable homestays and boutique hotels for your stay, you sure can take advantage of PayTM’s Fly-Free flight sale to book your upcoming trip this winter. The offer is on for Axis Bank credit and debit card holders, and you will receive a surprise discount each time you make a flight booking between 5th and 7th December, 2019. The best part is, every hour, one lucky customer gets her flight entirely free! You can register ahead so you don’t forget about this travel-savings opportunity.

Holiday In The Scottish Highlands

The Stirling Castle in Scotland, just after a steady drizzle.

When your flights are sorted, you can pick a destination you’ve always wanted to visit. Even the Scottish Highlands won’t seem so distant when your airfare is taken care of. Scotland is not just about whisky, there are scores of enchanting castles (such as the Stirling Castle at the border of the Highlands and the Lowlands), cobbled roads, and sprawling meadows that beckon a stroll.

Book A Romantic Escape, Far From The Madding Crowd

I share a quiet moment with my husband in this cocoon swing chair during our honeymoon.

It is no news that winter is the unofficial wedding season. If you happen to be recently married or will soon take the nuptial vows, don’t tarry before booking your honeymoon. Those dreamlike beaches may remain just a dream if you don’t plan your sojourn in time.

Where are you vacationing this winter?

Have you registered for the Fly-Free sale yet?

Let me know through your comments below. 🙂

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How I Preserved My Honeymoon Moments in The Maldives with MyPostcard

Marriage changes the way you travel, and mostly for the better. <3 The solo-travelling Oindrila that you all are familiar with, is no longer the same. I have evolved to travelling as a couple with my loving husband, Martin. I did not know how wonderful this would be for both of us until we started to explore different places. Soon after our wedding, we did a short trip to the hidden village of Atvan in Maharashtra to enjoy our “mini-moon” in a luxe tree-house. For our grand honeymoon, though, we had our eyes on the stupendously gorgeous Maldives.

What It Means To Honeymoon In The Maldives

At the Paradise Island Resort in Maldives, we waited under a thatched roofed table for our turn to kayak in the cyan waters.
At the Paradise Island Resort in The Maldives, we waited under a thatched-roofed table for our turn to kayak in the cyan waters.

This cluster of idyllic islands in the Indian Ocean is beautiful beyond words. Scattered in the middle of nowhere, the white-sand-laden atolls look inviting, whether you arrive on a seaplane or a private speed boat. If there was anything we wanted to do besides romance, it was to delight in the pristine views of the infinite waters, gorge on the delicious buffet spreads and snorkel outside our water villa to catch the delicate colourful fishes swimming under our luxury lovenest on stilts.

Creating Memories On The Go

The XXL postcard which I sent my husband via the MyPostcard App.
The XXL postcard which I sent my husband via the MyPostcard App.

You all know my love for photography. The stunning landscapes of this country gave me the perfect occasion to put my DSLR, GoPro and phone cameras to use. We did spend a lot of amazing moments whispering sweet nothings to each other. But we also ensured we captured the precious memories of our luxurious stay on the private atoll of Paradise Island Resort, the sumptuous meals, the vibrant world underwater, our first kayaking experience, the glittering nights, and the joy of soaking in a bathtub on an open deck that looked out to the ocean.

Making The Most Of Exclusivity: Private Jacuzzi & What Not!

My husband and I enjoy our private jacuzzi in a secluded Japanese garden at the Paradise Island Resort, Maldives.
My husband and I enjoy our private jacuzzi in a secluded Japanese garden at the Paradise Island Resort, Maldives.

I’ll be honest, sometimes I had to remind myself that I was not on an assignment. I did not really have to shoot those many pictures or record hundreds of videos. But the excitement of travelling with the love of my life (and the best partner I could ever have hoped for) made me want to store every second of our time in The Maldives. My boyfriend-turned-husband and I swam in the open ocean outside our water villa, gazed at the creeper-shaded roof of our private jacuzzi in a Japanese garden and even played a game of billiards indoors when the sun was too strong outside.

Surprising My Man With A Personalized Postcard

My message on the postcard with the custom colour & font, shipped on priority by MyPostcard.
My message on the postcard with the custom colour & font, shipped on priority by MyPostcard.

I was over the moon with the lovely trip which Martin gifted me. And I found an excellent way to show him how delighted I was. I downloaded the MyPostcard app on my phone, created a collage of some of our timeless moments together, and ordered their XXL-sized postcard to be sent to our address. Their team printed and sent out our custom-made postcard in 24 hours, and we got it within 3 weeks through priority mail. It was nice how I could personalize the postcard further with a caption, a coloured border, font-style and colours and even emojis. I’m sure using this app to send out some more pretty postcards to my family. The fact that I can store the addresses and recipient profiles makes it even better.

The Romance of Old-School Postcards

Walking by the Velana Beach in the public island of Maafushi in The Maldives
Walking by the Velana Beach in the public island of Maafushi in The Maldives

Sending somebody a postcard may feel a bit dated, but that only makes it so much more charming and special to receive. If you are planning on surprising your friends or family with a personalized postcard full of priceless memories, use my promo code ODL2019 to save 30% on your order on the MyPostcard app. There are plenty of templates to help you design something lovely, and you can choose from a regular postcard, an XXL-sized one or even place bulk orders. Let me know how it goes! 🙂

When was the last time you received a postcard?

If you’re married, where did you honeymoon?

Let me know through your comments below. 🙂

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Private Luxury: Breaking Away From The All-Inclusive Holiday Packages

Before we take a look at bespoke indulgences, let me make it clear that there’s nothing wrong with, say, a two-week trip to a 4-star hotel in Spain. However, with so many destinations and holiday experiences now readily available, it would be a shame to miss out on those opportunities. After all, variety is the spice of life. Enjoying some private luxury is one of the best ways to build a holiday that you’ll never forget. Here are five of the best ways to do it.

Hire A Private Home

Photo by Milly Eaton from Pexels

City breaks are a winning solution for many, especially for long weekends and other short breaks. Solo travellers, couples, and groups alike can enjoy this. While there are many ways to appreciate places like Geneva on a budget, staying in a private rental home is the best. Even if you have a large budget, having a little privacy compared to staying in a noisy hotel is a hugely rewarding factor. Furthermore, in many cities, this route provides far greater flexibility with regards to location.

Stay In Paradise

What could be better than waking up to your own slice of paradise each morning? How about waking up in a private hotel as part of a bigger resort. The Maldives are among the most desired destinations on the planet. The ability to wake up in your own private chalet right by the water is truly incredible. As a honeymoon solution for newlywed couples, there is no better option out there. The slice of privacy certainly adds to the sense of luxury, but the backdrops and sea are equally essential.

Head Out To Sea

Cruises are deemed one of the best holiday experiences in the market. With the support of a sailboat charter company, it is possible to enjoy all of those rewards but with a sense of privacy and freedom like no other. With sailboats available in destinations all over the world, exploring the seas and port towns has never been easier. For small to medium size groups, this is truly the perfect way to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The sense of exclusivity is truly astonishing.

Take A Walking Tour

Machu Picchu

The word ‘luxury’ probably isn’t the first thing you’ll think of when discussing hiking holidays. While it is a little rough and ready, the sights that you’ll see are sure to make the trip seem extra special. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best, but there are plenty of alternative solutions out there. Once you reach the final destination, you can always spend a few days relaxing at an opulent place to gain the best of both worlds. The memories created will be incredible.

Staycation

Photo by Emre Can from Pexels

There’s no place like home, and a staycation may be your ultimate solution. This gives you a chance to truly appreciate all the wonderful things in your local area. Moreover, you’ll be guaranteed a good night’s sleep and all the comforts of home. Other benefits include the financial aspects as well as the fact that you’ll have removed the long haul journey. As long as you time it at the right point of the year, this can be a marvellous solution.

What type of holiday do you prefer?

Think you’ll try any of the ideas for your next trip?

Let me know through your comments below. 🙂

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