Every Christmas trip to India during our ten years in the Netherlands ended up being 100% about family—our grand stopover dreams (Istanbul, Dubai, Muscat) always took a backseat. This December 2025, with 32 vacation days and a baby on the way, I was determined to finally break the pattern. Entering my second trimester feeling energized, and knowing how much life shifts post-baby, I wanted to seize the moment. We needed a warm, peaceful spot for short hikes and great food—no chaotic megacities. Dubai and Istanbul were out; Muscat, Oman won. Its slow pace, warm weather, and welcoming vibe hit every mark. We booked a two-to-three-day stopover for our return leg, ready to finally make it happen. The Journey Begins: Lucknow & Narora On December 18th, two flights via Mumbai brought us to a chilly, foggy Lucknow. The airport was surprisingly calm, slow-paced, and clean—a peaceful welcome before my father-in-law picked us up. After a short drive, my mother-in-law welcomed us with open arms...
42.6507° N, 18.0944° E. This almost looked like a complicated password to me when I was checking it. Truth be told, it really was. But when I managed to get past it, it opened a gateway to a fabulous, almost surreal experience of ancient history, royalty and an incredible canvas of natural beauty. It was on a road trip that I did covering 4 Eastern European countries that I reached Croatia and then of course, had to visit Dubrovnik. It seemed to be a cliché, like doing the touristy thing, but let me tell you it is a place that will fill your senses like no other. George Bernard Shaw described it as “The Pearl of the Adriatic” and today Dubrovnik is one of the most sought after tourist destination in the Mediterranean Sea. The playground of business czars, movie stars, sports celebrities and of course those looking for that “perfect picture moment” to create a buzz on their social media pages. An interesting side information is...