For Creative Loafing Atlanta, October 2016.  For South Asians living in metro Atlanta, fall is a nostalgic time of the year. It is when Hindus from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and many Caribbean islands celebrate the festival of Diwali. This auspicious event not only holds a religious significance; it’s a cultural practice. Known as the […]

For CheapOAir MilesAway blog, October 2016. The paradise island of Bali attracts tourists from all around the world, who are mainly interested in exploring its pristine beaches, surfing waves, colorful festivals, and yoga studios. With 6 million visitors each year, the small Indonesian island receives a lot of stress on its resources. Conscious travelers can […]

For Creative Loafing Atlanta, October 2016.  Le Gomier is not a traditional restaurant. Nestled in an unassuming strip mall in Lawrenceville, it boasts no distinct landmarks nor nearby neighbors. And although the restaurant and event hall has been open for three years, it has managed to slide quite discretely under the radar of Atlanta’s culinary scene. […]

For The Huffington Post. September 2016. The Post Hotel and Spa in Lake Louise, Canada, has received a number of awards including Travel + Leisure Magazine “World’s Best Awards” #1 Resort in Canada, #17 “Top Hotel Globally” and Condé Nast Traveler Magazine “Best Ski Hotel in North America. So when I started planning my Fall break to […]

For The Huffington Post. September 2016. Mongolia doesn’t come up on many lists as a top tourist destination, though those who have been there can attest to its uniqueness. Traveling to Mongolia feels like you have journeyed to another time and place. Thirty percent of the three million people in the country still live a […]

For One Travel. September 2016.  The city of Calgary lies at the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. The capital of Alberta is one of the largest cities in Canada and is well known for the annual Stampede, the ’88 Winter Olympics, and being home to a large number of corporate headquarters. It’s also interesting to know […]

For CheapOAir. September 2016. Located in Eurasia’s South Caucasus region, and nestled between Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran (along with a couple others) lays Armenia. Home to some of the world’s oldest monuments, breathtaking vistas, a hospitable culture with a rich history and a delightful food and drink scene, Armenia offers a gamut of travel […]

For The Huffington Post. September 2016. Qatar Airways has been consistently rated one of the best airlines in the world. The independent airline review and rating company, Skytrax, named Qatar Airways “Airline of the Year” in 2015, 2012 and 2011, and “Business Class of the Year” in 2014 and 2013. So what makes this 19-year […]

For OneTravel Going Places. August 2016.  There’s something about floating in a hot air balloon that whispers luxury and romance. Whether you’re taking your maiden flight as a bucket list adventure, or sharing a precious moment with someone special, the experience of drifting over 2,000 feet into the sky in a giant balloon is one to remember. Did […]

For CheapOAir Miles Away. August 2016. Sixty thousand people gather at Piazza del Campo in Siena to watch a 90-second horse race around the square. Crowds cheer, jockeys maneuver the narrow curves of San Martino and struggle to stay on their steed. Children, as well as adults, root for their jockeys as they go through emotions of […]

For CheapOAir. August 2016. Mongolia is one of the few countries where nomadic culture still thrives today. As I drove through the country, I saw nothing but grasslands with free roaming herds of animals accompanied by a nomad or two. They lived in traditional gers (also known as yurts) and survived on whatever the land offered them. Here are Some Notable Dishes […]

For The Huffington Post. July 2016. Chile is unlike any other country I have visited in South America. Because of its natural beauty, high literacy rate, and fairly stable political situation, it can be best described as the Switzerland of the south. Chile is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Within the country, […]

For CheapOAir. July 2016. The beautiful city of Naples may be known as the birthplace of the pizza, but trust me, fellow foodie travelers, there are so many other mouthwatering delights to consume in this great place! Its narrow alleys are bustling with open air food markets, family-run stands selling fried snacks, and centuries-old pastry shops. Just […]

For The Huffington Post. July 2016. New York City to Oslo for only $150 round trip! An Airfare alert hits the screen. Your first reaction is to book the flight but then you think, what’s the catch? While many discount airlines are offering unbelievable deals on airfares, often times you get what you pay for. I […]

For The Huffington Post. July 2016. Given the current situation across the world, it is more imperative now than ever before to teach our kids about tolerance and friendship. The next generation must learn not only about world history and geography, but also understand diversity and culture. Here are ten simple ways in which parents […]

For One Travel. July 2016. Last week, I set off to Naples, Italy with only one goal – to eat pizza! One of my Italian friends forewarned me, “Once you eat in Naples, you can die and go to heaven.” Each day I bit into the warm, fresh, crispy dough, crowned with creamy, melt-in-your-mouth cheese; sweet, […]

For CheapOAir. June 2016. I’ve been on many wine tours before, but nothing prepared me for the variety of good quality wines I enjoyed in Chile. In just two weeks, I drank hundreds of glasses of whites, rosés, and reds, from all over the country. Thankfully, I had a carefully planned itinerary and a designated […]

For CheapOAir.com. June 2016. I love to travel, but I grew tired of the same “stay in a hotel, eat at a tourist trap restaurant” routine. After traveling to dozens of countries as a regular tourist, I found that my experience was getting rather repetitive. I wanted to return with amazing stories instead of bringing back cookie […]

For CheapOAir. May 2016. My perception of Cuban food while eating at restaurants in the US was limited to Cuban sandwiches, pulled pork, rice, beans, and a few meat staples. It was only when I visited Havana a couple of years ago that my entire perception of Cuban cuisine was proved to be false. It […]

For Creative Loafing. May 2016. A trip inside Botiwalla in Ponce City Market transports me to a canteen circa 1955, in the city of Ahmednagar, India. The British had just left India, granting its independence, leaving behind Victorian-style buildings and a bustling Parsi café scene. The fifth concept restaurant by James Beard Award nominee Meherwan […]

For CheapOAir. May 2016. Eating out in one of the world’s most expensive cities can be quite daunting at first. In Oslo, Norway, a pint of beer can set you back $8 and a basic lunch (sandwich + coke) about $25. Even a Big Mac combo meal is $12! A nice dinner for two at an […]

Cover Story for Khabar Magazine. May 2016. Our Druk Air plane makes a slow descent into Paro, maneuvering the aircraft through the deep valleys between tall dry mountains as high as 18,000 feet. Passengers hold their breath as we descend upon the only runway of the country’s sole international airport. I’m a bit on edge—and […]

For CheapOAir. April 2016. I had seen countless pictures of Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, the iconic igloo hotel, but being there was surreal. Even in April, the town of Ivalo was white as far as the eye could see. In forests covered in snow, reindeer peeked out from behind the trees, and the faint sound of barking Husky dogs […]

For CheapOAir. April 2016.  Before I headed to Israel, I was forewarned by family and friends. “Is it safe to go there?” they investigated with caution, influenced, of course, by what they had heard in the media. Nevertheless, once I started traveling through Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, those worries were easily put to rest as […]