Solo travel “My first solo trip was to Florence; it was to attend a film festival. I explored the city on my own after the fest ended. There were two particular moments that stood out — visiting the Uffizi museum, and doing a solo wine tour. I had visited Uffizi earlier with my kids, but visiting it on my own was like discovering a completely new place. I spent an entire day just at the museum, which I wouldn’t have been able to, had I been with family.
“I also enjoyed the wine tour, which took us to a hotel terrace overlooking Florence and the River Arno, and it was a magical experience. There was a mystical feeling about that whole evening. I was with a set of people I didn’t know, and we were all tasting different wines, watching the sun set over the river.”
Friends with wine “Post Florence, I went on another Tuscan wine tour, again on my own. It was a six-day tour, where I made friends with people aged between 22 and 70. Four or five of them have become friends for life. I am still in touch with them.”
Pushing limits “I once did an army boot camp in Israel as part of a retreat. It was four hours of stuff I never imagined I could do — climbing down walls, crawling on gravel — out of my comfort zone, but so fulfilling. I learnt that if somebody pushes me, I could do this.
“It was initially scary, but once you do it, it’s exhilarating. I remember sitting down on the ground after, with the team leaders, just eating falafel rolls; I don’t think I’ve had a more delicious meal than that one.”
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Priti Rathi Gupta finds a comfort level with city of Florence. Chasing adventure “I’m not very adventurous per se; I’m more driven by scenic experiences. For instance, I wouldn’t go bungee jumping, even if someone pushed me to do it. I think my most adventurous journey was in Australia, where we went deep-sea diving. Besides that, I would not undertake anything which involves a risk to my life.”
A place worth going back to “Tuscany or Florence. I think I may have been an Italian in a past life [laughs]. There is a comfort level with Florence. I know those special spots [that I enjoy] and I love the fact that it is contained. It’s not a never-ending city; you can actually see all of Florence on foot, and I love that.”
Travel tip “Travel light — although it’s a lesson I haven’t yet mastered.
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“Also, befriend the locals — it’s the best way to discover a new place. The minute you go as a tourist and do touristy things, you will not experience the place. I try and find friends or connections in the places I visit. For example, my Harvard group is based all over the world. So, if I visit a place, they’ll connect me to locals who can show me a more authentic way of living.”
Travel pet peeve “Places that don’t have good toilets. As long as the bathrooms and basic sanitation are fine, I’m good.”
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* THE INTERVIEW WAS DONE BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT ITALY.
Most Powerful Passports Of 2019: India Loses Charm; Singapore, Japan Among Travel-Friendly Countries
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The new Henley Passport Index is out, and there has been a major shuffle in the global ranking of the world's passports.
In the beginning of 2019, 27 countries were in the top 10 positions on the index, but this month 4 more countries were added to the list.
Several countries climbed the list to have most powerful passports, while few slipped from their positions, including India.
The ranking is determined on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. It is based on the exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information.
Here's a look at all the top ranking passports of this year.
The new Henley Passport Index is out, and there has been a major shuffle in the global ranking of the world's passports.
In the beginning of 2019, 27 countries were in the top 10 positions on the in..
Read More
Japan retained its top spot as the world's most powerful passport in 2019 for the second time in a row .
However, Singapore also shared the top spot with Japan in becoming the world's most travel-friendly passport due to the document's access to 189 countries.
Japan retained its top spot as the world's most powerful passport in 2019 for the second time in a row .
However, Singapore also shared the top spot with Japan in becoming the world's most travel-fr..
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While Finland jumped 2 spots, Germany moved 1 place to share the position with South Korea. These countries offer access to 187 countries.
South Korea had moved 10 places up the rankings since 2009, when it held 12th place with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 144.
While Finland jumped 2 spots, Germany moved 1 place to share the position with South Korea. These countries offer access to 187 countries.
South Korea had moved 10 places up the rankings since 2009,..
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With access to 186 jurisdictions, Denmark and Italy inched up one place to the third rank, and Luxembourg managed to rise from the previous fifth rank.
With access to 186 jurisdictions, Denmark and Italy inched up one place to the third rank, and Luxembourg managed to rise from the previous fifth rank.
Sweden retained its fourth rank from January, with access to 185 nations.
While France dropped one place, Spain climbed to from the fifth position to share the spot with Sweden.
Sweden retained its fourth rank from January, with access to 185 nations.
While France dropped one place, Spain climbed to from the fifth position to share the spot with Sweden.
With permission to 184 nations, Austria, Netherlands, Portugal & Switzerland jumped one spot to share the fifth rank.
With permission to 184 nations, Austria, Netherlands, Portugal & Switzerland jumped one spot to share the fifth rank.
Belgium Canada Greece Ireland climbed one spot to the sixth rank, while Norway, United Kingdom and the United States retained their position with permissions to 183 countries.
Belgium Canada Greece Ireland climbed one spot to the sixth rank, while Norway, United Kingdom and the United States retained their position with permissions to 183 countries.
Malta and Czech Republic inter-switched places. Malta solely ruled at the seventh spot with permission to 182 countries, and Czech Republic moved to eighth position on the powerful passport index with access to 181 destinations.
Malta and Czech Republic inter-switched places. Malta solely ruled at the seventh spot with permission to 182 countries, and Czech Republic moved to eighth position on the powerful passport index wit..
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Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and Lithuania jointly share the 9th position with access to 180 nations.
While Australia, Iceland, New Zealand climbed one place, Lithuania was a new entrant.
Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and Lithuania jointly share the 9th position with access to 180 nations.
While Australia, Iceland, New Zealand climbed one place, Lithuania was a new entrant.
Latvia, Slovenia & Slovakia proudly marched at the 10th spot with access to 179 nations.
Latvia, Slovenia & Slovakia proudly marched at the 10th spot with access to 179 nations.
